Von Duprin 88 panic bar issue

[the vise]

2 of our office doors have the Von Duprin 88 panic bars. I installed a 9600 electric strike on both but i am having a problem with the doors not shutting properly about half the time. Along with the latch on the panic bar is another knob just above it that closes as the latch is pushed in but it always seems to catch on the strike and prevent the door from closing. Sometimes it will roll past the edge of the strike and the door will close but most of the time now it wont. I have no idea what the purpose of this extra knob is but was hoping one of the pros here could send me in the right direction as far as solving the problem....

[Silva Consultants]

I believe that the little "knob" is something called an auxiliary bolt, also known as a deadlatch. Its purpose is to keep the latch from being pushed back with something like a knife or credit card when the door is closed. (With the door open, hold the auxiliary bolt down and then try to push the latch.)

If you take a look at the old strike plate that you took off before you put the electric strike on, you will probably see a little ramp just above the latch that was designed to allow the auxiliary bolt to slide smoothly up onto the strike. You don't have this ramp on your 9600 strike, and that is why the bolt is jamming.

You may want to call the strike manufacturer (HES) directly to see if they have encountered this problem before and to determine if they have a work-around. You might be able to file the edge of the strike to make the bolt slide up more easily.

If this is a fire-rated door (likely given the type of exit device that was used), don't simply remove the auxiliary bolt - this will void your fire-rating.

Good luck.

[the vise]

thank you for the advice. I was thinking about filling down the bolt a little but i was also concerned about what you mentioned about the fire rating. I will probably call the HES and see what they got to say

[the vise]

I ended up just opening the device up and removing the auxhiliary bolt from with in. Was three different parts. All is well now :-) Thanks for the help!