Doors are designed to open and close in order to control traffic and building environment. Sometimes a door needs to be held open for an extended period of time. The best solution in commercial applications is to invest in an overhead door holder or stop. These devices are designed to lock a door open securely until the locking mechanism is released. When choosing overhead holders and stops, take note of door design and how frequently it will be locked open.
Holders and stops can be designed as interior/exterior or as only one or the other. Exterior applications or installations in any environment where corrosion may be a factor require holders/stops constructed of stainless steel or brass. Steel is acceptable in interior installations, although many users consider brass designs more attractive. Make sure you choose the appropriate mechanism for your application.
The most functional holders and stops are surface-mounted. These allow the user to easily and quickly lock the door open and then release it through the use of a thumbturn. The best designs allow the hold-open feature to be turned on and off. The user can preset the mechanism to act only as a door stop or as a hold opener when the door is fully open. In addition, look for overhead holders that allow dead-stop templating; this feature allows the holder to be set to stop opening once it reaches a particular point. For example, the user could set the door to never open beyond 110 degrees. This prevents the door from swinging open wildly and banging into a wall or another door installed back-to-back.
Surface-mounted overhead door holders/stops should be chosen to match the door size and usage. Most models will use specifications such as industrial use, heavy-duty, high-traffic, medium- or light-duty. Work closely with the supplier to make sure you get the right product for your application. Also, be sure to specify whether you need a stop only or a hold-and-stop mechanism.
Finish may not be a concern in industrial applications, but retail buildings, hospitals, schools, and entertainment venues may want to use door holders and stops that complement the architecture of the building. Luckily, the finest holders and stops come in a variety of finishes, including satin stainless steel, polished stainless steel, chrome coating, polished brass, satin brass, satin bronze and oil-rubbed bronze.
Finally, if your holders/stops will be installed on fire doors, you must be sure to select models, such as the Glynn-Johnson 90 series, that are UL labeled as “miscellaneous fire door accessories.” This ensures that the hardware does not in any way adversely impact the fire rating of the door.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Secure the Doors
Entrance and exit doors of commercial facilities, whether an office building, retail store, or manufacturing facility, require security features that stand up to normal usage and forced entry. Security can be enhanced with the proper commercial door locks whether or not the door will be wired into an alarm system.
When purchasing locks and other door hardware, building owners should look for security features that include tamper resistant locks, reinforcers that prevent kick-ins, push-pad devices that resist prying, and concealed mounting screws.
Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies offers several lines of commercial door hardware for the security-conscious building manager, including Schlage, Falcon, Glynn-Johnson, Ives, Dor-O-Matic, Monarch, Von Duprin and LCN. The hardware selections include locks, deadlocks, trim, exit devices and door closers. A commercial door outfitted with products from any of these product lines is a more secure door than one utilizing inferior generic products purchased at do-it-yourself home improvement stores.
Buyers may be particularly interested in products such as the Von Duprin GUARD-X Exit Device. This product is designed for use on secondary emergency exit doors and is already clearly marked as "exit only." It is also alarm code compliant to interface with the building alarm system. This is an excellent product for retail establishments such as restaurants, grocery stores and discount stores.
Facilities that require monitored access may want to install electromagnetic door holders such as the LCN SEM7800 Series Magnet. The magnets hold the door closed until the current is interrupted. These devices can be used on doors monitored by personnel or by 24-hour keypad access. This product is a good choice for hospitals and limited access facilities. Another option for doors leading into limited access areas is door hardware designed with delayed access features. Von Duprin's patented "Chexit" hardware provides a self-contained system for controlling access.
Even with modern security practices, deadlocks play an important role in securing a building. The finest deadlocks are constructed with solid brass cylinders and include a metal dust box reinforcer with three-inch screws. When shopping for deadlocks for an exterior door, look for locks specified for heavy-duty applications and carrying the ANSI A156.5, 2001, Grade 1 certification, such as the Schlage B600-Series.
When purchasing locks and other door hardware, building owners should look for security features that include tamper resistant locks, reinforcers that prevent kick-ins, push-pad devices that resist prying, and concealed mounting screws.
Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies offers several lines of commercial door hardware for the security-conscious building manager, including Schlage, Falcon, Glynn-Johnson, Ives, Dor-O-Matic, Monarch, Von Duprin and LCN. The hardware selections include locks, deadlocks, trim, exit devices and door closers. A commercial door outfitted with products from any of these product lines is a more secure door than one utilizing inferior generic products purchased at do-it-yourself home improvement stores.
Buyers may be particularly interested in products such as the Von Duprin GUARD-X Exit Device. This product is designed for use on secondary emergency exit doors and is already clearly marked as "exit only." It is also alarm code compliant to interface with the building alarm system. This is an excellent product for retail establishments such as restaurants, grocery stores and discount stores.
Facilities that require monitored access may want to install electromagnetic door holders such as the LCN SEM7800 Series Magnet. The magnets hold the door closed until the current is interrupted. These devices can be used on doors monitored by personnel or by 24-hour keypad access. This product is a good choice for hospitals and limited access facilities. Another option for doors leading into limited access areas is door hardware designed with delayed access features. Von Duprin's patented "Chexit" hardware provides a self-contained system for controlling access.
Even with modern security practices, deadlocks play an important role in securing a building. The finest deadlocks are constructed with solid brass cylinders and include a metal dust box reinforcer with three-inch screws. When shopping for deadlocks for an exterior door, look for locks specified for heavy-duty applications and carrying the ANSI A156.5, 2001, Grade 1 certification, such as the Schlage B600-Series.
Always Use Commercial Grade Door Hardware
Small business owners may be tempted to save some money by purchasing and installing the residential or standard-duty grade door knobs and locks available at their local hardware store. However, what seems like money saved could actually end up being money wasted. Residential/standard door hardware is not designed to withstand the usage of commercial applications. In addition, the construction of the hardware is not robust enough to withstand a would-be burglar's attempts to kick in or pry open a door.
Door knobs are tested to withstand a certain level of usage or number of cycles. Standard duty locks typically are rated for 400,000 cycles. Heavy duty commercial knobs are rated at 800,000 cycles. That means it should last twice as long as the standard knob. In essence, a business owner would need to budget for two standard locks for every one commercial lock. In addition to monetary expense, a broken knob means an unsecured door and time wasted in replacing the lock.
Commercial hardware is also constructed of solid metals, including brass, bronze and cold-forged steel, that make them stronger than residential locks. Mounting screws typically are hidden and the knobs or levers are designed to resist tampering. In addition, commercial locks are available to meet fire codes and emergency exit door specifications to help keep the business owner in compliance with local laws.
Finally, business owners would be wise to read the warranty on any lock labeled as residential or standard duty. Normally, the warranty is void if the lock is installed in a commercial facility. That means that if the lock malfunctions the business owner cannot file a warranty claim with the manufacturer since the warranty was void the minute the residential lock was installed in the business.
For a variety of reasons, including durability, security, safety and warranty considerations, every commercial building, including the smallest of businesses, should install quality commercial door hardware. What may seem like an upfront higher cost is actually money (and peace of mind) saved in the long run.
Door knobs are tested to withstand a certain level of usage or number of cycles. Standard duty locks typically are rated for 400,000 cycles. Heavy duty commercial knobs are rated at 800,000 cycles. That means it should last twice as long as the standard knob. In essence, a business owner would need to budget for two standard locks for every one commercial lock. In addition to monetary expense, a broken knob means an unsecured door and time wasted in replacing the lock.
Commercial hardware is also constructed of solid metals, including brass, bronze and cold-forged steel, that make them stronger than residential locks. Mounting screws typically are hidden and the knobs or levers are designed to resist tampering. In addition, commercial locks are available to meet fire codes and emergency exit door specifications to help keep the business owner in compliance with local laws.
Finally, business owners would be wise to read the warranty on any lock labeled as residential or standard duty. Normally, the warranty is void if the lock is installed in a commercial facility. That means that if the lock malfunctions the business owner cannot file a warranty claim with the manufacturer since the warranty was void the minute the residential lock was installed in the business.
For a variety of reasons, including durability, security, safety and warranty considerations, every commercial building, including the smallest of businesses, should install quality commercial door hardware. What may seem like an upfront higher cost is actually money (and peace of mind) saved in the long run.
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