Exit Devices for Double Rebated Doors: Safe and Compliant Panic Hardware Solutions

Rebated doors are widely used in commercial and fire-rated buildings where improved sealing, stability, and fire performance are required. In particular, rebated double doors are common in schools, hospitals, factories, and public buildings where wide emergency exits are necessary.

A double rebated door design features overlapping meeting stiles, which helps reduce smoke leakage and improves fire resistance. However, this same overlap creates challenges when selecting an exit device for double rebated doors. Standard panic hardware designed for flat meeting stiles may fail to latch correctly or interfere with the rebate.

This is why rebated double doors require exit devices specifically engineered for their structure. The right double door exit device ensures reliable latching, smooth operation, and compliance with fire and building regulations.

What Are Rebated Double Doors and How Do They Work?

A double rebated door uses a rebated door frame and overlapping door leaves at the meeting stile. Unlike non-rebated double doors where both leaves meet edge to edge, rebate double doors overlap in one or two steps, commonly referred to as a single rebate or double rebate door.

This overlapping structure improves alignment and helps prevent smoke and flame spread, which is why rebated internal double doors and external fire exit doors are often specified in fire-rated applications. Common materials include timber rebated doors for interior use and steel rebated fire doors for high-risk or external environments.

The challenge with rebated configurations comes when adding panic exit hardware. The overlapping meeting stiles mean that standard latch strikes designed for flush doors won't align properly. The exit device for rebated door applications must account for the offset created by the rebate depth, typically ranging from 12mm to 25mm depending on door construction and fire rating requirements.

Types of Exit Devices for Double Rebated Doors

Selecting the right panic bar for rebated doors requires understanding both the mechanical requirements and compliance standards. Not all panic hardware designs work effectively with rebated configurations, and choosing the wrong system can compromise both safety and code compliance.

1. Touch Bar Combination Units for Double Rebated Doors

Camax manufactures touch bar panic exit devices certified to ANSI, BHMA, UL, and fire rating requirements. For double rebated doors, Camax provides a panic exit device double rebated door set consisting of two coordinated units and creating a secure three-point locking system. The primary leaf features a full touchbar mechanism with horizontal latch, while the secondary leaf incorporates vertical rods providing two-point locking and meeting stile.

This configuration allows rebated double door panic bars to release all locking points simultaneously with a single push. The system supports safe evacuation even in panic situations and is suitable for both wood and steel doors.

These touch bar systems are commonly used on commercial fire exit doors where reliability, durability, and compliance are critical.

2. Cross Bar Combination Units for Double Rebated Doors

For projects requiring EN1125 and EN1634-1 compliance, crossbar panic exit devices provide the certified solution. Camax offers a crossbar system specifically designed as a rebated double door panic bar that addresses the unique geometry of overlapping meeting stiles.

Similar to the touchbar configuration, this push bar for rebated double fire doors comes as a matched pair. One unit functions as the primary exit device with a crossbar and horizontal latching, while the companion unit on the secondary leaf uses vertical rods for secure two-point locking. This ensures that the inactive leaf remains firmly secured until the active leaf is opened first.

This push bar for rebated double fire doors allows occupants to exit quickly without confusion, making it ideal for public buildings where user familiarity with emergency exits cannot be assumed.

The system can be installed on timber or steel rebated doors and is widely used in European and international fire escape applications.

Camax Hardware as a Manufacturer of Exit Devices for Rebated Doors

Selecting panic hardware from a manufacturer with specific expertise in rebated door applications makes a significant difference in project outcomes. Camax Hardware has developed specialized capabilities in manufacturing exit devices for rebated doors, with particular focus on the technical challenges these configurations present.

As a professional manufacturer of panic hardware for double rebated fire doors, Camax offers both horizontal push bar and vertical rod exit devices engineered specifically for rebated configurations. This specialization extends beyond simply offering compatible products—it includes engineering expertise in strike placement, reinforcement requirements, and coordination with various door materials and fire rating requirements.

The company's product range addresses multiple compliance standards, offering both ANSI/BHMA/UL certified products for North American markets and EN1125/EN1634-1 certified solutions for European and international projects. This dual capability is particularly valuable for architectural firms and contractors working on international projects or multi-national portfolios where consistent hardware specifications simplify procurement and maintenance.

With strong OEM and ODM services, Camax supports customers with custom strike designs for rebated frames, compatibility with timber and steel doors, tailored finishes, branding options, and stable long-term project supply.

Frequently Asked Questions About Exit Devices for Double Rebated Doors

1. How Can a Panic Device Be Dogged on Rebated Doors?

Dogging is possible on non-fire-rated rebated doors when allowed by code. The panic device can be held in the open position during business hours, but fire-rated panic bar rebated doors must always maintain positive latching and therefore cannot be dogged.

Most quality panic devices include a hex key-operated dogging mechanism. Insert the key into the dogging slot and rotate to engage the internal mechanism that holds the latch retracted. On rebated configurations, ensure both leaves are properly closed and aligned before engaging the dogging feature—misalignment can prevent proper operation.

2. Where Should Strikes Be Positioned on a Double Rebated Door Frame?

Strike placement on rebated door frames must align precisely with the latch and vertical Pullman latch points. For a double door strike rebated panic set, strikes are usually positioned on the active leaf frame and at the head or sill for vertical latches to ensure full engagement.

3. Why Are Mortise Panic Operators Often Avoided on Rebated Doors?

Mortise panic exit devices are generally avoided on rebated doors because the overlapping meeting stiles restrict latch clearance and make precise strike alignment difficult to achieve. In a rebated configuration, the latch must engage a strike that is offset by the depth of the rebate, which often leads to incomplete latching, excessive wear, or inconsistent operation over time.

Installation can also be more complex, especially on fire-rated doors where structural integrity must be preserved. By contrast, surface-mounted exit devices with vertical latching points are specifically designed to accommodate rebates. They offer smoother operation, improved security, and easier inspection and maintenance, making them a more dependable solution for rebated double door systems.

Contact Camax and Choose the Right Exit Device for Rebated Double Doors

Rebated double doors demand carefully engineered panic hardware. Selecting the correct exit device for double rebated doors ensures safe evacuation, smooth daily operation, and compliance with fire and building regulations.

By working with an experienced manufacturer, project risks are reduced and long-term reliability is improved. For rebated double door projects that require dependable and compliant exit hardware, partnering with a specialist like Camax makes a meaningful difference.

Rebated double doors place higher demands on exit hardware, requiring solutions that are specifically designed to handle overlapping stiles, fire ratings, and consistent latching performance. Choosing the right exit device for double rebated doors is essential to ensure reliable emergency egress, long-term durability, and full compliance with applicable fire and building standards.

With proven experience in rebated door applications, Camax manufactures certified exit devices engineered for real-world performance on double rebated door systems. For projects that require dependable panic hardware, technical support, and OEM or ODM customization, contact Camax to discuss your rebated double door requirements and secure a solution you can rely on.