General Definition
- Panic hardware is a door hardware system designed to provide easy, rapid egress during an emergency by allowing occupants to push against a horizontal bar to unlatch and open an exit door.
- This is especially critical in Group A-1 occupancies (e.g., theaters, auditoriums, concert halls), where large crowds require quick and unobstructed evacuation routes.
- Building codes such as the International Building Code (IBC) and the Building Standards Law (BSL) of Japan establish minimum requirements for panic hardware, including occupant load thresholds, latch mechanisms, door swing directions, and emergency power backup.
Comparison Table
| Element | IBC Table 1010.1.10 (USA) – Panic Hardware for A-1 Occupancy | BSL Article 28 (Japan) – Panic Hardware Regulations |
| Panic Hardware Required for Occupant Load | – Mandatory for A-1 occupancies with 50+ occupants. | – Stricter—mandatory for A-1 occupancies with 30+ occupants. |
| Latch Mechanism Requirement | – Panic bars must unlatch the door with a single motion. | – Stricter—requires multiple fail-safes to prevent accidental locking. |
| Door Swing Direction | – Exit doors must swing in the direction of egress travel. | – Same as IBC. |
| Electrically Controlled Exit Doors | – Allowed but must fail-safe to unlocked position during emergencies. | – Allowed but requires an additional manual override system. |
| Emergency Power for Exit Hardware | – Exit hardware connected to emergency power systems. | – Same as IBC but with stricter backup power duration requirements. |
Key Differences
- Occupant Load Threshold for Panic Hardware:
- IBC requires panic hardware for A-1 spaces with 50+ occupants.
- BSL enforces stricter requirements at 30+ occupants. (Stricter than IBC.)
- Latch Mechanism Requirement:
- IBC mandates a single-motion unlatching mechanism.
- BSL requires additional fail-safes to prevent accidental lockouts. (More stringent.)
- Electrically Controlled Exit Doors:
- IBC allows electric exit doors but requires them to fail-safe to the unlocked position.
- BSL mandates an additional manual override system. (Stricter.)
- Emergency Power Backup for Exit Hardware:
- Both IBC and BSL require panic hardware to be connected to emergency power.
- BSL enforces stricter backup duration standards.
Recommendations for Improvement
| Issue | IBC Recommendation | BSL Recommendation |
| Lower Occupant Threshold for Panic Hardware | Reduce occupant threshold to 30, aligning with BSL. | Maintain stricter threshold but clarify exemptions for small venues. |
| Stronger Latch Mechanism Requirements | Implement additional fail-safes to prevent unintentional locking. | Ensure fail-safes do not increase door operation complexity. |
| Enhanced Electrically Controlled Exit Door Safety | Require manual override systems, similar to BSL. | Improve public awareness of manual override procedures. |
Key Insights
- Panic Hardware Required for Occupant Load:
- IBC: Mandatory at 50+ occupants.
- BSL: Stricter—mandatory at 30+ occupants.
- Latch Mechanism Requirement:
- IBC allows a single-motion unlatch mechanism.
- BSL enforces stricter fail-safe mechanisms.
- Electrically Controlled Exit Doors:
- IBC: Allowed with fail-safe unlocking.
- BSL: Stricter—requires an additional manual override.
- Emergency Power for Exit Hardware:
- Both IBC and BSL require emergency power backup, but BSL enforces longer duration standards.
Summary
- BSL enforces stricter panic hardware requirements than IBC for A-1 occupancies.
- BSL requires panic hardware at 30+ occupants, whereas IBC sets the threshold at 50+.
- BSL mandates stricter fail-safe latch mechanisms to prevent accidental lockouts.
- BSL requires an additional manual override for electrically controlled exit doors.