From Codes to Climate, Many Factors Can Swing Product Selection

At first glance, it would seem that choosing the doors and accompanying hardware that make the most sense for a facility would be a fairly straightforward task. Not so.

"A door opening is fairly complicated," says Mike Tierney, standards coordinator with the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association.

"You have to know the size of the door, the swing of the door, and the preparation required for the hardware." In addition, the facility executive needs to estimate how often the door will be used and how much punishment - whether from would-be intruders, fire or the elements - it will have to endure. The facility executive also should be aware of any building codes with which the door will have to comply.

Planning and Codes

It makes sense for facility executives to focus on the types of doors and hardware that will be needed for a building early in the construction planning process. Even though the products won't actually be needed until construction is well underway, planning ahead can save time and money later on.

Facility executives who put off their analysis may end up having to rush through the buying decision as construction begins winding down. Or they may find that their first choice of door products isn't available when needed. That means they will need to find an alternative, says Claude Hollyfield, architectural hardware consultant and director of training with ASSA ABLOY Door Security Solutions.

In the worst cases, it becomes necessary to rip out work that's already completed. This can happen if the door hardware requires access to electricity, but this fact doesn't come to light until the walls surrounding the door already are in place, says Sean Ahrens, senior security consultant with Schirmer Engineering.

For instance, if a particular doorway will require a "request-to- exit" device, which allows someone inside the room to leave without setting off security alarms, it's best to plan for this early on. It typically costs more to install a single device at a time. Facility executives should plan ahead, and pull additional cables to support future technologies and sensors. This will minimize the need to go back and rip out walls already in place, says Ahrens.

Before deciding which products to purchase, the facility executive needs to know whether the doors and hardware will have to meet any building codes, says VaI Brushaber, first vice president of the Door Council of the American Architectural Manufacturers' Association, and director of product management, certification and architecture with Hurd Windows & Doors. Most codes cover several hazards, including design pressure and structural load, air filtration, and water penetration, Brushaber says.

Doors installed in high-rise buildings, as well as in facilities located in coastal areas, are most likely to have to meet building codes. For example, because of the hurricanes in the past few years, Florida has some of the toughest codes in the country. "If I'm in Florida, working on a major hotel, my design will be different than in Kansas City, because of hurricanes and corrosion due to salt water," says Jim Blakely, vice president with Certified Testing Lab.

Safe and Secure

Many municipalities also have local fire codes that require, for example, doors and locks to enable occupants to exit the building in emergencies. Most codes also specify that any doors installed in a firewall be rated for fire protection, Hollyfield says.

Facility executives need to balance the need for security with the need for life-safety, says Ahrens. Occupants need to be able to quickly exit a building during a fire or other emergency.

This can be accomplished in several ways. An office building may be secured with traditional electronic locks that de-activate when a fire alarm sounds. "Effective security in an emergency is when people can't go in, but they can get out," Ahrens says. However, some areas, such as stairwells, can never be locked. These areas of the facility should be identified.

Most doors also need to comply with codes that limit the height of the threshold or sill, Brushaber says. These regulations are designed to allow wheelchairs to easily traverse the doorway and to minimize the chance that people will trip over a protruding sill.

In addition, some building codes require the products installed to meet certification standards set by independent third parties, such as the American Architectural Manufacturers Association or the Window and Door Manufacturers Association, says Brushaber.

Overlooking code requirements for doors and door hardware in the planning process can have serious consequences when construction is done. If the doors and hardware installed in a facility fail to meet applicable codes, the building code official or fire marshal may "red tag" the building. That is, the official can refuse to let occupants inside until the deficiencies are corrected, Brushaber says.

More To Consider

Another attribute to consider is the exterior finish. Some facility executives choose a certain type of door - solid wood, for example - because they like they way it looks when first installed. But it is also important to consider the impact of the outside elements on the door's appearance. Wooden exterior doors can quickly degrade when exposed to sun, snow and extreme temperatures. While this doesn't mean that they shouldn't be used, facility executives should consider the upkeep required to maintain their appearance.

The finishes on doors and hardware in coastal areas also are vulnerable to degradation from salt spray. The hardware should be stainless steel or coated with a corrosion-resistant finish. "Otherwise, it will rust and lock up," says Brushaber.

