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    • Von Duprin

    Authorized Von Duprin Distributor | In Stock & Ready to Ship

    Expert Field Guide: Why Von Duprin is the "Life Safety" Standard

    If you've been in the field for any length of time, you know that a panic bar isn't just hardware; it's an insurance policy. The problem most facility managers face is "dogging fatigue"—where cheaper exit devices fail to stay retracted, or worse, the latch bolts start dragging on the strike, preventing the door from ever truly locking. Von Duprin solved this decades ago by engineering the 98/99 series with a fluid-dampened mechanical logic that survives millions of cycles. While competitors like Detex or Arrow have their place in budget retrofits, Von Duprin is what you install when the door is non-negotiable. If that door fails to open in an emergency, it's a liability nightmare. When you install a 99-series rim device, you're installing peace of mind that it will work every single time someone hits that touchbar.

    What makes Von Duprin different is the modularity and the sheer weight of the internal casting. Unlike the Sargent 80-series which can feel a bit "clunky" in the stroke, or the Adams Rite storefront bars that are limited by narrow-stile constraints, a Von Duprin device is incredibly smooth. The 98 (smooth case) and 99 (grooved case) are technically identical under the hood, featuring a heavy-duty deadlocking latchbolt that resists prying. For the maintenance team, the real win is the availability of parts. Because Von Duprin has been the standard for so long, you can almost always find a replacement spring kit or an EL (Electric Latch Retraction) conversion kit without having to replace the entire bar. It is the most sustainable "long-term" hardware investment a building can make.

    For the veteran's cheat sheet, keep it simple: the 22 series is your "commercial-grade" workhorse for back-of-house doors and retail. The 98/99 series is your "architectural-grade" powerhouse for schools, hospitals, and main entrances. For double doors without a mullion, you need vertical rod hardware — either Surface Vertical Rod (SVR) devices like the 9927 and 9827, or Concealed Vertical Rod (CVR) devices like the 9947 and 9847 for a cleaner look. For narrow stile aluminum storefronts that need vertical rods, the 8827 SVR fits door stiles as narrow as 2-1/2". At Lock Depot, we carry the full range of finishes and functions, from standard US26D to specialized oil-rubbed bronze. Lock Depot sells brand new Von Duprin products with the full manufacturer warranty.

    Von Duprin Exit Device Series Comparison

    Series Type Application ANSI Grade Key Differentiator Starting At
    Rim Exit Devices (Single Door)
    22 Series Rim Standard Commercial Grade 1 Cost-effective workhorse; rugged steel construction $486
    98 Series Rim High-Traffic Institutional Grade 1 Smooth case; highest durability; massive parts support $1,358
    99 Series Rim High-Traffic Institutional Grade 1 Grooved case; hides wear; same internals as 98 $1,358
    Surface Vertical Rod — SVR (Double Doors, No Mullion)
    9927 Series SVR Institutional Double Door Grade 1 99-series SVR; grooved case; top & bottom latching without mullion $1,954
    9827 Series SVR Institutional Double Door Grade 1 98-series SVR; smooth case; same internals as 9927 $1,954
    8827 Series SVR Narrow Stile Storefront Grade 1 Fits stiles as narrow as 2-1/2"; wide crossbar; aluminum storefront doors $1,998
    Concealed Vertical Rod — CVR (Double Doors, Clean Look)
    9947 Series CVR Institutional Double Door Grade 1 99-series CVR; rods hidden inside door; architectural aesthetic $2,048
    9847 Series CVR Institutional Double Door Grade 1 98-series CVR; smooth case; rods concealed in door $2,048
    Crossbar & Touch Bar Devices
    33A Series Rim / SVR Institutional Crossbar Grade 1 Crossbar activation; ADA compliant; SVR variants available (3327A) $1,513
    35A Series Rim / SVR Institutional Touch Bar Grade 1 Touch bar activation; low-profile design; SVR variants available (3527A) $1,513
    Specialty & Narrow Stile
    XP98/99 Series Rim Extreme Security Grade 1 2,000+ lb static load; forced-entry resistant $1,479
    55 Series Narrow Stile Rim Storefront Grade 1 Aluminum storefront single doors; glass/aluminum frames $2,584
    88 Series Narrow Stile Rim Storefront Grade 1 Wide crossbar; covers 86 cutout; fits stiles as narrow as 2-1/2" $1,499

    SVR vs. CVR: Which Vertical Rod Device Do I Need?

