Surface-mounted on door push side
ANSI/BHMA A156.3 · UL 305 · NFPA 101
Maryland, DC & Northern Virginia
A rim exit device is a push bar that mounts on the face of the door. When someone pushes the bar, a latch at the end pulls back from a strike on the frame, and the door swings open. No key, knob or skill is needed. That is why life safety codes require this hardware on many exit doors. Rim devices are the most common type because they are simple, strong and easy to service. They fit single doors and pairs with a removable mullion.
One push on the bar opens the door, so people get out quickly during an emergency.
Rim devices mount on the door surface, so most installs need no cuts or new doors.
Exposed parts are simple to reach, so repairs and adjustments take less time and cost less.
King Locksmith And Doors Inc. is a commercial locksmith and door company serving Maryland, Washington DC and Northern Virginia. We install, repair and maintain exit devices for small businesses, schools, hospitals, hotels, government buildings and large facilities. Our technicians know the codes your fire marshal checks, and we carry Grade 1 hardware from trusted brands. We show up on time, explain your options in plain words and leave every door working the way it should.
Not every rim exit device fits every door. The right choice depends on the door’s fire rating, how busy it is each day, who uses it and how you want to control access from outside.
Fire doors need a fire exit device listed to UL 10C. These devices have no dogging feature, so the latch always holds the door shut during a fire. Look for the fire label on both the door and the device.
Non-rated doors can use standard panic hardware with hex key or cylinder dogging. This lets you hold the latch back during business hours for push-and-pull traffic. A locksmith can confirm which type your door needs.
ANSI/BHMA A156.3 rates exit devices by grade. Grade 1 is the toughest and is tested for the most cycles. It is the best pick for main entrances, schools, hospitals and any door that opens hundreds of times a day.
Grade 2 works for lighter traffic, like an office or storage room. Buying a cheaper device for a busy door often costs more in repairs within a year or two. Match the grade to real traffic.
A rim exit device can be exit-only, with no hardware on the outside. Or it can have a lever, pull or key cylinder so staff can enter from outside. Pick trim based on who needs to get in.
For tighter control, add electric latch retraction or an electric strike. These let a card reader, keypad or remote button unlock the door, while the push bar still lets everyone out at any time without a key.
On a single door, a rim exit device latches into a strike mounted on the frame. It is the simplest setup and the easiest to keep working on busy doors.
On a pair of doors, each leaf needs its own device and a removable mullion in the middle. The mullion also gives both latches a solid strike point. It can be taken out to move large items, like furniture or equipment, through the full opening.
Local fire marshals in Maryland, DC and Virginia enforce NFPA 101 and the International Building Code. In many assembly, school and high-occupancy spaces, exit doors with a latch must use panic hardware listed to UL 305.
The ADA also matters. The push bar must be easy to grab and work with one hand, without tight grasping, pinching or twisting. Mounting height must fall within code limits. We check each of these points on every install.
Rim and mortise exit devices both give safe egress. The difference is how they latch. Here is how a rim device compares on the points facility managers care about most.
Consideration
Rim Exit Device
Mortise Exit Device
Surface mounts with minimal door prep
Needs a deep mortise pocket cut
Lower hardware and labor cost overall
Higher price for device and install
Parts are exposed and quick to service
Internal lock body takes longer to fix
Fits hollow metal, wood and aluminum doors
Needs enough door thickness for mortise lock
Replaces old panic bars without new doors
Often needs door patching or replacement
Rim exit devices take a beating on busy doors. Small problems grow fast and can leave a door unsecured or block a fire exit. Watch for these common warning signs.
We supply and install Grade 1 rim exit devices on new and existing doors across the DMV.
We fix sticking bars, misaligned strikes and worn latches so your door closes, latches and opens properly.
We swap out failing or outdated panic bars with matched hardware that fits existing holes when possible.
We replace non-listed hardware on rated doors with UL-listed fire exit devices that pass fire marshal inspection.
We add electric latch retraction, card readers and keypads while keeping free, one-push egress for everyone inside.
Scheduled checks catch worn parts early, cut emergency calls and keep exit doors ready for inspection year-round.
Tell us about your doors. We will assess them, explain your options and give you a clear, free written quote.