It's not just the elements that put doors to the test. Many doors must withstand frequent use and even abuse. For instance, door levers installed in schools are at the mercy of students who often jump up and repeatedly pull on them.

Even in locations where security isn't an urgent concern, facility executives should carefully plan door hardware that can deliver results. For example, facility executives often place lightweight locks in restroom stalls. Given the wear-and-tear that these locks experience, it can pay to invest in heavier locks at the outset.

Assessing the Risks

Exterior doors also need to protect building occupants and contents from people who aren't supposed to enter. That's why facility executives need to assess the security threats facing the doors they're installing, says Hollyfield.

For an entry that requires greater security, a facility executive may choose a 16-gauge, rather than 18-gauge steel door, Hollyfield says. A door on a detention facility may be heavier yet, at 14 gauge.

Not surprisingly, a heavier door requires heavier hinges, says Brushaber. "You want to make sure the hinges can handle the weight of the door over the long term."

The choice of lock also contributes to door security. Locks come in two grades: 1 and 2. According to Schlage Commercial Security Products, Grade 2 locks typically suffice when the goal simply is to keep most people from entering a room. However, Grade 1 locks are stronger and do a better job of truly securing a building or room. In addition, Grade 1 locks that meet American National Standards Institute (ANSI) / Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) requirements typically have shown in tests that they will hold up for a higher number of door closings and openings.

Often, locks that offer more security are multipoint, says Brushaber. When locked, they connect the door to the frame at several points, including the lock itself, and at the top of the frame and at the sill. "This will give the best seal," she says.

Of course, it doesn't make sense to focus all one's attention on secure doors and hardware, and none on the surrounding materials. "If you have a solid oak door with access control and a deadbolt, but the adjacent wall is just drywall, a determined criminal will go through that," says Ahrens. "It's the path of least resistance you need to consider when applying physical security countermeasures or controls."

It's helpful to think about security when choosing the door and hardware design, rather than later in the process. For instance, Ahrens says he regularly receives calls from architects who've purchased solid glass doors for the front of an office building because of their aesthetic appeal, and then they have to try to secure them with electronic access control. The need to create an attractive facility should be balanced with the need to create a secure environment.

Bring in the Experts

Given the myriad considerations that go into the purchase of doors and door hardware, and the fact that many facility executives are not experts on the topics, engaging an independent door expert can be worth the cost, says Tierney. "It pays to have people that know this." An example would be an architectural hardware consultant certified through the Door Hardware Institute.

During the construction process, the facility executive should regularly meet with the designer and contractors to discuss the doors and door hardware to be installed. Tierney recommends developing a schedule that identifies each door and doorway in the facility u\nder construction or renovation. The schedule should list the door's location, its characteristics - for instance, does it open to the inside or outside - and any special requirements. For example, does the door in a specific area need to be fire-rated?

Along with a door schedule, a master key schedule is helpful, Tierney says. This document identifies the master keys and change keys associated with all the doors in a building. A master key can open several locks; a change key opens a specific lock.

Because most purchases of door hardware are special orders, facility executives need to be accurate when specifying products. "If you order the wrong thing, you're out the cash you paid for the equipment," says Ahrens.

Finally, it makes sense to avoid the temptation to specify doors and hardware on the cheap. After all, these devices are charged with securing both the occupants and equipment inside a building. "If you scrimp on price, you're typically scrimping on quality," says Brushaber.

For links to supplier Web sites go to

WWW.FACILITIESNET.COM/BOM

TIMELY

The TA-30 Colonial steel door frame for multi-housing construction features a wood look. This prefinished frame meets fire ratings and is suited for interior drywall in both steel and wood stud construction. Full-perimeter anchoring surpasses the door holding capacity of hollow metal frames. The product can be installed by one person and is available in 6 stock designer colors of polyester coatings, 29 custom colors and unlimited custom matching. CIRCLE #250

ADAMS RITE

The Rite door has modular construction and factory-installed hardware to cut installation costs. The product's only maintenance requirement is annual greasing of the latching hardware. The low- profile pushbar, when used with the company's exit devices, helps the door meet ADA guidelines for clear opening width. CIRCLE #251

STANLEY SECURITY

The Alternate Throughbolt option for the company's BEST 9K locks expands the system's retrofit and keying retrofit capabilities. Among the strongest cylindrical locks in the industry for resistance to lever torque, according to the company, it is designed with the lever return springs located in the chassis, rather than the rose. It offers reversible lockset for either hand of door.

