The right exit device depends on three factors: door configuration (single or double), fire rating requirements, and whether the application calls for rim-mounted or vertical rod hardware. Rim exit devices are the standard choice for single doors and pairs with one active leaf. Surface vertical rod devices are required for double doors where both leaves are active. Concealed vertical rod devices provide the same function with hardware hidden inside the door. All three types are available in crossbar and touchbar styles, and all three can be specified with fire ratings from 20 minutes up to 3 hours depending on the assembly requirements.
CDF Distributors supplies exit devices as part of complete door and frame assemblies configured through its ProBuilder tool at cdfdistributors.com. Exit devices are surface-mounted hardware, meaning they install on the face of the door after the door and frame are set. CDF does not prep doors or frames for surface-mounted hardware such as exit devices; the customer or installer is responsible for that preparation. For help selecting the correct exit device for your project, call (855) 769-9895 or email sales@cdfdoors.com.
What Is an Exit Device?
An exit device, also referred to as a panic device or crash bar, is a door hardware component installed on the push side of an exit door. It allows occupants to open the door quickly during an emergency by pressing a bar or pad that spans most of the door width. Building codes require exit devices on doors serving occupancy loads above certain thresholds and on doors along required means of egress in commercial, institutional, and assembly-use buildings.
Exit devices operate by retracting a latchbolt (or multiple latchbolts in vertical rod configurations) when the bar is depressed. The latching mechanism re-engages automatically when the door closes. The exterior side of the door can be configured with various trim options to control re-entry, including lever trim, knob trim, pull handles, and thumbpiece trim.
Types of Exit Devices
There are three primary types of exit devices used in commercial door applications. Each type uses a different latching mechanism and is suited to specific door configurations. The following table summarizes the key differences, followed by detailed descriptions of each type.
Exit Device Type | Latching Method | Door Configuration | Typical Application |
Rim exit device | Single latchbolt at the strike-side jamb | Single doors; pairs with one active leaf | Standard commercial egress doors, stairwell doors, exterior exits |
Surface vertical rod | Top and bottom rods latch into header and floor | Double doors where both leaves are active | Wide corridors, loading areas, double-egress openings |
Concealed vertical rod | Top and bottom rods concealed inside the door | Double doors where both leaves are active | Architectural applications requiring a clean door face |
Rim Exit Devices
Rim exit devices are the most common type of exit device in commercial construction. A rim device mounts on the interior face of the door and latches into a strike mounted on the door frame at the lock-side jamb. When the push bar is depressed, the latchbolt retracts from the strike, allowing the door to open. The following table outlines the characteristics of rim exit devices.
Mounting Location | Interior face of door, at the strike-side edge |
Latch Point | Single latchbolt engages a rim strike on the frame jamb |
Door Configuration | Single doors and pairs with one active and one inactive leaf |
Fire Rating Availability | 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 3-hour (180-minute) |
Exterior Trim Options | Lever, knob, thumbpiece, pull handle, or no trim (exit only) |
Key Advantage | Simplest installation; fewest components; lowest cost among exit device types |
Labeled diagram showing a rim exit device mounted on the interior face of a single door, with callouts for the push bar, latchbolt, rim strike on the frame jamb, and exterior trim. This diagram requires CDF approval before inclusion in the production file.
In a double-door application with a rim exit device, one leaf is designated as the active door (the leaf that opens first and carries the exit device) and the other is the inactive leaf. The inactive leaf is held in place by flush bolts at the top and bottom. This configuration is common in pairs where only one leaf is used for daily traffic.
Surface Vertical Rod Exit Devices
Surface vertical rod (SVR) exit devices are designed for double-door openings where both leaves must be active. Instead of latching into the frame jamb, vertical rods extend from the device body to the top and bottom of the door, engaging strikes in the header and floor (or threshold). This eliminates the need for a center mullion between the two doors. The following table summarizes surface vertical rod device characteristics.
