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Exit Device Checklist

December 1, 2011 builders hardware / door hardware / hardware sales wars / Life Safety Hardware / security hardware
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See also Exit Device Basics

Here are a few questions you need to be able to answer before you order exit devices:

  • Is the door made of wood, hollow steel, Fiberglas, aluminum and glass, or all glass?
  • Is the door is fire rated or non-fire rated?
  • Door width if single door or pair of doors with center mullion?
  • Door width and height if for a pair of doors without mullion?
  • Door thickness?
  • Exit device finish?
  • Will this be an exit-only device, or will there be outside trim?
  • If there is outside trim, what function is it?

It will save you time and aggravation if you know the answers to these questions before you call your hardware vendor.

You may also want one or more of these or other mechanical options:

  • Cylinder dogging (not available on fire rated devices)
  • Less bottom rod (for vertical rod exit devices)
  • Double cylinder (trim locked or unlocked from inside secured space)

There may also be electrified options:

  • Does the exit device need to have electrified trim?  If so, fail safe or fail secure?
  • Does the exit device need to have electric latch retraction?
  • Does the exit device need to have push pad or latch monitor switches?
  • Do you need a delayed egress exit device?

Save time and money by gathering the necessary facts before shopping for exit devices.

What’s Hot in Door Hardware

June 18, 2011 access control / door hardware / security hardware
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A couple of new innovative products have recently caught my attention.  Here they are:

Security Door Controls (SDC) Model LR100VDK:

Field Installed Electric Latch Retraction Retrofit Kit for Von Duprin Exit Devices

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This product is available now.

http://www.sdcsecurity.com/whatsnew2.aspx#lr100

The mere 450mA inrush powering Security Door Controls’ new electric latch retraction retrofit kit is attractive enough.  Its compatibility with all Von Duprin touch bar style devices may make it just about irresistible.   Optional request to exit switch kits are available.  The unit is usable for access control and electric dogging applications.

The small inrush is huge.  (I always wanted to say that.)  High inrush electric latch retraction requires special, expensive power supplies.  Not so with the LR100VDK.  Your average regulated and filtered 1-amp 24vdc power supply will do nicely, thank you.

Another great aspect of this kit is that it is compatible with the Von Duprin 22 series exit device. So now, for relatively short money you can give a customer electric latch retraction in a decent quality exit device.

HES Model 8500 Electric Strike for Mortise Locks


http://www.hesinnovations.com/en/site/hesinnovations/Products-startpage/?groupId=141798&productId=764670

This product is due to become available by the end of August, 2011, but we’ll see.

Hanchett Entry Systems’ new lipless electric strike solution for mortise locks.

Installing an electric strike to release a mortise lock will be much easier with the HES 8500 since no cutting of the face of the frame is necessary.  Below is an illustration showing the difference between the HES 1006 standard electric strike for mortise lock and the new HES 8500.

HES 1006 prep for hollow metal

HES 8500 door prep for hollow metal - look ma, no lip!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is not a new idea, but installers seem excited about the prospect of having an alternative to the Securitron UnLatch, which has been around for quite some time.  The Unlatch model that the HES 8500 will compete with will be the Securitron MUNL.

Of course, the advantage the MUNL currently enjoys is that, unlike the 8500, one can actually buy an MUNL.  Comparatively, the Securitron requires a door frame depth of about 1-7/8 inches whereas the the 8500 will require about 1-3/8 inches.  The 8500 will draw 240mA at 12 volts DC and 120mA at 24 volts DC and draws no inrush current.  The MUNL has an inrush of 2 amps at 24vdc or 4 amps at 12vdc and an operating current of 600mA at 12vdc or 300mA at 24vdc.  One important result of the lower current consumption of the 8500 will be that instead of the 4 amp 12vdc or 8 amp 24vdc power supply necessary for each MUNL, one 8 amp 24vdc power supply will theoretically power as many as perhaps 60 of the new HES 8500.  Of course then, factors like wire run will come into play, but still.

Another positive attribute will be that the 8500 will be field selectable for fail safe or fail secure whereas the MUNL requires an additional module to make it fail safe.

All in all, the 8500 seems that it will be a better choice all around.  We’ll just have to wait and see how it performs in the field after it becomes available at the end of August 2011.

Low Voltage Detective Work

June 4, 2011 access control / door hardware / Life Safety Hardware / Lock Repair / security hardware
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Finding the Current Drop

 

As electric locking systems become increasingly complicated, troubleshooting these systems has also become more complex.  Yet certain basic principles always apply.

