Panic hardware — also known as an exit device or fire exit hardware when used on fire doors — is designed to provide quick and easy egress, allowing building occupants to exit safely in an emergency. These solutions play a critical role in compliance with safety codes, but that’s not all. Panic hardware may also be used even when it is not required by code due to its durability, security, and ease of use.
When selecting panic hardware, the most important consideration is meeting standards and code requirements, including fire, accessibility, hurricane ratings, and more. The Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) and the International Building Code (IBC) both include requirements pertaining to panic hardware. Consider local codes and be aware of any special requirements based on the project’s jurisdiction. The IBC and NFPA requirements vary based on the publication and edition being enforced.
A good rule of thumb when evaluating the need for exit devices on an opening where it is not required by code is to consider the inside room’s capacity. If the room can hold more than 50 people, panic devices should be considered because all of those people will throw themselves at the door at once in a panic situation, making it difficult to even operate a lever. Exit devices were designed specifically so that the door will open if someone or something just falls against the device; no need to turn a lever, move a thumb turn, or anything else. “When in doubt, let them out.”
Selecting the right panic hardware for your project helps ensure it aligns with the building’s design and style, is appropriate for the doors being used, and provides the right functionality for the facility and occupant needs. Below, we break down styles, types, and options.
Assessing Style: Touchpad, Crossbar, and Recessed
There are three basic types of panic hardware, each with unique aesthetics and potential capabilities.
The touchpad device is the most common style used in most commercial, architectural, and institutional buildings today. It is built to withstand the abuse of these environments and can be retrofitted to meet changing requirements of building codes and end user preferences. This retrofitting capability is especially helpful for locksmiths working on aftermarket projects, as the devices are already installed and need to be modified or retrofitted to serve a new purpose or function. It also allows flexibility when electrified options are required, including electrified lever trim, electric latch retraction, or delayed egress.
Buildings requiring a minimal silhouette for glass doors, or a vintage look, often use a crossbar style. However, electrified options are sometimes limited due to the lack of space to house electronic components. When specifying touchpad and crossbar styles, the width of a door’s vertical stiles must be considered.
The crossbar style device was the first ever style of the exit device invented by Carl Prinzler, one of the founding members of Von Duprin, in 1908. It has an appeal in historic buildings for this reason and can also fit on doors with thin stiles like most aluminum storefronts. However, this style does not have many options for retrofitting components like electronic latch retraction or cylinder dogging, compared to the touchpad style. Additionally, this style projects off the door the furthest out of all the different styles which makes it a prime target for abuse from people and equipment hitting them and vandalism such as chaining the bars together.
As noted in its name, recessed panic hardware reduces the projection of the hardware from the face of the door but requires a cut-out in the door. This may limit the door material to hollow metal.
The recessed device is meant to be the most durable option available. Since the components are almost entirely sitting inside the door, it can withstand the most brutal of collisions from carts, cleaning machines, or other large equipment slamming into the doors. This style is ideal for maximum-abuse openings such as hospital cross-corridors and convention center ballroom entrances. Despite its utility, there are imitations to this style that prevent it from being adopted for every opening. This style typically must be ordered with the entire door itself making it considerably more expensive than the other styles of exit devices. Also, the recessed style exit device is typically only available as either a concealed vertical rod/cable or mortise device, which is a limited set of options compared to the touchpad and crossbar styles.
Considering Type: Rim, Mortise, Vertical Rod/Cable, and Multi-Point
Choosing the best type of panic hardware for the project depends on if it is used on a single or pair of doors, and functional requirements.
A rim panic device is the simplest configuration of panic hardware, and the easiest to maintain. It’s surface-mounted on the door, with the latch projecting from the panic device rather than the door edge. They can be used on single doors, or on pairs of doors in conjunction with a removable mullion. The rim devices with a removable mullion are a very secure application for pairs of doors, because the alignment of the doors is less critical than vertical rod devices.
A mortise panic device features a mortise lock body embedded within the door, with panic hardware mounted on the door's surface to control the lock. These devices are less common than rim panic devices, likely due to their more intricate door preparation and design. For fire-rated pairs with a three-hour label, mortise fire exit hardware is sometimes paired with vertical rod fire exit hardware on the other door leaf. However, some manufacturers have successfully tested vertical rod fire exit hardware on both leaves for three-hour fire ratings.
