Arrow Lock’s newest exit device has a one-piece design, solving a problem inherent in other exit device designs and simplifying exit device installations. Called the PEC910, the seamless one-piece design includes a patented, permanent end cap.
Moving carts, vibration or hard usage can often cause end caps to either become loosened or completely dislodged. This can cause a dangerous condition when a passer-by brushes against the exposed sharp edges which the end cap is supposed to cover. Torn clothing or even bodily injury could be the result.
The PEC910 Exit Device is designed to be used on doors having widths of 31" to 36". All metal construction provides a sturdy, long lasting product which has a 10-year limited warranty. The permanent end cap design makes this PEC910 an ideal choice for high traffic or vandalism-prone areas.
PEC910 exit devices comply with safety code NFPA 101 and certified Grade 1 according to ANSI/BHMA A156.3. Exterior Arrow S1150 and S1250 knob, lever and plate trim can be used when exterior operation is required. PEC910 exit devices are available in aluminum finish.
Installation
Precise, quick installations of the Arrow PEC910 can be assured with their optional patented template. The template is approximately the same length as the PEC910 exit device and contains mounting hole locations for both the lock chassis and for mounting holes at the opposite end of the push bar. One side of the template contains a raised circular portion which can fit into a standard 161 prep crossbore. Hole locations for the PEC910 chassis can then be easily marked for drilling. Once hole locations for the lock chassis are determined, the template can be held in a level position and corresponding holes can be marked for mounting a bracket at the end of the push bar.
Once all holes have been drilled, the mounting bracket which supports the hinge side of the exit device is installed. Next, the two mounting screws located nearest to the latch edge of the exit device are only partially installed. Corresponding mounting holes near the latch edge of the PEC910 exit device contain open slots. Final Installation consists of fitting the push bar end against the mounting bracket while setting the open slots in the latch chassis adjacent to the partially installed mounting screws. As the PEC910 exit device is moved horizontally towards the latch side of the door, the mounting bracket interlocks with the push bar and the screws fit into the slots on the lock chassis. The remaining retaining screws are installed and tightened to complete the simple, fast installation procedure. A PEC910 exit device installation video is available on the www.arrowlock.com website.
Arrow Q&A
An interview with Beau Armstrong demonstrates some problems found in the field which the Arrow PEC910 can solve. Following are the Ledger’s questions and Armstrong’s answers.
What problems do you see in the field with exit devices in general?
The common things we see are the result of the wrong device for the application.
We try to educate the customer on what would work best for what they’re trying to do
There are alignment issues because they’re using the wrong device
They’re using the device in the wrong way: propping it or sticking debris or something in there to kind of engage it and keep it open when they shouldn’t be; not using the dog down feature the way they should
The other scenario is end caps missing; slowly the device starts falling off the door
Are there safety issues with improper usage as well?
Yes, and not just safety issues, but an AHJ (Authorities Having Jurisdiction) or Fire Marshall will have some concerns, essentially because the device is not completely code compliant at that point. Or they’re worried about the lock failing and with it being an exit of any kind, whether it’s fire rated or not, they have concerns.
Give me more specifics about what some customers are doing wrong.
By not using the dog down, by jamming something into the device to prop it… you’re damaging the device. It’s only a matter of time with a high-traffic door. It can be a Grade 1 device and if they’re using it improperly or damaging it, or causing binding, or jamming things in places they shouldn’t, it’s just a matter of time.
Jumping back to the safety issue, are there liability issues as well—say a kid catches his shirt on the jagged edge where the end cap used to be?
Absolutely. We had one such scenario play out at a warehouse facility. An employee got scratched by the exposed aluminum because the cap wasn’t covering the device they had on a door there. So issues of worker’s comp, an employee is down so there’s a lot of liability and down time you have all because of an end cap.
How often do you have to service a door in a high-traffic area with an end cap?
Fairly often, but of course it depends on if it’s a high-traffic door and how it’s being used as outlined above. But you’ll have some customers who just want to avoid it altogether and not do anything for it and just leave it as it is; and we’ll explain to them the risks and liabilities and the problems behind it.
And then you’ll have some customers who say absolutely let’s get this repaired, and then if (the end cap) it’s not sitting on a vendor’s shelf, it’s not sitting on our shelf. Then the customer has to wait 2-4 weeks just to get an end cap which can kind of troublesome, especially if the Fire Marshall says, hey, you have two weeks to fix this. So then we’re scrambling doing everything we can to Next Day an end cap and there are costs associated with that as well.
So from a vendor perspective, when you come and offer the permanent end cap as a solution, you have a number of things you can talk about, is that correct?
Oh yes. The talking points and selling points…. Immediately, the customer sees the benefits and the return on their investment for getting a product like that that will eliminate something like an end cap.
How do you get past the cost of just replacing an end cap versus buying a whole new device? Do customers just look at the long-term value?
I think they look at the long-term value because essentially if that device is missing an end cap, it’s probably been over a period of time and that device is probably wearing down where it shouldn’t and not working properly because that end cap is missing, or the damage that the door is taking as well; so I think replacing the bar overall, they do see the long-term value in it.
Let’s go into some of the installation issues and benefits between the two—the device with an end cap and the one with a permanent end cap.
I have not personally installed a PEC with the Template but I have heard from our installation guys that it did allow them to install it a little quicker, even for a guy who has been here for over 20 years. He said it took a quick minute to figure it out and how the Template was going to work for him, but sometimes it’s easier for him just to do it his way. He did say that he saw the benefit in using the Template guide for someone who’s just starting out, or even with 4-5 years’ experience, or when you’re trying to knock out 20 of these at one time and getting it just perfect, and making sure it’s all level correctly, which are all important when you’re installing an exit device. For them it’s a breeze.
I know about the installation video and have shown it. The Arrow PEC template is the only one that I know of that does both drill points and levels.
So you’re saying that using the Template is only a little bit quicker. Would you say it’s 10% more efficient, 25% more efficient in the installation process?
From what I gathered from our tech, a guy with 20 years’ experience would have about a 10% shorter time; a guy who’s been with us for 4-5 years would see about a 25% time savings.
How does the PEC 910 compare in quality to other exit devices?
The Arrow competes nicely with the other Grade 1 exit devices that are of their economic line. I think as far as the metal that’s on the device itself, the gauge is a better quality, and of course having the permanent end cap, visually you can see that there’s a difference. There are other exit devices that have a metal end cap, but those screws become loose or can jar loose for any reason and then you’re in the same predicament as one that has a plastic end cap.
What is the customer’s reaction when he sees the permanent end cap over the usual exit device?
We’ve had three customers who have bought five or more PECs, and there’s never been a scenario where we were doing a comparison of the two. We basically said we have a device that has a permanent end cap; you’ll never have to worry about this cap breaking off again and, price point, here it is and there you go, it’s a done deal, SOLD.
So the price point is really not that much of a difference, is that correct? Doesn’t sound like it’s an objection at all.
When you’re replacing this type of exit device, or one that’s comparable to this, when we offer this Arrow permanent end cap, it is a solution that they want right away, versus another one that has a plastic or metal end cap. They realize at that point that they’re never going to have to worry about another end cap again.
How has the Arrow PEC been regarded by customers after its first year in use?
I would say it speaks in volumes that we have repeat purchases by customers.
I’m just surprised more people aren’t selling it. When we were at the show (presume ALOA??) and first saw this device, our guys’ eyes lit up and said, “Wow, this is great! I know customers right off the bat whom I can call who need and would want this.”
For more information on the Arrow PEC910 exit device contact your local locksmith distributor or: www.arrowlock.com.
