Editing Crash bar (section)

{{Short description|Door opening mechanism}}
{{About|an emergency exit safety device|a vehicle collision safety device|Underride guard}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2021}}
[[File:Set of Crash Bar Doors.jpg|thumb|Crash bar doors in a school, with upper vertical rod latches]]
A '''crash bar''' (also known as a '''panic''' '''exit device, panic bar,''' or '''bump bar''')<ref name="ansi">American National Standards Institute, ANSI/BHMA A156.3-2001, American National Standard for Exit Devices</ref><ref>California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 2, "California Building Code." 1008.1.9</ref> is a type of [[door handle|door opening mechanism]] which allows users to open a door by pushing a bar. While originally conceived as a way to prevent [[crowd crush]]ing in an emergency, crash bars are now used as the primary door opening mechanism in many commercial buildings.

The device consists of a spring-loaded metal bar which is fixed horizontally to a door that swings in the direction of an exit. Depressing the bar unlatches the door, allowing occupants to quickly leave the building.<ref>{{Cite book|title=ANSI/BHMA A156.3-2001. American National Standard for Exit Devices|publisher=American National Standards Institute|year=2001}}</ref>

Modern fire standards often mandate that doors be fitted with crash bars in commercial and other occupancies where mass evacuation may be slowed by other types of door openers.

They are sometimes intended solely for [[emergency exit|emergency use]] and may be [[Exit control lock|fitted with alarms]]. However, in many buildings the crash bar is the primary mechanism for opening a door in normal circumstances as well. They may even be used when not required by code, because they are quicker and easier to use compared with a knob or lever handle.