Mounting Location | Interior face of door, with visible rods running to top and bottom |
Latch Points | Two latchbolts: one into the header strike, one into the floor strike (or threshold) |
Door Configuration | Double doors where both leaves are active (no center mullion) |
Fire Rating Availability | 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 3-hour (180-minute) |
Exterior Trim Options | Lever, knob, thumbpiece, pull handle, or no trim (exit only) |
Key Advantage | Both leaves open independently; no mullion required; full opening width available |
Labeled diagram showing a surface vertical rod exit device on a pair of doors, with callouts for the push bar, top rod, bottom rod, header strike, floor strike, and the absence of a center mullion. This diagram requires CDF approval before inclusion in the production file.
Each active leaf in a double-door pair requires its own vertical rod exit device. The devices operate independently, so either leaf can be opened without opening the other. Surface vertical rod devices require floor preparation for the bottom strike, which is an additional installation consideration compared to rim devices.
Concealed Vertical Rod Exit Devices
Concealed vertical rod (CVR) exit devices function identically to surface vertical rod devices, but the top and bottom rods are routed inside the door rather than mounted on the face. This provides a cleaner appearance because only the push bar is visible on the door surface. Concealed vertical rod devices require doors that are prepped with internal channels for the rods. The following table summarizes their characteristics.
Mounting Location | Push bar on interior face; rods concealed inside the door |
Latch Points | Two latchbolts: one into the header strike, one into the floor strike |
Door Configuration | Double doors where both leaves are active (no center mullion) |
Fire Rating Availability | 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 3-hour (180-minute) |
Exterior Trim Options | Lever, knob, thumbpiece, pull handle, or no trim (exit only) |
Key Advantage | Clean door face with no visible rods; architectural appearance |
Key Consideration | Requires doors prepped with internal rod channels; higher cost than surface-mounted |
Concealed vertical rod devices are typically specified when the project requires a flush, uncluttered door appearance. They are common in architectural and institutional applications where visible hardware is minimized. The door must be ordered with the correct internal preparation for concealed rods, which must be specified at the time of the door order.
Crossbar vs. Touchbar Exit Devices
Exit devices are available in two actuation styles: crossbar (also called crash bar) and touchbar (also called touch pad or push pad). Both styles are available across rim, surface vertical rod, and concealed vertical rod device types. The actuation style affects how the occupant engages the device but does not change the latching mechanism. The following table compares the two styles.
Feature | Crossbar (Crash Bar) | Touchbar (Touch Pad) |
Actuation method | Full-width bar pivots when pushed | Flat pad depresses when touched or pushed |
Profile | Bar projects from the door face | Low profile; sits closer to the door face |
ADA consideration | Operable with body force (hip, arm) | Operable with minimal force; lower projection reduces snag hazard |
Common application | Standard commercial egress | Healthcare, education, ADA-priority applications |
Appearance | Traditional exit device look | Streamlined, modern appearance |
Availability | All exit device types (rim, SVR, CVR) | All exit device types (rim, SVR, CVR) |
Both crossbar and touchbar devices meet code requirements for panic and fire exit hardware. The choice between them is typically driven by project specifications, aesthetic preferences, and accessibility considerations. Touchbar devices are increasingly specified in healthcare and education facilities due to their lower profile and ease of operation.
Exterior Trim Options for Exit Devices
The exterior side of a door equipped with an exit device can be configured with different trim types to control how the door is operated from outside. Exit devices always allow free egress from the interior (push side). Exterior trim determines whether and how re-entry is permitted from the pull side. The following table describes the standard trim options.
Trim Type | Function | Typical Use |
Lever trim | Exterior lever retracts latch for re-entry; can be locked or unlocked | Stairwell doors, office entries, general re-entry doors |
Knob trim | Exterior knob retracts latch for re-entry; can be locked or unlocked | Interior doors where lever is not required by code |
Thumbpiece trim | Thumbpiece actuates latch; can be locked | Storefront and entrance doors |
Pull handle (no re-entry) | Fixed pull handle; door is exit-only from interior | Emergency exits, doors with no exterior re-entry |
No trim (exit only) | Blank plate or cylinder on exterior; no operable hardware outside | Fire exits, secured egress-only doors |
ADA and local building codes may require lever trim instead of knob trim on doors along accessible routes. Verify trim requirements with the project specifications and the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) before ordering.
