Frequently Asked Questions
Please find on this page answers to frequently asked questions about our products.
Please find on this page answers to frequently asked questions about our products.
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The First Choice Building Products’ 3690 concealed vertical rod exit device is what is known as a “Crash bar” (also known as a panic exit device, panic bar, or push bar). It allows users to open a door by simply pushing a bar. The 3690 series utilizes two fully concealed 3/8″ thick steel vertical rods engaging stainless steel strikes at both the top and bottom of the door to provide enhanced security.
The 3690 uses a standard rim cylinder for the exterior key cylinder. Please see the guide here on how to install an exterior key cylinder for use with a 3690 device.
The First Choice Building Products’ 3790 rim latching exit device is what is known as a “Crash bar” (also known as a panic exit device, panic bar, or push bar). It allows users to open a door by simply pushing a bar. The 3790 series utilizes a 1″ steel bolt engaging a stainless steel roller-strike for locking.
The 3790 uses a standard rim cylinder for the exterior key cylinder. Please see the guide here on how to install an exterior key cylinder for use with a 3790 device.
The First Choice Building Products’ 3190 concealed vertical rod exit device is what is known as a “Crash bar” (also known as a panic exit device, panic bar, or push bar). It allows users to open a door by simply pushing a bar. The 3190 series utilizes two fully concealed 3/8″ thick steel vertical rods operating hardened steel latch bolts at both the top and bottom of the door for locking. It is mounted on a mid-rail fabricated into the door frame to provide a different aesthetic to our model 3690 devices.
The 3190 uses a standard rim cylinder for the exterior key cylinder. Please see the guide here on how to install an exterior key cylinder for use with a 3190 device.
The First Choice Building Products’ 8860 mortise latching exit device is what is known as a “Crash bar” (also known as a panic exit device, panic bar, or push bar). It allows users to open a door by simply pushing a bar. The 8860 utilizes mortise dead-latching lockset for locking.
Electric latch retraction is way to provide an exit device with the means to be triggered remotely. A device with electric latch retraction is a perfect way to provide access control to a door by allowing it to be opened by card readers, key fobs, keypads, etc.
Yes. All first choice exit devices can be either ordered from our factory with electric latch retraction installed or a retrofit kit can be purchased to convert an existing device from manual to electric.
An exit device alarm is a powerful alarm which emits a piercing notification of unauthorized use of an exit device to protect persons and property. We offer the AL36 alarm kit which can be installed into any manual 3690 or 3790 series exit device.
The AL36 alarm is 105Db loud.
The AL36 resets automatically on a 60 second timer. Automatic resetting means the door will remain protected at all times.
Yes. The CDAL36 is an AL36 alarm board with an on/off function controlled by an interior key cylinder. You can find more information on the CDAL36 here:
The AL36 requires one standard 9V battery which can provide up to 18 months of standby power or 500 alarm cycles.
The AL36 alarm will emit a low charge signal (a high pitched “chirp” noise) to let you know when the battery is low.
An exit device signal switch (also known as a RX or request to exit switch) is an electronic switch that can be installed into our exit devices to provide a contact circuit which monitors the push bar position. This can be used to provide signalling that a door has been opened, be tied into an automatic door operator set-up, tie in with a security system, and many other applications in which the push bar’s position is a factor.
The L3 Lever Trim is an exterior lever trim designed to be used with our model 3690 and 3790 exit devices. They are made of anodized aluminum with a reinforced steel interior lever body and mechanism and available in a variety of locking functions.
There a wide range of accessories and modifications which can be made to our devices. Please visit the Accessories and Modifications section of our site to see a complete list of what is available.