A panic bar is a type of door hardware used to allow occupants to exit a building quickly during an emergency. This device features a horizontal bar or push pad that releases the door's locking mechanisms with a single action. Rather than twisting levers to struggling with thumb turns or knobs, occupants can throw their weight into the device and release the door immediately. This type of device is useful in a panic type emergency, as it minimizes the risk of crowding or injury at the exits. It may also reduce the number of lives lost to fire or other emergencies.