The Falcon 4450 is the OEM Top Rod Kit for the Falcon (F)24-V Surface Vertical Rod (SVR) exit device, documented in the Falcon 19/24/25 and XX Series Service Manual. It covers both the standard panic version (24-V) and the fire-rated version (F-24-V). Finish must be specified at time of order because the top latch housing and rod bracket are visible on the door and frame. Available (3-4 weeks).

The 4450 top rod kit provides the complete surface-mounted top rod assembly for the 24-V device, connecting the center case mechanism to the top latch at the door header. When the push bar is depressed, the center case drives the top rod upward to retract the top latch from the 3788 top strike mounted on the frame. The bottom rod operates simultaneously through the same center case action to retract the bottom latch from the 2130 floor strike.

What the Falcon 24-V Surface Vertical Rod Device Is

The Falcon 24-V is the heavy-duty Narrow Stile Surface Vertical Rod exit device in the Falcon 24 Series lineup, certified to ANSI A156.3-2008 Grade 1 and UL listed for both panic exit hardware and fire-rated A or B label exit hardware. "Narrow Stile" is the defining specification — the 24-V is designed for aluminum storefront doors with stile widths as narrow as 2-1/4 inches on paired doors. Standard commercial hollow metal doors use the wider 25-V; the 24-V is the correct specification for glass storefront, curtain wall, and all-glass door applications where the narrow aluminum stile cannot accommodate wider device footprints.

The device uses a stainless steel push pad cover (scratch-resistant) with no exposed screws or rivets on the back face of the push bar. Flush-end caps on the device housing resist being knocked off during abusive use in high-traffic installations. Half turn hex dogging is standard (no threaded parts to wear out). The top latch bolt is 3/4-inch stainless steel. The top strike (3788) is surface applied to the frame header. The bottom strike (2130) is mortised flush into the floor.

Falcon 4450 Top Rod Kit: When Replacement Is Needed

The top rod in a surface vertical rod exit device is the externally visible metal rod running from the center case housing up the door face to the top latch at the header. It is subject to physical stress from door abuse, building settlement that changes door alignment, vandalism, and high-cycle mechanical fatigue in very high-traffic applications.

When the top rod bends, breaks at a connection point, or is too damaged to transmit center case motion reliably to the top latch, the top latch fails to retract when the push bar is pressed. The door appears to operate normally from the user's perspective (push bar depresses) but the top of the door does not release from the frame. The result is a stuck door, which is a life safety problem on any fire or egress path.

The 4450 top rod kit provides the complete assembly for field replacement without sourcing individual rod sections, latch housing components, and hardware separately.

Falcon Exit Device Catalog: 24-V Fire Rated and Top Rod Service

The F-24-V (fire-rated) version of the 24-V carries an "A" label (3-hour fire rating) for double egress pairs up to 8 by 10 feet, and 90-minute same egress rating up to 8 by 10 feet. On wood doors, the fire rating extends to 20 minutes for 8 by 10-foot assemblies and 90 minutes for 8 by 9-foot assemblies.

For fire-rated F-24-V installations, the top rod and latch assembly must meet the fire device self-latching requirement. The device cannot be held in the dogged position in a fire event because the fire pin in the center case ensures the latch re-engages when fire conditions exist. The 4450 replacement top rod kit maintains this fire-door compliance requirement on serviced devices.

The 24-V is available in three sizes — 24-inch, 36-inch (33 21/32-inch device), and 48-inch (45 5/8-inch device) — and door heights from 7 feet through 10 feet. Extension rods are furnished to length for non-standard heights. The device can be cut to size in the field.

SecurityParts stocks OEM Falcon 24-V Series exit device parts. Free shipping on orders over $450.