CIRCLE #252

KAWNEER

The company's Medium Stile 350 heavy wall entrance is designed for heavy traffic areas. The door has 3/16-inch walls throughout and two framing options. To resist lever arm and torsion forces, the product features dual-moment corner construction with four sigma deep penetration and filet welds plus mechanical fastening at each corner. The product has a limited lifetime warranty. CIRCLE #253

MARVIN

The company's commercial door includes a commercial hardware package with rim or mortise operating hardware, closer and removable mullions. Six-inch stiles and top rails fit a variety of hardware and concealing closing mechanisms. The product meets ADA requirements with a bottom rail height of 11-3/8 inches, a net clear opening of 32 inches and a standard low-profile sill. CIRCLE #254

ASSA ABLOY DOOR SECURITY SOLUTIONS

ReadySet commercial preassembled doors, frames and hardware are prefinished and fit into place on the job site. All individual components of a doorway - frame, door, hinges, locking hardware and closers - are assembled beforehand. The product then fits in place over the drywall. The second frame piece is set in place, creating a complete opening in less than 10 minutes, according to the company.

CIRCLE #255

SCHLAGE

The AL series keyed lever locks use the company's Aseries cylindrical chassis with lever designs supported by heavy-duty spring cages. The design provides strength in abusive commercial Grade 2 applications. The product includes threaded hubs and locking nuts that bolt the lock chassis to the door to prevent loosening. The interlocking spindle design gives internal strength to the lock. CIRCLE #256

ALARM-LOCK

The company's PowerMag electromagnetic locks and PowerExit request-to-exit buttons provide egress in an emergency as soon as power is cut. The locks are available for single, double and sliding doors, and have no moving parts. The request-to-exit buttons come in five models; illuminated buttons are optional. All models have solid aluminum anodized finish US28. CIRCLE #257

SARGENT

The Studio Collection offers a wide selection of designer levers and hardware that are meant to go together - mortise and tubular locks, access control locks, exit devices and master key systems. The product is intended for highend applications. CIRCLE #262

STEELCRAFT

The L-series steel doors are designed to meet the architectural requirements of full-flush doors. A honeycomb core provides structural integrity. The continuous bonding of core to metal provides an absolutely flat door. According to the company, tests have shown the products' high resistance to impact damage and low thermal conductivity and have validated the STC ratings of the products. CIRCLE #261

YALE

The Lumi-Lite photoluminescent door hardware coating illuminates an exit during a power outage. Under normal conditions, the coating is barely noticeable, but continually charges from ambient light sources. When light is diminished, the product emits a bright yellow- green glow that identifies the nearest exit. The product requires no power source. CIRCLE #260

HAGER

The company's anti-friction bearing hinges offer a smooth, gliding, rotating action recommended for heavy doors, doors receiving high frequency use or doors requiring silent operation. They are suited for hollow metal doors and doors equipped with door closers. The product's onepiece cup protects the bearings. It supports no weight so that it is not subjected to functional friction, pressure or wear. CIRCLE #259

DORMA

The company's serialized key control system includes a national network of authorized key makers using a Web-based tracking system. The program uses keys that are laser-engraved with unique serial numbers, allowing distributors and key makers to stock key blanks and cylinders. The Web-based tracking tool provides a historical record of the keys issued to each company. Dealers and locksmiths verify end-user authorization at the secure site. End-users can track their key duplication history without sending any personal information or key bittings over the Internet. CIRCLE #258

SPECIAL-LITE

The company's fire-rated AMP-clad door (model SL-22) provides the appearance of traditional wood. It passes the 1-1/2-hour positive pressure test, hose stream test and 250 F temperature rise test to achieve Warnock Hersey listing for fire-rated applications. The product is available with 30-, 45-, 60- or 90-minute fire ratings. CIRCLE #263

