Camden CM-RQE70A PIR Request to Exit Detector

We've installed the CM-RQE70A in over 80 retrofit and new-build access-control projects—everything from office-building stairwell egress to laboratory secure-area exits and hospital pharmacy corridors. What sets this detector apart is its complete self-sufficiency: no panel firmware update, no API call, no advanced analytics required. A technician walks up to the door frame, mounts the unit (wall or ceiling), powers it on, lets it self-test for 30 seconds, then customizes one of four detection patterns via the button interface. Done. The relief on a facilities manager's face when you tell them "no request button ever needs replacing" is real. In our experience, the single biggest failure mode in access-control egress systems is a mechanical push-button that sticks, gets vandalized, or develops a corroded contact. The CM-RQE70A eliminates that entire failure surface. From a TCO perspective, over 10 years, you're saving labor on button replacement, facility downtime due to egress troubleshooting, and the capex cost of hardened vandal-resistant buttons. The trade-off is occupant behavior: some facilities with high visitor turnover (retail, hospitality) report occasional false releases if two people approach the door within 3 seconds—but that's a facility-specific calibration issue, not a product defect, and is solved by moving the detector 6 inches higher or adjusting the detection mode to a narrower sensitivity band.

Technical Highlights:

• Form C Relay Outputs (2x, momentary/latching): Direct strike control without intermediate relay boards. Typical draw is 100–300mA per coil (depending on lock type); confirm your 30VDC supply is rated for 500mA+ per detector to avoid voltage sag on multi-unit runs.
• Four Operating Modes (Field-Selectable): Modes 1–4 correspond to detection range (~3–8 feet typical) and occupancy timeout (0–60 seconds latching window). We've found Mode 2 covers 70% of corridor widths; Mode 3 for wider hallways; Mode 4 for high-traffic entry/exit zones with frequent dual-occupancy risk. No panel reboot, no service call—integrators love this.
• UL 294 & ULC-S319 Compliance: Your AHJ will accept this in any life-safety egress line without exception letters or variance requests. Certification is non-negotiable in healthcare, secure facilities, and high-occupancy buildings—this detector is pre-vetted.
• Self-Test Audible Codes: Single beep = sensor healthy; burst-short-long = IR drift (replace sensor module); double-short = button stuck; long = voltage out of range. Facilities staff can troubleshoot before calling your dispatch.
• Secondary Input Bus: Accepts card readers, keypads, door-position switches, and hardwired buttons in parallel without blocking IR operation. A badge reader on the same door can trigger strike; occupant can also exit via IR if reader is offline.

Deployment Considerations:

• IR performance degrades in direct sunlight near glass doors—if your egress door is south-facing and receives afternoon glare, test the detector's behavior at that time of day before final installation. Consider a slight overhang or frame recess to shade the sensor.
• Corridor width should match detection mode: narrower corridors need Mode 1 or 2 to avoid false releases from passing traffic in adjacent hallways. Wide stairwells (12+ feet) may need Mode 3 or 4. Ask the customer about peak occupancy and typical exit flow before selecting mode.
• 30VDC power supply must have local 24VDC reference for the control panel's sense line if you're integrating with older Honeywell or Kaba systems. Verify wiring diagram compatibility on the datasheet before energizing.
• Tamper switch is active (closes circuit when cover removed). If your access-control panel has a tamper input, wire it to a dedicated zone or output so facility staff are alerted immediately if someone opens the detector enclosure.
• Mount height recommendation is 4.5–5.5 feet on the door frame (pedestrian eye level). Overhead ceiling mount works for high-traffic areas where frame obstruction is a concern, but test the detection angle in your actual space first.
• The sounder is adjustable; disable it on sensitive environments (hospitals, libraries) or enable it in high-noise areas (loading docks) where visual feedback alone isn't reliable. Setting is retained in EEPROM—one programming session, no battery backup needed.

The CM-RQE70A is the right choice for facilities that want egress simplicity, compliance certainty, and zero maintenance headaches. If you're speccing access control for a multi-floor office, hospital, or secure-access building, this detector solves the egress-request problem elegantly. Explore the full range of Cambridge access-control sensors and controllers in the Camden catalog.