What Goes Wrong With Push Bar Retrofits?
A push bar is not a universal part. Rim devices need a solid stile and a reinforced strike. Vertical rod devices need a sound top and bottom latch point. Narrow stile aluminum doors need narrow stile devices. When a device is chosen from a catalogue without checking the door, it rattles loose, fails to latch, or worse, gets installed on a rated door with dogging that keeps the door from latching in a fire.
What Is Included in Push Bar Installation?
An exit device added to an existing door by a commercial door contractor in Toronto, matched to the door's construction, stile and rating, with outside trim and strike.
The written CAD spec lists, per door:
- Device: Von Duprin 98/99, Adams Rite 8800, Hager 4500 or equal
- Type: rim, surface vertical rod, concealed vertical rod or mortise
- Rating: fire exit hardware on labelled doors
- Outside trim: dummy pull, lever, thumbpiece or cylinder function
- Dogging: hex-key or cylinder dogging where allowed
- Strike and reinforcement
- Finish to match existing hardware
Technician confirms specs and price at your free on-site measure.
Types of Exit Devices We Install
Rim exit devices
The standard on single steel and aluminum doors. Simple, robust and easy to service.
Surface vertical rod devices
For pairs without a centre mullion, latching at head and floor.
Concealed vertical rod devices
Rods hidden inside the door for a cleaner look, common on aluminum entrances.
Mortise exit devices
Heavy-duty devices with a lock body in the door edge for high-traffic or high-security doors.
How Much Does Push Bar Installation Cost?
| Scope | Typical range per door | Main cost drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Rim device, dummy trim | $900-$1,400 | Finish, strike |
| Fire exit hardware with lever trim | $1,300-$1,900 | Rating, trim |
| Vertical rod device on a pair | $1,800-$2,400 | Rods, two leaves |
When Do You Need a Push Bar?
- An inspector or fire officer flags a missing or failing exit device
- Occupancy changes require panic hardware
- A knob or lever lock is being used on an exit
- Staff need to exit quickly from production or service areas
Push Bar Only vs Whole Exit Door
A sound door just needs the device. A rusted or sagging door should be replaced with the device as one package.
Codes and Standards
Exit hardware follows OBC egress and Ontario Fire Code requirements, rated doors get listed fire exit hardware per NFPA 80, and devices meet ANSI/BHMA Grade 1.