Fire-Rated Exit Devices
Exit devices installed on fire-rated door assemblies must be listed and labeled as fire exit hardware. Fire-rated exit devices are tested to UL 10C and UL 305 standards and carry labels indicating their fire resistance rating. The fire rating of the exit device must match or exceed the fire rating of the door and frame assembly. The following table shows the standard fire rating levels available for exit devices.
Fire Rating | Duration | Common Application |
20-minute | 20 min | Corridor doors, smoke barriers, doors in 1-hour corridor walls |
45-minute | 45 min | Doors in 1-hour rated walls and partitions |
60-minute | 60 min | Doors in 1-hour rated exit enclosures and stairwells |
90-minute | 90 min | Doors in 2-hour rated stairwell enclosures and exit passageways |
3-hour (180-minute) | 180 min | Doors in 3-hour rated fire walls and area separation walls |
In a fire-rated assembly, every component must carry a matching fire label: the door, the frame, the hinges, the exit device, the closer (if required), and any glazing or louvers. Mixing rated and non-rated components voids the assembly rating. CDF labels all fire-rated components before shipping.
Fire-rated exit devices are available in rim, surface vertical rod, and concealed vertical rod configurations. The fire rating does not change the device type selection process. Choose the device type based on the door configuration (single or double, active or inactive leaves), then specify the appropriate fire rating based on the wall and opening rating requirements.
How to Select the Right Exit Device
Selecting an exit device requires answering a series of questions about the door configuration, code requirements, and project specifications. The following decision points guide the selection process from door configuration to final device specification.
Step 1: Determine the Door Configuration
- Single door: Specify a rim exit device.
- Double door with one active leaf and one inactive leaf: Specify a rim exit device on the active leaf with flush bolts on the inactive leaf.
- Double door with both leaves active: Specify surface vertical rod or concealed vertical rod exit devices (one per leaf).
Step 2: Determine the Fire Rating Requirement
Check the project drawings and door schedule for the fire rating of the wall and opening. The exit device must be listed as fire exit hardware with a rating equal to or exceeding the assembly requirement. Standard fire rating levels are 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 3-hour (180-minute). Non-rated openings can use standard panic hardware without a fire label.
Step 3: Choose Crossbar or Touchbar
Select the actuation style based on project specifications, accessibility requirements, and aesthetic preferences. Both crossbar and touchbar devices meet panic and fire exit hardware standards. Touchbar devices offer a lower profile and may be preferred for ADA accessibility and modern aesthetics.
Step 4: Specify Exterior Trim
Determine whether the door requires re-entry from the exterior side. If re-entry is needed, specify lever trim (required on accessible routes), knob trim, or thumbpiece trim with the appropriate locking function. If the door is exit-only, specify a pull handle or no trim.
Step 5: Verify Code and AHJ Requirements
Confirm all selections against the applicable building code (IBC, NFPA 101, or local amendments) and verify with the Authority Having Jurisdiction. Key code requirements include panic hardware on high-occupancy assembly and educational use doors, fire exit hardware on rated openings, and lever trim on accessible routes.
Exit Device Selection Summary
The following table provides a quick reference for matching door configurations to the correct exit device type. Use this table as a starting point, then verify against project specifications and code requirements.
Door Configuration | Exit Device Type | Notes |
Single door | Rim exit device | Standard for most single-door egress applications |
Pair, one active leaf | Rim exit device on active leaf | Inactive leaf secured with flush bolts at top and bottom |
Pair, both leaves active | Surface vertical rod (both leaves) | Visible rods on door face; no center mullion needed |
Pair, both leaves active (architectural) | Concealed vertical rod (both leaves) | Rods hidden inside door; requires prepped doors |
Any configuration, fire-rated | Same type as above, fire-rated version | Must match assembly fire rating: 20-min, 45-min, 60-min, 90-min, or 3-hour |
Door and Frame Preparation for Exit Devices
Exit devices are surface-mounted hardware. CDF Distributors does not prep doors or frames for surface-mounted hardware, including exit devices. The customer or installing contractor is responsible for all door and frame preparation required for exit device installation. This includes strike preparation in the frame (for rim devices), header and floor strike preparation (for vertical rod devices), and any reinforcement or blocking required by the device manufacturer.