Case in point, a customer had access control on a stairwell door using a fire rated mortise exit device with an electrified mortise lock.  The solenoid in the mortise lock had burned out twice and the third one, newly installed, was already too hot to touch.  Granted, a solenoid operated fail safe device used in a continuous duty application will get warm, but it should not get too hot to touch.  So they called me to help them figure out what was going on.

To find the problem, I first listed the possibilities:

  1. They had gotten three defective solenoids in a row
  2. The power supplied is the wrong voltage – if the voltage was either too high or low, that would cause the solenoid to heat up
  3. The current supplied is inadequate – the solenoid used 330mA.  If it were being supplied with only 150mA, for example, the solenoid would heat up.

We determined that 27 volts DC was available at the door to power the 24 volts DC solenoid – perfectly acceptable – and we all felt that it was rather unlikely that they had received three defective solenoids in a row.  So that left current drop.  Where was the current going?  What was preventing it from getting the current it needed?

The access control tech on site could not determine whether the solenoid was getting enough current at the door by using a meter (for whatever reason) so we traced the current back through the line.

The power supply was a 6 amp, 24 volts DC power supply that had an output board with 8 fused outputs.  If all were in use, then a max of 750mA should be available from each output, provided they all were carrying the same amperage load.  We determined that four of the outputs were being used:  three were used to power electric strikes at 300mA and one was used to power the electric mortise exit device at 330mA.  The sum of the current draw for all devices attached to the power supply was therefore about 1.2 amps – well within the power supply’s capacity.  Therefore the power supply size was not the problem.  The technician measured the output from the contacts that were connected to the mortise lock and found that they were outputting correct voltage and current.  Therefore the output board was not the problem.

Assured by the technician that the wire run between the power supply and the mortise lock was less than 100 feet and that 18 gauge wire was used, I knew that the wire run was not the problem.  I asked how power got from the door frame through the door and into the mortise lock.  The technician responded that power transfer was accomplished by use on an electric hinge.

Typical wire gauge in an electric hinge is 24 gauge – a thin wire to be sure, but since power only needs travel a few inches through it, hinge wire gauge is usually not a problem.  But this electric hinge had its own 3-foot wire lead threaded through a raceway in the door to the mortise lock.  Whereas a few inches of 24 gauge wire might not be a problem, I reasoned, three feet of it might be a problem.  We talked about it briefly and then agreed that they would give it a try.

To my dismay, they called back two hours later – after they had replaced the wire running through the door with 18 gauge wire and let the mortise lock run on it for a while – and let me know that this did not work either.

The answer finally came when I asked how the electric mortise lock was connected to access control and was told there was a controller in a box above the door.  The controller used a form C relay to turn the electric mortise lock on and off.  I suggested that the technicians check the relay to make sure it was working properly.  When they did they discovered that the electric mortise lock had been connected in series with another device.  This other device – whatever it was – drew enough current to deprive the mortise lock of the current it needed to operate without burning up.  Problem solved.

The moral of the story is that, yes, access control has only gotten more complex as time goes by, but by using simple, logical methods a good technician and figure out and repair most problems.  So stick with it and keep asking questions until you ask the right one.

 

And good luck!

 

 

Exit Devices with Electric Latch Retraction

April 9, 2011 access control / builders hardware / door hardware / Life Safety Hardware / security hardware / Uncategorized
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Overview

Almost all exit device manufacturers offer the option of electric latch retraction on their touch-bar style exit devices.  Different manufactures may call it by other names such as ‘latch pull-back’ or ‘remote dogging’.  Some people refer a device with electric latch retraction as an ‘electrified exit device’, but that could also refer to electric unlocking of outside trim – a different animal altogether.  Electric latch retraction is accomplished by using a solenoid or electric motor to actually retract the latch or latches of an exit device.

Below are some characteristics of electric latch retraction:

  • Electric latch retraction is fail secure.  When power is supplied, the latches retract.  When power is shut off, the latches extend, securing the door.
  • Electric latch retraction works well with power operators because when the latches are retracted, the doors can swing free.
  • With electric latch retraction, pairs of doors can continue to be latched top and bottom.

Cheaper alternatives, such as using an electromagnetic lock or an electric strike, would result in double doors that are only locked at the top.  If they happen to be aluminum narrow stile doors locked only at the top, a person could actually pull the bottom of the locked door open several inches with very little effort.  Such installations are at best sloppy, at worst not secure.  

