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Exit Alarms
An exit door alarm sounds when someone opens an emergency exit or a restricted door, so staff know right away without locking anyone in. Shop battery-powered Detex EAX-500 alarms, AC/DC wall-mount EAX-2500 models, door prop alarms, alarmed exit control locks such as the Detex ECL-230D, Alarm Lock Sirenlock devices, and exit alarm parts and accessories.
What is an exit door alarm?
An exit door alarm is a device that sounds a local alarm when a monitored door is opened, while the door still opens freely for egress. It is used on emergency exits, rear and side doors in retail, healthcare and schools, and any door that should not be used for everyday traffic. The Detex EAX-500 listings state an alarm of approximately 100 dB, UL listing and ANSI/BHMA A156.29, the standard that covers exit locks and exit alarms. A keyed cylinder lets staff with the key arm, disarm or reset the alarm.
Types of emergency exit door alarms
There are four main types in the catalog, and the right one depends on the door and on how much control you need.
- Door-mounted exit alarms. A compact alarm on the door face, such as the battery-powered Detex EAX-500 and the weatherized EAX-500W for exterior doors.
- Wall-mounted exit alarms. The Detex EAX-2500 mounts beside the door, in flush (EAX-2500F) or surface (EAX-2500S) versions, and is listed as AC/DC external powered. Kit versions (EAX-2500FK) include magnetic switch contacts and a 24VAC transformer.
- Door prop alarms. These sound when a door is held open too long, rather than when it is opened. The Detex EAX-300 is battery powered with an adjustable door-open time, and the EAX-411SK is AC/DC powered.
- Alarmed exit control locks and panic alarms. These combine a locking bolt or panic bar with the alarm: the Detex ECL-230D panic exit control lock, the ECL-230X deadbolt exit control lock, the fire-rated ECL-600 and the Alarm Lock Sirenlock 250 and 700.
Exit alarms vs alarmed panic hardware: which one do you need?
Choose a stand-alone exit alarm when the door already has the right exit hardware and you only need to know when it is used. Choose an alarmed exit control lock or a Sirenlock panic alarm when the door also needs a lock that releases from the push side. A stand-alone alarm is quicker to retrofit, while an exit control lock adds a dead bolt and, on models such as the ECL-230X-TDB, top and bottom bolts. If the door is a labeled fire door, look for fire-rated hardware such as the ECL-600, and check the listing for the door types it covers.
Exit door alarms in the catalog
| Model | Type | Power | Notes from the listing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detex EAX-500, EAX-500W | Door-mounted exit alarm | Battery | About 100 dB; W = weatherized; with cylinder, key stop, mortise cylinder or 7-pin IC housing versions |
| Detex EAX-2500F, EAX-2500S | Wall-mounted exit alarm | AC/DC external | Flush or surface mount; FK kits add magnetic switch contacts and a 24VAC transformer |
| Detex EAX-300, EAX-300W | Door prop alarm | Battery | Adjustable door-open time |
| Detex EAX-411SK | Door prop alarm | AC/DC | Supplied as a kit |
| Detex ECL-230D, ECL-230D-PH | Alarmed panic exit control lock | Battery | PH long bar for 38" to 48" doors; cylinder and bar guard sold separately |
| Detex ECL-230X (TD, TB, TDB, W) | Alarmed dead bolt exit control lock | Battery | Top, bottom and dead bolt combinations; weatherized version |
| Detex ECL-600 | Fire-rated alarmed panic exit control lock | See listing | For fire-rated openings |
| Alarm Lock Sirenlock 250, 700, 715 | Panic exit alarm | See listing | 250 paddle, 700 36" bar, 715 delayed egress |
| Alarm Lock PG21, PG30 | Narrow stile door alarm | See listing | PG21MSS with strobe; PG30 with keypad |
Battery powered or hardwired exit alarm?
A battery-powered exit alarm installs without wiring and suits retrofits and single doors, while an AC/DC powered alarm suits sites that want the alarm tied to building power or monitoring. For Detex battery models, the catalog has the PP-5567 9V battery and the BE-961 battery eliminators (120VAC to 9VDC, and a version with supervisory loop power, alarm and LED). Wall-mount EAX-2500 alarms run from external power, and the PP-5152 transformers are listed in 12VAC and 24VAC versions.
Cylinders, keys and monitoring contacts
Most exit alarms are armed and reset with a key, so decide on the cylinder before ordering. Detex listings show versions with a keyed alike or keyed different cylinder (W-CYL KA or KD), a mortise cylinder (MC65), a 7-pin interchangeable core housing (IC7) to match a BEST style key system, or a key stop (KS). To report door status to an alarm panel, add magnetic switches such as the Detex MS-1039S, MS-1059S or the heavy duty Form C MS-2049 series in surface, flush, conduit and inswinging versions.
Do emergency exit doors need alarms?
Most codes do not require an alarm on every exit, but owners add them to stop misuse, theft and propped doors, and some occupancies or delayed egress systems require one. Delayed egress devices such as the Alarm Lock 715 are only allowed where the code and the authority having jurisdiction permit them, under NFPA 101 and the local building code. Any device on an exit must still allow the door to open from the egress side, so confirm the hardware with the fire marshal or your code consultant.
Most requested exit alarms
The exit alarms our customers look up most often right now:
- Detex EAX-500W W-CYL KA Weatherized Exit Alarm with Cylinder
- Detex ECL-230D-PH Alarm Panic Exit Control Lock
- Detex EAX-500 W-CYL KD Exit Alarm, Gray
- Detex EAX-500 Surface Mount Exit Alarm
- Alarm Lock 700X28 36" Sirenlock Panic Exit Alarm
Shop by model: Detex EAX-300 door propped alarm and Detex ECL-230D.
Related categories: panic exit devices, exit device trims, push buttons and egress devices and exit alarm parts and accessories.
What to have ready when ordering an exit alarm
- Door type (wood, hollow metal, aluminum or narrow stile) and width.
- Indoor or exterior door (weatherized versions for exterior use).
- Exit alarm only, door prop alarm, or alarmed exit control lock.
- Power: battery or AC/DC, and any connection to an alarm panel.
- Cylinder: keyed alike, keyed different, mortise cylinder or IC housing, and the keyway.
- Fire-rated door or not, and any delayed egress requirement.
For a side-by-side look at the Detex range, read our Detex exit alarms and exit devices guide and the exit door alarm buying guide.
Alarming several exits? Request a quote for quantity pricing, and schools and agencies can submit a government or school PO. Orders placed before 3:00 p.m. ET on business days ship the same day after card approval, and ground shipping is free on orders of $450+. Need help choosing? Call 718-814-6300.
The tables and selection notes on this page are compiled by National Lock Supply from manufacturer catalogs and product listings. Last reviewed: November 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn off an exit door alarm?
Most exit alarms are silenced and reset with the key in their cylinder. On the Detex EAX-500, the key is used to arm, disarm and reset the alarm. If the key is lost, the cylinder can be replaced with a keyed alike, keyed different, mortise or IC cylinder version, depending on the model.
Can an exit alarm be used on an exterior door?
Yes, but use a weatherized model on doors exposed to weather. The catalog lists the Detex EAX-500W exit alarm, the EAX-300W door prop alarm and the ECL-230X-W exit control lock as weatherized versions. Standard indoor versions are meant for protected locations.
How often should an exit door alarm be tested?
Test it on a regular schedule, for example monthly: arm the alarm, open the door and confirm it sounds, then reset it with the key. On battery powered models, replace the batteries as the maker recommends and after any long period of heavy use. Record the test with your other life safety door checks.