Skip to content When it comes to commercial and public buildings, choosing the right door hardware can be confusing — especially when terms like panic hardware, exit device, and fire-rated hardware are used interchangeably.
In this article, we’ll break down the differences between panic devices and fire-rated exit hardware, explain label requirements, and help you choose the right product for doors.
What Is a Panic Device?
A panic device (also called panic bar or crash bar) is a type of door hardware designed to allow fast and safe egress during emergencies, especially in buildings with large numbers of occupants. It’s installed on the egress side of the door and releases the latch when someone pushes on the bar — no key, knob, or twisting required.
Key Features of Panic Device:
• Requires minimal force (typically under 15 lbs).
• Must operate with a single motion.
• Allows immediate exit even under panic conditions (e.g., fire, active shooter, earthquake).
Where are panic devices required?
Panic devices are typically required in the following locations based on building codes and safety standards：
Assembly occupancies
In assembly occupancies with an occupant load of 50 people or more, such as theaters, auditoriums, conference centers, and large event halls, panic devices are mandatory. These places often host a large number of people for various events, and in the event of an emergency, a quick and easy means of egress is crucial to ensure the safety of everyone.
Educational occupancies
Educational facilities with an occupant load of 50 people or more, including schools, colleges, and training centers, need panic devices. Classrooms, lecture halls, and other large gathering spaces within these institutions fall under this category. This is to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and staff during emergencies.
High – hazard occupancies
Panic devices are required in all high – hazard occupancies, regardless of the occupant load. These include buildings or areas where there is a significant risk of fire, explosion, or other dangerous conditions, such as chemical storage facilities, industrial plants handling hazardous materials, and laboratories.
In addition, local building codes and regulations may have specific requirements regarding the installation of panic devices. It is important to consult the relevant local authorities or a professional architect or engineer to ensure compliance.
What Is a Fire Door?
A fire door is a door assembly (door, frame, hardware) designed to resist the spread of fire and smoke for a specific time — typically 20, 45, 60, 90, or 180 minutes — depending on its rating. Fire doors are an essential part of a building’s passive fire protection system.
Characteristics of Fire Doors:
• Must be self-closing and self-latching.
• Constructed with fire-resistant materials.
• Equipped with UL-listed or fire-rated hardware.
• Required in stairwells, corridors, fire-rated partitions, and fire barriers.
Can a panic device be used on a fire-rated door?
Yes — but the device must be a fire-rated panic device, often labeled as fire exit hardware.
What makes an exit device fire rated?
A fire-rated panic device:
• Is tested and certified for use on fire-rated doors (UL 10C or equivalent).
• Does not include mechanical dogging, since fire doors must always latch when closed.
• Can include electrified dogging or delayed egress functions only if tested and approved for fire-rated use.
• Helps the door maintain its fire barrier by ensuring a positive latch.
If you install a non-fire-rated panic device on a fire door, the entire fire rating of that door assembly is void, creating a safety and code compliance issue.
Panic-Rated vs. Fire-Rated Exit Devices: Key Differences
Panic – rated exit device focuses on facilitating quick and easy evacuation in an emergency, while fire – rated focuses on preventing the spread of fire and smoke. A door can have both panic – rated and fire – rated features if it meets the requirements for both, which is often the case in many commercial and public buildings to ensure the safety of occupants in different emergency scenarios.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Panic-Rated Exit Device | Fire-Rated Exit Device |
| Purpose | Quick egress for occupant safety | Maintain fire separation & allow egress |
| Door Type | Non-fire-rated | Fire-rated doors |
| Latching | May not self-latch | Must self-latch |
| Dogging (Latch Hold-Open) | Allowed (mechanical) | Not allowed |
| Fire Testing Required | No | Yes — UL 10c/ NFPA 80 tested |
| Label | “Panic Hardware” | “Fire Exit Hardware” |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Using panic devices with mechanical dogging on fire doors (violates code).
• Installing non-fire-rated devices on fire-rated openings.
• Confusing exit devices with panic hardware — not all exit devices meet panic requirements.
• Failing to check labels for UL or fire ratings.
How to Choose the Right Panic Device
Pls check:
1. Is the door fire-rated?
2. Is panic hardware required by code?
3. Do you need additional features (electrified latch, delayed egress)?
4. Is the device listed and labeled for the application?
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What is dogging on an exit device?
Dogging is a feature found on some exit devices (panic bars) that allows you to temporarily hold the latch retracted, so the door can be opened freely without pushing the bar each time.
2.Can you lock panic hardware?
Panic hardware is designed to provide quick and easy egress in the event of an emergency, and it is generally not intended to be locked in a way that would prevent immediate use.but you can use the outside trim to lock the door from outside.
3.What is the second latch on a panic bar for?
The second latch on a panic bar is usually a deadlatch, which Preventing unauthorized entry and Providing additional security.
Preventing unauthorized entry: When the panic bar is pressed, the deadlatch engages, keeping the door locked from the outside. This is crucial during emergencies, especially when the emergency is caused by an external threat like an active shooter situation, as it stops unauthorized people from entering the building. Moreover, it helps prevent unauthorized access when the building is not in use, safeguarding valuable assets and sensitive information within the building.
Providing additional security:The deadlatch on the panic bar is a secondary locking mechanism. It offers an extra layer of protection, ensuring that the door remains securely closed when it is supposed to be locked. This is particularly important for doors that are used as emergency exits and need to be secure when not in use for egress.
In the case of double doors, the second latch can also be used to open the doors and might be employed when there isn’t enough space between the top and bottom latches to use the first latch3. Additionally, it can function independently to lock the door without using a key.
Conclusion
Yes, panic devices can be used on fire doors — as long as they are fire-rated panic devices, also known as fire exit hardware. Understanding the differences between standard exit devices, panic hardware, and fire-rated hardware is essential for ensuring both life safety and code compliance.
Choosing the wrong device could result in violations, compromised safety, or even legal liability. Always use certified hardware, follow the codes, and when in doubt — consult a professional.
Need help selecting the right panic or fire exit hardware?
Reach out to DORTEC team — we’re here to make safety simple and compliance easy.
