A Von Duprin exit device series comparison is not just a product selection exercise. It is a specification decision that determines code compliance, maintenance costs, electrified options availability, and parts compatibility for the life of the opening. Von Duprin has been manufacturing panic exit hardware since 1908, and today its active product lineup covers fourteen series. Each one was engineered for a specific set of conditions no other series addresses equally well. The cost of specifying the wrong series shows up at installation when the device physically does not fit, at the first NFPA 80 inspection when the fire rating fails, and every time a maintenance order ships the wrong part because the series was never correctly confirmed.

Four Questions That Narrow the Field Before You Look at a Catalog

Is the door fire-rated?

 If yes, the exit device must positively latch every time the door closes. Fire-rated Von Duprin configurations add "-F" to the model number and remove the hex dogging function. The device must also carry a UL fire door listing.

Single door or double door without a center post?

 Single doors and paired doors with a mullion use rim configurations. Double doors without a center post require surface vertical rod (SVR) or concealed vertical rod (CVR) configurations.

What is the stile width? 

Aluminum storefront and glass doors with stile widths as narrow as 1-3/4 inches require narrow-stile devices. Standard hollow metal commercial doors use wide-stile devices.

Is electrified access control required now or anticipated? 

The crossbar series (55 and 88) are mechanical-only by design. If electronic integration will ever be needed at the device level, a push pad or touchbar series with electrified options must be specified.

The Complete Series Comparison

22 Series: Mid-Range Grade 1

Applications: Employee entrances, parking garage stairwells, healthcare clinics, multi-family corridors, back-of-house retail.

Why: ANSI A156.3 Grade 1 performance at a lower specification cost than the 98/99. Not as deep an electrified options catalog, but covers the essentials: ALK alarm kit, QEL modular conversion, MEL motorized latch retraction, RX request to exit.

Parts note: Center case 109012 (rim) or 109358 (2227 SVR). Pre-1998 devices use old-style dogging assemblies; convert with part 050709. Dogging hole is only 1/4 inch deep, long 5/32-inch hex key is mandatory.

33A/35A Series: Narrow-Stile Touchbar

Applications: Aluminum storefronts, narrow-stile glass doors, applications where a full-width touchbar is specified over a push pad. Minimum stile width: 1-3/4 inches.

Why: The narrow-stile sibling of the 98/99 for aluminum frame and glass doors. The touchbar runs the full width of the door, engaging the release mechanism anywhere along its length. The 35A adds an integral door position switch.

Electrified: Second-deepest options catalog outside the 98/99. Chexit delayed egress, E7500 electrified mortise lock, pneumatic options, Allegion Connect, electric power transfers.

55 Series: Narrow-Stile Crossbar

Applications: Historic renovations, ornate institutional lobbies, applications requiring crossbar aesthetics on a narrow-stile door.

Why: Cast brass or bronze plated to finish specification. Integrates the 7500 mortise lock body. Specified where the architectural context demands a traditional crossbar appearance in a narrow-stile frame.

No electrified options at the device level.

75 Series: Standard Commercial Grade 1

Applications: Healthcare facilities, standard commercial offices, light institutional openings requiring Grade 1 performance without full institutional specification cost.

Why: Sits between the 22 and 98/99 in specification depth and cost. Rim, SVR, and CVR configurations. Electrified options: ALK, MEL, QEL modular conversion, Allegion Connect. The center case reinforcing bracket on the 75 Series adds structural support on high-use corridor openings.

78 Series: Narrow-Stile Push Pad

Applications: Aluminum storefront and glass doors where a push pad is specified over a touchbar. Minimum stile clearance: 1-3/4 inches.

Why: The push pad equivalent of the 33A/35A for narrow-stile applications. Rim, SVR, CVR, and WDC configurations. Electrified options: ALK, MEL, QEL modular conversion, Allegion Connect.

Critical parts note: 78 Series components are not interchangeable with any wide-stile Von Duprin series. Narrow-stile form factor throughout.

88 Series: Wide-Stile Crossbar, Abuse-Resistant

Applications: Correctional facilities, behavioral health units, secure government floors, any application where hardware faces deliberate sustained force.

