Von Duprin 99 Series Exit Device Buying Guide: Specs, Trim & Functions

Posted by ZenSupply Locksmith Desk on Jun 11th 2026

By ZenSupply Locksmith Desk · Reviewed by ZenSupply technical staff · Last updated June 11, 2026

Von Duprin 99 Series 99EO Rim Exit Device – Exit Only (Fire-Rated or Non Fire-Rated)
Von Duprin 99 Series 99EO Rim Exit Device – Exit Only (Fire-Rated or Non Fire-Rated)

At a Glance

  • Von Duprin 99 Series — Grade 1 wide-stile pushpad exit device, grooved end cap; the industry workhorse for schools, hospitals, retail, and high-traffic commercial openings.
  • 98 vs 99: Same chassis and ratings — 98 has a smooth end cap, 99 has a grooved end cap. Function and performance are identical.
  • Configurations: 99 (rim), 9927 (SVR), 9947 (CVR), 9975 (mortise) — all available fire-rated with the -F suffix.
  • Electrified options: EL (electric latch retraction), QEL (quiet motor-driven), RX (request-to-exit), LX (latch monitor).
  • Standards: ANSI/BHMA A156.3 Grade 1, UL 305 panic listed; -F variants labeled for use in UL 10C fire door assemblies.

What is the Von Duprin 99 Series and where is it used?

Von Duprin 99 Series 99EO Rim Exit Device – Exit Only (Fire-Rated or Non Fire-Rated)
Von Duprin 99 Series 99EO Rim Exit Device – Exit Only (Fire-Rated or Non Fire-Rated)

The Von Duprin 99 Series is a Grade 1 wide-stile pushpad exit device designed for high-abuse commercial and institutional openings. It's the default specification for K-12 and higher-ed corridor doors, hospital egress, retail back-of-house, government buildings, and any opening where Grade 1 panic performance is non-negotiable.

The device meets ANSI/BHMA A156.3 Grade 1 — 500,000 cycles minimum per A156.3 — and carries UL 305 panic listing. Fire-rated variants (the -F suffix family) are labeled for use in UL 10C fire door assemblies with assembly ratings up to 3 hours depending on door and frame construction.

Mechanically, the 99 is a wide-stile chassis with a pushpad (not a touchpad — that's the Von Duprin 33A/35A narrow-stile family). It mounts to rim panic exit devices openings with standard door prep and accepts the full Von Duprin trim library.

Von Duprin 99 device types: rim, mortise, SVR, and CVR explained

Von Duprin 99 Series 99EO Rim Exit Device – Exit Only (Fire-Rated or Non Fire-Rated)
Von Duprin 99 Series 99EO Rim Exit Device – Exit Only (Fire-Rated or Non Fire-Rated)

The 99 designation is the device family — the latching configuration changes with the prefix:

  • 99 (rim): Surface rim latch into a strike on the frame. Standard single-door application. Lowest cost, fastest install.
  • 9927 (SVR): Surface vertical rods latching top and bottom. Used on pairs of doors without a mullion, or where double-egress is required. See surface vertical rod devices.
  • 9947 (CVR): Concealed vertical rods routed inside the door. Cleaner aesthetic, requires CVR-prepped door (hollow metal or wood with chase).
  • 9948 (CVC): Concealed vertical cable — Allegion's cable-driven alternative to CVR. Easier service than rods.
  • 9975 (mortise): Mortise lock body integrated with the pushpad. Best for high-security openings where deadlatch performance and lever trim resistance to forced entry matter. See mortise lock exit devices.

All four configurations come in fire-rated versions: Von Duprin 99-F Series (rim), 9927-F (SVR), 9947-F (CVR), and 9975-F (mortise). Fire-rated devices ship less dogging per NFPA 80, which prohibits mechanical dogging on fire-rated exit devices.

How do I choose the right 99 Series trim and function?

Von Duprin 996L Lever Trim for 98/99 Series Exit Devices
Von Duprin 996L Lever Trim for 98/99 Series Exit Devices

Trim selection is where most spec errors happen. The trim determines the outside (pull side) operation; the device itself handles egress. Common Von Duprin trim functions:

  • 99EO (Exit Only): No outside trim. Egress only — door is locked from outside, no way back in. Stairwell exit discharge, emergency exits, back-of-house. See the Von Duprin 99EO.
  • 99L (Lever / Classroom): Lever trim, key locks/unlocks outside lever. Standard classroom and office function.
  • 99NL (Night Latch): Pull-only trim with key cylinder. Key retracts latch for entry. Common on retail back doors and service entries.
  • 99DT (Dummy Trim): Fixed pull, no operation. Used when egress is one-way and a pull is needed for door management.
  • 99L-BE (Blank Escutcheon / Always Active): Lever always retracts the latch — passage function.

For full trim options, lever styles (06, 17, 18, 96), and finish breakdowns, reference exit device trim and exterior functions.

Need 99 Series devices now? Browse our rim panic exit device inventory — Grade 1 Von Duprin in stock with locksmith-friendly lead times.

Is the Von Duprin 99 fire-rated, and what about the 98 vs 99?

Von Duprin 98 Series 98EO Rim Exit Device – Exit Only (Fire-Rated or Non Fire-Rated)
Von Duprin 98 Series 98EO Rim Exit Device – Exit Only (Fire-Rated or Non Fire-Rated)

Yes — the 99-F, 9927-F, 9947-F, 9948-F, and 9975-F are labeled for use in fire door assemblies tested to UL 10C. The non-F variants are panic-only (UL 305) and cannot be installed on rated openings.

