Rim Exit Devices: Complete Guide to Von Duprin 98/99 Applications and Specs|Security Parts

Rim exit devices are the most widely installed panic hardware configuration in commercial construction, and the Von Duprin 98/99 Series is the institutional standard for that category. The 98 and 99 Series devices are certified to ANSI A156.3 2014 Grade 1, UL Listed for panic exit hardware and fire exit hardware, manufactured under ISO 9001 Quality Management System standards, and made in the USA. They are non-handed from the factory in most configurations, ship with a 299 rim strike standard, cover hollow metal doors with 86 or 161 cutouts, and support the deepest electrified options catalog in the Von Duprin lineup. Understanding what makes a rim device the right specification, and what makes it the wrong one, is what prevents the most common exit hardware specification error in commercial construction.

How a Rim Exit Device Works

The mechanism is simple by design. When a person presses the push bar, a lever arm inside the center case depresses and retracts the latch bolt from the rim strike pocket on the frame. When the bar is released, a return spring extends the latch bolt again. When the door swings shut, the beveled nose of the latch bolt rides over the strike lip and drops into the strike pocket automatically.

This simplicity is why rim devices dominate commercial construction. No rods penetrating the door floor. No mortise pocket cut into the door edge. The full mechanism sits on the face of the door, visible and accessible for maintenance without disassembly.

Fire-rated configurations remove the hex dogging function. On fire-rated openings, the latch must extend automatically every time the door closes. The "-F" suffix in the model number designates fire-rated configurations.

When Rim Is Right and When It Is Not

Rim is the correct specification for:

Single doors meeting a fixed frame. Paired doors with a center mullion, where each leaf latches to the mullion. Standard hollow metal commercial doors with 86 or 161 door prep cutouts.

Rim is the wrong specification for:

Double doors without a center post. When two active leaves must latch against each other at a center meeting point, a surface vertical rod (SVR) device adds top and bottom rod engagement for three-point latching. The 2227 SVR (22 Series), 9827/9927 SVR (98/99 Series), and 8827 SVR (88 Series) cover this application.

Applications requiring concealed hardware. When surface-mounted hardware is architecturally unacceptable, the concealed vertical rod (CVR) configurations route hardware inside the door.

Applications needing mortise lock security depth. The 98/9975 mortise exit device integrates the 7500 mortise lock body for maximum security at the door edge.

98 vs 99: The Only Difference That Matters

The 98 Series has a smooth mechanism case. The 99 Series has a grooved mechanism case. Every internal component is identical and fully interchangeable between the two. Every parts number that applies to a 98 rim device applies equally to a 99 rim device. The distinction is aesthetic only and produces no difference in performance, function, or Grade 1 certification.

Key Specifications Every Specifier Needs

ANSI certification: ANSI A156.3 2014 Grade 1 (the 2014 edition is the current standard, not the 2001 edition cited in older specifications).

UL listing: UL Listed for panic exit hardware and fire exit hardware. Fire-rated configurations carry a 3-hour UL 10C listing on single doors.

Non-handed status: The 98/99 rim device ships non-handed from the factory in most configurations. It becomes handed when ordered with SD (special dogging), -2 (double cylinder), or SS (signal switch) options.

Available finishes: US3, US3A, US4, US4A, US10, US26, US26D, US26D-AM Antimicrobial, US28, 313, 315, and 643E. The antimicrobial finish (US26D-AM) is specified in healthcare applications where touch surface hygiene is a design requirement.

Strike: 299 rim strike on non-fire-rated devices. 299F on fire-rated. The 299 measures 1-1/4 inches wide by 2-7/8 inches high with 2-1/8-inch slotted hole spacing.

Door lengths: 3-foot (36-inch) and 4-foot (48-inch) push bar lengths.

