Emergency Exits: How to Balance Safety and Security

Emergency exit hardware must allow rapid egress while preventing unauthorized entry. Getting this balance wrong can create legal liability or safety hazards.

2026-10-20 · 7 min read · Commercial

Emergency exit doors present a unique challenge: they must be instantly operable from the inside in an emergency — no keys, no codes, no delays — while also preventing unauthorized entry from outside. Getting this balance wrong in either direction creates problems.

Applicable Codes

In Florida, commercial occupancies are subject to the Florida Building Code and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101 (Life Safety Code). Key requirements include:

• Egress doors must be operable from the inside without a key, combination, or any special knowledge or effort
• Exit hardware must not require more than 15 pounds of force to operate
• Special egress control devices (delayed egress, controlled egress) require specific conditions and authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) approval

These are general principles — specific requirements vary by occupancy type and jurisdiction. Always consult with a licensed professional and obtain the appropriate permits.

Standard Emergency Exit Hardware

The most common solution is panic hardware (also called exit devices or push bars): a horizontal bar across the door's interior face that unlatches the door when pushed. ANSI/BHMA standard A156.3 defines performance requirements for exit devices.

Panic hardware comes in several configurations: - Rim exit devices — Most common; the latching mechanism mounts to the door's rim and strikes a keeper on the door frame - Mortise exit devices — The latching mechanism is mortised into the door edge; more secure but more complex to install - Surface vertical rod devices — The device latches at both top and bottom of the door; common on wide or glass doors

In a loading facility, assess warehouse and roll-up door locks separately from personnel exits.

Controlling Outside Access

The challenge is preventing unauthorized entry from outside without compromising egress. Solutions include:

Keyed outside trim — The exterior side of the exit device has a keyed cylinder that allows authorized personnel to enter from outside. The inside always allows free egress.

Delayed egress devices — With AHJ approval, an alarm sounds when the bar is pushed and the door unlocks after a short delay (typically 15 seconds). This deters casual unauthorized egress while still providing emergency exit capability. Often used in retail to deter shoplifting through emergency exits.

Electronic latch retraction — An electric strike or magnetic lock holds the door from outside, but the panic bar immediately releases the latch from inside regardless of electrical state. These systems must "fail safe" in a power failure — meaning the door must be openable even without power.

Common Mistakes

The most dangerous mistakes we encounter include: - Chaining or padlocking emergency exit doors (illegal and dangerous) - Installing door handles that require active effort (turning or lifting) in lieu of panic hardware on required egress doors - Blocking emergency exit paths with merchandise or furniture - Installing double-cylinder deadbolts on emergency exit doors in occupancies where this is prohibited

Any of these violations can create serious legal liability and, more importantly, cost lives in a genuine emergency.

If you have questions about emergency exit hardware compliance for your Miami commercial property, Caraballo Locksmith works with commercial property managers and architects on code-compliant exit hardware selection and installation.