The Von Duprin 900241 is the OEM soffit release bracket package for the WS/ES 98/9927 Windstorm Certified exit device - a surface vertical rod (SVR) panic device engineered and tested specifically for use in hurricane-prone and high-wind building code jurisdictions. The soffit release bracket is a unique mechanical component of the windstorm SVR configuration that provides the linkage between the center case actuating mechanism and the top latch in the windstorm-specific latch system. It is not a component found on standard 9927 SVR devices -it is specific to the WS/ES windstorm series and confirms why the windstorm parts catalog (Allegion instruction 113695) lists it as a distinct field replacement part.

This part is confirmed in stock. Confirm the installed device is the WS98/9927 or ES98/9927 windstorm series before ordering.

What the Von Duprin Soffit Release Bracket Does

On a standard 98/99 Series SVR device, the pushpad actuates the center case mechanism, which transmits that movement through vertical rods to the top and bottom latches simultaneously. The top latch projects into a top frame strike mounted on the door frame header. When the pushpad is depressed, the top rod retracts the top latch from the top strike and the door opens.

The windstorm SVR configuration uses a modified latch and bracket system at the top of the door to meet the structural wind load requirements of the Florida Building Code (FBC) and equivalent windstorm standards. The soffit release bracket in the 900241 package is the component that mechanically connects the center case release to the top latch in this windstorm-specific assembly. When the bracket fails, deforms, or is damaged from wind-load stress cycles or forced entry, the top latch may not release correctly when the pushpad is operated, or may not re-engage the top strike when the door closes.

Von Duprin Windstorm Certified Exit Devices: WS98/9927 Series

The Von Duprin WS and ES series were developed to address windstorm code requirements in regions where doors must withstand hurricane-force pressure differentials while maintaining life safety egress function. Standard commercial exit devices are tested under ANSI/BHMA A156.3 for panic exit hardware performance, but windstorm requirements add testing under the specific wind pressure loads defined in the applicable building code - typically AAMA, ASTM E330, or the Florida Product Approval (FL#) system.

The WS98/9927 is the windstorm SVR version of the standard Von Duprin 98/9927. It uses a modified center case, rod system, latch mounting, and bracket assembly to achieve compliance without sacrificing life safety egress function. The device is available in both standard panic (WS98/9927) and fire-rated (WS98/9927-F) configurations.

The parts catalog for the WS98/9927 (instruction 113695) lists the following distinct assembly components:

• 900241 = Soffit release bracket package (this product)
• 900242 = Latch mounting package
• 048003 = Top latch
• 048002 = Bottom latch
• 101025 = Top rod
• 101026 = Bottom rod
• 050482 = Rod guide kit
• 050072 = WS98/9927-F center case cover kit
• 972754 = Top latch case cover
• 972755 = Bottom latch case cover

Von Duprin Exit Device Parts: Windstorm vs Standard SVR Comparison

The standard 9927 SVR device and the WS9927 windstorm SVR device share the same center case body (101023 LHR and 101024 RHR for the less-cover version) but differ in the rod, latch, and bracket assemblies. Ordering standard 9927 parts for a WS9927 installation creates a compliance problem: the device loses its windstorm certification when standard non-certified parts are substituted. All structural replacement parts on a windstorm-certified device must be from the windstorm parts catalog to maintain FL# product approval and windstorm code compliance.

The 900241 soffit release bracket package is a windstorm-specific part. It cannot be substituted with a part from the standard 9927 catalog.