Trim Functions Available

The trim suffix in the model number determines outside hardware function:

EO: Exit only. No outside operation. Most common on exterior egress-only openings.
NL: Night latch. Key retracts latchbolt from outside. Uses rim cylinder and 1-1/4-inch mortise cylinder.
NLOP: Night latch with pull required. Key retracts latch, then a pull action is required to open.
TP: Thumbpiece. Key locks and unlocks outside thumbpiece.
L: Lever. ADA-compliant outside entry function. Most common on accessible egress routes.
DT: Dummy trim. Non-functional outside pull for aesthetic matching on inactive leaves.

Electrified Options on the 98/99 Rim Device

The 98/99 Series carries the most complete electrified options catalog in Von Duprin's lineup:

QEL: Quiet electric latch retraction. Modular field-installable conversion. Silent outside entry without a key.
HD-QEL: QEL with hex dogging retained. Allows mechanical dogging and electric latch retraction on the same device.
MEL: Motorized electric latch retraction. Motor-driven for silent operation in noise-sensitive environments.
Chexit: 15-second alarm-plus-delay for controlled egress and retail loss prevention.
ELR: Standard solenoid-driven electric latch retraction.
RX: Request to exit switch. Signals access control panel on egress activity.
RX2: Double request to exit, two RX switches.
WP-RX: Waterproof request to exit. Available with the OUT option for rim and surface vertical rod.
LX: Latch monitor switch. Monitors latch bolt position for door status verification.
LX-LC: Latch monitoring low current version.
LX-RX: Combined request to exit and latch monitoring.
SS (Signal Switch): Monitors both push pad and latch bolt simultaneously. Makes the latch bolt tamper-resistant. Rated up to 2.0 amp at 24VDC. Makes the device handed when specified.
ALK: 9-volt battery-powered alarm exit kit.

Parts That Fail First on High-Cycle Openings

Dogging assemblies (post-1997 devices): Dogging shaft 090040 (long 5/32-inch hex key mandatory, 1/4-inch shaft depth). Dogging hook 090044. Dogging spring 090041. Pre-1997 devices use old-style components; part 050709 is the conversion kit.

Center case: Part 050021 replaces all earlier non-fire-rated 98/99 rim center cases, with approximately 40-year backward compatibility.

299 strike: Strike shift from door sag or frame movement produces latch alignment problems. Strike replacement is among the most common rim device service items.

Push bar end guide (090049): Reduces noise and friction at the push bar assembly end. Missed on most service visits until noise develops.

Sourcing 98/99 Rim Device Parts at Security Parts

Security Parts organizes the complete 98/99 Series parts catalog by model and configuration, with interactive diagrams on every page. The exit devices catalog covers every Von Duprin series with the same model-specific structure. Pre-order compatibility support at 845-935-0301 or sales@securityparts.com.

Conclusion

Rim exit devices are ANSI A156.3 2014 Grade 1, UL Listed, manufactured to ISO 9001 standards, and made in the USA. The 98 and 99 Series are internally identical. The device is non-handed except when SD, -2, or SS options are specified. Twelve finishes are available including US26D-AM antimicrobial for healthcare. The HD-QEL option retains hex dogging while adding electric latch retraction. The SS Signal Switch monitors both push pad and latch bolt and makes the device handed. Every 98/99 rim device parts order starts with confirming the center case variant by trim function before the catalog opens.

FAQs

What is the ANSI grade of the Von Duprin 98/99 rim exit device?

ANSI A156.3 2014 Grade 1. The 2014 edition is the current standard. UL Listed for both panic exit hardware and fire exit hardware.

When does the 98/99 rim device become handed?

When ordered with SD (special dogging), -2 (double cylinder), or SS (signal switch) options. Standard configurations without these options are non-handed.

What is HD-QEL on the 98/99 Series?

Quiet Electric Latch Retraction with hex dogging retained. It allows mechanical dogging and electric outside entry on the same device simultaneously.

What is the SS Signal Switch option?

It monitors both the push pad and the latch bolt, signals unauthorized use to the access control system, makes the latch bolt tamper-resistant, and is rated up to 2.0 amp at 24VDC. It also makes the device handed.