the prior art with which the present invention may be used fig1 a is a view of a mortise type latching mechanism actuated by a touch plate that is mounted on a portion of a door fig1 b is a view of a vertical rod type of latching mechanism fig1 c is a side schematic view of a rim type latching mechanism these different types of door latching mechanisms are presented by way of example to display the variety of latching mechanisms used and not so as to limit the scope of the invention the present invention may be used with other electromechanical door latching configurations incorporating a solenoid such as horizontal roller door latching mechanisms panic exit door latching device 9 has a housing 11 mounted on a door 10 and having a touch plate 13 supported for movement outwardly and inwardly that is coupled to a switch not shown to activate a latch bolt actuator assembly 21 the touch plate 13 when pressed actuates a two stage solenoid 17 having primary and secondary coils not shown that move an armature 19 linked to the latch bolt actuator mechanism 21 in the first stage the primary coil the of solenoid 17 retracts the solenoid armature 19 the armature 19 is coupled to the latch bolt actuator assembly 21.