Ceco Door Commercial Steel Door and Frame Correspondence Course 157

Chapter 7

This section provides information on exit devices, closers, and other miscellaneous types of hardware as well as the respective door and frame preparations available from Ceco. The items of hardware included in this section will not be used on every door, but they will be required often enough that you should know and understand what each is, how it is used, and what the preparation is like.

What Are They?

How Are They Used?

What Are the Preparation Requirements?

Exit Devices, Closers and Misc. Hardware

Chapter 7 - Exit Devices, Closers and Misc. Hardware

Ceco Door Commercial Steel Door and Frame Correspondence Course158

Panic and Fire Exit Hardware Device

Exit devices serve the same function as other locks and latches by holding a door in the latched position and providing security. In addition, exit devices are constructed to permit instant egress from a building or an area in case of an emergency, and they must therefore be installed only on outswing doors. To provide unhindered egress, a “crossbar” extends across the door, and any pressure that is exerted against it automatically retracts the latch bolt, thereby allowing the door to open. The five types of exit devices are the mortise device, the rim device, the multi-point exit device, and the surface and concealed vertical rod devices. The multi-point exit device has a rim exit horizontal latching point and vertical rod latching points, and is not shown on the following pages.

The Mortise Exit Device

The mortise exit device fits a standard mortise lock cutout in the door. The exit device operation from inside the building or room is by the crossbar which is attached to the door at both ends through lever arm cases or low profile push bar. The strike plate used with a mortise device fits in the standard ANSI 4-7/8" frame preparation.

Features: • Closed Position • Security • Instant Egress • Outswing Only Installation • Used in Public Assembly Areas

Figure 7-2ANSI Strike Plate

Figure 7-3Mortise Exit Device

Figure 7-1Mortise Exit Device

Chapter 7 - Exit Devices, Closers and Misc. Hardware

Ceco Door Commercial Steel Door and Frame Correspondence Course Ceco Door Commercial Steel Door and Frame Correspondence Course 159

Exit Devices

The Rim Exit Device

The rim exit device is surface-mounted on the face of the door. One lever arm case is also a lock case containing all the latching mechanisms for the unit. Since the latch bolt projects from the lock case, instead of the door edge, the strike is surface-mounted on the frame stop. The frame must be reinforced before mounting the surface strike plate and thus gives excellent protection against attempts at unlawful entry.

Features:• Added security, thus the most widely used device• Easy installation• Adjustable strike

Figure 7-4ARim Exit Device

Figure 7-4Rim Exit Device

Figure 7-5Frame-Mounted Surface Strike

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Exit Devices

The Vertical Rod Device

Vertical rod devices are also surface-mounted, and crossbar operation is the same as for a rim device. The latching, however, is by means of vertical rods which extend from the lock case to the top and bottom of the door where they engage with strike plates attached to the frame head and floor respectively. A vertical rod device is installed on the inactive leaf of a pair of doors, or two devices can be used on pairs of doors where both leaves are active and no mullion is used. Note: All exit devices used in conjunction with labeled fire doors must have the “dogging” feature eliminated and must bear the Underwriter’s label for fire exit hardware (F.E.H.). “Dogging” is the feature that locks the panic bar into the egress position, which is not allowed on labeled fire doors. A modern exit device is now marketed which utilizes a latch activated by a push bar sometimes referred to as touch bar. With the touchbar, the exit device cannot be chained shut for mortise, rim and vertical rod exit devices.

Figure 7-6Surface Mounted Vertical Rod Exit Device

Figure 7-7Old Crossbar Design vs. Modern Touch Bar Design

Chapter 7 - Exit Devices, Closers and Misc. Hardware

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Exit Devices

Figure 7-8Concealed Vertical Rod Exit Device

Figure 7-9Gravity Type Coordinator

Concealed Vertical Rod Exit Device

A concealed vertical rod exit device installs inside the door. The latching mechanism is concealed at the lock stile edge. This method of installation improves the appearance; however, the installation and maintenance becomes more difficult. The cases, crossbars or touch bars are surface mounted.

Door Coordinators

A coordinator is a mechanism used with pairs of self-closing doors that have an overlapping astragal attached. The coordinator assures that the correct door closes first; therefore preventing a non-latching condition.

Figure 7-8AConcealed Vertical Rod Exit Device

Chapter 7 - Exit Devices, Closers and Misc. Hardware

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Door Closers

A door closer is a device that will automatically close a door quietly, efficiently, and with controllable speeds. There are various types and designs of door closers, and many are adaptable to different installation requirements. The door closer is classified in two categories: the overhead type illustrated on this page and the floor check type as shown previously. Sometimes a hold-open feature is required. In some areas of a building, it is desirable to have a door stand open during certain times of the day as may be dictated by traffic, convenience, or ventilation. Most door closers can be specified with this “hold-open” feature.

This mechanism is built into the arm of the closer and can hold the door open at 90° or more. When the closer is manually pulled from this hold-open point, it will close normally. If the closer is opened to less than the hold-open point, it also will close in its normal fashion. The two types of overhead door closers are surface mounted and concealed. The regular arm overhead door closers are always surface-mounted and are the best choice for power and efficiency. Normally the body of the closer is attached to the door, and the arm is connected to the face of the frame head. The installation should be limited to interior doors or inswinging exterior doors.