Solenoid vs. Motorized Latch Retraction

Solenoid driven electric latch retraction usually requires a specialized power supply due to the high inrush of current required (between 12 Amps and 16 Amps at 12 or 24 Volts DC).  Motorized latch retraction generally requires just over 1 Amp of current for activation.  

Solenoids are generally louder than motors, since solenoids move abruptly whereas motors retract at a slightly slower pace, and are therefore quieter.  

Global Considerations

  • Check door width. Electric latch retraction devices may not fit if the door is too narrow.
  • A means of getting current from the door frame into the device, such as a door cord or electric power transfer will be needed.
  • Voltage drop due to length of wire run could be an issue with high current inrush devices.

Following are examples of electric latch retraction exit devices by different manufacturers. 

Please keep in mind that any of the part numbers shown may change without notice at any time.  

Adams Rite

Adams Rite makes hardware primarily for aluminum-and-glass storefront type doors, but also for standard hollow metal and wood doors. All of their exit devices are available with MLR (motorized latch retraction) or solenoid latch retraction (EL for rim devices and LR for all other devices).  They make rim, concealed vertical rod, surface vertical rod, and mortise exit devices.

  • MLR motorized option draws 850 mA during retraction and 370 mA when maintained in dogged hold position at 24 VDC.  Available in 24 VDC only.  (ex. part number 8xxxMLR) 
  • EL solenoid driven option (for rim devices, example part number 8801EL-36-12) draws 1.5 Amps at 12 VDC and 600 mA at 24 VDC
  • LR solenoid driven option (example part number 8xxxLR-36) draws 16 Amps at 24 VDC (inrush) and 500 mA (holding current) at 24 VDC 

They do not offer a retrofit kit for field conversion of existing devices as of this writing, but aftermarket kits are available from other manufacturers.   

Falcon / Doromatic

Falcon makes Doromatic exit devices primarily for aluminum storefront doors. All of their touch-bar style devices are available with electric latch retraction. Currently they use the Von Duprin-type solenoid for latch retraction, and use the Von Duprin PS914-2RS power supply to handle the 16-amp inrush current these solenoids draw.

The PS914-2RS  will power up to 2 exit devices with electric latch retraction.

Doromatic offers a solenoid driven electric latch retraction field retrofit kit for their 1490 series concealed vertical rod and 1590 series rim devices as well as factory installed electric latch retraction. The EL1690 concealed vertical rod device and EL1790 rim device can be used field retrofit kits to electrify the 1990 and 2090 series crossbar “pipe-type” exit devices for latch retraction since they have the same latch side footprint and the vertical rod devices can use the existing rods.  

Falcon offers their grade 1 series 24 and 25 exit devices with electric latch retraction or motorized latch retraction and field conversion kits. 

Falcon exit device example part numbers: 

  • EL solenoid latch retraction (EL25-R-EO 3 US32D)
  • MEL motorized latch retraction (MEL25-R-EO 3 US32D) 

Example field conversion kits: 

  • ELK-3 or ELK-4 (or 650147 or 650148) solenoid latch retraction kit for 3- or 4-foot 24 or 25 series exit devices.  Specify finish. 
  • 25-MELK-3 or 25-MELK-4 (or 47266630 or 47266631) motorized latch retraction kit for 3- or 4-foot 25 series devices only.  24 series MEL devices are factory only.  Specify finish.  

Precision

Precision makes exit devices for hollow metal, aluminum storefront, and wood doors, fire rated and non fire rated. All of their touch bar-style exit devices are available with electric latch retraction, and they offer both solenoid driven and motorized electric latch retraction for their grade 1 devices.   

  • ELR solenoid latch retraction (ex. part number ELR2103 630 36)
  • MLR motorized latch retraction (ex. part number MLR2103 630 36) 

Precision makes retrofit solenoid electric latch retraction kits specific to various device characteristics.   

  • Non-fire rated 3- or 4-foot wide stile exit device:  ELRK-3 / ELRK-4 
  • Fire rated 3- or 4- foot wide stile exit device:  ELRKF-3 / ELRKF-4 
  • Non-fire rated 3- or 4- foot narrow stile exit device:  NELRK-3 / NELRK-4 
  • Fire rated 3- or 4-foot narrow stile exit device:  NELRKF-3 / NELRKF-4 

They make one kit to convert any of their touch bar devices to motorized latch retraction: 

  • RPMLR-K  

Sargent

Sargent offers a wide variety of exit devices in various functions and configurations to accommodate diverse applications. All 80-series models are available with “Remote Dogging / Latch Retraction”.  Sargent recommends the Securitron BPS-24-1 power supply, a simple 1-amp, 24VDC power supply, to power electric latch retraction devices.  

