A common query is whether exterior doors to a building will require the installation of a panic device. Whether you’re working on a school, a high-hazard occupancy, a place of assembly, or another facility, determining the panic hardware requirements for the building should be high-priority.

The International Building Code (IBC) is used in the majority of jurisdictions, but some states and local areas have their own laws on panic hardware requirements. For some facilities, it is mandatory to follow Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) or National Electrical Code (NFPA 70).

Having a panic device in place is vitally important when exiting the building in an emergency. It’s useful to have panic devices installed even when it isn’t a panic hardware requirement by code. Sometimes, though, it’s more practical to have it installed only when necessary.  

There are a few key pieces of information to know when panic device installation is mandatory by code or law. Here, we walk you through understanding the basics of panic hardware requirements.

Codes For Doors that Lock or Latch

Aside from codes, there are other factors that should be considered when choosing whether to install a panic device on a building door. Does the door lock or latch? Apply the following rules to doors that lock or latch. (The following does not apply to doors with push/pull hardware with no lock or latch).

All editions of the IBC from 2006 and forward state three specific panic hardware requirements. According to these code editions, a panic device is necessary for doors in assembly occupancies that hold 50 people or more, in educational facilities that hold 50 people or more, and in high-hazard facilities that hold any amount of people. 

NFPA 101 and NFPA 70 Panic Hardware Requirements

Some buildings must follow NFPA 101. Under this code, exit devices must be present on doors located in assembly occupancies with an occupancy load of 100 people or more, educational facilities of 100 people or more, daycare centers of 100 people or more, and high-hazard facilities of more than five people.

Panic devices are also mandatory on doors that lock or latch in some rooms containing electrical equipment. The NFPA 70 code has panic hardware requirements for these doors sitting within 25 feet of the required working space for rooms that hold specific electrical equipment. This includes equipment with a nominal voltage of 1,000; equipment of more than 800 amperes with overcurrent, switching, or control devices; battery rooms; transformer vaults; and energy storage system rooms.

Chapter 1 of the NFPA 70 2023 edition states that personnel doors must open 90 degrees or more in the direction of exiting traffic. According to Chapter 6, for Modular Data Centers there must be one entrance/exit door at each end of the working space that is equipped with a specific panic device OR fire exit hardware. Certain panic hardware requirements may also apply to mechanical rooms such as boiler rooms.

More Panic Device Rules and Regulations 

There are a number of other panic hardware requirements to consider when ordering your device. The touch-pad or cross-bar of the panic device must be half the width (or more) of a single door. Nowadays, this hardware must be mounted 34 to 48 inches above the floor. 

Doors with panic hardware requirements must not have any other locks installed on them or anything that could stop the latch from being released when pressing the touch-pad or cross-bar. Panic devices with electromagnetic locks, or delayed or controlled egress are exempt from this rule.

Panic devices on fire doors must meet the qualifications of fire exit hardware by complying with specific fire testing standards. Some regions also require doors and panic devices to comply with testing standards for protection against hurricanes and tornadoes.

Panic Device Tips

Whether you are using a cross-bar, touch-pad, rim, mortise, or vertical rod, we hope this information helps you determine what codes and requirements your panic device must adhere to.  Keep these general tips in mind when you are ready to have a panic device installed on doors in your building. 

In general, residential buildings, office buildings, and retail stores do not have any panic hardware requirements, unless any portion of the building matches the ones described above. Remember, even if your building doesn’t have any panic hardware requirements, a panic device can always be installed for security purposes.

The staff at Robert Brooke & Associates knows how confusing navigating panic hardware requirements can be. Our experts can answer any related questions you may have about your project.

By the Editor

Caitlin Renton

The Von Duprin 22 is Economical and Strong. As the least expensive Von Duprin you would think it might be cheap, but it is still one of the strongest exit or panic devices out in industry today. This makes it ideal for any public facility, or other areas of abuse. A little education goes along way, so hopefully I can educate you on the history, types, ratings, grades, construction, critical measurements, reasons to use, and differences with the Von Duprin 99, options and general comments.