Vertical rod and cable devices are ideal for pairs of doors. The rods and latches can be surface mounted on the face of the door or concealed inside of the door. For concealed applications, there is also an option to incorporate cables instead of rods, for easier installation and maintenance. Vertical rod fire exit hardware, in particular, is sometimes installed less bottom rod (LBR), which allows floor strikes, bottom rods, and latches to be omitted. An auxiliary pin is typically required to ensure alignment during a fire.
A multi-point device combines vertical rods and a rim device, for three-point latching. These may be used for security purposes, or to meet windstorm requirements in areas with extreme weather.
A Look at Other Options
The outside trim or control is used to retract the panic hardware latch. Doors with an exit-only function do not have exterior trim. The night latch function is commonly used when panic hardware is “dogged” to keep the door unlocked. This configuration may include a cylinder alone, a cylinder with a pull handle, or a cylinder paired with a fixed lever handle. In some designs, a thumbpiece may be added alongside the cylinder to provide extra leverage for retracting the latches. Lever trim options are available in various functions, including passage, storeroom, classroom, and electrified configurations. Knobs and thumbpiece trims are available; however, they are less common because of current accessibility requirements.
Panic hardware is available in a variety of finishes to align with the building’s aesthetics. Finishes include architectural plated finishes, stainless steel, anodized aluminum, and powder coat finishes.
Dogging a panic device holds the latch retracted so the door operates as a push-pull function. This saves wear and tear on the hardware, while making it easier for building occupants to use. Mechanical dogging requires panic hardware and must be specified with the preferred option—hex-key, key cylinder, or thumbturn. The mechanical dogging function is not available for fire doors because the doors must have an active latch bolt for positive latching, but electric latch retraction may be used to provide the same function.
Electrified functions like electric latch retraction, electrified lever trim, delayed egress, controlled egress, and alarms can be supplied with panic hardware to meet the access control and monitoring needs of the facility. A feature multifamily residents and property staff appreciate is the Quiet Electric Latch Retraction (QEL) option, which provides electronic control of an exit device with limited operational noise.
New options are constantly being introduced to panic hardware, so be on the lookout for new styles, types, and functions as you select what panic hardware to use on your next project. For example, solutions like the new Von Duprin 70 Series Exit Devices offer durability and value, with options that are suitable for a wide range of applications including warehouse, industrial, office, multifamily, retail, and hospitality spaces.
Continued Education and Strengthening Customer Relationships
Helping select the right panic hardware for a building requires consideration for codes, the dimensions of the opening, door material, aesthetics, building purpose, and desired functionality. There are many resources online to help including iDigHardware with more on code considerations and best practices.
Educating building owners and operators on the various solutions and options helps to instill trust and confidence, which supports a long-term relationship. Additionally, once installed, it’s important to keep exits in good condition, to provide smooth egress.
Below are a couple of challenges that exit devices can present in the field:
Vertical rod exit devices may need to be adjusted periodically to close and latch properly. Drastic weather changes, heavy physical abuse, or improper initial installation can cause the rods to fall out of adjustment. Always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions when adjusting vertical rod devices to minimize the need for future adjustments.
When re-keying an exit device, determining whether an exit device trim needs a rim or mortise cylinder can be difficult without taking the device off the door. Consult the exit device manufacturer’s document library for resources such a service manual and cut sheets to help identify the correct cylinder type needed in specific exit trim models.
Overtightening mounting screws may seem like the best way to ensure an exit device stays secure to a door; however, this causes the exit device components to bind which can result in difficulty operating the device or even prevent someone from being able to open a door. If you find an exit device that is in a bind when operated, try loosening the mounting screws.
Exit devices are constantly being updated with new features to meet the changing needs of end users. Here are opportunities to add additional functions to exit devices:
Hex dogging and security indicators can inform users about the state of the exit device from a distance. These features are most popular in K-12 environments.
Alarms kits can alert building personnel when an unauthorized users exit through an opening. This option is popular in healthcare and commercial building environments.
Devin Jost is a professional in door hardware and access control for commercial and institutional environments. He has been with Allegion for over four years and operates out of St. Louis, Missouri.
Devin Jost
Devin Jost is a professional in door hardware and access control for commercial and institutional environments. He has been with Allegion for over four years and operates out of St. Louis, Missouri.
