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The Von Duprin 99 and Von Duprin 98 are the two flagship heavy-duty panic exit devices in the Allegion catalog and the benchmark against which every competing crash bar is measured. They share an identical chassis, identical latch mechanism, identical UL 305 panic and UL 10C fire listing, and identical warranty. They differ in one thing only: the 99 uses a pushpad actuator, and the 98 uses a crossbar actuator. That single difference drives a handful of aesthetic and specification decisions that this guide walks through end-to-end.

For the broader context on exit-device taxonomy (rim vs SVR vs mortise vs CVR), read Exit Device Types: Rim vs SVR vs Mortise vs CVR before you finalize the device family. For the fundamentals on panic hardware in general, How to Choose the Best Commercial Panic Exit Devices is the starting point.

Quick verdict

• Von Duprin 99 (pushpad) → modern commercial standard. Choose this for new construction, renovations after 2005, schools, healthcare, and any opening where the specifier has not explicitly asked for a crossbar.
• Von Duprin 98 (crossbar) → classic heavy-duty aesthetic. Choose this when the specifier has called out “crossbar,” when the building has an existing inventory of 98s for consistency, or when the opening is a fire stair in an older institutional building.

Both are available in rim, surface vertical rod (SVR), concealed vertical rod (CVR), and mortise configurations.

Entity attributes side-by-side

Attribute	Von Duprin 99	Von Duprin 98
Actuator	Pushpad	Crossbar
Available device types	Rim / SVR / CVR / Mortise	Rim / SVR / CVR / Mortise
Door width range	3’0” to 4’0”	3’0” to 4’0”
ANSI/BHMA grade	Grade 1 (A156.3)	Grade 1 (A156.3)
UL 305 panic listing	Yes	Yes
UL 10C fire listing	Yes (F designator)	Yes (F designator)
Electric latch retraction (EL)	Yes (EL-99 and QEL-99)	Yes (EL-98 and QEL-98)
Electric dogging (E)	Yes (E99)	Yes (E98)
Signal/monitoring options	LX, RX, SS	LX, RX, SS
Trim options	900/990/996 series	900/990/996 series
Finishes	15+	15+
Warranty	3 years	3 years
Typical price tier	Premium	Premium (slightly higher than 99)

Both devices accept the same Von Duprin trim catalog. If you are choosing trim and lever design, How to Choose Exit Device Trims: Complete Guide is the reference, and Top 10 Panic Bar Trims for Exit Devices ranks the most commonly specified models.

Von Duprin 99: the modern standard

The Von Duprin 99 replaced the older 88 series and became the North American commercial standard in the early 2000s. The pushpad actuator is flatter, cleaner, and less susceptible to the two failure modes that plagued crossbars: students hanging on the bar and maintenance crews leaning tools against it.

Choose the 99 when:

• The building is a school, hospital, office tower, or any facility built or renovated after 2005.
• The opening has a door coordinator or electric strike on the secondary leaf — the 99’s flat profile clears these more cleanly than the 98’s crossbar.
• You need electric latch retraction (EL or QEL) for access-controlled egress. QEL-99 is quieter and draws less current than the equivalent 98 variant on high-cycle doors.
• The architectural finish has to match a modern hardware set — the 99 in US32D (satin stainless) is the most specified panic device in the United States.

Skip the 99 when:

• The specifier has written “Von Duprin 98” into the submittal. Substituting a 99 is a spec change and requires written approval from the architect of record.

Shop stocked Von Duprin 99 devices in the Panic Exit Devices category. For the matching strike, see Rim Exit Electric Strikes if the opening is access-controlled.

Von Duprin 98: the heavy-duty classic

The Von Duprin 98 is the crossbar sibling of the 99 and remains the default for older institutional buildings, historic renovations, and any owner who has standardized on crossbar aesthetics. It has an identical chassis and identical latch mechanism — the only hardware difference is the actuator assembly.

Choose the 98 when:

• The building already has 98s installed and the owner wants visual consistency across openings.
• The specifier or AHJ has explicitly called for a crossbar device (common in historic renovations, some correctional facilities, and certain fire-stair retrofits where the original device was an 88 or 33A).
• The opening is part of a larger set of 98s that share trim and keyway, and maintaining the inventory pool is cheaper than splitting to a 99.

