If you’ve worked with door hardware, you’ve likely heard of Grade 1 panic devices. But what does “Grade 1” actually mean? More importantly, why should it matter to you or your facility?

What Do the Grades Mean?

The Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) establishes and maintains standards for the door hardware industry, including panic hardware. These standards ensure a consistent level of quality and performance. Panic hardware undergoes rigorous cycle tests to earn one of three grades, each reflecting its durability and reliability:

• Grade 1: Must withstand at least 500,000 cycles
• Grade 2: Must withstand at least 250,000 cycles
• Grade 3: Must withstand at least 100,000 cycles

Grade 1 devices are the toughest, designed for the highest traffic and most demanding environments. Some manufacturers go above and beyond, testing their products well beyond the minimum requirements to ensure maximum durability.

What Makes Grade 1 Different?

As of the latest ANSI/BHMA standard (2020), the requirements for Grade 1 panic devices include a preloading test. This means the device is tested with a simulated real-world load before the cycle test begins.

In real-world scenarios, doors may experience additional force from:

• Air pressure
• Misaligned doors or frames
• Installation issues

The preloading test applies a force equivalent to a net 20-22 pound-force (lbf) to mimic these conditions, making it more challenging for devices to pass. This ensures Grade 1 devices are not only durable but also effective under realistic conditions.

Why Does This Testing Matter?

Panic hardware must perform flawlessly in critical moments, so testing focuses on several key criteria:

1. Operation
   The device must function consistently, whether in a lab or the field.
2. Durability
   Grade 1 hardware is built to last, ensuring years of reliable use.
3. Safety and Security
   These devices are tested to withstand:
   • Forced entry from the pull side.
   • Heavy push loads from the opposite side.
4. Appearance
   Grade 1 devices resist corrosion, chemicals, and UV exposure, ensuring they maintain their finish over time.

Why Choose Grade 1 Panic Devices?

Grade 1 panic devices are ideal for high-traffic areas such as:

• Schools and universities
• Hospitals and healthcare facilities
• Stadiums and arenas
• Office buildings

Investing in Grade 1 hardware provides peace of mind, knowing that your exit devices are designed to withstand demanding conditions while maintaining the safety and security of occupants.

Conclusion

Choosing the right panic hardware isn’t just about meeting code requirements—it’s about ensuring durability, safety, and reliability for the life of your building. Grade 1 panic devices set the highest standard, delivering unmatched performance and peace of mind in even the most challenging environments.

When safety is non-negotiable, Grade 1 is the clear choice.

In an emergency, a well-maintained exit route can mean the difference between chaos and a safe evacuation. Exit routes are not just a critical component of workplace safety—they’re also a legal requirement under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. This blog post explains what exit routes are, their requirements, and how to ensure your building remains code-compliant.

What Is an Exit Route?

OSHA defines an exit route as a continuous and unobstructed path that allows occupants to travel from any point within a workplace to a safe location.

An exit route consists of three key components:

1. Exit Access: The path leading to the exit.
2. The Exit: The actual door or area, separated from other spaces, that provides safe passage during an evacuation.
3. Exit Discharge: The portion of the route that leads outside to a street, open space, walkway, or refuge area.

Requirements for Exit Route Compliance

To ensure safety and compliance, exit routes must meet specific requirements:

1. Unlocked Doors
   • Exit doors must be unlocked from the inside.
   • Devices or alarms on doors (e.g., delayed egress) must not restrict use in an emergency unless explicitly approved by your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
2. Swing Direction
   • Exit doors must swing outwards in the direction of travel during an evacuation.
3. Clear Width
   • The minimum width of an exit is 36 inches, with a clear opening of at least 32 inches.
   • The maximum width of a single opening is 48 inches, but exceptions allow for clear widths as narrow as 28 inches.
4. Lighting and Signage
   • Emergency lighting and exit signs must be provided and adequate for individuals with normal vision.
5. Permanent and Unobstructed Routes
   • Exit routes must be permanent, unobstructed by materials, equipment, or debris.
   • Chains, deadbolts, or dead-end corridors are prohibited.
6. Accessible Exits
   • Exit routes must lead to a safe location, such as a street, refuge area, or open space with access to the outdoors.
7. Fire-Rated Doors and Labels
   • Fire-rated exit doors require labeling from third-party agencies such as Underwriter Laboratories (UL), Warnock Hersey (WH), or Intertek Testing Services (ITS).

Special Considerations for Fire Exits

Fire exits are an essential part of many buildings, often located inside and not part of an external wall. Here are some critical rules for fire exits and fire exit devices:

1. Projection Limits
   • Exit devices cannot project more than 4 inches from the door (per Section 1003.3.2 of the 2018 International Building Code).
2. Fire Door Standards
   • Fire exits must be equipped with self-closing fire-rated doors that automatically re-latch or re-lock upon closure.
   • Fire exit devices must pass rigorous testing to prove their ability to keep doors secure during a fire emergency.
3. Time Ratings
   • Fire exit devices must display a time rating from a third-party agency—typically 20 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, or 3 hours.
4. Dogging Mechanisms
   • Mechanical dogging (which prevents re-latching) is not allowed. However, electric dogging is permitted for fire-rated exit devices.

Did you know?
Many exit routes are overlooked during routine building inspections. Improperly maintained or obstructed exits can result in citations, fines, or worse—endanger lives in an emergency.