    Surface Vertical Rod (SVR) devices like the 9927 and 9827 mount the rods on the face of the door — you can see them running from the mechanism case to the top and bottom of the door. They're easier to install, easier to service, and you can visually confirm the rods are connected. The trade-off is aesthetics — you see the hardware.

    Concealed Vertical Rod (CVR) devices like the 9947 and 9847 hide the rods inside the door itself, giving you a clean, architectural look. The downside is that installation requires routing channels inside the door, and servicing is more involved since you have to pull the door apart to access the rods. Architects love them; maintenance crews don't.

    For narrow stile aluminum storefront double doors, the 8827 SVR is your go-to. It's essentially an 88-series exit device body with surface vertical rods, designed to fit door stiles as narrow as 2-1/2" (64mm). Standard 99-series vertical rod hardware won't physically fit a narrow stile frame — the 8827 solves that problem with a wide crossbar design that covers the standard 86 cutout.

    Pro-Tip: The "Tailpiece Timing" Deadbolt Trick

    When you are installing an 110WD or 9975 mortise exit device, the most common callback is the outside trim not working because the "timing" is off. Before you bolt the device to the door, always check your cylinder tailpiece. If the tailpiece is too long, it will bind against the back of the device, making the key hard to turn. If it's too short, it won't engage the cam. Always use a tailpiece gauge and cut it exactly to the door thickness. A "close enough" cut will result in a stripped cam or a broken key in six months. Test the mechanical function at least ten times before you walk away from the job.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the difference between Von Duprin 98 and 99 series?

    Mechanically, they are exactly the same. The difference is purely aesthetic. The 98 series features a smooth mechanism case, while the 99 series has a "grooved" or "striated" case. Most institutional facilities stick with the 99 series because it hides fingerprints and scratches better over time.

    Can I add electric latch retraction (EL) to my existing panic bar?

    Yes, but you have to be careful. While you can add a field-installable EL or QEL (Quiet Electric Latch) kit to most modern 98/99 series bars, you must ensure your power supply is rated for the high "in-rush" current these motors require. Using a generic 24V power supply will often burn out the motor or fail to pull the latch back fully. The PS914 with its 16A inrush rating is the go-to supply for EL applications.

    What does "Fire-Rated" (F) hardware actually mean?

    If a Von Duprin device is labeled with an "F" (like the F99), it means it is Fire-Rated for use on a fire door. These devices do NOT have a mechanical "dogging" feature (the ability to hold the latch retracted). This is because a fire door must be able to latch automatically in the event of a fire to contain smoke and flames.

    Do I need a mullion for a double-door exit device installation?

    It depends on the device type. If you use "Rim" devices on both doors, you MUST have a removable mullion in the middle for them to latch into. If you want to avoid a mullion, you need vertical rod hardware — either Surface Vertical Rod (SVR) devices that latch into the top of the frame and bottom strike in the floor, or Concealed Vertical Rod (CVR) devices for a cleaner look. For narrow stile aluminum storefronts, the 8827 SVR fits door stiles as narrow as 2-1/2".

    What is the Von Duprin 8827 and how is it different from the 9927?

    The 8827 is a Surface Vertical Rod (SVR) exit device built for narrow stile aluminum storefront doors. It's essentially an 88-series body with vertical rods, designed to fit stiles as narrow as 2-1/2". The 9927 is a 99-series SVR designed for standard width hollow metal and wood doors. If you're working with aluminum storefronts and need vertical rods for double doors without a mullion, the 8827 is your only Von Duprin option — the 9927 is too wide for narrow stile frames.

    How do I know if I need a 22 or a 99 series?

    Think about the door's usage. If it's a back door for an employee breakroom that gets used 10 times a day, a 22 series is perfect. If it's the main entrance to a high school or a stadium where it gets hit 500 times an hour, the 99 series is the only choice that will survive the school year.

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