Mechanical Exit Devices 101

Exit devices, also commonly referred to as panic bars, are mechanical devices which retract latches on swinging doors, permitting egress. Some exit devices are available with various electronic accessories to provide enhanced operational features, but the core purpose of the exit device is to provide easy egress.

There are devices which look like exit devices which do not actually mechanically latch, but rather contain circuitry to control external locks or send signals to other equipment, usually part of a door control or electronic access control system. Exit devices have been adapted for numerous electronic functions.

In this article we are primarily discussing traditional mechanical exit devices. Exit devices are positive latching devices which are required for certain openings such as fire exit doors, and which afford security on a door without the need for electricity or electronics to lock or unlock. Not requiring power is regarded by some as an advantage.

The purpose of the exit device is to provide an easy and obvious means to open the door to exit. So the exit device is used on swinging doors and mounted on the protected, interior or push side of the door.

Whether a door requires an exit device is determined by the building code and the LAHJ (local authority having jurisdiction).

One of the factors taken into consideration is the occupancy load (how many individuals will have to use the opening to escape) in the event of an emergency. In my own experiences, exit devices are not generally required by code in residences; single family homes and apartment units.

The LAHJ also may consider the potential for the presence of individuals within the premises to be unfamiliar with the location of the emergency exits.

One way for locksmiths to identify an emergency exit is the presence of an EXIT sign over a door. However, this is not a totally reliable way to determine if an exit device is required, since in commercial properties, things can change.

FEMA defines means of egress as a “continuous and unobstructed path of vertical and horizontal egress travel from any occupied portion of a building or structure to a public way.” The codes treat means of egress as a comprehensive “system” of components. A means of egress consists of three separate and distinct parts: the exit access, the exit, and the exit discharge. (www.usfa.fema.gov)

• The exit access is “that portion of the means of egress system that leads from an occupied portion of a building or structure to an exit.” It includes halls, corridors, aisles, and other walking or escape paths.
• The exit is “that portion of a means of egress system which is separated from other interior spaces of a building or structure by fire-resistance rated construction and opening protectives as required to provide a protected path if egress travel between the exit access and exit discharge.”
• The exit discharge is that portion of a means of egress system between the termination of an exit and a public way which is a street, alley, or other parcel dedicated for public use and at least 10 feet (3 m) wide and high.

For additional information, refer to NFPA® 5000, Building Construction and Safety Code, Chapter 11, International Fire Code®, Chapter 10, NFPA® 1, Uniform Fire Code®, Chapter 14, International Building Code®, Chapter 10 or NFPA® 101 Life Safety Code.

If your task is to install electronic access control, it is your responsibility to your client and to building occupants that the doors are equipped with the proper door hardware, and additionally, that the hardware is working correctly. Working correctly means that the hardware is working as it was designed to operate, as opposed to working the way an owner may wish it would operate.

Classic examples of ‘field engineering’ which prevents the correct operation of exit devices are those images of chained exit devices, or doors with additional slidebolts or deadbolts installed on the door, thereby preventing free egress.

Defeating the free egress function of an emergency exit is almost always illegal and represents a liability to you and your client even if egress is being impeded with the best of intentions. They’ll say they want to protect occupants (like little children from wandering off the premises); or they are trying to reduce thefts out a door.

Another situation where panic hardware may be required would be on doors controlling egress from areas containing hazardous materials or equipment. Examples would be a boiler room in the basement of a building or an electrical closet where electrical panel boards are located. These areas run the risk of fire or obfuscation with smoke. Individuals working in these areas may need increased life safety measures.

While the use panic devices is sometimes required by Code, they may also be used as an option on doors where their increased convenience and safety are desired.

To use an exit device, the door must be outswinging so it is pushed open to egress. Exit devices come in standard sizes, and are frequently cut to length to accommodate a particular door width.

However just because the bar physically will fit on a door does not mean it is the correct device for a door. The part of the exit device which is pressed to unlock it and egress, sometime referred to as the pushpad, must at least half the width of the door.

Note that on ‘balanced doors (doors where the pivot point is located several inches in from the hinge edge of the door), the pushpad must not exceed half the width of the door (extending from the opening edge of the door), since pushing too close to the pivot will not open the door and could create an impediment to safe egress.

Exit Device Types And Styles

There are four common types of exit devices:

1. Rim Exit. Rim locks are a partially recessed rim cylinder on the exterior of the door and an interior surface mounted latch or bolt locking mechanism.

The interior mounted mechanism was called a nightlatch and this is what the rim exit device replaced. So instead of requiring that a lever be twisted, the exit device requires the bar to be pressed.

Like the nightlatch, the rim exit has an automatic locking feature. The large, spring loaded latch automatically locks whenever the door is closed. 

Entry through the door is by using a key in the rim cylinder mounted into the subject door so the tailpiece of the rim cylinder engages the latch mechanism of the rim exit.

