2800 CVR Exit Devices

The Precision Apex 2800 Series is a commercial Grade 1 concealed vertical rod (CVR) exit device for wide stile hollow metal and steel door applications- two-point locking, field-selectable functions, UL listed panic and fire hardware, from PHI/Precision Hardware (dormakaba). American Locksets has stocked Apex CVR exit devices since 2001. Free shipping on orders over $300 and same-day shipping available.

What Is a CVR Exit Device?

A concealed vertical rod (CVR) exit device is a panic and fire exit hardware device that uses two vertical rods- one running to the top of the door and one to the bottom- to create a two-point locking system. The word "concealed" is the key distinction: the vertical rods route through the inside of the door stile and frame channels, hidden from view. From outside, you see only the push bar. No exposed hardware on the door face.

Compare this to a surface vertical rod (SVR) device, where top and bottom rods run visibly down the door face. CVR devices are specified when the architectural design requires a clean appearance, when the door prep calls for concealed hardware, or when fire-rated two-point locking is required without visual clutter. For metal single and double doors in commercial buildings where aesthetics and fire-rated performance both matter, CVR is the correct specification.

CVR Panic Device vs Rim Exit Device: Two Points Change Everything

One Point vs Two Points

A rim exit device secures the door at one location: the latch side edge, typically with a starwheel bolt or vertical deadbolt engaging a jamb strike. That works well on many applications. But on wide or tall metal doors, a single latch point under high-impact use can allow door flex, spreading the door away from the frame at the top or bottom corners.

A CVR exit device locks the door in three places simultaneously. The main push bar mechanism engages the center latch. The top rod drives a deadlocking latchbolt into the header strike. The bottom rod drives a bolt into the floor or bottom strike. To pry the door open, all three points must be defeated at once. On double doors with a mullion, this architecture is essential- it closes the gap at the top and bottom that single-point devices cannot cover.

The Apex 2800 CVR Panic Device: The Metal Door Standard

PHI Precision Apex 2000 Series

The Precision Apex 2000 Series is among the most widely specified exit device lines in North America. Healthcare facilities, K-12 schools, universities, and government buildings have standardized on Apex for decades because of one thing: consistent, low-maintenance operation under real institutional use.

The 2800 designation identifies the concealed vertical rod metal door model within the Apex line. Wide stile hollow metal doors, commercial steel frames, paired doors with a mullion- that's the 2800's world. The investment cast steel active case with zinc dichromate coating delivers both structural strength and corrosion resistance. Universal mounting holes on the active case simplify retrofit installation without requiring new door cutouts. Browse the full 2800 CVR exit device collection to find the right function for your opening.

What "Wide Stile" Means

Wide stile refers to the vertical frame section of a hollow metal door- wide enough to accommodate the CVR rod channels and the exit device case assembly. This is the standard for commercial and institutional hollow metal doors. If you have a narrow stile aluminum storefront door, the 2800 is not your device- that's where the Apex 2600 CVR or Adams Rite 8600 Series applies. For standard commercial hollow metal, the 2800 is the right call.

CVR Door Hardware Specifications: Apex 2800

Construction: Investment cast steel active case, zinc dichromate plated. Touchbar, cover, channel, and end caps in heavy wrought brass, bronze, or stainless steel.

Top Latchbolt: Stainless steel, deadlocking, 3/4-inch throw.

Bottom Bolt: Steel plated, independent action, 5/8-inch throw- adjustable for 3/4-inch door undercut.

Top Rod: Adjustable 6'-8" to 8'-0" standard; 8'-1" to 10'-0" tall door version.

Door Sizes: Standard 1-3/4-inch thick, 3-foot wide, 6'-8" to 8'-0" high. Available up to 4'-0" wide and 10'-0" high.

Push Bar Widths: 30", 36", 42", and 48". Standard bars field-cut to next smallest opening.

Dogging: Hex key standard. Cylinder dogging option eliminates hex key- key in the cylinder holds the push bar depressed for free egress during business hours.

Certifications: UL listed panic exit hardware. UL 10C positive pressure fire exit hardware. ANSI A156.3 Grade 1. BHMA certified.

Functions Available in the 2800 CVR Series

Field-Selectable Functions

One of the most practically valuable features of the Apex 2000 platform is that most functions are field-selectable. The device ships standard as Function 03 unless otherwise specified, and the function can be changed on the job without replacing the device. Here is what each function covers and which product page to shop from:

Function 01/02- Exit Only: Push bar retracts latch for egress, no outside entry trim. Stairwells, mechanical rooms, restricted access fire exits. Shop the Precision 2801 Apex CVR Exit Only device for this application, or the Precision 2802 Apex CVR with dummy trim prep when outside trim is architecturally required but non-functional.

