Sargent MD8600 Series Concealed Vertical Rod Exit Devices

The MD8600 Series is Sargent's concealed vertical rod exit device for hollow metal doors, built to hurricane-resistant requirements with a 688 lbf latch strength and ANSI A156.3 Grade 1 certification. Shop mechanical and electrified functions in 36, 42, and 48-inch bar widths, with hex key dogging and less dogging options, in bronze, stainless, and powder coat finishes. In stock at Commercial Door Hardware and shipping the same day.

What "MD" Means and Why It Matters

Sargent splits the 8600 Series by door material, and the MD designation means metal door applications. That isn't a marketing distinction. A hollow metal door is a steel shell with internal reinforcement, and the concealed rod channel, the latch preparations, and the reinforcement locations are all specific to that construction.

Ordering an aluminum door device for a hollow metal opening, or the reverse, means the preparations don't line up. Identify the door material first, then the series: MD8600 for metal, AD8600 for aluminum, WD8600 for wood.

The MD8600 is designed for standard width stile applications on hollow metal doors, which covers the majority of commercial and institutional openings.

Built for Severe Weather

The feature that separates the MD8600 from most concealed vertical rod devices is that it's built to hurricane-resistant requirements. That matters in coastal and high-wind regions, where an exit door has to hold against wind pressure and impact while still opening instantly for egress.

The 688 lbf latch strength is part of the same story. Latch strength is what resists force applied to the door, whether from wind load, attempted forced entry or simple abuse. On a perimeter door in a storm-exposed building, it's the number that determines whether the opening holds.

Confirm the specific hurricane and impact approvals that apply to your jurisdiction and opening, since requirements vary by code, wind zone, and the complete door assembly rather than the device alone.

Why Concealed Rods on a Metal Door

A vertical rod device latches at the top and bottom of the door rather than into a strike on the frame, which is what lets a pair of doors secure without a mullion. Concealed rods run inside the door rather than along its face.

On a hollow metal door in a school corridor, warehouse or institutional building, the protection matters as much as the appearance. Surface rods on an abused opening get kicked, hit by carts and bent out of adjustment; concealed rods are out of reach.

Popular MD8600 Functions

Mechanical Functions

Electromechanical Functions

Both electrified functions allow free egress from the inside at all times. The difference is what happens to outside access on power loss, so choose based on the opening's security and egress requirements and confirm with your authority having jurisdiction.

Electrification and Alarm Options

Electric latch retraction (56) is the option to specify where an automatic operator is fitted, since the operator shouldn't have to pull against a latched door. Electric dogging (58) is how a rated opening gets free access during the day, because fire exit hardware can't be mechanically dogged.

Sizes and Configuration

The shorter bottom rod option addresses the most common vertical rod service problem. Bottom rods sit at floor level, in the path of mop water, floor scrubbers, cart wheels and grit, which is why they're usually the first component to need adjustment or replacement on a busy opening.

Available Finishes

• US32D/630 satin stainless is the default and carries the deepest stock, since the push pad is touched constantly and stainless outlasts painted finishes.

• WSP white suede powder coat suits painted hollow metal frames, which is a frequent condition on the openings this series serves.

• US10B/613 and US10BE/613E bronze are two distinct bronze finishes, so confirm which your hardware schedule specifies before ordering.

• Match the device finish to its trim, since the two are visible together from opposite faces of the same door.

Benefits of the MD8600 Series

• Hurricane-resistant construction for coastal and high-wind locations.

• 688 lbf latch strength resisting wind load and forced entry.

• ANSI A156.3 Grade 1 certified to the highest commercial performance level.

• UL certified, with fire exit applications supported.

• Concealed rods protected inside the door and invisible on the face.

• Works on pairs without a mullion, latching top and bottom instead.

• Shorter bottom rod option on select models, reducing the most common service point.

• Mechanical and electrified functions from one series.

• Five finishes including two bronzes and two powder coats.

• Machine screws and strike kits included, so the device arrives ready to install.

• Ready to ship. In-stock devices ship the same day.

Applications

• Coastal and high-wind buildings where hurricane resistance is required.

• Schools and universities on corridors and exterior hollow metal doors.

• Hospitals and healthcare corridors needing Grade 1 durability.

• Warehouses and distribution perimeter doors.

• Stairwells and rated corridors using fire exit configurations.

• Pairs of hollow metal doors without a mullion.

• Access-controlled entrances using electric latch retraction or electric dogging.

• Doors with automatic operators, sequenced with latch retraction.

Why Order the MD8600 from Commercial Door Hardware

Commercial Door Hardware supplies door hardware for schools, healthcare facilities, offices, retail and institutional buildings, carrying exit devices, locks, closers, hinges, continuous hinges, thresholds and weatherstripping from Sargent, Von Duprin, Corbin Russwin, Accentra, Schlage, LCN, Norton and Pemko.

A hollow metal opening is a system. Besides the device, a pair of doors typically needs trim, top and bottom strikes, a coordinator so the leaves close in sequence, closers on both leaves, hinges or a continuous hinge, and on exterior openings a threshold and seals. Ordering those together means they arrive matched in finish and specified to work as a set.

Everything in this collection is in stock at Commercialdoorhardware.com and ships the same day. If you're replacing an existing MD8600, send us the model number with the door width, and we'll confirm the bar size, function, and finish before you order.