Dogging?

"Dogging” means holding the latch of a panic device in the retracted position...creating a push/pull function rather than a latching function. It is done by turning a set screw in the panic device bar. When the panic device is dogged, it is unlocked (unlatched) and you can just pull on the door to open it from the outside. When the panic device is not dogged, it is latched and you need a lever on the outside or a key to open the door.

The dogging feature is not available on fire-rated doors that have, as they should, a fire rated panic device on them as fire doors need to be self-latching...meaning the door must latch when it closes so it stays closed during a fire. If a panic device was dogged, it would not latch and could swing open freely.