Wall, mullion, or gang box
UL 294 · NFPA 101 · IBC · ADA
Maryland, DC & Northern Virginia
A door release button is a push button that unlocks an electrified door from inside. Staff press it, the lock drops power, and the door opens. You may hear it called a request-to-exit (REX) button or a push-to-exit button. It pairs with maglocks, electric strikes, and access control panels. Building codes often require one next to locked egress doors. A good button is easy to find, easy to press, and wired to release the lock directly. That keeps exits working when the system fails.
One press frees the door, so people leave quickly during fire drills, alarms, and real emergencies.
Correct height, signage, and wiring help you pass fire marshal and permit inspections without costly rework.
The door stays locked from outside while staff exit freely, so your access control keeps working.
King Locksmith And Doors Inc. installs and services door release buttons for businesses and agencies across Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia. We work with offices, clinics, hospitals, hotels, schools, and government buildings. Our technicians match each button to your lock, access control system, and local code. We test every exit before we leave. Need a new install, a replacement, or a fast repair? We bring the right parts and get your doors working safely again.
Not every door release button fits every door. The right choice depends on your lock type, your code needs, the people using the door, and the setting. Use these five checks before you buy one.
Start with the lock. Maglocks are fail-safe, so the button must cut their power to open the door. Electric strikes may be fail-safe or fail-secure. A fail-secure strike needs power to unlock, so the button wiring is different.
Most commercial buttons have both normally open and normally closed contacts. That lets one button cut lock power and signal the access panel at the same time. Ask us to check your existing hardware before you order.
Codes set rules when a locked egress door uses a motion sensor to unlock. The IBC and NFPA 101 call for a manual button within 5 feet of the door. It must sit 40 to 48 inches above the floor.
The button needs a “PUSH TO EXIT” sign. Pressing it must cut lock power directly and keep the door unlocked for at least 30 seconds. Fire marshals across the DMV may also add local rules.
Think about who uses the door. A large mushroom-style button is easy to hit with a palm, an elbow, or a full hand. That helps people who carry boxes, push carts, or have limited grip.
ADA rules call for controls that work with one hand and no tight grasping. Choose high-contrast colors and clear labels. A lighted button also helps people find the exit in low light. Keep it in clear reach, never behind furniture.
Where the door sits matters. Outdoor gates and loading docks need weatherproof buttons with sealed housings. Check the IP rating for wet areas. Busy lobbies and schools need stainless steel faces that resist kicks, pry bars, and constant use.
Healthcare spaces may want no-touch infrared buttons that cut down on germ spread. Hotels and offices often choose low-profile styles that match the décor. We can supply the right option for every setting across the DMV.
A good button can still fail if it is installed poorly. Wires should run inside the wall or in conduit, not loose on the surface. Each connection needs to be tight, labeled, and protected. Mount it at code height in clear view.
We tie the button into your power supply, access panel, and fire alarm release as needed. Then we test every function with you on site. You get a door that opens every time.
Many access-controlled doors use a push button, a motion sensor, or both. Here is how a door release button compares to a motion-sensor request-to-exit device on five points that matter.
Consideration
Door Release Button
Motion Sensor (PIR) Exit
Opens only when someone presses it on purpose
Can trigger when people walk past the door
Serves as the required manual release backup
Needs a manual button backup by code
Hard to trigger from outside the door
Can be tricked through gaps under doors
Simple contacts with few parts to drift
Needs aim and sensitivity tuning over time
Lower cost to buy and install
Costs more and needs a backup button
Release buttons get pressed thousands of times. Parts wear out and wiring breaks down. Watch for these warning signs, since a failed button can trap people or leave doors unsecured.
We mount, wire, and label new release buttons on maglock and electric strike doors to meet code.
We trace dead buttons, stuck locks, and random unlocks to the root cause, then fix it fast.
Swap worn or outdated buttons for vandal-resistant, lighted, or no-touch models that fit your current door setup.
We check height, distance, signage, wiring, and timer settings so your exits pass local fire marshal inspections.
We connect buttons to your access panel, power supply, and fire alarm so every part works together.
Door stuck locked or wide open? Call us for fast response across Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia.
Get a free assessment from King Locksmith And Doors Inc. We’ll check your release buttons and suggest the best fix.