The Von Duprin 22 complete panic device

In 1903 the Iroquois Theater Fire in Chicago claimed the lives of almost 600 people. Carl Prinzler was supposed to attend a show at the theater that evening, but he had other business dealing going on, so he missed the show. Back in the 1900’s it was common for theater owners to lock the doors shut, so non paying people could not get into the shows. Locking the doors kept the non paying people out, but also locked the paying people in the building. Prinzler was distraught at the loss of life, so he tried to figure out a way to keep doors locked on the outside, but still open in the inside. Prinzler sought help from his friend, Henry H. DuPont who had architectural engineering abilities to help develop this new device. In 1908 they brought there new product to market with a company called Vonnegut Hardware Company. Owing to the combined effort, they came up with the name Von Duprin, which came about by a combination of there names.

The Von Duprin 22 comes in two models, one is called a Rim Device, and the other is called a Surface Vertical Rod Device. A Rim Device is one that has a latch bolt that sticks out of the end of the device. It latches on the Rim of the door. The Surface Vertical Rod latches at the top and bottom of the door and are activated by rods that are mounted on the surface of the door. The Von Duprin 22 is the name of the rim device, the number for the surface vertical rod is known as the 2227. This post is about the 22 Rim Device, I am sure we will have one on the 2227 shortly.

The Von Duprin 2227 Surface Vertical Road, shown less the latches

In these two types, we have two other designations, one is Panic Hardware, and the other is Fire Exit Hardware. Panic Hardware is usually an 1-1/2 hour rated device. Meaning if there is a fire, it will contain it for an 1-1/2. Panic Hardware usually has the ability to be dogged open. The dogging is done by turning the 5/32″ hex key. Fire Rated Hardware is always used on interior doors and is designed to contain a fire from spreading through the whole building. A Fire Rated device will not have the ability to be dogged open, these doors are always supposed to positively latch. We see the Fire Rated devices on stairwell doors, but in larger buildings we see them everywhere on interior doors.

The Von Duprin 22 comes in two different lengths. One is 36″ and the other is 48″. The 22 can be cut down to work on doors as narrow as 26-1/2″ wide. If you have a 36″ wide door you would order the 36″ device, but if you have a 42″ wide door you would order the 48″ and cut it down in the field with a hack or chop saw.

Out there in industry we see three levels or grades of panic hardware. The Von Duprin 22 is rated Grade 1, which is the highest rating possible, generally equal to 10,000,000 cycles without a failure. There are many devices out there, make sure you get a Grade 1, in the long term it will be worth it.

The Von Duprin 22 is constructed of formed cold rolled steel. It is then powder coated to dark brown or aluminum colors. There is some plastic on this device, and that is the end cap, however Von Duprin know has an optional Metal End Cap.

The Von Duprin 22 is designed for all types of single and double doors with mullion, for door stiles as narrow as 3-13/16”. The door stile is amount of room you have on around the edge of the door. If you have an aluminum framed glass door, chances are the stile is only 1-3/4″, the Von Duprin 22 will not work on this door.

In the last 20 years we have seen a lot of growth in the imported exit devices, with names like Global Door Controls, International Door Closer and many more. You can purchase there devices for a little less, but what happens when something breaks on them? Generally you have to purchase a completely new device from them. Not with the Von Duprin 22, as with all there products, detailed parts breakdowns are available, and there replacement parts are stocked by them. We keep just about every replacement Von Duprin 22 part in stock, getting the part is as simply has picking up the phone or visiting our website.

The differences between the Von Duprin 99 and 22 are many, but here is the short list. The 99 has a plated finish, not painted like the 22. The 99 has quieter operation due to an internal shock absorb er, the 22 might not be the best device for doors on a theater or library. The 22 has a smaller foot print then the 99, the active head on the 22 is about half the size for the 99.

The Von Duprin 22 offers 9 different styles of exterior trims or handles. The benefit of using there handles is that they have stanchions welded on the back of the plates, and make the interior device and outside handle one unit. They offer a standard line of trims. You can order the Exit Only, Dummy, Night Latch, Thumb-piece, Knob and Lever. The also have an optional line which is a more Traditional looking Dummy, Night Latch, Blank Escutcheon Lever and Knob. This is also beneficial because it insures that the key cylinders line up with the panic device. As with the device a full list of replacement parts are available and usually in stock.

