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- Electric latch retraction (ELR) retracts the panic bar latchbolt remotely so the door swings freely from both sides — no one touches the bar
- Electric strikes mount in the frame and release the keeper; ELR mounts inside the device and retracts the latch — different install, different use case
- ELR draws 0.5–3 A at 24 VDC and needs a dedicated power supply; most access control panels cannot source that current on their own
- Fire-rated doors in Ontario require fail-secure hardware — ELR automatically re-latches on power loss, which satisfies NFPA 80
- A properly sized electric strike installation runs $800–$1,500 per opening; ELR retrofit kits run $1,200–$2,400 per opening including labour
Your Scarborough storefront has a panic bar on the front door, and you need to buzz people in from a desk or intercom. The standard approach is an electric strike installation in the door frame — but if the door has air pressure differential from your HVAC, or if the opening is fire-rated, an electric strike may not release reliably. The better option for most panic-hardware doors is electric latch retraction (ELR), which pulls the latch back from inside the device itself. Here is how both systems work, when each one makes sense, and what the install looks like for a commercial door in Scarborough.
Two Ways to Buzz Someone In Through a Panic Bar
Commercial buildings along the Golden Mile and around Scarborough Town Centre deal with a common problem: the front door has a panic bar for fire-code egress, but staff need a way to let visitors, delivery drivers, and clients in without walking to the door every time. That means electrifying the door so it can be triggered from an intercom, keypad, fob reader, or reception desk button.
There are two primary methods for adding remote unlock to a door with panic hardware.
Method 1: Electric Strike Installation
An electric strike replaces the standard fixed strike plate in the door frame. Inside the strike body is a pivoting keeper — a small jaw that normally holds the panic bar's latchbolt in place. When the access control system sends a signal (12 or 24 VDC), the keeper pivots and the latchbolt is free to slide through. The visitor pushes the door open.
Key detail: the latch stays extended. The person on the outside still has to push the door. If there is any force holding the door shut — wind, HVAC air pressure, a worn threshold dragging — the latch presses against the keeper and the strike may not release. This is the single most common failure mode for electric strikes on commercial doors, and it happens frequently on storefronts along Eglinton Avenue East where HVAC pressure differentials across the door can reach 0.10 inches of water column or more.
Typical cost: $800–$1,500 per opening, installed, including the strike, power supply, and wiring back to the access control panel.
Method 2: Electric Latch Retraction (ELR)
Electric latch retraction takes a completely different approach. Instead of modifying the frame, the electrification happens inside the panic bar itself. A motor or solenoid mounted in the device body physically retracts the latchbolt when triggered. The bar drops to its dogged (depressed) position, and the door swings freely from both sides — push or pull.
Key detail: because the latch is fully retracted, door preload does not matter. Wind, HVAC pressure, misaligned frames — none of it prevents the unlock from working. The latch is already out of the way before anyone touches the door.
Typical cost: $1,200–$2,400 per opening, installed, including the ELR kit or device, power supply, and wiring.
The price difference between the two methods is roughly $400–$900 per door. For a single entrance, that gap is easy to justify. For a 20-door office building, it adds up — which is why the right answer depends on the specific opening.
When to Use an Electric Strike
Electric strikes are the simpler, cheaper option, and they work well in a specific set of conditions:
- Low or no air-pressure differential across the door. If the building's HVAC system does not create significant positive pressure at the entrance, preload on the latch is minimal and the strike releases cleanly.
- Non-fire-rated openings. Fail-safe electric strikes (which release on power loss) cannot be used on fire-rated doors because they violate the positive-latching requirement under NFPA 80. Fail-secure strikes can be used on fire-rated doors, but they stay locked during a power outage — which may conflict with your access control failover plan.
- Standard hollow-metal or aluminum frames. Electric strikes mount in a rectangular cutout in the frame. Aluminum storefront frames, which are common in Scarborough strip malls, are straightforward to prep. Wood frames and some older steel frames require more modification.
- Budget is the primary constraint. For a back-of-house door that gets buzzed open three times a day, spending the extra money on ELR may not be justified.
If your door checks all four boxes, an electric strike installation is a solid choice. We install Von Duprin 6200 series strikes across Scarborough commercial properties regularly — they handle up to 75 lbs of preload, which covers most standard interior openings.