To designate Remote Dogging / Latch Retraction they use a prefix 56- to the exit device part number.

Example part number: 56-8810F 32D 

Sargent offers two kinds of retrofit kits to convert existing Sargent exit devices to motorized latch retraction in the field.  The R56A kit includes a complete touch bar (specify finish) whereas the M56A consists of a motor and control module unit that is unfinished.  Rail size (according to door width) must be specified for either.  Sargent uses letter designations for rail size: 

  • E = 24 to 32 inch door width 
  • F = 33 to 36 inch door width 
  • J = 37 to 42 inch door width 
  • G = 43 to 48 inch door width 

Example part numbers: 

  • Modular kit:  M56AF
  • Push Rail Assembly Kit:  R56AF 32D 

Von Duprin

Von Duprin offers two kinds of electric latch retraction in rim, surface vertical rod, concealed vertical rod, mortise, and three-point exit devices for narrow stile aluminum storefront, standard hollow metal, and wood door applications.  To order exit devices with latch retraction use prefix EL for solenoid latch retraction or QEL for motorized latch retraction.  

EL prefix devices require the PS914-2RS power supply.   PS902-2RS are the manufacturer’s recommendations for QEL prefix devices, but any regulated and filtered power supply 2 Amps or greater will do.  If powering 2 devices simultaneously, the PS902-2RS will stagger the inrush, firing one QEL at a time.  Since each draws 1 Amp, simultaneous activation of two devices might max out a standard 2 Amp power supply.  If another manufacturer’s power supply will be used to power two devices, I suggest using a 3 Amp power supply. 

Wire run/current drop factors apply.  

Example part numbers:  

  • Solenoid latch retraction:  EL99EO 3 26D 
  • Motorized latch retraction:  QEL99EO 3 26D 

Von Duprin offers a variety of retrofit kits to field convert existing exit devices to electric latch retraction.  Options include motorized latch retraction kits, kits that include rail backplate (specify door 3 or 4 foot door width), kits with motorized latch retraction and hex key dogging, etc.   Here I list part numbers for the most common variations:  

  • Solenoid Latch retraction (EL) kits:  
    • For 3-foot door width:  050070 
    • For 4-foot door width:  050078 
  • Motorized latch retraction (QEL) kits: 
    • For 3-foot door width: 958003 
    • For 4-foot door width:  040065 

Dorma

Dorma offers solenoid and motorized latch retraction for their 9000 series exit devices.   ES is the designation for solenoid driven latch retraction and MLR for motorized latch retraction.  They offer full replacement touch bar and rail assemblies that can be used to field convert devices to ES or MLR.   

Example exit device with latch retraction part numbers: 

  • With solenoid latch retraction:  9x00B RHR 630 ES 
  • With motorized latch retraction:  9×00 RHR 630 MLR 

ES option requires Dorma PS501 power supply.  

MLR option, Dorma DKPS-2A power supply recommended, but any 2 Amp regulated and filtered power supply will work.  

Rail size designations:  

  • A – for door width 34 inches to 48 inches
  • B – for door width 28 inches to 36 inches 
  • C – for door width 25 inches to 30 inches 

Touch bar and rail assemblies, example part numbers: 

  • MLR option motorized latch retraction:  MLRTBR 630 B
  • MLR option fire rated motorized latch retraction:  MLRFTBR 630 B
  • ES option solenoid latch retraction:  ESTBR 630 B
  • ES option fire rated solenoid latch retraction:  ESFTBR 630 B 

Exit Device, Panic Hardware and Crash Bar Basics

April 4, 2011 door hardware / Life Safety Hardware / security hardware
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Introduction

The terms “crash bar”, “panic hardware” and “exit device” all mean the same thing.

Precision Apex 2000 Series Rim Exit Devices by Stanley

Exit devices are used on doors in the path of egress in buildings built to accomodate numbers of people.  Facilities like schools, hospitals, goverment buildings and large residential buildings all use them.  Fire rated exit devices are used on fire rated doors.  Most interior doors that require exit devices, especially stairwell doors, are fire rated.