The Von Duprin 22 Lever Trim 230L

Along with the optional outside handles the Von Duprin 22 also offers a few electrical options. They have a Request to Exit Switch, Latch Bolt Monitoring Switch, and an Alarm Kit.

The complete Von Duprin 22 devices will ship with the standard strike and all of the mounting screws. If you do order one of the optional trims that have a key cylinder, the key cylinders are not included. Another benefit of the 22 is they are non handed, meaning they will work on a left or right hand swing door.

The Von Duprin 22 Standard Strike 299

If you have any questions, or would like more information on the Von Duprin 22, please drop us comment. We have all the part break downs, and templates for all of the 22’s and any Von Duprin that is out there.

The Monarch / Falcon 25-R Series Rim Panic Device has had a few names over the years. The Falcon 25-R and Monarch 25-R are the same exit device with a different name attached to them. In about 2010 Ingersoll Rand, the parent company of Monarch, Dor-o-Matic, LCN Door Closers, Von Duprin and H.B. Ives to name a few broke Dor-o-matic and Monarch off and put them under the Falcon name tag. In 2013 they put them all of there commercial door products under the Allegion name, but Falcon and Monarch are still known as Falcon products.

The Monarch / Falcon 25-R Panic Device

The Monarch / Falcon 25-R Series Rim Device Panic Device is robust and aesthetically pleasing. The Falcon 25 Series exit devices provide you a full range of functions and are for wide stile door types. Falcon is focused on providing you solid products with solid performance at a solid price. The sleek architectural design is perfect for a variety of applications to assure every door opening provides safe egress while also integrating with the overall building design. Combining functionality and design allows you to have confidence that your exit device is built to last and will look great – all at an affordable price.

The door stile is the amount of material on the door that the exit device mounts on. The Monarch / Falcon 25-R Series Rim Panic Device needs a minimum of 4″ of metal or wood around the door if your door has glass or lights in it. If you have an aluminum framed glass door, you would have to use the Monarch / Falcon 24-R, which is designed for storefront style doors.

The Monarch / Falcon 25-R Exit Device is a Grade 1 heavy duty panic device. Meaning it has been tested to 10,000,000 cycles without a failure. Falcon has been able to achieve these results by using there Patent-pending deadlocking technology, and extruded aluminum construction. The center case on this device is made out of a heavy gauge stamped steel, unlike its predecessor the 18-R and 17-R, which had a cast metal center case. All of the parts on the center case and working parts are heavy wrought or sintered metal parts. This device is ideal for offices, banks, assisted living facilities, retail stores, churches, and other commercial buildings where you have constant traffic and can take continual use and abuse.

The Monarch / Falcon 25-R ships in two widths. The device comes in a 36″ and a 48″. If your door is a 36″ door order the 36″ device. If your door is 34″ you would order a 36″ device and cut the device down in the field. If your door width is 42″ you would order a 48″ and cut the device down in the field also. The device can be cut down with a hack saw or chop saw. The minimum size door that the Monarch / Falcon 25-R will fit on is a 31-1/2″ door.

The Monarch / Falcon 25-R comes with every thing to install the panic device. In the packaging you will find all of the mounting screws, brackets and strike. The package will also comes with a dog key, which is the key you use to lock the door in the open position during office hours. The dogging on the Monarch / Falcon 25-R is a standard half turn dogging assembly. Watch the Falcon 25-R installation video:

The Monarch / Falcon 25-R latch bolt has a 3/4″ throw. The device projects from the door 2″ when in the dogged position and 2-3/4″ when in the locked position. The center case measures 9″ high by 2-5/8″ wide. The channel that goes across the door measures 2-1/4″ high with a 1-3/4″ projection, this would be the channel less the push pad. The device should be mounted so the center line of the device is 40-1/4″ from the finished floor.

With the Monarch / Falcon 25-R you can have the option of 9 different finishes, and 6 different functions. They offer polished brass, brushed brass, polished chrome, brushed chrome, anodized aluminum, stainless steel and anodized duranodic (store front dark bronze). You can also order optional outside handles like the Lever, Break Away Levers, Knob, Pull, Pull with Cylinder, and Thumb Piece.

