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(202) 517-2407

Call Us Today :

(202) 517-2407

Panic Bar, Push Bar & Exit Device Repair & Installation in Washington, DC

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Panic Bar, Push Bar & Exit Device Repair

Reliable Panic Bar Repair in Washington, DC

DC Commercial Door Solutions provides panic bar repair and replacement for commercial buildings throughout Washington, DC. Panic bars are also commonly referred to as push bars, crash bars, or exit devices. Whichever name you use, it is the same commercial exit door hardware, and we service all of it.

This service is for property owners, facility managers, and businesses whose exit door has a panic bar or push bar that is sticking, feels loose, has stopped latching, or has failed outright. We repair and replace exit devices in government buildings, schools, and commercial properties throughout Washington DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

Panic bar (push bar) exit device and latch on a commercial glass door in Washington, DC

Panic Bar & Exit Device Service Overview

A panic bar, also called a push bar, crash bar, or exit device, lets people leave a building quickly by pushing a horizontal bar rather than operating a knob or lever. Because these devices sit on egress doors, a malfunctioning unit is both an inconvenience and a security or life-safety concern. We diagnose, adjust, repair, and replace panic bars, push bars, and exit devices on commercial entrances, stairwell doors, and other egress points.

Panic Bar & Push Bar Repair Services

Most calls we get are for a door not latching, a bar that sticks, or hardware that has been damaged by heavy use. Our panic bar and push bar services include:

  • Panic bar repair Sticking or damaged panic bars, loose or sagging push rails, broken touchpads, and worn springs or dogging mechanisms.
  • Push bar repair Push bars that take too much force, do not spring back, or no longer release the latch when pressed.
  • Exit device repair Rim, mortise, and vertical rod devices, including latches, strikes, rods, and outside trim.
  • Door not latching Strike and frame alignment, latch replacement, and rod adjustment so the exit door closes and secures properly.
  • Panic bar replacement and push bar replacement When a device is cracked, obsolete, or beyond repair, we supply and install a replacement suited to the door.
  • Emergency exit hardware repair Prompt service when an exit door will not secure or will not open. See emergency commercial door repair.

We also supply and install other commercial exit door hardware, including strikes, mullions, and outside trim.

Panic Bar & Exit Device Installation

We install new panic bars and exit devices as well as repairing existing ones. Installation work includes adding a panic bar to a door that currently has only a lock or lever, replacing a worn-out device, and fitting exit devices on new hollow metal, aluminum storefront, and wood doors. We match the device type — rim, mortise, or surface or concealed vertical rod — to the door, the frame, and whether the opening is a single door or a pair.

On a fire-rated opening the device must be fire exit hardware listed for that door. We install the correct hardware, but we do not inspect or certify the opening. For doors tied to access control, we install electrified panic hardware with electric latch retraction or electrified trim.

Types of Exit Devices We Work On

We install, repair and replace rim, mortise and vertical rod exit devices from Von Duprin, Falcon, PHI (Precision Hardware) and Detex, along with alarmed exit hardware from Detex and Alarm Lock on emergency, stairwell and perimeter doors. That work includes replacing worn latches, rods, dogging mechanisms and push bars, and adjusting the device and strike so the door latches on every close at offices, schools, government buildings and retail properties across Washington, DC.

  • Rim exit devices Mounted on the surface of the door, the most common type on single doors and pairs with a mullion.
  • Mortise exit devices The latch mechanism is recessed into the door edge, typically paired with a mortise lock cylinder.
  • Vertical rod exit devices Rods run along the face or inside the door to engage latches at the top and bottom, common on pairs of doors without a center mullion.
  • Electrified and access-control-compatible exit devices Panic hardware wired into an access control or alarm system. See our access control systems page for how these integrate.

Common Panic Bar & Push Bar Problems

Why won't my panic bar latch?

A panic bar that won't latch is usually caused by strike or frame misalignment, a worn or broken latch, a bent push rail, or loose mounting screws that have let the whole assembly shift out of position. Vertical rod devices can also fail to latch if a rod has come loose or the door has sagged.

Why is my panic bar sticking?

A sticking panic bar or push bar is usually caused by dirt and old lubricant inside the mechanism, a bent push rail or end cap, a dogging mechanism that is partly engaged, or a latch binding against a misaligned strike. Cleaning, adjustment, and replacing the worn parts usually restores smooth operation.

Why does the door feel loose or rattle when pushed?

Loose mounting hardware, worn internal springs, or a chassis that has cracked from repeated heavy use are the most frequent causes. This is typically a repair rather than a full replacement unless the housing itself is damaged.

Can a broken push bar be repaired?

Often, yes. Many push bar failures come down to worn internal components, a broken spring, or a damaged touchpad that can be replaced without swapping the entire device. A cracked chassis or a device that no longer holds adjustment usually calls for full replacement instead.

Electrified Panic Bars and Exit Devices

An electrified exit device is a panic bar with electrical functions built in, so the door can be controlled by an access control system while people inside can still leave by pushing the bar. We install, repair, and replace electrified panic hardware, including:

  • Electric latch retraction — a motor or solenoid pulls the latch back on a signal from a card reader, intercom, timer, or automatic door operator, so the door can be pulled open from outside or opened automatically.
  • Electrified outside trim — the bar stays latched, and the outside lever is unlocked electrically when a valid credential is presented.
  • Request-to-exit (REX) switches — a switch inside the bar tells the access control system that someone is leaving, so the door does not trigger a forced-door alarm.
  • Latch and door monitoring — switches that report whether the latch is extended or the bar is pressed.
  • Power transfer and power supplies — electrified hinges, power transfer devices, door cords, and the power supply that the device depends on.

