How we help
Repair or replace exit devices with hardware matched to the door and its use. We assess the bar, latch, outside trim and closer together so the entrance works as a complete assembly.
Common situations
- Fire inspection flagged a non-compliant exit door
- Exit bar sticks or will not latch
- Rear exit propped open for deliveries
- New restaurant or venue needing egress hardware
What the service includes
- 01The door's material, width, swing, existing preps and fire label are checked to confirm which device type the opening needs.
- 02Old hardware is removed and the door is templated for the device, the strike or rods, and the outside trim.
- 03The device and strike, or the top and bottom rods on a pair of doors, are mounted, using through-bolts on hollow metal and wood doors where needed.
- 04The latch, rods and door closer are adjusted together so the door closes and latches every time, not only when someone pulls it.
- 05Exit from inside, entry with the key or lever outside, dogging if allowed, and any alarm or electric latch retraction are tested.
Typical time: 1-3 hours per door
Options
- Rim exit device
- Latches into one strike on the frame; simplest and most reliable for single doors.
- Surface vertical rod
- Latches top and bottom; used on pairs of doors without a center post.
- Concealed vertical rod
- Rods hidden inside the door for a finished look.
- Mortise exit device
- Drives a lock body in the door edge; common on office and lobby doors.
- Alarmed or electrified device
- Exit alarms or electric latch retraction for access control.
Exit devices we install
Compatibility and limits
- Which doors need panic or fire exit hardware depends on occupancy and code; confirm with your architect or the building department.
- On fire-rated doors the device must be listed fire exit hardware, and mechanical dogging is generally not allowed.
- Discontinued devices may need full replacement when parts are no longer made.
Common questions
Can a panic bar door be locked from the outside?
Yes. Outside trim with a key cylinder or a lockable lever controls entry. From inside, pushing the bar always opens the door, which is the purpose of the device.
Can an alarm be added to an exit door?
Yes. Alarmed exit devices sound when the door is opened, which discourages using emergency exits as shortcuts. Some models can be shunted with a key for authorized use.
Can Von Duprin and other exit devices be repaired?
Yes. Parts for Von Duprin, Sargent, Corbin Russwin, Precision and other common devices are widely available. Older discontinued models sometimes need a full replacement if parts are no longer made.
Can a panic bar work with a card reader?
Yes. Electric latch retraction pulls the latch in when access is granted, or an electric strike can be used on rim devices. Both need a power supply and wiring to the access control system.
How long does a panic bar installation take?
A rim device on a prepared door usually takes one to two hours. Vertical rod devices on pairs of doors, or doors that need new preps, can take longer.