Von Duprin 9847L-BE / 9947L-BE Concealed Vertical Rod Panic Exit Device, with Blank Escutcheon

The Von Duprin 9847L-BE and 9947L-BE are concealed vertical rod exit devices from the 98/99 Series, configured with a lever and blank escutcheon on the outside trim. If you've been searching "von duprin 9947", "von duprin 9847", "von duprin 98/99", "9847", or "5547 von duprin"-here is exactly how the model code breaks down. 98 = smooth mechanism case. 99 = grooved mechanism case. Both are otherwise identical in function, mounting, and hardware compatibility. 47 = concealed vertical rod (CVR) configuration. L = lever trim on the outside. BE = blank escutcheon, meaning the lever has no key cylinder. This configuration is ANSI Function 14: the lever is always active and no key is ever required to operate it from outside.

Concealed Vertical Rod vs Rim vs Surface Vertical Rod

A rim exit device mounts on the door face and latches into a strike on the frame using a single latch at one point. A surface vertical rod device also mounts on the door face but runs exposed rods up and down the door to engage bolts at the top of the frame and the floor. A concealed vertical rod device is different from both. The 9847/9947 CVR body is installed inside the door itself-concealed within the door construction-with a top rod that engages the head frame and a bottom rod that engages the floor or threshold. From the outside, you see only the escutcheon plate and lever. The exit device mechanism is hidden.

CVR devices are specified on pairs of doors where aesthetics matter, where the inactive leaf needs a clean face without exposed hardware, and on glass doors, storefront, and architectural aluminum where a surface-mounted device body would be visible and visually disruptive. CVR also provides better security than rim on double doors where the inactive leaf must stay secured at both top and bottom without a surface-mounted rod running down the door face.

5547 and the Von Duprin CVR Family

If you searched "5547 von duprin" and landed here-the Von Duprin 55 Series was the earlier-generation concealed vertical rod exit device platform. The 98/99 Series is the current production CVR line, replacing the 55 Series with updated construction, wider pushbar options, and expanded trim compatibility. If you're replacing an older 5547 device, the 9847/9947 series is the current Von Duprin CVR specification.

9847L-BE vs 9847L vs 9847L-NL: The Trim Suffix Decoded

The suffix after 9847L tells you what the outside trim does. The standard 9847L ships with a keyed lever-ANSI Function 08, key locks and unlocks the lever. The 9847L-NL is nightlatch function-key retracts the latchbolt. The 9847L-BE is blank escutcheon-ANSI Function 14, the lever is always active with no cylinder. The 9847L-DT is dummy trim-pull only, no latching from outside. Choose BE when outside access should always be free with no key control at all.

98 vs 99: The Only Difference

The 98 Series has a smooth mechanism case. The 99 Series has a grooved mechanism case. That's it. Same door prep, same trim, same ratings, same function. The choice between them is purely aesthetic-matching the case style to the rest of the hardware in the building.

Specifications

Model: Von Duprin 9847L-BE (98 Series) / 9947L-BE (99 Series)

Series: 98/99 Series CVR Exit Device

Device Type: Concealed Vertical Rod (CVR)

Case: 98 = smooth; 99 = grooved

Outside Trim: L = Lever, BE = Blank Escutcheon (no cylinder)

ANSI Function: F14-Lever always operable, no cylinder required

Escutcheon Size: 2-3/4" x 10-3/4" x 27/32"

Lever Projection: 2-7/8"

Handing: Handed/Reversible

Fire Rated Version: 9847L-BE-F / 9947L-BE-F

Applications: Schools, hospitals, government, hospitality, storefront, architectural aluminum

Grade: ANSI A156.3 Grade 1

UL: Listed for panic hardware and fire hardware

Replaces: Von Duprin 55 Series CVR devices

Electric Option: Electrified lever operation available

American Locksets has stocked Von Duprin 98/99 Series exit devices since 2001.