Rim, Mortise, or Vertical Rod
ANSI/BHMA A156.3 · UL 305 · UL 10C · NFPA 101
Maryland, DC & Northern Virginia
An electrified exit device is a panic bar wired into your access control system. From the inside, anyone can push the bar and walk out, every time. From the outside, the door stays locked until a card reader, keypad, or button tells it to open. Power runs through a power transfer device to drive features like electric latch retraction, electrified trim, and latch monitoring. You get code-compliant egress and controlled entry on the same door, with a clear record of who came in and when.
People inside can always push the bar and exit, even during a power outage or alarm.
Unlock doors from a card reader, keypad, or front desk button without handing out extra keys.
Latch and door position switches report status, so you know when a door is left unsecured.
King Locksmith and Doors Inc. installs, repairs, and services commercial door hardware across Maryland, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia. Our technicians wire electrified exit devices for small businesses, government agencies, hospitals, hotels, and organizations. We size power supplies, run low-voltage wiring, tie devices into access control and fire alarm systems, and test each door before leaving. You get one team for the door, the hardware, and the electrical work, with clear quotes and dependable follow-up.
The right electrified exit device depends on your door, your traffic, and your local codes. Use these five checks to narrow your options before you buy, or let our team assess the opening for you.
Start with the door itself. Rim exit devices suit most single doors and pairs with a mullion. Surface and concealed vertical rod devices latch at the top and bottom, which works well on pairs without a mullion.
Mortise exit devices fit into a lock pocket in the door edge. They offer the strongest latch and are common on high-traffic hospital, school, and office doors. Each type also changes how wiring is routed through the door.
Electric latch retraction pulls the latch back on command, so the door can be pushed open or used with an automatic operator. Motorized versions draw less current than older solenoid models and run quieter.
Electrified trim locks or unlocks the outside lever instead. Choose fail-secure to keep the door locked during power loss, or fail-safe to unlock it. Both keep free egress from inside. Not sure which fits your opening? We’ll recommend the right one.
Every exit device should meet ANSI/BHMA A156.3 and be UL listed as panic hardware. On fire-rated doors, you need fire exit hardware, which cannot use mechanical dogging to hold the latch retracted.
Electric latch retraction is still allowed on fire doors, as long as the latch extends again when the fire alarm activates. NFPA 101, the IBC, and ADA rules also affect operating force, mounting height, and delayed egress timing. Inspectors may add local rules.
Electrified exit devices need a dedicated power supply sized for their current draw. Solenoid latch retraction models need high inrush current, while motorized models run on far less. Undersized supplies are a common cause of failure.
Power reaches the device through a transfer hinge, door loop, or electric power transfer. Plan for request-to-exit switches, latch monitoring, and fire alarm release before the door or frame is ordered. That planning helps avoid costly field changes later.
Busy entrances in hospitals, hotels, and government buildings need heavy-duty Grade 1 devices. Electric latch retraction paired with an automatic operator also helps ADA access on main doors. Lower-traffic offices can often use a Grade 2 device to save on cost.
For stairwells and back exits, alarmed or delayed egress devices can discourage unauthorized exits while letting people out in an emergency. Delayed egress usually needs approval from your local fire marshal and code official.
Magnetic locks are a common alternative for access-controlled doors. Here is how electrified exit devices compare on the five factors that matter most for safety, security, and long-term operating cost.
Consideration
Electrified Exit Device
Magnetic Lock
Mechanical exit works even without any power
Relies on sensors and buttons to release
Widely accepted on most egress doors
Extra code conditions apply on egress doors
Can stay locked outside during outages
Unlocks completely whenever power is lost
Latch resists prying and forced entry
Holding force drops with misalignment or residue
Simple push bar everyone understands instantly
Exit confusion if the sensor fails
Most electrified exit device problems start with power, wiring, or door alignment. Watch for these warning signs. Call for service before a small fault becomes a security or code issue.
We supply and install rim, mortise, and vertical rod devices with the right electrified function per door.
Convert existing mechanical panic bars to electric latch retraction or electrified trim without replacing the whole door.
We size power supplies, install transfer hinges, and run low-voltage wiring that holds up to daily use.
Connect exit devices to card readers, keypads, and access control software for scheduled and remote door control.
We tie devices into your fire alarm so fire doors latch properly and egress stays code compliant.
Fast troubleshooting, part replacement, and preventive maintenance keep your exit devices reliable, secure, and ready for inspection.
Get a free on-site assessment of your doors. We’ll recommend the right electrified exit device and install it to code.