When Electric Latch Retraction Is the Right Call
ELR costs more and draws more power, but it solves problems that electric strikes cannot:
High-traffic entrances with HVAC pressure. A medical clinic near Scarborough Town Centre may have 0.05–0.10 inches WC positive pressure to maintain air quality. That pressure pushes on the door and loads the latch into the strike. An electric strike fights against that force; ELR sidesteps it entirely by retracting the latch before anyone touches the door.
Fire-rated door assemblies. ELR is fail-secure by design. When power is cut — whether from a power outage or a fire alarm signal — the latch extends and the door re-latches. The panic bar still allows free egress from the push side. This satisfies both NFPA 80 (positive latching) and NFPA 101 (free egress). If your door carries a fire rating, ELR is often the only compliant option for remote unlocking. We covered the dogging-versus-ELR distinction for fire doors in our panic bar dogging keys guide.
Doors that need to stay unlocked for extended periods. When the access control system sends a sustained unlock signal — for example, unlocking the front door from 9 AM to 5 PM — an ELR device holds the latch retracted and the bar in the dogged position. The door becomes a simple push-pull door for the entire business day. An electric strike, by contrast, only releases momentarily (typically 3–7 seconds per trigger), which means someone has to push the door during that narrow window.
Doors with closers that generate slam force. A heavy-duty door closer on a high-traffic entrance can slam the door hard enough that the latch rebounds off the electric strike keeper before it fully engages. ELR avoids this entirely — the latch is retracted, so there is nothing to collide with the strike.
The Hardware: What Goes Into an ELR Installation
An electric latch retraction setup has more components than a simple electric strike. Here is the full bill of materials for a typical Scarborough commercial entrance:
1. The ELR Device or Retrofit Kit
If the existing panic bar supports a retrofit, you install a manufacturer-matched ELR kit into the device body. Von Duprin's EL and QEL options are the most common in the GTA. The QEL uses a DC motor instead of a solenoid, cutting noise from roughly 70 dB to about 50 dB.
If the existing bar is incompatible, you replace the entire exit device with a factory-assembled ELR unit. Von Duprin 99EL is the workhorse for single doors; the 9948EL with vertical rod latching handles pairs.
2. Power Supply
ELR devices draw between 0.5 A and 3 A at 24 VDC. That is more than a standard access control panel relay output can provide (most top out at 0.5 A per output). You need a dedicated power supply — typically a 24 VDC, 4 A unit with battery backup. The power supply mounts above the ceiling in the vestibule or in the electrical room, and low-voltage wire runs to the device through the frame and door hinge.
3. Power Transfer
Getting power from the frame to the door requires a power transfer hinge or a door-loop cord. Power transfer hinges hide the wiring inside the hinge barrel — cleaner install, no exposed cord. Door loops are cheaper but visible and vulnerable to vandalism.
4. Access Control Trigger
The ELR device needs a signal to retract the latch. This comes from the building's access control system — keypad, fob reader, intercom, or enterprise panel. The signal path is: credential → panel → relay → power supply → ELR device.
Code and Wiring Notes for Ontario
ELR devices operate on 24 VDC low voltage. In Ontario, low-voltage wiring for access control does not require an electrical permit or licensed electrician under the Ontario Electrical Safety Code — provided the circuit is Class 2 (under 100 VA). Most single-door ELR installations fall within this limit.
If the door is fire-rated, the fire alarm system must override the access control signal and cut power to the ELR device when the alarm activates. This forces the latch to extend, re-latching the door and restoring the fire separation. The fire alarm panel's auxiliary relay connects to the ELR power supply's alarm input. This tie-in must be tested annually under the Ontario Fire Code.
Adding access control hardware to an existing commercial door in Scarborough does not typically require a building permit unless you are modifying the opening dimensions or altering the egress path.
Electric Strike vs. ELR: The Decision Table
| Factor | Electric Strike | Electric Latch Retraction |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost per opening | $800–$1,500 | $1,200–$2,400 |
| Power draw | 0.15–0.5 A at 12/24 VDC | 0.5–3 A at 24 VDC |
| Handles door preload | Up to 75 lbs (Von Duprin 6200) | Not affected by preload |
| Fire-rated doors | Fail-secure only | Yes (fail-secure by design) |
| Sustained unlock mode | No (momentary release only) | Yes (holds latch retracted) |
| Noise | Click on release | 50–70 dB depending on motor/solenoid |
| Frame modification required | Yes (rectangular cutout) | No |
| Device modification required | No | Yes (retrofit kit or full device) |
For most Scarborough commercial entrances — especially storefronts with aluminum frames, HVAC systems, and panic hardware — ELR is the more reliable long-term choice. The upfront cost is higher, but you avoid the callbacks from strikes that fail to release under preload.