Skip the 98 when:

• The spec is open. The 99 is cheaper to stock, faster to install, and lower-profile for most modern aesthetics.
• The door is in a school — the crossbar is a known leverage point for vandalism.

Stocked Von Duprin 98 devices live in the Panic Exit Devices category.

Rim vs SVR vs CVR vs Mortise

Both 98 and 99 ship in four device families. The device type is driven by the opening configuration, not aesthetics:

• Rim (99-R / 98-R): single-door opening or the active leaf of a double-door opening with a removable mullion. Simplest install, lowest cost, most common.
• Surface Vertical Rod / SVR (99-SVR / 98-SVR): double doors without a mullion. Rods run exposed on the push side of the door to top and bottom latches. Easy to service.
• Concealed Vertical Rod / CVR (99-CVR / 98-CVR): same as SVR but rods are hidden inside the door. Cleaner aesthetic, harder to service, requires a door prepped at the factory.
• Mortise (99-M / 98-M): device mounts to a mortise lock body inside the door. Highest security on single doors, most expensive, longest install time.

The matching Exit Device Types guide breaks each down in detail.

Electric options: EL, QEL, E, RX, LX, SS

Both devices support the same electrification codes. The most commonly ordered:

• EL — Electric Latch Retraction. The latch retracts on a signal, allowing the door to push-pull without activating the bar. Used on access-controlled entries, delivery doors, and automatic operators.
• QEL — Quiet Electric Latch Retraction. Same function as EL but with a softer motor and longer cycle life. Specify QEL on any door cycling more than 500 times per day.
• E — Electric Dogging. Holds the latch retracted via a timer or signal, converting the device to push-pull during business hours without keying it down.
• RX — Request to Exit switch, signals the access control panel when the bar is pushed.
• LX — Latch monitor switch, signals whether the latchbolt is projected.
• SS — Signal Switch, monitors touchbar depression.

Never combine electrification with a standalone electric strike on the same opening — it creates a redundant and failure-prone setup. For the strike-vs-device decision, see Electric Strike vs Maglock Detailed Comparison.

Install and spec checklist

1. Handing: 98 and 99 are non-handed on rim and SVR. CVR and mortise versions require correct hand specification.
2. Door thickness: standard prep is for 1-3/4” door. 2-1/4” door requires extended fasteners.
3. Stile width: minimum 4” for rim, 5” for mortise.
4. Backset: mortise variants use 2-3/4” backset. Rim variants use a 1/2” rim strike mounted to the frame.
5. Fire label: if the door is fire-rated, order the -F suffix (99-F, 98-F). Fire devices have no mechanical dogging.
6. Trim: dummy trim for exit-only, night latch for key-retracted entry, passage for handle-retracted entry. Pair the correct trim — How to Choose Exit Device Trims.

For install step-by-step, see How to Install a Panic Bar: Complete Exit Device Installation Guide.

Pricing and lead time

The 98 and 99 are priced nearly identically at list, with the 98 typically $10–30 higher per device due to the crossbar assembly. Both ship same-day from stock on the most common configurations (rim, 36” door, standard trim, 28/32D finish).

National Lock Supply stocks the full Von Duprin 98 and 99 catalog inside the panic exit devices selection, and the companion rim exit electric strikes for access-controlled egress are stocked in the same warehouse for same-day shipping. For multi-opening submittals, send the door schedule to the NLS team and we will line-item the correct device, trim, and strike per opening.

FAQ

Is the 99 always cheaper than the 98? Typically yes on list price, but the delta is small. The 99 is cheaper to stock because it is the higher-volume device.

Can I retrofit a 98 with a 99 touchpad assembly? No. They use different actuator housings. A 98-to-99 “upgrade” is a full device swap.

Do 98 and 99 fit the same strike? Yes, on rim versions. Both use the 299 strike on hollow-metal frames.

Are these devices legal for egress from an assembly space? Yes, when UL 305 labeled and installed per IBC. Check occupancy load and minimum egress width with your local AHJ.

What about fire-rated openings with electric latch retraction? Fire-rated devices cannot be mechanically dogged, but EL/QEL is permitted because the latch re-projects on power loss. Always verify the device model carries both UL 305 and UL 10C listings for your fire rating.