Detex Door Alarms and Exit Devices: EAX Alarms, Exit Control Locks and Panic Bars

Identify

Which Detex alarm, lock or panic bar do I have?

Detex's door alarm hardware falls into three groups. An EAX exit alarm is a separate box on the door or wall. An ECL exit control lock is a lock and alarm in one, with a paddle or push bar. A Value Series or Advantex panic bar (a push bar that opens the door from inside) can be ordered with an alarm built in.

The table lists the models Detex names in each group and which ones this page describes. A rim device mounts on the face of the door and latches into a strike on the frame; a vertical rod device latches at the top, or at the top and bottom, with the rods on the surface or concealed inside the door.

For how rim, vertical rod and mortise exit devices work on any brand, see the general guide to panic bars, vertical rods and exit devices.

Source Detex's alarms, exit control locks, Value Series and Advantex product pages, and its Exit Control Locks Comparison Chart.

Exit alarms

How are Detex EAX alarms powered and mounted?

Each of the four EAX alarms described here sounds when someone attempts an unauthorized exit. They differ in power, mounting and whether they can go outdoors.

The battery models run on a 9-volt battery with a low battery alert. The EAX-500 mounts on the door or the wall, and its SK kits are for wall mounting and include one or two surface door contacts.

The hardwired EAX-2500 takes AC/DC power with an optional 9-volt backup battery. Its product page says surface and flush mounting use a 4"x4" double switch/outlet box.

Detex describes the EAX-3500 as "a hard-wired, timed-bypass alarm with rechargeable backup battery" and says that battery "provides 72-hours of operation".

The weatherized EAX-500W is for secured doors, "particularly emergency exits that open to the outdoors or wet environment", with "Weatherized electronics certified to Driving Rain and Salt Fog Test (see Listings and Approvals)".

Source Detex's EAX-500, EAX-500W, EAX-2500 and EAX-3500 product pages and catalog pages.

Key control

How is a Detex EAX alarm armed, silenced and reset?

Detex's EAX alarms are silenced or reset with a key. On the EAX-500 and EAX-2500 the key turns a mortise cylinder (a threaded key cylinder), and the EAX-500 senses the door with a magnet. The table gives Detex's words for each model.

For the installer: the EAX-500 and EAX-500W product pages link the same eight-page installation instructions, marked "Owner's Copy". Its contents list a parts breakdown, hardware list and device preparation, switch selector positions, door and wall mounting, multi-door and SK procedures, key stop installation, magnet handing and troubleshooting. This page does not reproduce key, switch or reset procedures.

If an EAX alarm sounds without cause or will not arm, the next step is a service call, not a changed setting.

Source Detex's EAX catalog pages and product pages, and the Installation Instructions for the EAX-500 Exit Alarm.

Exit control locks

Which Detex exit control lock fits my door?

Detex says the ECL Series is "Designed for secondary exits in retail, commercial, and industrial environments". It describes the ECL-230D as a battery alarmed dead bolt and panic device with a steel plate, a photo-luminescent sign and a 100 decibel alarm.

Detex sorts the family into paddle style (the short-bar and long-bar ECL-230D models), fire-rated (the ECL-600) and exit device style (the ECL-230X and its weatherized version). The fire-rated model adds a 3/4" dead locking latch bolt, with "Relatching for additional security". The paddle style catalog page points to the fire-rated model as its fire-rated option, and the fire-rated page points back to the paddle style models for panic hardware.

The ECL-230D, ECL-230X and ECL-600 catalog pages each list a "100 decibel alarm, powered by 9-volt battery (included)", take 5-pin through 7-pin standard and interchangeable core rim cylinders, and say "Resetting the alarm can only be accomplished with a control key".

Door width is worded two ways on the ECL-230X catalog page. Its Technical Information lists "Standard Device fits 36"-48" door" and "Optional Device fits 30"-36" door", while its Dimensions diagram reads "For use on most doors and gates 34" to 48" wide".

Source Detex's exit control locks product page, the ECL-230D, ECL-230X and ECL-600 catalog pages, and the Exit Control Locks Comparison Chart.

Exit devices

Detex panic bars: the Value Series V40 and the Advantex line

Detex describes the Value Series as "secure and durable panic and fire exit hardware at an economical price", and Advantex as "superior heavy duty exit devices".

The V40 is the Value Series rim exit device, "for use on all types of single and double doors with mullions" (a mullion is the post between a pair of doors). Its catalog page lists a stainless steel, 3/4" deadlocking Pullman-type latch bolt, a 36" door width as standard and a 48" door width as an option.

Its fire status is worded two ways. Detex's product page calls it "Grade 1 panic and fire exit hardware".

The catalog page, by contrast, lists the fire rating as a mechanical option, "F - 3-Hour Fire Rated". Its listing lines are in the listings table below.

Source Detex's Value Series, V40 and Advantex product pages and the V40 Rim Exit Device catalog page.

Alarmed panic bars

EA, EB and EB W: the exit alarm options on Detex panic bars

Detex lists three exit alarm options for its Value Series panic bars and two for Advantex. The table gives what each is and the devices it is available with.

The Value Series EA and EB pages both list "Single mortise cylinder provides arming and dogging" (dogging holds the bar down so the door opens without latching) and "Visual and audible arming indicators".

Detex says the EB W is for doors and gates: "In addition to listing as UL panic and fire exit hardware device, this device conforms to MIL-STD 810F Method 506.4 (driving rain test), MIL-STD 810F, Method 509.4 (salt fog test) and UBC standard 7-2 (positive pressure)."

Source Detex's Value Series Exit Alarm, Exit Alarm with Battery and Weatherized Exit Alarm with Battery product pages, and its Advantex Exit Alarm product page.

Delayed egress

Delayed egress (EE) on Detex panic bars

With delayed egress the door stays locked for a short time after someone pushes the bar, while an alarm sounds. Detex lists it as an option, EE, on both its Value Series and Advantex panic bars.

Both EE catalog pages carry the same sentence: "Per life safety requirements, the EE must be provided with a fire alarm input, thus providing a system override during a fire emergency."

If a delayed-egress door is not behaving as expected, the next step is a service call, not a changed setting.

Source Detex's Value Series and Advantex Delayed Egress (EE) product pages and catalog pages.

Listings

Which listings does Detex print for each model?

The table quotes the listing lines on each catalog page as Detex prints them. A listing line is Detex's statement about the product, not an approval of a particular opening.

For the EAX-500, two Detex documents word the UL line differently: its catalog page prints "UL Classified Miscellaneous Fire Door Accessory", and Detex's EAX comparison chart prints "UL Listed Miscellaneous Fire Door Accessory".

Source The Listings and Approvals blocks and feature lists of Detex's catalog pages, its EAX-300 and EAX-500 Comparison Chart and its Exit Control Locks Comparison Chart.

FAQ

Detex door alarm questions

Service

Who works on Detex alarms and exit devices

Elwin Security installs, repairs and replaces Detex exit alarms, exit control locks and exit devices as part of its commercial door closer and exit device service for commercial and multifamily properties in the San Francisco Bay Area. Calls are answered 8:00 AM-8:00 PM daily at (408) 539-0535.