Fire Rated Exit Devices

Fire rated openings require fire rated exit devices. Fire rated devices are so designated by Underwriters Laboratories. I am told that UL tests them by mounting the device on a fire rated door and setting the door on fire, letting it burn for a time, and then blasting the door full blast with a fire hose. If the door opens, the device fails the test and cannot be sold as a fire rated exit device.

Non-fire-rated exit devices are used mainly on exterior doors.

Dogging Feature

One of the chief differences between a fire rated exit device and a non-fire-rated exit device is called the “dogging” feature. A dogging feature allows the user to “dog the bar down” using a hex wrench or standard key, leaving the door unlatched. Since fire rated devices must always postitively latch, they never have a dogging feature.

Narrow Stile Exit Devices

The term, “lock stile”, refers to the part of a panel door or aluminum-and-glass storefront door onto which an exit device or other lock is installed. Many aluminum storefront doors one encounters in the world have lock stiles only 1-3/4 inches to 2 inches wide. If you need an exit device for such a door, you need an exit device for a narrow stile application.

Exit Device Types

The four main types of exit devices are:

  • Rim
  • Mortise
  • Surface Vertical Rod
  • Concealed Vertical Rod
  • Mid-panel

See examples of rim exit devices at:

http://www.sargentlock.com/products/product_overview.php?item_id=86

and

http://www.sargentlock.com/products/product_overview.php?item_id=57

See an example of a surface vertical rod device at:

http://www.sargentlock.com/products/product_overview.php?item_id=56

See an example of a mortise exit device at:

http://www.sargentlock.com/products/product_overview.php?item_id=59

See an example of a concealed vertical rod exit device at:

http://www.sargentlock.com/products/product_overview.php?item_id=60

Specifying Exit Devices

Exit device choice is based upon the door. As mentioned previously
if the door is fire rated, the exit device must also be fire rated.
If the door is a narrow stile door, an narrow stile application exit
device is required.

In addition, you need to know the width of the door. Exit devices
come in different lengths to accomodate different door widths, so
that the touchpad of the exit device provides the coverage required
by national and local life safety and/or fire code. Door thickness
could also be a factor, especially if you are going to need exit device
trim, that is, a lever, doorknob or thumbpiece that allows people
to unlatch the door and enter from the outside. I will discuss exit
device trim shortly.

For a pair of doors (otherwise known as a double opening, or a set
of double doors), the best choice is usually a surface or concealed
vertical rod exit device. In this case you also need to know the door
height.

It is possible to lock a pair of doors using one rim or mortise exit
device and either a vertical rod exit device or a set of flush bolts,
but these solutions (while perhaps saving a little money) present
other problems. If you use a rim device on the active door, then the
strike (the part you will be mounting on the inactive door to receive
the latch of the rim device) is called quite appropriately a “pocket-ripper”
strike, since it hangs into the opening at pretty much trouser pocket
level. Use of a mortise exit device on the active leaf eliminates
that problem, but it will not work as reliably as would two vertical
rod devices, and would save very little money.

The choice between concealed and surface vertical rod exit devices
should be a simple one. If you are having doors made, have the door
manufacturer install concealed vertical rod exit devices at their
factory. If you are installing a vertical rod device at a job site
on existing doors, then use surface vertical rods.

Concealed vertical rod exit devices are preferable because they are
protected from damage by the door. However, it is an especially skilled
installer who can install one in the field, and at that, it is a time
consuming and difficult job.

Mortise exit devices offer superior durability, and are otherwise
the best choice when retro-fitting an exit device to an existing door
that already has a mortise lock.

Exit Device Trim

The exit device goes on the inside, or interior side of the door,
and exit device trim goes on the outside. Exit device trim is available
in different functions. Below are the most common functions:

  • Key locks and unlocks lever handle or thumbpiece. Trim can be
    left unlocked for periods of time allowing free entry.
  • Key retracts latch. Exit device is always locked from outside,
    entry by key only. Not available on some vertical rod exit devices.
  • Key unlocks trim only while key is inserted. User turns key, operates
    control for entry. Trim is relocked when user removes key.
  • Passage function: trim is always unlocked allowing free entry.
  • Dummy trim: trim is rigid, usable as a handle to pull the door
    open when either the bar is dogged down using the dogging feature
    (see above) or when the latch is retracted or the device released
    by other means.

Exit Device Options

Exit devices are available with a wide variety of options that increase
their functionality. These include:

  • Alarm
  • Touchpad or latchbolt monitoring switches
  • Electric latch retraction
  • Electric dogging
  • Delayed egress

 

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