'Break glass' fire alarms or emergency exits on trains/coaches?

Question

Have you ever broken one? Can you just hit it with your bare hand or are you supposed to find something to break it with?

Answer 1

I've often wondered.

I'm particularly curious about the little glass fronted box on London buses with the hammer in it. The instructions say to break the glass to get the hammer to break the window to use it as an emergency exit....

Answer 2

Sometimes they have a hammer attached to them, but yes you can break it with your hands but it is better and safer to be broken with a shoe.

If you are worried you may cut your hand breaking the glass then you should compare it to burning to death on a train or coach!

Answer 3

yes you can they usually score the glass on the inside so when it breaks the glass goes in and then pushes against the alarm button making it go off there is usually a glass hammer there

Answer 4

yes, and you can just hit it with your hand, but many ahve a littel hammer there attached to do it with. it's the button springing OUT that triggers the alarm, so all you need to do is break the glass, no need to push the button.

Answer 5

they usually have a little metal hammer attached by a chain to break the glass

Answer 6

Yes many a time. hit it with whatever you like.

Out of say a dozen or so I got cut once an it was only a scratch, they are designed to break safe.

Answer 7

you hit it with the flat bit of your palm
it wont do any damage
But there is usually a small hammer next to it on a train/coach!!

Answer 8

Just remember they are there for emergency only !!...you have to use something to break it, but be warned, all hell will break loose when you do..........

Answer 9

No, I haven't.