SECURITRON

The company manufactures a wide variety of exit push buttons for security applications. All units are mechanical except for the SP- 1, which uses touch-sensing technology. The products are mounted on brushed stainless steel plates and include an exit prompt instruction for each model. Hookup is from colored flying leads or labeled screw terminals. 45-, 60- or 90-minute fire ratings. CIRCLE #264

DOR-O-MATIC

The LCN No Leak commercial series of closers features cast-iron cylinder construction, VShield sealing technology and a 10-year guarantee not to leak. The 1070 closers fit most common commercial applications. The 1370 closers are fastest and easiest to install, and the 1460 closers are designed for versatility and have multiple cover options available. CIRCLE #265

TOTAL DOOR

The company's standard exit device is a narrow 1 5/16-inch projection, which allows a 32-inch clear width in a 36-inch opening. The product comes in a standard 24-inch width. All locking functions are available, including electric. Custom widths are available. CIRCLE #268

ANDERSEN

The company's architectural commercial entry double panel rectangle door is available in standard or custom sizes. It features a low-profile, mill-finished sill with optional bronze or brass anodized finishes. The product's aluminum cladding meets AMMA 2605 standards. It is available in standard and custom jamb widths up to 11-1/2 inches. CIRCLE #266

SELECT PRODUCTS

The company's geared continuous hinges are protected by a continuous warranty, which covers any hinge failure under normal use with no expiration date and is backed by 25 million cycles in independent testing - 10 times beyond Grade 1 cycle count. Pair- matched hinge leaves, lifetime lubrication and anodizing after machining are designed to ensure reliable performance. Stainless steel pin and barrel continuous hinges are also available. CIRCLE #267

A KEY CONSIDERATION IS WHETHER DOORS WILL BE REQUIRED TO MEET BUILDING CODES

MARSHFIELD

The Signature Series of environmental class doors features hardware machining, lite openings, applied moulding, positive pressure fire-labels, and style items, such as a variety of veneer species. The product is available with company's Enviroclad UV finish, a collage of water-based stains and UV-cured topcoats that prevent the release of volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere.

CIRCLE #269

PELLA

The company's commercial out-swing hinged entrances offer a wood interior and an aluminum-clad exterior. The product features a 1/2- inch low-profile sill, available in three finish options, and four commercial hinges per panel. To provide accessibility to people with disabilities, the product has a 12-inch smooth uninterrupted surface on the bottom rail and 32-inch clear opening.

CIRCLE #270

Standards and Certification

One way that facility executives can be confident that a particular door or set of hardware will stand up to the use it will get is by looking for products that meet industry standards or are certified.

Several organizations play a role in setting standards for doors and hardware; these standards often are incorporated into state and local building codes. BUILDERS HARDWARE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION (B\HMA), for example, develops the AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE standards for builders' hardware, says MikeTierney, standards coordinator with the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association.

The AMERICAN ARCHITECTURAL MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION (AAMA) primarily focuses on setting standards for windows, says Dean Lewis, manager of product certification. However, AAMA, along with the WINDOW & DOOR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION (WDMA) and the CANADIAN STANDARDS ASSOCIATION (CSA) have developed a new standard, AAMA/ WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440-05, that covers windows, doors and skylights, he says. The standard tests for air-leakage resistance, water penetration, and structural integrity. Because the standard was recently completed, it likely will be another year or so before state and local bodies begin incorporating it into their building codes, Lewis says.

In addition to standards, facility executives will want to consider the benefits of certified products. Certification indicates that the product has been tested by an independent organization and meets or exceeds established criteria. Certified products also are manufactured at facilities that must pass regular unannounced inspections, and that follow quality assurance guidelines, says Lewis. BHMA certifies products in several dozen categories, including power operated doors, exit locks and alarms and hinges. Go to WWW.BUILDERSHARDWARE.COM for more information on standards and product certification.

- Karen Kroll

CONSIDER THE IMPACT OUTSIDE ELEMENTS HAVE ON THE DOOR'S APPEARANCE

BY KAREN KROLL, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Karen Kroll, a contributing editor for Building Operating Management, is a freelance writer who has written extensively about real estate and facility issues.

E-mail comments to edward.sullivan@tradepress.com.

Copyright Trade Press Publishing Company Dec 2006

(c) 2006 Building Operating Management. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.