Exit Buttons

Exit Buttons for Safe, Convenient Door Release

Exit Buttons provide a simple, intuitive way to release secured doors in modern access control systems. From touch-sensitive and no-touch infrared switches to mushroom emergency buttons and break-glass units, these exit devices help people leave offices, apartments, warehouses and public buildings quickly while keeping doors secured against unauthorised entry from the outside.
Matched with electric locks, power supplies and controllers, Exit Buttons support everyday egress, emergency release and maintenance access on single doors or multi-door systems. Clear “EXIT” or icon-based legends, backlit panels and robust housings make them suitable for glass partitions, corridor doors, stair cores and perimeter service doors in European and North American projects that must balance safety, security and convenience.

Exit Buttons for Safe Egress in Access Control Systems

Exit Buttons are essential egress devices in door access control systems, giving users a fast and clearly marked way to unlock doors from the secure side. Whether used on office doors, apartment corridors, retail back-of-house exits or warehouse fire routes, they ensure that people can leave quickly while controllers and locks continue to manage who is allowed back in. Properly selected Exit Buttons help projects align with safety regulations and building codes, especially where electromagnetic locks or electric strikes are installed.

Types of Exit Buttons and typical applications

A complete Exit Buttons range can include mechanical push-to-exit plates, touch-sensitive switches, no-touch infrared sensors, mushroom emergency buttons and break-glass units for fire escape routes. Compact indoor models suit light-duty office doors and glass partitions, while vandal-resistant stainless-steel plates and waterproof housings are ideal for busy corridors, stairwell doors and outdoor service entrances. LED backlighting and dual-colour indicators make it easy to see the button location and status even in low-light conditions.

In modern projects, Exit Buttons are deployed on standard office doors, open-plan glass fronts, warehouse and logistics exits, hotel staff areas and healthcare facilities where hands-free, hygienic operation is important. Touchless Exit Buttons are particularly useful in clean environments, laboratories and clinics, letting users wave a hand to release the door without touching the plate. Mushroom buttons and break-glass units provide highly visible, easy-to-operate emergency release for stair cores and escape doors.

Integration with controllers, terminals and industrial systems

In a typical installation, Exit Buttons connect to the request-to-exit input on door controllers or door terminals. Panels and smart door devices such as Embedded Access Control Terminals handle the logic, deciding when to drop power to the lock and how long to keep the door unlatched. This allows integrators to coordinate exit requests with time schedules, door-held-open alarms and interlocks between related doors like airlocks, mantraps or loading-bay entrances.

Where access control is combined with production or logistics flows, Exit Buttons can sit alongside sensors and scanners managed by rugged RFID Industrial Readers. Operators may use badges, tags or QR credentials at entrances, with doors managed by controllers and QR Code Access Control Terminals, then rely on clearly labelled Exit Buttons for safe, manual release from the secure side. Centralised software can log both entry credentials and exit button activations, supporting audits, incident investigations and maintenance planning across multiple buildings or sites.

FAQ About Exit Buttons

What is an exit button in a door access control system?

An exit button, sometimes called a request-to-exit or REX button, is a wall-mounted switch that momentarily signals the access controller to unlock a secure door from the inside. It is normally used together with electric locks and readers so that people can leave freely while entry remains controlled by cards, codes or biometrics.

Where should Exit Buttons be installed around a door?

Exit Buttons are usually installed on the secure side of the door, at an accessible height close to the handle or on the adjacent wall where they are easy to see and reach. For fire escape routes and high-traffic exits, local codes may influence the exact height, distance from the door frame and whether a break-glass or mushroom-style device is required for emergency release.

What is the difference between touchless and mechanical Exit Buttons?

Mechanical Exit Buttons require a physical press on the plate or button, while touchless Exit Buttons use infrared or capacitive sensors to detect a hand wave. Touchless models reduce wear on moving parts and support better hygiene in hospitals, labs and public facilities, but both types can provide reliable door release when correctly installed and wired to the controller.

Do Exit Buttons work with different types of locks and controllers?

Yes, Exit Buttons are designed to work with most access control controllers and electric locks. The button’s dry contact output typically connects to the request-to-exit input or directly to a lock control relay. With the right configuration, the same button can release fail-safe maglocks, fail-secure electric strikes or motorised locks, while the controller logs each exit event and enforces timing, alarms and interlocks as required.