Panic Bar & Exit Device Installation & Repair

Charleston & Summerville, SC · Licensed & Insured

Panic Bar & Exit Device Installation & Repair

Sticking crash bars, failed latches, or a fire marshal write-up? Charleston Locksmith installs, replaces, and repairs commercial panic hardware so your exits open on the first push - every time, code-compliant and jam-free.

  • ★★★★★ 5.0 local rating
  • BBB Accredited
  • ALOA Member
  • Family-run Kadosh team
Charleston Locksmith technician inspecting and servicing a commercial panic bar exit device on a storefront door
Charleston Locksmith technician inspecting and servicing a commercial exit device.

Why Charleston businesses call us for exit devices

A panic bar is the one piece of hardware that has to work when it matters most - during a fire, an evacuation, or a rush of people heading for the door. We treat it that way.

Licensed & insured, locally

A fully licensed and insured locksmith serving Charleston, Summerville, and the surrounding Lowcountry - so the crew touching your fire exits is accountable and covered.

Fire-code minded

We install and adjust panic hardware to open with a single motion and hold up to fire-rated door assembly requirements - the details inspectors actually check.

Manufacturer-certified

Mul-T-Lock and Lockly certified, with hands-on experience across Von Duprin, Detex, Falcon, and other common exit device lines you likely already have.

What our panic bar service includes

New exit device installation

Rim, mortise, surface vertical rod, or concealed vertical rod devices sized and mounted to your door and frame - with strikes and latching set so the door secures and releases cleanly.

Repair & rebuild

Bar won't depress, latch won't retract, or the device rattles loose? We rebuild the mechanism, replace worn springs and end caps, and re-anchor devices that have pulled away from the door.

Latch & alignment adjustment

Doors that sag or frames that shift over Charleston's humid seasons throw off latch engagement. We realign strikes and top/bottom rods so the door catches every time.

Alarmed & delayed-egress devices

Service on Detex-style alarmed exit bars and delayed-egress hardware - including battery, horn, and reset issues - where local code allows their use.

Exit device + closer pairing

A panic bar only performs if the door returns and latches. We tune the door closer to work with your exit device so it self-secures without slamming.

Keyed & electric trim

Add or repair outside lever/pull trim, night latch function, or electrified exit trim tied to your access control - so staff badge in while the inside stays a free-egress push bar.

Close-up of a commercial door lock and exit device being serviced on an aluminum storefront glass door
Close-up of a fire-rated exit device being serviced on an aluminum commercial glass door.

How it works

  1. 1

    Free estimate

    Tell us the door type and the symptom. For most Charleston & Summerville jobs we quote the device, trim, and labor up front - no charge to assess.

  2. 2

    On-site diagnosis

    We check the bar, latch, rods, strikes, door swing, and closer together - because exit device problems are usually a system, not a single part.

  3. 3

    Install or repair

    We fit the right device for your door and traffic, mount it to spec, and set latching so a single push always releases the door.

  4. 4

    Test & hand off

    We cycle the device, confirm free egress and secure re-latch, and walk you through what to watch for - ready for the next inspection.

Pro tip: what an inspector looks for on your exit

Before your next fire inspection, stand at each exit and check these yourself:

  • One motion, no key. The door must open with a single push of the bar from inside - no twisting a thumbturn or turning a key first.
  • Full-width actuation. A true panic bar releases whether you press the center or the end; a device that only works dead-center is worn.
  • Nothing added to defeat it. Chains, slide bolts, padlocks, or "employees only" hasps on a required exit are common write-ups - and we can replace them with compliant hardware.
  • Latch holds and releases. The door should self-close and re-latch, yet still pop open on one push.

Not sure if a door needs panic hardware at all? Occupancy and door type drive that. We'll tell you straight during the free estimate.

Credentials you can verify

BBB

BBB Accredited business

ALOA

Member, Associated Locksmiths of America

Certified

Mul-T-Lock & Lockly certified technicians

Family-run

The Kadosh team - licensed & insured

Our promise: your exit device opens on the first push before we leave, or we make it right. Free estimates on panic bar work across Charleston & Summerville.

What local businesses say

"Our restaurant's back exit bar had been sticking for months. Kadosh's crew rebuilt it and adjusted the closer the same afternoon. Passed inspection with no notes."

- Restaurant owner, Downtown Charleston

"Fast, clear quote and no upsell. They replaced two panic bars on our warehouse fire doors and matched the outside keyed trim to our other locks."

- Facilities manager, Summerville

"Licensed, insured, and actually explained what was wrong. The alarmed exit device now works and the reset finally stopped false-tripping."

- Retail manager, Mount Pleasant

Panic bar & exit device FAQs

How much does panic bar installation or repair cost?

It depends on the device type (rim vs. vertical rod), whether outside trim is involved, and the door condition. That's exactly why we offer a free estimate for Charleston and Summerville jobs - you get the device, parts, and labor priced before any work starts.

Can you repair my existing exit device or does it need replacing?

Often we can rebuild it - worn springs, end caps, latch assemblies, and vertical rods are all serviceable. We replace the device when the mechanism is failed beyond repair, the model is discontinued, or the door needs a different type of hardware. We'll tell you which makes sense.

Do you work on fire-rated exit doors?

Yes. Fire-rated openings require fire-rated (non-dogging) exit hardware and matching components. We install and service devices to keep the assembly's rating intact - a key thing inspectors check on required exits.

Can I lock a panic bar from the outside but keep it open from the inside?

Yes - that's the standard setup. The inside stays free egress (one push to exit), while outside access is controlled with keyed lever trim, a night latch, or electrified trim tied to your access control. We fit whichever matches how your staff and customers use the door.

How soon can you come out in Charleston or Summerville?

We schedule commercial panic hardware work quickly, and a jammed or failing exit gets priority since it's a safety issue. Call us with your door type and symptom and we'll set a time that day when possible.

Get your exit devices working - and compliant

Free estimates on panic bar installation and repair throughout Charleston, Summerville, and the surrounding Lowcountry.

Charleston Locksmith · Serving Charleston & Summerville, SC · charlestonlocksmith.com · Licensed & Insured