Rim, vertical rod, or mortise
ANSI/BHMA A156.3 · UL 305 · UL 10C · NFPA 80 & 101
Maryland, DC & Northern Virginia
An electrified exit device is a panic bar with electric control built in. People inside can always push the bar and walk out, even when power is lost.
From the outside, the door stays locked until your access control system lets someone in. The device can also retract its latch for push-and-pull hours, report its status, or work with an auto operator. It gives busy doors in offices, clinics, hotels, and public buildings safe exit and tight entry control, all in one piece of hardware.
The push bar opens the door from inside with or without power, so people always get out.
Lock or unlock the door from a card reader, a set schedule, or the front desk.
Listed devices meet UL 305 panic rules and fire door codes when installed and wired correctly.
King Locksmith and Doors Inc. is a commercial door and hardware company serving Maryland, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia. Our technicians install, wire, and repair electrified exit devices for businesses, government sites, hospitals, and hotels. We work with your access control vendor, electrician, and fire marshal so the door works on day one. From a single back door to a full campus, we give you clear pricing, clean work, and hardware that meets local code.
The right electrified exit device depends on your door, your traffic, and how you want to control entry. Use this guide to compare device types, electric functions, power needs, and code rules before you buy.
Rim devices mount on the face of the door and latch into a strike on the frame. They suit single doors and pairs with a removable mullion. Vertical rod devices latch at the top and bottom, which fits double doors with no center post.
Mortise devices fit into a pocket in the door edge for strength. Concealed rod models hide the rods inside the door. We check your door and frame before we recommend one.
Electric latch retraction (EL) pulls the latch back on command. The door becomes push-and-pull during open hours, which also works well with automatic door operators. Electrified trim locks or unlocks only the outside lever or pull, while the latch stays in place.
Delayed egress devices sound an alarm when pushed, then release the door after 15 seconds. Hospitals and memory care units often use them where code allows. We match the function to each door.
This choice sets what happens to the outside trim or latch when power drops. Fail-safe hardware unlocks without power. Fail-secure hardware stays locked without power. In both cases, people inside can still push the bar and leave.
Fire-rated doors need a latch that stays engaged during a fire alarm, so EL devices must relatch when the alarm trips. Stair doors may also need to unlock for re-entry. We review your local code needs before install.
Most electrified exit devices run on 24 volts DC from a dedicated power supply. Solenoid EL devices draw a high surge when the latch pulls back, so the power supply and wire size must match the load. Motor-driven models draw far less.
Power reaches the door through a power transfer hinge or door loop. A fire alarm relay may also tie in. We plan the full wire path so your door runs smoothly for years.
Electrified exit devices link to card readers, keypads, and building software. Request-to-exit switches tell the system someone is leaving, so it does not trigger a forced-door alarm. Latch and door position monitoring show whether the door is truly secure.
Schools, offices, and government sites can also add remote lockdown from one button. We work with your security vendor to set schedules, test each signal, and confirm the door fails the right way during power loss.
Magnetic locks are a common choice for access-controlled doors, but they come with real trade-offs. Here is how electrified exit devices compare on safety, security, code rules, and day-to-day use.
Consideration
Electrified Exit Devices
Magnetic Locks
Mechanical push bar opens without any power
Needs sensors and buttons to release safely
Outside stays locked with fail-secure options
Unlocks completely whenever power is cut
Widely accepted on exits and fire doors
Must meet strict access-controlled egress rules
Draws power only when latch retracts
Draws power around the clock to hold
Familiar push bar that everyone understands
Delays or confusion when sensors misread motion
Electrified exit devices work hard on busy doors. When one part fails, the door can stop working. These are the problems we see most across Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia.
We supply and install rim, vertical rod, and mortise electrified exit devices matched to each door's use.
Convert many existing panic bars to electric latch retraction with factory kits, saving on full replacement costs.
We wire devices to your card readers, keypads, and security software, then test every signal before handoff.
We size power supplies, run low-voltage wire, and install power transfer hinges so devices get steady power.
We diagnose latch, wiring, switch, and power faults on most major brands and restore normal operation quickly.
Scheduled checks keep panic and fire exit hardware working, documented, and ready for your annual code inspection.
Get expert advice, clear pricing, and code-ready installation for your electrified exit devices anywhere in Maryland, DC, or Northern Virginia.