Monarch / Falcon 511L Lever trim

This device also has the option for some electric functions. You can order with the optional Electric Latch Retraction (fail secure only), Fail Secure and Fail Safe Electric Trims, Delayed Egress and with Exit Alarms. Call us for pricing on these options. Another option that is non electrical is Cylinder Dogging. We can order the device with Cylinder Dogging instead of the standard Hex Key Dogging. The Cylinder Dogging would use a standard 1-1/8″long mortise cylinder with a standard cam. This cuts down on unauthorized dogging of the exit device.

Currently the Monarch / Falcon 25-R is priced under $500.00 each. This makes it a great alternative to the premium brands like Von Duprin, Sargent, Corbin Russwin and Yale. And more in line with the less expensive imported brands like Cal-Royal, International Door Closer, PDQ and Global Door Controls.

Another benefit of the Monarch / Falcon 25-R exit device Partsis the availability of replacement parts. If you purchase a panic device from an importer of devices, the parts are not readily available. With the Monarch / Falcon 25-R we stock many of the most common parts, but also have access to every replacement part they make. We are currently stocking the Strikes, Center Cases, Center Case Covers, End Caps and Dog Keys. They also offer detailed parts break downs, to assist in the event that some thing goes terribly wrong. Just respond to this post with your email and I will email you a copy of the parts break down.

The Monarch / Falcon 25-R replacement End Cap

The perfectly simple, tougher than nails, costs less than you think, fits anywhere exit device.
The new Falcon 25 Series exit devices fill the bill with some of the toughest, most reliable performance in the business.

The Von Duprin 050500 88 Rim Latch Tail Kit is used on the 88EO, 88DT, 88NL, 88L, 88K and 88TP devices. The kit includes one Latch Tail, two Latch Tail Springs, and two Latch Tail Pins. The 050500 does wear out over time due to the 88 Rim Master Cam and the 88NL Cylinder Cam, 88TP Cylinder Cam, or 88K/L Cylinder Cam sliding over them. You may notice that they are usually covered in grease, this is usually applied at the factory. The Latch Tail Springs push the Latch Tail and extend the Latch Bolt. People are quick to change this piece if there Latch Bolt is not extending, which may be the issue, but could be something else.
Before I would change the Von Duprin 050500 88 Rim Latch Tail Kit I would check the Cross Bar, and make sure the Set Screws are tight. The Set Screws are located under the Cross Bar and push up on a wedge which expands a Ring (Wedge Ring). The Cross Bar should always be parallel to the face of the door, you should never be able to twist the bar. The reason this is important is that the Cross Bar is heavy, and all of the lifting of the Cross Bar is done by the Hinge Case Spring, which is located in the Housing over on the Hinge Side of the door. The springs in the Von Duprin 050500 Rim Latch Tail Kit DO NOT provide any lift for the Cross Bar.
The Von Duprin 050500 88 Rim Latch Tail Kit is located inside the Center Case Housing, and is easily accessible by removing the Center Case from the door and removing the 4 Phillips Head Screws on the back cover plate. After that it is as simple as putting the Von Duprin 050500 88 Rim Latch Tail Kit in place and with the same orientation as the old one. You might want to add some grease or white lithium to the new parts also.

This is the Von Duprin 050500 88 Rim Latch Tail Kit

One of the biggest problem on exit devices in heavy traffic areas are the end caps. Plastic is not usually strong enough to survive for long. We should know, we have sold thousands of them over the last two and half years. So new for 2016, Von Duprin has come out with a Metal Replacement End Cap for the 22 Series. The Von Duprin 22 Mechanism Metal End Cap 900397, and our part # G22R10M.

This New End Cap will replace the Von Duprin 22 End Cap 900981 and Von Duprin 22 End Cap 968601. The end cap is made of a die cast metal is and substantially stronger then the original equipment plastic end cap. The new Metal Cap is finished with a powder coated black paint. The installation is as easy as removing the old end cap and bracket and replacing it with the new end cap and bracket, which have the same hole spacing. The package includes the End Cap, Bracket and the Mounting Screws.

