The term “panic bar” covers a category of door hardware that code refers to as “exit devices” or “panic hardware.” The principle is simple: the door opens from the inside with a single push, no key, no prior knowledge required. That simplicity is the point. In an emergency, you shouldn’t have to think about how to get out. Florida fire code formalizes that principle into law for a defined set of occupancy types — and Broward County enforces it actively.
This guide covers what Florida actually requires, which hardware brands hold up, and what to expect when you call a mobile locksmith to install or replace exit hardware at your location.
What Florida fire code requires
Florida adopts the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, which is enforced at the local level by your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) — typically the county or municipal fire marshal. Panic hardware is required on egress doors in these occupancy types:
- Assembly occupancies with an occupant load of 100 or more. This covers restaurants, bars, event spaces, theaters, places of worship, and large meeting rooms. If 100 people can legally be in the space at once, the exit doors need panic hardware.
- Educational occupancies where a single classroom holds 50 or more students.
- High-hazard occupancies at any occupant load — any space where the contents represent a significant fire or explosion risk.
- Certain healthcare and detention facilities, with specific exceptions written into the code.
The practical rule for Broward small businesses: if your space can hold a significant crowd and they might all try to leave at once, you probably need panic bars on at least your primary exit doors. Your fire marshal has the final word. Before we install anything on a code-sensitive door, we’ll ask whether you’ve confirmed with the AHJ. The permit and the inspection are your responsibility — we install hardware to code, but we’re not the fire marshal.
Code requirements for the hardware itself
NFPA 101 specifies how the exit device must perform, not just that it must exist. Key requirements:
- The door must open with a single pushing motion on the exit device bar. No turning, no lifting, no prior knowledge required.
- The device must be mounted between 34 and 48 inches from the floor.
- Delayed egress is allowed in certain occupancy types, but only with a specific alarm sequence — the door cannot be simply locked from the inside.
- The latch must retract fully with a single action on the push bar.
- The hardware must be listed by a recognized testing laboratory (UL listing is standard).
Common brands we install and recommend
Not all exit devices are equal. The brands used by serious commercial locksmiths in South Florida:
- Von Duprin (owned by Allegion): The industry standard for high-traffic applications. The 98/99 series is ubiquitous in Broward commercial work. Built to last decades in a high-cycle environment. If you have a busy restaurant on Las Olas or a venue near the beach, this is what should be on the door.
- Corbin Russwin (owned by ASSA ABLOY): Strong performance in commercial and institutional settings. Common in healthcare, educational, and government buildings. Built to Grade 1 specification throughout the product line.
- Sargent (also ASSA ABLOY): Similar quality tier to Corbin Russwin. Often spec’d by architects alongside Sargent locksets for matched hardware suites.
- Falcon by Allegion: Good mid-market option for properties that need code-compliant hardware without the premium of a Von Duprin. Appropriate for lower-traffic secondary exits.
We carry the most common configurations on the truck. For large orders or custom finishes, lead time is typically 3 to 7 business days.
Rim vs. mortise vs. surface-vertical-rod: which type do you need?
Exit devices come in several mounting configurations. The right one depends on your door:
- Rim exit devices are the most common. They mount on the face of the door and latch to a strike on the frame. Standard for single-door commercial applications.
- Mortise exit devices integrate with a mortise lock body inside the door stile. Common on higher-security or paired-door applications. More complex installation, but provides the cleanest appearance and most secure function.
- Surface vertical rod (SVR) devices are used on double doors without a center post. They latch into strikes at the top and bottom of the door frame. Requires a door of appropriate height and structural integrity.
- Concealed vertical rod (CVR) performs the same function as SVR with the rods hidden inside the door, for a cleaner look.
When you call us, tell us: single door or double door, metal or wood frame, and whether there’s an existing exit device or it’s a new installation. We’ll confirm the right configuration on the phone and arrive with it on the truck.
What a mobile install looks like
A mobile commercial locksmith install is different from a contractor install in one key way: we come to the building, we work around your schedule, and the door stays functional when we leave. For most exit device replacements on standard commercial doors, the job takes 1 to 2 hours per door. We prefer to work during business close hours — before opening or after closing — to avoid disrupting traffic, but we can work during off-peak hours if the door can be temporarily blocked.
After installation, we verify operation: push bar engages the latch, door opens from the inside without a key, door closes and latches fully, strike aligns cleanly. We document the install for your records. If the installation requires a permit inspection, we’ll coordinate timing with you so the work is ready when the inspector visits.
Property managers: what to do before you call
If you manage multiple properties and are putting together a bid or maintenance schedule, call (754) 295-0228 with the following: property address, number of doors needing exit devices, door material and width, current hardware if any, and your preferred schedule. We can quote a multi-door commercial job over the phone or arrange a site walk for larger installations.
Need a locksmith now? Call (754) 295-0228 any time, day or night. We dispatch from Hallandale Beach and serve Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties — 24/7.
Related reading: All FAQ & articles · Residential services · Commercial services · Car locksmith services