Why: In continuous production since the 1950s. Ships with a 42-inch field-sizeable crossbar. Non-handed. ANSI A156.3 Grade 1. UL Listed. Fire-rated versions (88-F) carry 3-hour UL 10C rating. No electrified options by design: in correctional and behavioral health environments, electronic components at the device level are not appropriate.

Configurations: Rim (88/88-F), SVR (8827/8827-F), CVR (8847-F), Mortise (8875/8875-F).

94/95 INPACT Series: Recessed Push Pad

Applications: High-traffic openings where the push pad requires protection from cart, equipment, or deliberate impact damage.

Why: Recessed push pad design reduces impact exposure in environments where a standard protruding push pad would be repeatedly struck.

98/99 Series: Institutional Flagship

Applications: Schools, hospitals, universities, government buildings, any high-traffic institutional opening requiring the highest specification depth.

Why: The dominant institutional specification in North America. ANSI A156.3 2014 Grade 1. UL Listed for panic and fire exit hardware. Made in the USA. Five configurations: rim, SVR (9827/9927), CVR (9947), WDC (wide door cable), and the 9875/9975 mortise device using the 7500 mortise lock body.

Forward compatibility: A mechanical 98/99 specified today can be upgraded to full electrified access control years later without replacing the device body. This is why architects and security consultants default to the 98/99 on complex institutional projects with phased access control implementation.

Electrified options: The deepest catalog in the Von Duprin lineup: QEL, HD-QEL, MEL, Chexit, ELR, Allegion Connect, RX, RX2, WP-RX, LX, LX-RX, SS Signal Switch, electric power transfers, and more.

Guard-X 2670: Alarmed Secondary Exit

Applications: Secondary exits in restaurants, retail, grocery, drug stores, any commercial space needing unauthorized exit deterrence.

Why: Not a standard exit device with an alarm add-on. Purpose-built with a 100-decibel alarm, stainless steel deadbolt rated to 1,600 pounds, armed indicator light, and Schlage SC-1 cylinder. NFPA 101 compliant. UL Listed. 10-year mechanical warranty, 1-year electrical warranty.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Why Series Selection Affects Parts Sourcing for Life

Every series has its own parts tree. Components do not cross between series. A 78 Series arm does not fit a 33A/35A device. A 22 Series center case does not fit a 75 Series device. Specifying the wrong series at the project stage creates parts sourcing problems at every maintenance cycle for the full service life of the opening.

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

Conclusion

The Von Duprin exit device series comparison starts with four decisions: fire rating, single vs double door configuration, stile width, and electrified options requirement. Those four answers eliminate most series immediately. The 98/99 for institutional depth and forward compatibility. The 22 for mid-range Grade 1 cost efficiency. The 33A/35A and 78 for narrow-stile aluminum and glass. The 88 for crossbar abuse resistance without electronics. The 55 for narrow-stile crossbar aesthetics. The Guard-X for alarmed secondary exits. Every series has its own non-interchangeable parts tree. Getting the series right at specification time is what keeps every future maintenance order, every parts replacement, and every code inspection on the correct path.

FAQs

What is the primary difference between the Von Duprin 22 and 98/99 Series?

 The 98/99 is the institutional flagship with the deepest electrified options catalog, five configurations, and Made in USA production. The 22 is mid-range Grade 1 for medium-traffic commercial at a lower specification cost.

When should I specify the 78 Series instead of the 33A/35A?

 Both fit narrow-stile aluminum and glass doors at 1-3/4 inch minimum stile width. Specify the 78 when a push pad is required. Specify the 33A/35A when a full-width touchbar is required or preferred.

Does the Von Duprin 88 Series support electrified access control? 

No. The 88 Series is mechanical-only by design. It is specified in correctional and behavioral health environments where device-level electronic components are not appropriate.

What is the 98/99 forward compatibility advantage? 

A mechanical 98/99 specified today can be upgraded to QEL, MEL, Chexit, Allegion Connect, or other electrified options years later without replacing the device body. This makes it the default institutional choice when phased access control is anticipated.

Are Von Duprin series parts interchangeable between models?

 No. Every series has its own non-interchangeable parts tree. A 78 Series arm does not fit a 33A/35A. A 22 Series center case does not fit a 75 Series. Series selection at specification time determines parts compatibility for the life of the opening.