Access control and card-reader integration

We connect electrified exit devices to card readers, keypads, intercoms, and building access control systems, and can convert many existing mechanical panic bars by replacing the device or adding a compatible kit. On doors where the bar must stay mechanical, an electric strike is sometimes the simpler option. See our access control systems and commercial door hardware pages.

Common electrified exit device problems

A latch that no longer retracts on a card read, a device that buzzes but does not release, or a door that works only intermittently usually traces to a failed motor or solenoid, a damaged door cord or power transfer, an undersized or failing power supply, or a mechanical bind at the latch. We test both the electrical and mechanical sides before recommending replacement.

Repair Process

We start by testing the device under normal use to identify whether the problem is alignment, hardware wear, or a failed internal mechanism. From there we adjust strikes and rods, tighten or replace mounting hardware, and repair or swap worn components. If the device itself has failed structurally or no longer meets the door's application, we'll recommend and install a suitable replacement exit device.

Repair vs. Replacement

Alignment problems, loose hardware, and worn latch components are almost always repairable. Panic bar replacement or push bar replacement becomes the better option when the chassis is cracked, the device is significantly outdated for the door's current fire or life-safety application, or repeated repairs haven't held. On fire-rated doors, any replacement exit device needs to be rated appropriately for that opening — see our fire-rated doors page for more on that topic.

Industries & Properties We Serve

Exit devices are on almost every public and institutional building, and we repair and replace them for government facilities, schools, and commercial properties across Washington DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

  • Government Buildings & Facilities Panic bars, push bars, and electrified exit devices on public entrances, stairwells, and secured exits.
  • Schools & Educational Facilities Exit devices on classroom wings, gymnasiums, cafeterias, auditoriums, and exterior doors that see heavy daily use.
  • Universities & Colleges Exit hardware for lecture halls, residence halls, arenas, and other assembly spaces.
  • Commercial & Multi-Family Properties Office buildings, retail properties, restaurants, hotels, healthcare facilities, warehouses, apartment buildings, condominiums, and property management companies.

Serving Washington DC

We provide panic bar repair, push bar repair, and exit device repair for commercial properties across Washington, DC, including buildings in Downtown DC, Capitol Hill, and NoMa, where office and mixed-use buildings rely on working exit devices on their egress doors.

Related Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won't my panic bar latch?

A panic bar usually fails to latch because of strike or frame misalignment, a worn or bent latch, or loose mounting hardware that has let the device shift. Vertical rod devices can also lose latching when a rod disconnects or the door has sagged.

Can a panic bar or push bar be repaired?

Yes, in most cases. Alignment issues, loose hardware, and many internal component failures can be corrected without replacing the whole unit. Replacement is typically needed only when the chassis is cracked or the device has failed structurally.

What is the difference between a panic bar, a push bar, and an exit device?

"Panic bar," "push bar," and "exit device" are generally used interchangeably. Panic bar, push bar, or crash bar typically refers to the horizontal bar itself, while "exit device" is the broader term covering rim, mortise, and vertical rod hardware that provides push-to-exit function on egress doors.

Can panic hardware work with access control?

Yes. Electrified exit devices can be integrated with access control systems so the door stays secured from the outside while always allowing free egress from the inside by pushing the bar. See our access control systems page for more detail.

When should an exit device be replaced instead of repaired?

Replacement makes sense when the housing or chassis is cracked, the device repeatedly falls out of adjustment after repair, or the current hardware isn't rated correctly for the door's application, such as a fire-rated opening.

Do vertical rod and rim exit devices repair the same way?

The core diagnostic approach is similar, but vertical rod devices have additional components — the rods and top/bottom latches — that rim devices don't, so alignment and rod adjustment are specific to that hardware type.

What is electric latch retraction?

Electric latch retraction uses a motor or solenoid inside the exit device to pull the latch back on an electrical signal, so the door can be opened from outside with a credential or by an automatic operator. Pushing the bar still releases the door from inside.

Can my existing panic bar be electrified?

Often, yes. Many exit devices can be converted with a manufacturer kit or replaced with an electrified version of the same device. It depends on the model, the door, and how power will reach the device.

Do you install request-to-exit hardware?

Yes. We install exit devices with built-in request-to-exit switches and connect them to the access control system.

Do you offer push bar repair in Washington, DC?

Yes. Push bar repair is the same service as panic bar repair. We repair and replace push bars and exit devices on commercial doors throughout Washington, DC.

Why is my panic bar sticking?

A sticking panic bar is usually caused by dirt or dried lubricant in the mechanism, a bent push rail, a partly engaged dogging mechanism, or a latch binding on a misaligned strike. Most of these can be repaired without replacing the device.

Do you handle emergency exit hardware repair?

Yes. If an exit door will not latch, will not secure, or will not open, call us for emergency exit hardware repair. We are available 7 AM to 10 PM, seven days a week.

Do you install new panic bars on existing doors?

Yes. We install panic bars and exit devices on existing hollow metal, aluminum storefront, and wood doors, and we replace devices that are beyond repair.

Is crash bar repair the same as panic bar repair?

Yes. “Crash bar” is another name for a panic bar or push bar. We repair and install all of them.

Contact DC Commercial Door Solutions

If a panic bar, push bar, or exit device on your property is sticking, isn't latching, feels loose, or has failed, call DC Commercial Door Solutions at (202) 517-2407 or book a consultation appointment below.

Call (202) 517-2407Book a Consultation Appointment
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