Sargent 8700 Series Surface Vertical Rod Exit Devices

The Sargent 8700 Series Surface Vertical Rod Exit Devices are available in Electrical and Mechanical vertical rod options. Bar lengths 36" and 48", fire-rated or nonrated. Classroom Function, Storeroom Function, Electrified Fail Safe, Electrified Fail Secure, 8710 Exit only, 8715 Passage Function. Sargent Manufacturing 8700 series Surface Vertical Rods, fast shipping

The Sargent 8700 Series is the surface vertical rod version of the 80 Series, built for pairs of doors that need to latch without a mullion. Grade 1 and UL panic and fire listed, it latches at the head and floor and is available in classroom, storeroom, passage, and electrified functions, with HC8700 hurricane and FM8700 tornado rated versions. Shop E, F, J, and G rails at Commercial Door Hardware.

What the 8700 Series Is

The 8700 combines the 80 Series push pad and center case with surface-mounted rods that latch into a strike in the frame head and a strike in the floor. Each leaf of a pair latches independently, so there's no mullion in the opening, and the device mounts on the door face, which makes it a straightforward retrofit.

Specifications

Rail Sizes

With G rails on both leaves, a pair of 8700 devices covers openings up to 8 feet wide.

Functions

Mechanical

Electromechanical

Electric Latch Retraction (56-) on the 8700 Series

Adding the 56- prefix to an 8700 device builds motorized electric latch retraction into the push rail. When the access control system, a time clock, or an automatic door operator sends power, the motor pulls the latch back, and the door works as a simple push/pull door. When power drops, the latch extends, and the door relatches.

Because it uses a motor instead of a solenoid, retraction is smooth and quiet, which matters in hospitals, libraries, auditoriums, and anywhere a loud clunk on every cycle would be a distraction. The low current draw also keeps the power supply small and often allows power to reach the door through an electric hinge instead of a separate power transfer.

Popular Electric Latch Retraction Models

Already have a mechanical device? 80 Series devices built after 2006 can be converted in the field with a Sargent M56A electric latch retraction kit in the matching E, F, J or G rail size.

Request-to-Exit (55-) Rail Monitoring

The 55- prefix adds a switch inside the push rail that signals the moment someone presses the bar. The device still opens the door mechanically; the switch simply tells the security system that an exit is happening, so it can respond correctly.

55- is most often paired with 56- as 55-56-8710, so a single device can both unlatch on a card read and report every exit. It can also be combined with 53- latchbolt monitoring, which reports whether the latch is actually extended, confirming the door is secure rather than just closed.

Note: M56A field retrofit kits are not available for FM8700 tornado-rated devices.

Trims

Popular Sargent 8700 Models

Replacement Latch Parts

Top and bottom latches wear first on any vertical rod device. Sargent changed the 8700 latch design on November 11, 2002, so order replacements by device era: 68-4557 top and 68-4549 bottom latches for current devices, 97-2434 and 97-2038 for older ones, and fire rated latches for 12-8700 devices.

Available Finishes

• 630/US32D satin stainless is the standard for high-traffic pairs.

• 613/US10B and BSP suit darker and contemporary hardware schedules.

• Match finishes across both devices, trims and closers on the pair.

• Sargent 80 Series exit devices are offered in most standard finishes but not in 626/US26D satin chrome, so 630/US32D satin stainless is the usual match where locksets elsewhere are satin chrome. Availability varies by model; confirm on the product page.

Benefits of the 8700 Series

• Pairs without a mullion.

• Grade 1 and UL panic and fire listed.

• Full-function range, mechanical and electrified.

• 56- ELR and 55- REX for access control.

• Hurricane- and tornado-rated versions.

• Serviceable latches sold separately.

Applications

• School cross-corridor and gym pairs.

• Hospital corridors.

• Fire-rated stairwell pairs.

• Auditoriums and assembly spaces.

• Storm shelters using FM8700.