The rim exit device consists of the chassis which houses the pushbar and the latch assembly. For applications requiring exit only (EO) this chassis is all that has to be mounted on the door. Because they require the least amount of door and frame prep, the rim exit device is the easiest type of exit device to install, and usually the type used for retrofits and upgrades. 

2. Mortise Exit Device. Devices uses the surface mounted pushbar which mechanically controls a mortise type lock body installed in the door. Doors have to be thick enough to contain the mortise lock body and still maintain the strength of the door. The term “mortise lock” was derived from the mortise or pocket that had to be cut into the edge of the door in order to install the lock. Mortise locks have a rectangular case designed to be installed into the edge of a door.

Exterior control of the mortise exit device is similar to a rim exit. The chassis of the mortise exit device is comprised of only the chassis and the pushbar and does not include the latch. 

3. Vertical Rod Exit Device. There are two types of vertical rod exit devices: surface mounted rod and concealed rod.  Vertical rod exits offer the additional security of having two points where the door locks into the frame, at the top and the bottom.

Concealed rod exit devices do not show the vertical rods, while surface mounted rods are clearly visible. Besides being visible, surface mounted rods are also subject to physical damage, and the rods may be obstructions to pedestrians using the doors. This is particularly true of the bottom rods which may meet the building code but may not be acceptable to other codes, specifically ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). The ADA does not allow obstructions to exist on the push side of a door which could interfere with walkers, wheelchairs or otherwise pose a challenge to individuals with disabilities.

For concealed applications, the concealved vertical cable exit device incorporates cables instead of rods, for easier installation and maintenance.

Concealed rod exits are not typically provided as a retrofit solution because of the degree of difficulty installing the vertical rods. However, concealed vertical cable devices a relatively new product, can be installed without dropping the doors off the frame.

Multi-Point. A multi-point device combines vertical rods and a rim device, for 3-point latching. These may be used for security purposes, or to meet windstorm requirements.

The touchpad style is the most common style used. It’s design lends itself to options such as electrified lever trim, electric latch retraction, delayed egress, or controlled egress. 

The crossbar style is often used when aesthetics dictate a minimal silhouette for glass doors, or a classic appearance.

Recessed panic hardware reduces the projection of the hardware from the face of the door, but requires a cut-out in the door and may weaken the door.

Exit Device Q&A

The Locksmith Ledger contacted Mark J. Berger, President and Chief Product Officer of Securitech Group, Inc., Chair, BHMA Codes and Government Affairs Committee. Berger is a recognized expert in the field of exit devices and life safety. His company Securitech has a highly evolved product line of exit devices and control trim.

Here are the Ledger’s questions regarding locksmith exit device servicing and exit bar applications and Berger’s answers.

Any tips as to how locksmiths should approach the servicing of exit devices?

While the vast majority of exit devices currently fulfill the door safety requirements and functions that exit devices provided 50 years ago would match, the industry has progressed and many specialty exit devices exist. Electric functions, signaling features and greater forced entry protection are just a few of the ways exit devices in 2015 differ from their 1965 counterparts.

Code changes and requirements for fire door inspections are bringing a heightened awareness to exit openings. Maintenance is no longer taken for granted and the installation of secondary locks, slide bolts or other non-compliant devices is decreasing.

Before you even start with the exit device, check the door swing. Look for sagging, hinge wear, closer operation, strike mounting, etc. Then get to the exit device. See if any of these conditions caused the exit device issue.

When are multi-point exit devices recommended?

Many people add slide bolts, deadbolts or brackets to exit doors to prevent forced entry. These are all forbidden by code, even if they say they only use them after hours. Multi-point deadbolt exit devices provide greater protection against forced entry, wind-resistance (tornados, hurricanes) and blast resistance, while maintaining 100 percent code compliance with single-motion exiting.

What are the code requirements for multi-point devices as compared to exit devices?

MB: Exit device codes do not call for the use of multi-point deadbolt devices specifically. Multi-point latching or deadbolt devices are required on pairs of doors without mullions per code, when both leafs must be active. Multi-point devices are frequently used on doors as part of blast or forced entry testing and to meet those time requirements.

Where can an exit device be used?

On all outswing doors where the occupancy code requires it or new code requirement for high-voltage electric power rooms

Where can't an exit device be used?

Inswing doors.

Can vertical rods be used on a door equipped with a low energy operator?

If it has electric latch retraction.

If a panic bar is installed on a door where it is not "required", what Code requirements must still be observed?

Single-motion egress. And if the door has a fire-rating label, a fire-rated device must be applied.

Can controlled egress be deployed without a delayed egress override?

Only in very special applications, like behavioral healthcare, Alzheimer wards, etc. But in many cases it is advised not to use exit device son those doors, as exit devices telegraph free exiting. Always check with the local AHJ.