Emergency Exits Explained: Break Glass vs. Push to Exit Button

A fire alarm sounds. You rush to the nearest emergency exit, but you’re met with two boxes: one red, one green.

Which one do you use? Pushing the wrong one could, at best, be an inconvenience — and at worst, delay an evacuation when every second matters.

Many people assume that any button near a secure door is an exit button. This confusion can be dangerous.

The break glass emergency panel and the push to exit button may look similar, but they serve two completely different purposes — one is for life safety, the other for everyday use.

This article breaks down how each device works, when it must be used, and how both fit into your access control system and fire safety plan.

The “Red Box”: The Role of the Emergency Break Glass

What It Is

The emergency break glass unit is a dedicated life-safety device.

Its job is simple: ensure people can escape during a critical emergency, such as a fire, gas leak, or security threat.

It exists to override electronic locks instantly and safely.

How It Works

When you break the glass (or press the resettable plastic panel), the device performs two crucial actions:

Releases the Lock

It cuts power to the electronic locking device — such as a magnetic lock, electric strike, or electric drop bolt — causing it to unlock immediately.

This overrides the entire access control system, regardless of schedules or permissions.

Triggers an Alarm

It usually activates a loud breakglass alarm locally and sends a signal to the building’s main fire alarm panel or security control room.

This ensures that, in an emergency, doors open instantly without relying on software or power.

When to Use It

Only during a genuine emergency. If someone activates a break glass emergency panel without cause, it results in:

• A major security breach
• A disruption to the entire building
• A manual reset process requiring a key or authorised staff

This device is never meant for routine exiting.

The “Green Box”: The Role of the Push to Exit Button

What It Is

The green push to exit button is designed for convenience.

It allows someone inside a secure space to exit smoothly without compromising security.

It is not an emergency device — it is for normal daily use.

This includes the outdoor push to exit button, built with weatherproof protection for perimeter gates and external doors.

How It Works

When pressed:

• It sends a “request to exit” signal to the access control system.
• The system checks whether exit is allowed based on its settings.
• The lock momentarily releases for a few seconds.
• The door re-locks automatically afterwards.
• No alarms are triggered, and security remains intact.

When to Use It

• For everyday exiting
• For employees leaving during business hours
• For visitors or residents leaving a controlled lobby
• For gates and outdoor exit points (using an outdoor-rated button)

It offers a safe, convenient way to manage normal egress without bypassing the security infrastructure.

At a Glance: Key Differences (Red vs. Green)

The following table:

Why You Need Both Red and Green

The Safety Flaw

Relying only on a push to exit button for emergency escape is extremely dangerous and non-compliant. Why?

Because it depends on:

• Power
• Wiring
• Software
• The access control system recognising the signal

If a fire disables the power supply or panels, the button could fail — trapping people inside.

The Compliance Rule

A break glass emergency device provides a fail-safe override. It works even when the electronic system doesn’t.

This is why fire codes require them near electronically locked doors used as part of an emergency exit route.

The Convenience Flaw

Using only a break-glass unit would create constant disruption. Every simple exit — lunch, deliveries, or staff leaving the building — would:

• Trigger alarms
• Require a manual reset
• Leave the door unlocked until addressed

This is impractical and unsafe. Both devices are meant to work together, not replace each other.

How Do Magnetic Door Holder Devices Fit In?

A magnetic door holder (or electromagnetic door holder) is a different device altogether.

It is designed to keep fire doors open during normal operation for convenience and airflow.

However, the moment a fire alarm, breakglass alarm, or smoke detector activates:

• Power to the magnetic door holder is cut
• The door closer swings the fire door shut
• The closed door helps block smoke movement and slows down fire spread

This automatic response is essential for compartmentalising fire and protecting escape routes.

Conclusion: Safety and Convenience, Working Together

Both devices serve essential but distinct purposes. The break glass provides life-saving override capabilities, while the push-to-exit button supports smooth, controlled movement throughout the building.

When used together, they create a compliant, reliable, and user-friendly exit strategy that protects people during the 1% of true emergencies — and keeps daily operations running smoothly the other 99% of the time.

Is your building’s exit hardware up to code? Don’t guess when it comes to safety.

Contact SecurityOne for a professional safety and compliance audit today.