Rim, mortise, or vertical rod
UL 10C · ANSI/BHMA A156.3 · NFPA 80
Maryland, DC & Northern Virginia
A fire rated exit device is a push bar or touchpad listed for use on fire doors. It does two jobs at once. It lets people leave with one push, and it keeps the door latched so fire and smoke stay out. Unlike standard panic bars, fire exit hardware has no mechanical dogging. The latch must catch every time the door closes. Each device carries a fire label and must match the door’s own rating. We help you choose, fit, and maintain the right one.
The latch catches every time the door closes, holding the door shut against heat and smoke.
One push on the bar opens the door, even in smoke, panic, or a power outage.
Labeled devices help you pass fire marshal visits and NFPA 80 annual inspections with fewer findings.
King Locksmith And Doors Inc. is a commercial locksmith and door company serving Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia. Our technicians install, repair, and inspect fire rated exit devices for offices, schools, hospitals, hotels, and government buildings. We work with major brands and match every device to the door’s fire label. We show up on time, explain your options in plain terms, and leave each opening working and code ready. One call covers the whole job.
The right fire rated exit device depends on your door, its frame, its fire label, and how people use it each day. Use these five checks to narrow your choice before we visit your site.
Every fire door has a label that shows its rating, often 20, 45, 60, or 90 minutes, or 3 hours. Your exit device must be listed for that rating or higher. The wrong device can fail an inspection.
The label sits on the hinge edge of the door and on the frame. If it is painted over or missing, we help you confirm the rating before ordering. Never add hardware that could void the label.
Rim devices mount on the door face and latch into a strike on the frame. They suit single doors and are the easiest type to service. Mortise devices fit into a pocket in the door edge for a strong, clean latch.
Vertical rod devices latch at the top and bottom of the door. They work well on pairs of doors without a center post. Concealed rods hide inside the door for a neat, finished look.
Pairs of fire doors need extra care. You can use two vertical rod devices, or rim devices with a removable mullion that is rated for fire use. Each choice changes cost and upkeep, and we help you weigh them.
Pairs with an overlapping astragal also need a coordinator. It makes the inactive leaf close first so both doors latch. A rated pair must stay latched, so a gap or a missed latch fails the opening.
Many buildings tie exit devices into card readers or remote release. Electric latch retraction pulls the latch back so the door can swing open freely during business hours.
On fire doors, the latch must project again when the fire alarm sounds or power fails. This keeps the barrier intact. Delayed egress and local exit alarm kits are also available. Local code sets the rules for each one, so we check them before any work starts.
A school stairwell takes far more abuse than a back office door. ANSI/BHMA A156.3 Grade 1 devices are built for the heaviest traffic and the longest life. Stronger parts mean fewer repairs.
For hospitals, consider antimicrobial finishes and a quiet return. For hotels and retail, pick finishes that match your other hardware. Vandal-resistant trim helps in schools and public buildings. Tell us how often the door is used, and we will suggest the right grade.
Both let people leave with one push, but only one is approved for fire doors. Here is how fire exit hardware compares with non-rated panic bars on five key points.
Consideration
Fire Rated Exit Devices
Standard Panic Bars
Listed for labeled fire door assemblies
Not allowed on rated fire doors
Latch must engage on every closing
Can be held unlatched with dogging
Carries a fire exit hardware listing label
Panic label only, no fire listing
Built to pass NFPA 80 annual checks
Flagged as a violation on fire doors
Protects occupants and limits insurance risk
Can void the door’s fire rating
Fire rated exit devices take hard use every day. Small problems can turn into failed inspections fast. These are the issues we see most often across DMV buildings and campuses.
We install listed fire exit devices on new or existing rated doors, set to latch every time.
We fix latches, rods, strikes, and push bars so your device opens easily and latches fully again.
When parts are worn or obsolete, we swap in a matched rated device without voiding the label.
We inspect rated openings to NFPA 80, log every finding, and give you a report for inspectors.
We add electric latch retraction and card access, wired to relatch whenever the building fire alarm sounds.
A fire door that will not latch cannot wait. Call us for fast repair across the DMV.
Get a free site assessment for your fire rated exit devices. We serve facilities across Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia.