What the Install Looks Like
A typical ELR retrofit on a single commercial entrance in Scarborough takes 3–5 hours: site assessment, power supply mounting (24 VDC with battery backup, in the ceiling or electrical room), power transfer hinge or header-mount transfer installation, ELR kit mounting inside the panic bar body, access control relay connection, fire alarm tie-in if the door is rated, and a full function test. The door remains functional for egress throughout — at no point is the panic bar's push-to-exit function disabled.
Common Mistakes We See in Scarborough
Undersized power supplies. A solenoid-based ELR device draws up to 3 A on initial retraction. If the power supply is rated for only 1 A, the latch partially retracts and jams. We see this frequently on self-installed systems.
Missing power transfer. Someone runs wire through the hinge gap without a proper transfer device. The wire gets pinched and severed within months. The door stops responding to unlock signals, and the building manager assumes the access control system is broken.
Electric strikes on high-pressure doors. This is the most common mismatch. A strike is installed because it costs less, but the HVAC system creates enough preload that the strike only works intermittently. The fix is usually ripping out the strike and installing ELR — which costs more than doing ELR from the start.
No fire alarm integration on rated doors. The ELR device holds the latch retracted during business hours, but the fire alarm has no way to force it to re-latch. In a fire event, the door stays unlatched and the fire separation is compromised. This is a code violation and a life-safety risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an electric strike and electric latch retraction?
An electric strike replaces the standard strike plate in the door frame. When triggered, its keeper pivots to release the latchbolt. Electric latch retraction is built into the panic bar itself — a motor or solenoid inside the device physically pulls the latch back. With an electric strike the bar still needs to be pushed to exit; with ELR the latch retracts automatically and the door can be pushed or pulled open from either side. The practical difference comes down to where the action happens: frame side (strike) versus device side (ELR).
Can I add electric latch retraction to my existing panic bar?
In many cases, yes. Manufacturers like Von Duprin, Sargent, and Detex sell retrofit ELR kits that bolt into the existing exit device body. The kit includes a motor or solenoid, wiring harness, and mounting hardware. However, some older or budget-grade bars lack the internal cavity for the kit, so you would need a full device replacement. Before ordering parts, confirm the model number stamped on the device body and check the manufacturer's compatibility list.
Does electric latch retraction work on fire-rated doors?
Yes, and in many situations it is the only compliant option for remote unlocking. ELR is fail-secure — when power is cut, the latch extends and the door re-latches automatically. This satisfies NFPA 80 positive-latching requirements. Mechanical dogging is prohibited on fire-rated doors, making ELR the correct choice for fire-rated openings that need remote unlock capability. The fire alarm system must be wired to cut ELR power on alarm activation.
How much power does an ELR panic bar need?
Most ELR devices run on 24 VDC and draw between 0.5 A and 3 A depending on whether they use a motor or solenoid. Motor-driven units like the Von Duprin QEL draw around 0.65 A, while solenoid units can spike to 3 A on initial retraction. You typically need a dedicated power supply — a standard access control panel relay output cannot handle the load. Plan for a 24 VDC, 4 A power supply with battery backup for each ELR-equipped door.
Is electric latch retraction loud?
Solenoid-based ELR can produce a noticeable thunk when the latch retracts — roughly 70 dB, comparable to a vacuum cleaner heard from across a room. Motor-driven units like the Von Duprin QEL (Quiet Electric Latch retraction) are significantly quieter at around 50 dB, comparable to a normal conversation. For medical offices, dental clinics, or quiet commercial spaces in Scarborough, motor-driven ELR is the better choice.
Do I need a locksmith or a glazier for electric strike installation on a glass storefront door?
For aluminum-framed glass storefront doors — the standard configuration along the Golden Mile and in Scarborough strip malls — you need someone who understands both the glass framing system and the electrified hardware. At Installix, our technicians handle the frame prep, hardware mounting, wiring, and access control integration as a single scope of work. No need to coordinate between a locksmith, an electrician, and a glazier. You can reach us through our commercial glass repair page to get a quote for your Scarborough commercial entrance.