Rear view of the 900397 Von Duprin 22 Metal End Cap

Front view of the new Von Duprin 22 Metal End Cap

One questions we are often asked is what is the difference between the ED5200, ED5200A and ED4200 Latch Assembly or Active Head. The ED4200 is for the Narrow Stile Rim Devices, usually mounted on aluminum framed glass doors. The ED5200 is for standard exit doors, where the ED5200A is for interior Fire Doors (no cylinder or hex key dogging). The ED4200 will have a narrow center case cover, usually less than 1-3/4″ wide. The ED5200 and ED5200A have a wider cover usually about 3 inches wide. In the diagram below I show the hub location for the ED5200, ED5200A and ED4200:

The diagram shows the cylinder hub location for the active head

We have been able to find a large stock of the Von Duprin 050709 Dogging Assembly, the older version of the Von Duprin Dogging Assembly used on devices shipped before 1997. The dogging assembly is the piece you put your 5/32″ hex key into and lock the exit device in the open position. This device was used on the 22, 33, 35, 98 and 99 Series devices. It some times went by the number Von Duprin part # 050153, but was updated to 050709 in the early 2000’s.

They are still manufacturing the Von Duprin 050709, but it is now done by another company and not Von Duprin. For many years we were not able to get this part, and many schools and institutions had to switch there dogging over to cylinder dogging to solve this issue. All that is involved to switch out the old style dogging assembly is remove the end cap, and slide the cover plate over to access the old dogging assembly. From there it is as simple as removing 2 to 4 screws and putting the new one in place.

The mounting plate measures 2-1/2″ x 1-11/16″,and the mounting screws are 1″ on center, the shaft uses a 5/32″ dog key. The Old Style Dogging Assembly can be ordered on our website von duprin 050709 old style dogging assembly . Our part # on this part is G050709 .

Von Duprin 050709 old style dogging assembly

We stock replacement parts for all of the Von Duprin Exit Devices in our Troy Michigan Warehouse. We stock the old and new style dogging assemblies, latches, cover plates, strikes and screws. Visit our website for a detailed parts break down, which are readily available under the Panic Bars < Von Duprin < then the series that you have, at the top of the page. Most items ship out within 24 hours, and we offer FedEx shipping if you want your items sooner than later.

Panic Hardware 259M is a number we find on Falcon Dor-o-matic Panic Exit Devices.  The number 259M is an Underwriter Laboratory number, and is a number that signifies the device has passed certification.  We find this number on all of the Dor-o-Matic Panic Exit Devices and on the newer version the Falcon Panic Exit Devices.  Although the number does not tell us exactly what you have, it does narrow it down to about seven Panic Hardware systems they make.  We sell replacement devices and all of there repair parts in stock for immediate delivery.  We also have detail parts break downs on our website.  Click on the links below to the different models that Falcon Dor-o-Matic  offer:

990/1090/1990/2090  Cross Bar Panic Devices

1490/1590 Touch Pad Panic Devices

1690/1690 Touch Pad Panic Devices

2390 Mid Panel Touch Pad Panic Devices

When you find “Listed 805H Panic Hardware” on your exit device, the hardware is usually Sargent. The number 805H is an Underwriters Laboratory Number, that we find on all door closers and Panic Devices, in this case Sargent. The number does very little for us, because just about every Sargent Panic Device has this number on it. For us to determine which panic device you have we would need a little information.
How does your door latch? Is it latching on the side of the door or at the top and bottom.
How old is your Panic Device? Sargent has had design changes over the years and from this information we can determine which device you have.
What color is your Panic Device? Is you device a powder coated painted finish or a plated or stainless steel device.
Were is the part you are looking for located? Is it inside the device or on the surface, or is it on the latching side or hinge side of the exit device.

If you have these questions answered you can call us or search our website for the more popular Sargent Panic Device Parts and Hardware.

Von Duprin has made some excellent exit devices in the past 100 years, and many of them are still in operation today. The Von Duprin 44 was discontinued in the 1980’s, but we still have some of them in stock. Many of them have been stripped for parts, but we still have lever arms, 4427 Surface Vertical Rod Active Housings, Inactive Housings, End Plugs, Rod Guides, and a few Soffit Latches. If you have an old Von Duprin 44, and are in need of parts, uou can call us at 1-800-642-2403 and speak to our Exit Device Experts.

The above image is of the Von Duprin 4427 Active Housing.

We no longer have any parts left in stock, sorry!