Function 03- Key Retracts Latchbolt: Exit only with cylinder in outside cover. Key retracts the latchbolt from outside. The most common function for exterior doors requiring re-entry by authorized personnel. This is the Precision 2803 Apex CVR exit device- the most frequently ordered model in the 2800 line.

Function 05- Key Controls Thumbpiece: Outside key locks and unlocks the thumbpiece trim. Correct for vestibule and office entry doors where management controls access by locking the trim from outside. Shop the Precision 2805 Apex CVR with key locks/unlocks thumbpiece.

Function 08- Key Locks/Unlocks Lever/Knob: Outside key controls the lever or knob trim. See the Precision 2808 Apex CVR with key locks/unlocks lever/knob for this configuration- widely specified on office and commercial corridor doors.

Function 14/15- Lever or Thumbpiece Always Active: Outside lever or thumbpiece is always free to retract the latch. Passage function- bidirectional free access. The Precision 2815 Apex CVR with thumbpiece always active is the right choice for uncontrolled access points during business hours.

Cylinder Dogging (CD): Key in outside cylinder dogs the push bar depressed, holding the latch retracted for free egress. Releases with key rotation. Cylinder dogging versions are available across all functions- see the 2801CD, 2803CD, 2805CD, 2808CD, and 2814CD variants in the full 2800 CVR category.

Fire Rated and Electrified CVR Options

Fire rated 2800 devices include the FB277 fire bolt assembly. Fire labeled hardware cannot be mechanically dogged- the hex key and cylinder dogging options do not apply on fire-rated openings. The fire bolt releases on door impact, providing passive self-latching as required by NFPA 80 and IBC. Browse the complete FL2800 CVR fire rated exit device line for fire-labeled configurations across all functions.

The Electric Latch Retraction (ELR) option adds a solenoid to the push bar for remote instantaneous latch retraction. When the access control system sends a release signal, the solenoid retracts the latch without anyone operating the push bar- correct for access-controlled exterior doors where the exit device handles egress and access control handles entry.

The monitoring switch option mounts in the push bar at the hinge end. It signals whenever the push bar is depressed, activating a relay output at the access control panel. The alarm option adds a battery-operated audible alert on 36-inch and wider devices when the push bar is operated- not compatible with ELR or monitoring.

Finishes

The Apex 2800 is available in full institutional architectural finishes: 605 (bright brass), 606 (satin brass), 630 (satin stainless), 632 (bright stainless), 628 (clear anodized aluminum), 313 (dark bronze anodized), and others. Specify the finish code at time of order to match the door hardware schedule.

Why American Locksets Is the Right Source for Your CVR Exit Device

There are dozens of distributors who will put a 2800 in a box and ship it to you. We've been doing this since 2001- long enough to know that the call that saves you the most money isn't the one that gets the device to you fastest, it's the one that gets the right device to you the first time. That difference matters more on exit devices than almost anything else in the opening, because swapping a CVR after the door is hung and the rods are routed is a frustrating, expensive job.

Our team knows the Apex 2000 line cold. We know which functions ship standard, which are field-converted, and which must be factory specified. We know which fire-rated configurations require the LBR suffix and which options can't be combined. We know the difference between the 2800 and the 2600 and the 2700, and which one belongs on your specific door. That's not something you get from a catalog comparison page- it comes from two decades of specifying this hardware across schools, hospitals, government buildings, and commercial construction from coast to coast. 

Frequently Asked Questions: 2800 CVR Exit Devices

Q: What's the difference between a CVR and a rim exit device?

 CVR locks at three points- center, top, and bottom. Rim locks at one. CVR provides stronger two-point security on wide and paired metal doors.

Q: Does the Apex 2800 work on aluminum storefront doors?

 No. The 2800 is for hollow metal wide stile doors. Aluminum narrow stile storefront doors require the Apex 2600 CVR or Adams Rite 8600 Series.

Q: What function does the 2800 ship with if I don't specify one? 

Function 03 ships standard- exit only with cylinder in outside cover, key retracts latchbolt from outside.

Q: Can I change the function in the field?

 Most functions are field-selectable. Double cylinder is the main exception and requires factory specification.

Q: What door widths does the 2800 come in?

 30-inch, 36-inch, 42-inch, and 48-inch. Standard width bars can be field-cut to the next smallest opening width.

Q: Is the 2800 CVR fire rated?

 Yes, with the LBR suffix and FB277 fire bolt assembly. Browse the FL2800 fire rated CVR line for fully fire-labeled configurations. Fire rated devices cannot be mechanically dogged.

Q: What's cylinder dogging and when do I need it?

 Cylinder dogging lets a key hold the push bar depressed, keeping the latch retracted for free bidirectional passage during business hours without a hex key.