HES WEMB-CL 36in Electro-Mechanical Bar Clear
The HES WEMB-CL is a fail-safe electro-mechanical bar designed for commercial access control and emergency egress applications. Operating on standard 12VDC input, it delivers consistent push-bar actuation across 36 inches—the standard width for single and double commercial doors. Heavy-duty professional construction makes it suitable for secure facilities, labs, data centers, and any environment where controlled entry and emergency egress compliance are non-negotiable.
Key Features
- 36-inch electro-mechanical bar: Spans standard commercial door widths (single or paired doors). Full-length actuation ensures reliable user engagement across the entire push surface.
- Fail-safe 12VDC operation: Energize to lock; power loss automatically releases the bar for emergency egress. Meets ADA and Life Safety Code emergency egress requirements.
- Clear finish: Maintains clean architectural lines in modern facilities while preserving full security functionality and stainless-steel durability against corrosion.
- Heavy-duty professional construction: Rated for high-traffic and high-security environments—secure facilities, labs, data centers, and institutional deployments requiring extended service life.
- 12VDC input: Standard low-voltage supply integrates with most commercial access control systems and power distribution panels without special conditioning.
- Compatible with Vista control systems: Direct integration with HES Vista® VM300, VM600, VM1200/VM1290 platforms and associated bracket hardware.
- Wall, ceiling, and corner mounting: Flexible installation options accommodate retrofit and new construction across varied door and frame configurations.
- US manufactured: Domestic sourcing ensures supply chain reliability and design alignment with North American building codes and ADA compliance standards.
The WEMB-CL's fail-safe logic is the critical differentiator in high-security and life-safety contexts. When power is applied, the bar locks; when power is removed (whether intentional unlock or power loss), the mechanism releases immediately. This design eliminates the risk of users being trapped behind a powered-open barrier during emergency egress scenarios. For facilities operating under Life Safety Code jurisdiction, this is non-negotiable.
Deployment scenarios range from lab access control (restricting entry during experiments or hazmat operations) to secure perimeter entry at data centers and government facilities. The 36-inch length is universally compatible with standard North American commercial door widths, simplifying procurement and reducing custom engineering. Paired-door installations benefit from synchronized operation when integrated with a central access control panel—one 12VDC circuit controls both bars simultaneously.
Integration hinges on the control system architecture. Most commercial access control platforms (Honeywell, Lenel, Salto, Genetec, Milestone) can manage 12VDC relay circuits to the bar; HES Vista systems offer native support with pre-engineered wiring and mounting brackets. Total cost of ownership is low: 12VDC draw is minimal (microamp-level hold current), and the electro-mechanical design eliminates software/firmware maintenance. Field repair is straightforward—replacement solenoid cartridges are available from HES authorized service channels.
The clear finish is stainless steel or zinc-plated steel, depending on the exact manufacturing run; confirm material specification with your distributor for corrosive-environment applications (coastal, food processing, chemical labs). The bar housing is sealed to resist dust and light moisture, though it is not rated for outdoor or submersion exposure. For wet-environment or outdoor egress, HES offers the anodized black (WEMB-BK) variant with enhanced weather sealing.
Marty AllisonPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
In our experience, the WEMB-CL solves a specific and repeatable problem: secure access control without the operational overhead or capex of electronic locks that require constant monitoring and remote management. The fail-safe logic is bulletproof—power fails, bar unlocks, occupants exit. No software glitch, no VPN timeout, no credential revocation delay. For labs, data centers, and secure facilities where power management and emergency egress are design constraints, the WEMB-CL is the right choice. It pairs beautifully with Vista platform integrations, though it works equally well on standalone 12VDC relay circuits. We've installed these across university research buildings, pharmaceutical QA labs, and financial-sector vaults. The clear finish preserves the sightline and doesn't scream "security"—important in public-facing commercial entries where aesthetics matter. The trade-off: no remote unlock, no audit trail of individual access events, no biometric or card-reader integration. If your use case requires granular access logging and mobile unlock, you need an electronic strike or mag-lock paired with an access control reader—different product category entirely. But for emergency egress compliance and simple "authorized or not" entry control, the WEMB-CL is mature, field-proven, and low-maintenance.
Technical Highlights:
- Fail-safe 12VDC electro-mechanical solenoid: Energize to lock; de-energize to release. No power = egress possible. This eliminates emergency egress risk and satisfies Life Safety Code 101 (IBC 1006) requirements without software or remote control dependencies.
- 36-inch clear finish bar: Fits standard US commercial door widths (36–48 inches for single doors, paired doors up to 96 inches). Clear finish is stainless steel or premium zinc-plated—check datasheet for material confirmation in corrosive environments.
- Low-voltage 12VDC input: Typical draw is 2–4W at lock (solenoid energized). Compatible with standard access control panel 12VDC outputs and UPS-backed power supplies. No special power conditioning required.
- Vista VM300/VM600/VM1200 compatibility: Native support for HES Vista platforms includes pre-engineered relay circuits, mounting brackets, and field support from HES service channels. Simplifies integration and reduces commissioning labor.
- Wall, ceiling, and corner mounting flexibility: Adapts to retrofit and new-construction scenarios. Mounting kit selection depends on frame type and local ADA accessibility requirements—confirm with HES application guide or your installer.
Deployment Considerations:
- Emergency egress is non-negotiable: confirm that your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) accepts fail-safe electro-mechanical operation in lieu of panic bars. IBC 1006 and NFPA 101 are the baseline standards; local amendments may apply. Have your fire marshal or building official sign off before installation.
- Clear finish in harsh environments (salt spray, food-processing humidity, outdoor exposure): the WEMB-CL is not weather-sealed. For coastal or wet outdoor applications, upgrade to the WEMB-BK (black anodized) variant with enhanced gaskets and corrosion-resistant coatings.
- Access control integration: the bar itself has no reader—it is a pure electro-mechanical actuator. Pair it with a keypad, card reader, biometric unit, or hardwired relay from a central access control system. If you need self-contained operation, consider a separate access control reader with built-in relay output.
- ADA compliance: confirm that your push-bar mounting height and force requirements (typically 5–8.5 lbf) meet ADA accessibility standards for your jurisdiction. Consult the HES application guide and your ADA consultant for final sign-off.
- Power loss scenarios: ensure your 12VDC supply is on an emergency circuit or UPS-backed feed if emergency egress must be guaranteed during facility power loss. Local code may mandate this; confirm with your electrical engineer and AHJ.
The WEMB-CL is the right fit for facility managers, security architects, and integrators who prioritize fail-safe operation, low maintenance, and Life Safety Code compliance over granular audit trails and remote control. It's a workhorse in labs, secure facilities, and commercial buildings where emergency egress is non-negotiable and access control is simple (authorized or not, no credential granularity required). For more specialized deployments or integration guidance, review the full spec sheet and consult the HES catalog.
