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The Von Duprin 98 and Von Duprin 99 are the two flagship wide-stile, heavy-duty push pad panic exit devices in the Allegion catalog and the benchmark against which every competing device is measured. Both are push pad (touchpad) devices, not crossbar devices. They share an identical chassis, identical latch mechanism, identical ANSI/BHMA A156.3 Grade 1 rating, identical UL 305 panic and UL 10C fire listing, and identical warranty. They differ in one thing only: the 98 has a smooth mechanism case, and the 99 has a grooved mechanism case that houses a fluid dampener. That single difference decelerates the push pad on its return stroke so the 99 settles back quietly instead of snapping, which drives the handful of specification decisions 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 (grooved case, fluid dampener) → the quiet-return device and the most-specified of the two. Choose it wherever the push pad's return noise matters: classrooms, libraries, healthcare, offices, hospitality, and any occupied space.
• Von Duprin 98 (smooth case, no dampener) → the same device without the return dampener. Choose it where return noise is irrelevant: warehouses, loading docks, mechanical and utility rooms, and industrial secondary egress.

Both are available in rim, surface vertical rod (SVR), concealed vertical rod (CVR), and mortise configurations. Everything except the case cover and the 99's dampener is shared.

Entity attributes side-by-side

Attribute	Von Duprin 98	Von Duprin 99
Actuator type	Push pad (touchpad)	Push pad (touchpad)
Mechanism case	Smooth	Grooved
Fluid dampener (quiet return)	No	Yes
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-98 and QEL-98)	Yes (EL-99 and QEL-99)
Electric dogging (E)	Yes (E98)	Yes (E99)
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 list price	Standard	Standard (effectively identical)

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 grooved case with the fluid dampener

The Von Duprin 99 is the wide-stile heavy-duty push pad device most people picture when they picture a Von Duprin exit device. Its grooved mechanism case is not styling: the groove houses a fluid dampener that decelerates the push pad on its return stroke, so the pad settles back without the metallic snap you get from an undamped device. On an occupied opening cycling all day, that quiet return is the reason the 99 is specified far more often than the 98.

Choose the 99 when:

• The opening is in a classroom, library, hospital, office, hotel, or any space where people work or rest within earshot of the door.
• The push pad cycles frequently and a repeated snap on return would be a nuisance.
• You are standardizing a building on one device and want the quieter, more forgiving option as the default.
• You need electric latch retraction (EL or QEL) for access-controlled egress. QEL-99 is the quiet-motor variant for high-cycle doors.

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.
• The opening is in a space where return noise is irrelevant and the smooth-case 98 is already the building standard.

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 smooth case without the dampener

The Von Duprin 98 is the exact same wide-stile heavy-duty push pad device as the 99 with a smooth mechanism case and no fluid dampener. Mechanically, the chassis, latch, trims, and electrics are identical. The only functional consequence of dropping the dampener is that the push pad returns without deceleration, which is audible. On the right opening that is a non-issue.

Choose the 98 when:

• The opening is a warehouse, loading dock, mechanical room, utility exit, or industrial secondary egress where no one is within earshot and return noise does not matter.
• The building already standardized on 98s and the owner wants visual and inventory consistency across openings.
• The specifier or submittal has explicitly called out the 98.

Skip the 98 when:

• The door is in an occupied, noise-sensitive space. The 99's damped return is worth it there and the price delta is negligible.

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 (98-R / 99-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 (98-SVR / 99-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 (98-CVR / 99-CVR): same as SVR but rods are hidden inside the door. Cleaner aesthetic, harder to service, requires a door prepped at the factory.
• Mortise (98-M / 99-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 pad. 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 pad is pushed.
• LX: Latch monitor switch, signals whether the latchbolt is projected.
• SS: Signal Switch, monitors push pad depression.

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

Looking for a crossbar (touchbar) device instead? That is not the 98 or the 99. Von Duprin's crossbar exit devices are the 55 Series (medium duty) and the 88 Series (heavy duty). If a submittal calls out a crossbar, spec into the 55/88 family, not the 98/99.

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: these are wide-stile devices; confirm the stile meets the device's minimum for rim, and 5" for mortise.
4. Backset: mortise variants use 2-3/4" backset. Rim variants use a rim strike mounted to the frame.
5. Fire label: if the door is fire-rated, order the -F suffix (98-F, 99-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 effectively identically at list; the fluid dampener on the 99 does not meaningfully change the number. Pick the device by return-noise requirement, not by price. 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

What is the actual difference between the Von Duprin 98 and 99?

Both are wide-stile heavy-duty push pad exit devices with an identical chassis and latch. The 98 has a smooth mechanism case; the 99 has a grooved case that houses a fluid dampener, which quietly decelerates the push pad on its return stroke. Neither is a crossbar device.

Is either one a crossbar device?

No. Both the 98 and 99 are push pad devices. Von Duprin's crossbar (touchbar) exit devices are the 55 Series and 88 Series.

Can I retrofit a 98 into a 99 (add the dampener)?

The two use different mechanism case assemblies. Treat a 98-to-99 change as a device swap, not a field upgrade. Order the 99 if you need the damped return.

Do 98 and 99 fit the same strike?

Yes, on rim versions. Both use the same 299-type rim 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.