Did you know that something as simple as an exit door alarm can help reduce employee theft? According to the 2013 Jack L Hayes survey, employee theft is one of the most severe problems faced by the retail and restaurant industries. The survey found that 78,085 dishonest employees were apprehended with recoveries that totaled more than $55 million.

It’s no wonder it’s a major concern for many of our customers. We have done multiple projects where we have helped customers select an exit door alarm and installed them in all of their locations. These customers reported a decrease in shrink.

If you need to install an exit door alarm on your delivery doors, there are two different kinds to choose from: Door/wall mounted exit alarms and alarmed exit devices.

Exit Door Alarm: Door/Wall Mounted

Door/wall mounted exit alarms are small alarms that are installed directly on to the door or on to the wall next to the door. Magnetic sensors are installed on the header of the door and on the frame. When the magnetic field is broken, an alarm sounds. The alarm can only be deactivated by a key turn.

These are a great option if you are happy with your current exit device because this exit door alarm can be installed with what is already there.

Another plus: This type of exit door alarm is the least expensive option. But…there are a few issues with it.

First, these devices are easily plagued by door alignment issues. The tolerance between the magnets is generally very small. As a result, if the door goes out of alignment, or if it is jarred by high winds, it will cause the alarm to sound. In these cases, a technician needs to realign the sensors.

Should you decide to use a door mounted exit alarm, ensure that it is weatherized. If the door is propped open, the alarm can easily be rained on, which will eventually cause the unit to malfunction.

If you do not want to spend the money for a weatherized unit, you can wall-mount the alarm. If you choose to wall-mount, the alarm’s exposed wires will run from the alarm to the contact sensor on the frame. These wires can easily be pulled loose or cut. For this reason, we recommend you install an armored cable (shown in the picture to the right) to protect the wires.

Exit Door Alarm: Alarmed Exit Device

Alarmed exit devices have the alarm integrated right into the exit device. Unless the alarm is deactivated by a key before opening the door, the alarm will sound whenever it is opened. Similar to an exit alarm, once the alarm sounds it must be deactivated by a key turn.

The main benefit to alarmed exit devices is there are no exposed wires to be tampered with, and no false alarms caused by alignment issues. Another benefit is the aesthetic appeal—it looks cleaner to only have one device on the door.

If you decide to install alarmed exit devices on your exterior doors, be sure to use weatherized units. Back-of-house doors are often propped open, which exposes exit devices to the elements. Non-weatherized units, if exposed to moisture, will likely end up with broken alarm components.

Exit Door Alarm: Our Recommendations

One of these product types is not superior to the other. Decide what works best for your budget and security needs and go from there.

Once you know which type of exit door alarm you want, there are a few different brands we recommend: Dorma, Von Duprin, Detex, and a number of ASSA brands. Each company manufactures high-quality devices that will surely suit your needs.

If you have any questions or need help selecting an exit door alarm, feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to help!