Product Description
12-980-GRAY-86 — Sargent Removable Fire-Rated Steel Mullion, 86" (7 ft 2 in), Gray Prime Coat
Pair-door openings with a Sargent 12-8800 rim exit device need a fire-rated mullion to give each panic device something to latch into. This mullion is engineered specifically for the Sargent 12-8800 series — same manufacturer, same UL fire label, same retainer pattern. The 12-980 is the removable companion mullion — it stays in place during normal operation but pulls out when the opening has to clear for moving furniture, equipment, or a stretcher. Code authority sees a 3-hour UL fire label; the building owner gets a wide opening when they actually need it.
Where This Mullion Fits
This is core Commercial Door Hardware — the kind of Double Door Hardware spec'd into schools, hospitals, office buildings, and any code-required egress. Any Pair Door Opening with panic exit devices needs a center post for the rim latches to catch, and that's exactly what this mullion is: the Panic Bar Strike Post between the two door leaves. When the building inspector signs off on Life Safety Code Compliance (NFPA 80 / NFPA 101) on a fire-rated pair opening, this UL-labeled mullion is the part that lets the assembly hold its 3-hour rating with the doors closed under fire conditions.
- UL Listed 3-Hour Fire Rating — meets code on every fire-rated pair-door opening
- 2" x 3" Steel Construction — ANSI Grade 1, channel iron top and bottom retainers included
- Removable in Seconds — lifts out for wide-opening events without any tools or keys
- Made in USA — manufactured by Sargent (ASSA ABLOY) in New Haven, CT
This is the 86" (7 ft 2 in) removable version — Standard 7-ft doors (up to 7'2"). Steel construction with a 2" x 3" rectangular profile. Comes paint-primed gray so a painter can match it to whatever frame color the architect specified. The retainers (channel iron top and bottom, malleable iron retainers) ship with the mullion.
SKU Breakdown
| Segment | Code | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Rating | 12- | UL Listed 3-hour fire rated (the 12- prefix is Sargent's fire-rated code) |
| Series | 980 | Removable steel mullion for 12-8800 rim exit devices |
| Finish | GRAY | Gray prime coat (paintable steel finish) |
| Height | 86 | 86" (7 ft 2 in) mullion height |
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | 12-980-GRAY-86 |
| Brand | Sargent (ASSA ABLOY) |
| Series | 80 Series Steel Mullion |
| Product Type | Fire-Rated Mullion (vertical center post for pair-door openings) |
| Function | Removable — lifts out freely (no lock) |
| Material | Steel |
| Cross-Section | 2" x 3" rectangular |
| Height | 86" (7 ft 2 in) |
| Fits Door Height | Standard 7-ft doors (up to 7'2") |
| Finish | Gray Prime Coat (paintable) |
| Finish Code | GRAY |
| Fire Rating | UL Listed, 3-hour fire rating |
| ANSI/BHMA Grade | Grade 1 |
| Retainers | Channel iron top and bottom; malleable iron retainer hardware (included) |
| Compatible Exit Device | Sargent 12-8800 series rim exit devices (fire-rated companion) |
| Cylinder Required | No |
| Country of Origin | United States (New Haven, CT) |
| Warranty | Sargent limited warranty |
Compliance & Codes
UL Listed, 3-hour fire rating. ANSI/BHMA Grade 1. Suitable for pair-door openings on fire-rated assemblies when paired with a Sargent 12-8800 series rim exit device. Confirm local AHJ requirements for cross-corridor, stair, and exit enclosure applications.
What's in the Box
- One Sargent 12-980 Steel Mullion — gray prime coat, 2" x 3" rectangular profile
- Top Channel Iron Retainer — mounts to the head frame, locks the mullion in position at the top
- Bottom Channel Iron Retainer — mounts to the threshold/sill, anchors the mullion at the bottom
- Mounting Fasteners — malleable iron retainer hardware and 1/4-20 mounting screws (everything needed to install)
No cylinder — this is the removable version (no lock).
Pro-Installer FAQ
Q: Does this include the rim strikes?
A: No. The rim strikes ship with the exit device (Sargent 12-8800 series). This mullion includes the channel iron mounting retainers and all the hardware needed to install it center-post between your doors — the strikes themselves come in the 12-8800 box.
Q: Will this work with a non-Sargent rim exit device?
A: The 12-980 / 12-L980 is engineered for the Sargent 12-8800 fire-rated rim family. Other manufacturers' rim exit devices may not align with the channel iron retainer pattern, and crossing brands on a fire-rated assembly can break the UL label. Stick with the 12-8800 series unless you have written confirmation from the AHJ.
Q: Can I cut this down in the field?
A: On non-fire-rated installs the 980S (non-fire) version can be field-cut. The fire-rated 12-980 / 12-L980 ships at fixed lengths and the UL label is height-specific — cutting voids the fire label. Pick the closest stock height (86" for standard 7-ft doors, 120" for 10-ft doors) and order to the opening.
Q: Removable vs lockable — which one do I need?
A: Removable (12-980) is the right call when you want the mullion to come out for big openings (loading, moving equipment, fire department access) but you don't need it locked in any particular position day to day. Lockable (12-L980) is the right call when code or insurance requires the mullion stay anchored in place during business hours and only an authorized key can release it. Same UL 3-hour fire label on both.
Warranty
Sargent provides a limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service, when installed per Sargent specifications. Lock Depot sells brand-new Sargent products with the full manufacturer warranty in effect.
Looking for other mullion options? Browse the full commercial door mullion category for Sargent and Detex variants in fire-rated and non-fire-rated configurations.
Lock Depot sells brand new Sargent products with the full manufacturer warranty. Questions about fit, cylinder spec, or fire-rated pair-door assemblies? Call us — we've installed these on real openings.
Product images are representative and may not depict the exact SKU, finish, or configuration listed. Always verify specifications before ordering.