The 98 vs 99 question is the single most common Von Duprin spec confusion: the 98 and 99 are mechanically identical. The only difference is the end cap profile — the Von Duprin 98 Series has a smooth end cap, the Von Duprin 99 Series has a grooved end cap. Same chassis, same ratings, same trim compatibility, same fire listing. Pick by aesthetic preference or spec match.

Note on dogging: hex-key dogging is standard on non-rated 98/99 devices for hold-open during business hours. Fire-rated -F versions are supplied less dogging. If you need electric hold-open on a rated opening, spec QEL (quiet electric latch retraction) tied to the fire alarm for automatic release — this is the only NFPA 80-compliant way to hold a fire-rated panic open. Aesthetically, the grooved 99 pairs well with touch bar style panic devices in the same spec package.

Electrified 99 options: EL, QEL, RX, LX, and access control integration

Von Duprin 9975 Series - 3 ft Grooved Case Wide Stile Mortise Exit Device
Von Duprin 9975 Series - 3 ft Grooved Case Wide Stile Mortise Exit Device

The 99 chassis accepts a full slate of electrified options. Spec these as suffixes after the device number:

  • EL (Electric Latch Retraction): Solenoid retracts the latch on command. Loud "clack" on actuation. High in-rush current — requires a properly sized Von Duprin power supply (e.g., PS914) with EL option board.
  • QEL (Quiet Electric Latch Retraction): Motor-driven latch retraction, near-silent. Significantly lower current draw than EL, longer service life. The current preferred spec for libraries, healthcare, and any noise-sensitive opening. See the Von Duprin QEL99.
  • RX (Request to Exit): SPDT switch signals an access control panel when the pushpad is depressed. Used to shunt door-forced-open alarms and log egress events.
  • LX (Latch Monitor): SPDT switch monitors latchbolt position — confirms the door actually latched after closing.
  • SS (Signal Switch): Pushpad-activated switch for general signaling.
  • CX (Delayed Egress / Chexit): 15-second delayed egress for retail loss prevention or memory-care facilities. Standalone delayed egress; see the Von Duprin CX9957EO.

Suffixes stack: 99-EL-RX-LX means electric latch retraction with both request-to-exit and latch monitoring. Pair the electrified 99 with an HES electric strike on a paired opening only if you want fail-secure entry control without modifying the panic device — in most cases the electrified 99 itself is the cleaner solution. For broader integration options, see electric strikes and electrified lock options.

Pairing the 99 with closers, hinges, and door accessories

Von Duprin QEL99 Series Grade 1 Rim Exit Bar, Wide Stile Pushpad, 36" Device, Less Trim, Quiet Electric Latch Retraction, Less Dogging
Von Duprin QEL99 Series Grade 1 Rim Exit Bar, Wide Stile Pushpad, 36" Device, Less Trim, Quiet Electric Latch Retraction, Less Dogging

A 99 device on a 36" wide-stile door pulls a closer with backcheck — spec an LCN 4040XP or 4041 in a parallel arm configuration. The parallel arm closers mounting protects the closer body from abuse and is the default for exit device openings.

For hinges, spec heavy-weight ball bearing or continuous geared hinges rated for Grade 1 high-frequency use per ANSI/BHMA A156.1. Pull stock from commercial hinges.

Common 99 Series part numbers and how to spec them

Standard order format: [Function][Device][Size][Finish][Options]. Example: 99L-F 4 26D RHR = fire-rated 99 with lever trim, 4-foot device, satin chrome (US26D), right-hand reverse.

ModelBHMA GradeCycle RatingBest ForList Price Tier
Von Duprin 99 (rim, 3ft)A156.3 Grade 1500,000 minimum per A156.3Single-door corridors, retail, schools$$$
Von Duprin 99-F (fire-rated rim)A156.3 Grade 1500,000 minimum per A156.3Fire-rated stair doors, rated corridors$$$
Von Duprin 9927 (SVR)A156.3 Grade 1500,000 minimum per A156.3Pairs of doors, no mullion, double-egress$$$$
Von Duprin 9947 (CVR)A156.3 Grade 1500,000 minimum per A156.3Architectural pairs, concealed aesthetic$$$$
Von Duprin 9975 (mortise)A156.3 Grade 1500,000 minimum per A156.3High-security single doors, lever trim resistance$$$$
Von Duprin QEL99A156.3 Grade 1500,000 minimum per A156.3Access control, quiet electric retraction$$$$$

Sizes: 3-foot device fits doors 28"–36"; 4-foot fits 36"–48". The pushpad must cover at least half the door width per UL 305. Always order to the actual door width, not the rough opening. To browse the full lineup, browse all rim panic exit devices.

Where to buy Von Duprin 99 Series exit devices

ZenSupply stocks the full 99/98 lineup — rim, SVR, CVR, mortise, fire-rated, and electrified configurations — and ships authentic Allegion product with full warranty coverage. For locksmiths spec'ing replacement devices, GCs pulling exit hardware for a punch list, or facility managers standardizing a portfolio, Shop Von Duprin 99 Series rim panic exit devices to get the right device, trim, and function on the first order.

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