Maintaining Exit Route Compliance

To stay compliant and ensure safety:

• Conduct regular inspections of all exit routes, ensuring they are clear and functional.
• Verify that all exit devices meet the appropriate fire-rating standards.
• Consult with your local AHJ to confirm compliance with jurisdiction-specific requirements.

Having proper exit routes is not just about meeting code—it’s about ensuring that everyone in your building has a safe path to escape during an emergency.

Need help with exit route hardware?

Contact us today for expert guidance on maintaining safe, compliant exit routes in your facility.

Tailgating, also known as piggybacking, is a common yet often overlooked security risk. It happens when an unauthorized individual gains access to a secured area by following closely behind an authorized person. While it can be as harmless as holding the door open for someone to be polite, it can also be as dangerous as an intruder exploiting this courtesy to breach your facility.

Why Tailgating Is a Threat

Even a single instance of unauthorized access can put your business, employees, and sensitive information at risk. Whether it’s a malicious actor entering to commit theft or an unvetted individual compromising private data, the consequences of tailgating can be severe. That’s why addressing this security vulnerability is crucial for any organization that values safety and confidentiality.

How Tailgate Detection Systems Work

Tailgate detection systems enhance your access control by monitoring secured doorways. These systems typically use vertical rows of infrared beams to track the number of individuals passing through in one or both directions. If more people pass through than the access system recognizes, the system triggers an alert.

With customizable options, these systems can sound alarms locally or notify security teams remotely, ensuring a swift response without disrupting your workplace.

Where Tailgate Detection Makes an Impact

Tailgate detection systems are invaluable in a variety of industries, providing an extra layer of protection where it’s needed most:

• Financial Institutions: Safeguard cash, vaults, and sensitive financial records.
• Healthcare Facilities: Secure patient records, research labs, and pharmaceutical storage.
• Pawn Shops & Sporting Goods Stores: Protect firearms and ammunition from unauthorized access.
• Government & Law Enforcement: Control access to secure areas, records, and control centers.

Strengthen Your Security Today

Tailgating might seem like a minor oversight, but the risks it poses are anything but small. By integrating tailgate detection systems, you can secure your facility and prevent unauthorized access without sacrificing convenience.

Invest in peace of mind—because keeping your doors secure is about more than just locking them.

When choosing electrified locking devices for your facility, it’s essential to understand the difference between fail-safe and fail-secure options. These terms determine how a lock behaves during a power outage and play a critical role in access control and safety compliance.

Fail-Safe Locks: Unlocked Without Power

A fail-safe locking device unlocks when power is lost. It requires power to remain locked, ensuring that in the event of a power outage, occupants can exit or access specific areas as needed.

Common Uses

• Fire-Rated Stairwell Doors: Allows people in stairwells to seek refuge on certain floors and enables first responders to access necessary areas during emergencies.
• Access-Controlled Interior Doors: In some jurisdictions, fail-safe locks are required to prioritize safety and accessibility.

Key Consideration

While fail-safe locks enhance safety during emergencies, they may compromise security by leaving doors unlocked during power outages.

Fail-Secure Locks: Locked Without Power

A fail-secure locking device remains locked when power is lost. It requires power to unlock, making it ideal for maintaining security during power outages.

Common Uses

• Main and Employee Entrances: Ensures unauthorized individuals cannot enter the building without a key or access credential.
• Perimeter Doors: Maintains security for exterior access points.

Key Consideration

While fail-secure locks provide better security, they require careful planning to ensure compliance with emergency exit requirements.

Choosing the Right Locking Device

Building Codes and Safety Regulations

• Building codes require that occupants can always exit freely during emergencies, even if the doors are locked. This is why exit devices and fail-safe trims are commonly used on emergency exits.
• Ensure you consult local regulations to determine whether fail-safe or fail-secure devices are required for specific doors.

Power Consumption

• Fail-Safe Devices: Require continuous power to stay locked, increasing energy consumption and operating costs.
• Fail-Secure Devices: Use power only during unlocking, making them more energy-efficient.

Security Needs

• Use fail-secure locks for perimeter doors to prevent unauthorized access during power outages.
• Consider fail-safe locks for doors that prioritize life safety, such as stairwells or emergency exits.

Specialized Solutions

Certain hardware products, like electric latch retraction exit devices, offer a hybrid approach:

• Fail-Secure During Power Outages: These devices lock securely when power is lost.
• Latch Retraction: Allows doors to operate easily during normal business hours.
• Energy Efficiency: They consume power briefly during activation, minimizing energy costs.

Detex Products

Product	Fail-Safe or Fail-Secure?	During loss of power, product is…
Electric Strike	Fail-Safe (Field Selectable)	Unlocked
Electric Strike	Fail-Secure (Field Selectable)	Locked
Electromagnetic Lock	Fail-Safe	Unlocked
Electric Lever Trim	Fail-Safe (Field Selectable)	Unlocked
Electric Lever Trim	Fail-Secure (Field Selectable)	Locked
Electric Latch Retraction (ER EX)	Always Fail-Secure	Locked
Electric Dogging (ED)	Always Fail-Secure	Locked

Final Thoughts

Selecting the right locking device involves balancing security, safety, and operational efficiency. Fail-safe and fail-secure devices serve different purposes, so it’s essential to evaluate your facility’s needs and regulatory requirements before making a decision.

By understanding these options, you can ensure your building is both secure and compliant, no matter the situation.