How to Lock a Door with a Push Bar: A Quick Guide

Published Date: Jul 25, 2025

Push bars are often seen on emergency exits in commercial spaces, warehouses, schools, and even some home workshops. Their primary function is safety — allowing people to exit quickly in emergencies. However, securing these doors against entry isn’t always intuitive. If you wonder how to lock a door with a push bar from both the inside and the outside, this guide is for you. We’ll explain the common locking methods and mechanisms, providing the practical information you need, whether for commercial property or just to secure your personal workshop.

Understanding Push Bar Door Mechanisms

Push bars are designed for one thing: easy, fast exits. While often called by two names, the differences between panic bars and crash bars is simple: they are interchangeable terms for the same life-safety device designed for quick exit when pushed. While exiting is simple, understanding how to lock a door with a push bar depends on the specific hardware installed. Typically, they come in two main types based on their operation and features:

Mechanical push bars are common types that unlock with a push and often include a “dogging” function to keep the latch retracted.
Electronic push bars include electric strikes or electromagnetic locks for remote access and control.

How to Lock a Push Bar Door from the Inside

If you’re inside the building and want to secure the door, there are a few ways to lock a push bar door from the inside.

Dogging Pins

Some mechanical bars include a dogging mechanism. This feature keeps the bar in a “depressed” state, so the door remains unlocked. To lock the door, you need to release the dogging.

Depending on your door, insert a key, Allen wrench, or specific pin into the dogging mechanism.
Turn the key/tool to release the bar, allowing the latch bolt to extend into the door frame.

Manual Bolts

Many push bar doors, especially on double-door setups, have a vertical rod system — internal bolts that slide into the door frame.

Look for a lever, knob, or slide mechanism on the inside of the door (often near the push bar or handle).
Manually operate this mechanism to extend the top and/or bottom bolts. When engaged, these bolts prevent the door from opening even if someone pushes the bar.

Keyed Latch or Thumb Turn

Some push bar doors include a standard lock cylinder or a thumb turn near the handle area. These allow easy locking without special tools.

To lock the door, turn the key (if it’s a keyed cylinder) or the thumb turn on the inside. This extends a bolt into the door frame, securing the door.

Before locking, make sure the door aligns correctly with the frame. If it doesn’t, the latch or bolts might not catch. If your current setup doesn’t offer an inside locking feature, consider upgrading with professional help. You can always contact a locksmith for business to find the best solution for your door and needs.

How to Lock a Push Bar Door from the Outside

This is where many people get confused. Most panic bars don’t have a standard exterior handle or keyhole, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be locked.

Keyed Entry Trim

These are handles with a lock cylinder on the outside. You’ll need a key to open or lock the door. Be sure to check the specific model – some keyed entry trims will automatically lock the push bar when the door closes, while others require you to manually turn the key or use a thumb turn on the inside to engage the lock.

How to Lock a Push Bar Door from the Outside

Electric Strikes

An electric strike plate replaces the standard one. It contains a mechanism that holds or releases the latch bolt electronically. It allows remote locking and unlocking — perfect for commercial spaces where access needs to be controlled.

Smart Locks

If you’re upgrading your business’s security, you can connect the bar with a smart locking system. These systems can allow remote locking, access logs, and even emergency lockdown functions. Smart locks provide advanced control and monitoring for any door equipped with a push bar.

No matter which setup you have, always check whether the door auto-locks when closed or needs to be locked manually. Many property owners assume their door secures itself, but this isn’t always the case, potentially leaving the door unsecured. Understanding your specific hardware is the first step to knowing how to lock a push bar door effectively.

Summing Up

Figuring out how to lock a push bar door system might have seemed a bit complex at first, but once you know the type of hardware your door has, securing it becomes much more straightforward. Keep in mind that push bar doors are built for safety, but they also need to provide security. If you want to lock these doors, understand how your system works and try one of the methods we discussed before.

If your current system doesn’t offer the level of security you need, it might be time to upgrade. Sure Lock & Key is always here. Contact us for more information about our commercial locksmith services and explore the best option for your needs.

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