When ordering a door and frame assembly from CDF with the intent to install an exit device, communicate the exit device type and manufacturer during the order process. This ensures the door gauge, frame profile, and hinge configuration are compatible with the planned exit device.
Configure Your Exit Device Assembly
CDF’s ProBuilder tool at cdfdistributors.com allows contractors and facility managers to configure complete door and frame assemblies online. During configuration, ProBuilder displays compatible hardware options and provides instant pricing. Exit devices can be included as part of the hardware schedule for any assembly.
For assistance selecting the correct exit device for your project, call (855) 769-9895 or email sales@cdfdoors.com. CDF’s sales team is available Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM CT.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a rim exit device and a vertical rod exit device?
A rim exit device latches into a strike on the door frame jamb using a single latchbolt. A vertical rod exit device uses rods that extend to the top and bottom of the door, latching into strikes in the header and floor. Rim devices are used on single doors and pairs with one active leaf. Vertical rod devices are used on pairs where both leaves must open independently without a center mullion.
When do I need a surface vertical rod exit device instead of a rim device?
A surface vertical rod device is required when both leaves of a double-door pair must be active (operable independently). Because vertical rod devices latch into the header and floor rather than the frame jamb, they eliminate the need for a center mullion between the two doors, providing the full width of the opening for passage.
What is the difference between a crossbar and a touchbar exit device?
A crossbar (crash bar) is a full-width bar that projects from the door face and pivots when pushed. A touchbar (touch pad) is a flat, low-profile pad that depresses when touched or pushed. Both styles meet code requirements for panic and fire exit hardware. The choice is based on project specifications, accessibility needs, and aesthetic preferences.
Do fire-rated doors require fire-rated exit devices?
Yes. An exit device installed on a fire-rated door assembly must be listed and labeled as fire exit hardware with a rating that matches or exceeds the assembly rating. Standard fire rating levels for exit devices are 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 3-hour (180-minute). All components in the assembly, including the door, frame, hinges, and exit device, must carry matching fire labels.
Does CDF prep doors and frames for exit devices?
No. Exit devices are surface-mounted hardware, and CDF does not prep doors or frames for surface-mounted hardware. The customer or installing contractor is responsible for all preparation required for exit device installation, including strike cutouts and reinforcement. Communicate your exit device specifications during the order process to ensure the door and frame are compatible.
What exterior trim options are available for exit devices?
Standard exterior trim options include lever trim, knob trim, thumbpiece trim, pull handles, and no trim (exit only). Lever trim is required on accessible routes per ADA and most building codes. The trim type determines whether and how the door can be operated from the exterior (pull) side.
Can I use a rim exit device on a double door?
Yes, but only when one leaf is active and the other is inactive. The rim exit device is installed on the active leaf, and the inactive leaf is secured with flush bolts at the top and bottom. If both leaves must be active, a vertical rod exit device (surface or concealed) is required on each leaf.
What building codes require exit devices on commercial doors?
The International Building Code (IBC) and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code require panic hardware on doors serving assembly occupancies with loads of 50 or more, and on doors serving educational occupancies with loads of 100 or more. Fire exit hardware is required on fire-rated openings that also require panic hardware. Local codes and the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) may impose additional requirements. Always verify with your project’s code consultant and the AHJ.
About This Guide
This reference guide reflects CDF Distributors’ product specifications and the technical standards used by commercial door and hardware professionals nationwide. CDF Distributors is a direct-ship supplier of commercial doors, frames, and hardware, operating from its Nashville, Tennessee headquarters. CDF’s sales and technical team assists contractors, facility managers, and architects with hardware selection and assembly configuration.
For questions about exit device selection or to configure a door assembly with exit hardware, contact CDF at (855) 769-9895 or sales@cdfdoors.com. Configure your assembly online at cdfdistributors.com using ProBuilder.