Figure 7-10Regular Arm Closer Application

Chapter 7 - Exit Devices, Closers and Misc. Hardware

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Door Closers

Parallel Arm

The parallel arm overhead door closer is another solution for use on exterior doors. This closer is installed on the frame-stop side of the door, and the closer arm is attached to the frame soffit. When the door is closed, the arms of the closer are parallel to the face of the door. Choose one size larger closer than normal to overcome a loss of power due to the parallel arm mounting position. This closure has approximately 25% less power than a regular arm closer.

Top Jamb Mounted

The top jamb mounted overhead door closer is a non-handed “modern” type and offers the best choice for outswinging exterior doors. The compact body of the closer can be mounted on the face of the frame head member with the arm fastened to the stop face of the door. In this position, its function and efficiency is the same as in regular arm closer mounting. In addition, it allows the installation of separate overhead holders, in most instances, without special brackets or plates.

Figure 7-11Parallel Arm Closer

Figure 7-12Top Jamb-Mounted Closer

Chapter 7 - Exit Devices, Closers and Misc. Hardware

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Door Closers

Corner Brackets

The regular arm overhead door closer presentedpreviously can be used on outswinging exterior doors, but the installation must be changed so the closer will be on the inside of the building and not exposed to the elements. To accomplish this, the closer can be mounted on a corner bracket which is attached to the frame, with the arm fastened to the door. This is usually not acceptable unless overhead stops are also required.

Figure 7-13Corner Bracket Closer

Chapter 7 - Exit Devices, Closers and Misc. Hardware

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In door closer terminology, the word, “concealed,”refers only to the fact that the body of the closer is concealed. Variations in arm applications include both concealed and exposed.

Overhead Closers: Concealed Types

Figure 7-14Concealed in Head with Exposed Arm

Figure 7-16Concealed in Door with Exposed Arm

Figure 7-15Concealed in head with Concealed Arm

Figure 7-17Concealed in Transom Bar with Concealed Arm

Chapter 7 - Exit Devices, Closers and Misc. Hardware

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Concealed In-Floor Closer (7-18)

A center hung double acting floor closer allows the door to swing in either direction.

Concealed In-Floor Closer (7-19)

Single-acting type. It supports the door and is hung offset. Types for doors independently hung on butts or offset pivots also are available. A single-acting closer may also be center-hung.

Offset Pivot Set with Intermediate Pivot

Bottom pivot is floor-mounted. Jamb-mountedbottom pivots also are available. The bottom pivot supports most of the door weight. The top pivot fastens to the head jamb and the top of the door so the screws can provide better holding power against lateralmovement. The intermediate pivot supports some weight but primarily holds the door in alignment.

Floor Closers: Concealed

Figure 7-18Concealed In-Floor Closer Double Acting

Figure 7-19Concealed In-Floor Closer Single Acting

Figure 7-20Top Pivot

Chapter 7 - Exit Devices, Closers and Misc. Hardware

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Overhead Door Holders

Overhead door holders are mounted on the face or mortised into the top of the door. They serve two purposes: to hold the door open as required, and to provide shock resistance to violently opened doors. They are available in several designs and can be used with or without door closers.

Figure 7-21Overhead Holders

Chapter 7 - Exit Devices, Closers and Misc. Hardware

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Bolts

Doors that are used in pairs may have one leaf active, like a single door, and one leaf inactive, to be opened only at certain times. The inactive leaf serves the same function as a strike jamb for the active door. Therefore, a way must be provided to hold the inactive door securely in the closed position. This can be accomplished by means of “bolts” extending from the top and bottom of the door. When the “bolts” are applied to the face of the door, they are called surface bolts; when installed in cutouts provided in the edge of the door, they are called flush extension bolts, or more commonly, flush bolts.

Figure 7-22Surface Bolt

Figure 7-23Flush Bolt

Chapter 7 - Exit Devices, Closers and Misc. Hardware

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Flush Bolts

There are many variations of flush bolts. The more common flush bolts are shown below. Due to the variety of frame types, the selection of the most appropriate type of strike is particularly important, and clearance at the floor must be very carefully controlled to ensure proper engagement.

• The manual type requires hand operation of the operating lever for both latching and unlatching. • The self-latching types latch automatically when the inactive leaf is closed, but they must be unlatched manually. • The automatic type both latches and unlatches automatically when the active leaf is closed or open.

Flush bolts mount on the lock edge of the inactive door. None of these types of flush bolts should be used on doors that are intended to serve as emergency exits. NFPA 80 should be consulted for the selection of bolts for fire-rated pairs of doors.

Figure 7-24Flush Bolts

Chapter 7 - Exit Devices, Closers and Misc. Hardware

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Exit Devices

Roller Latches

On some doors a latch is desirable but operating it with a lever is undesirable. In such a situation, roller latches can be used. A roller latch is essentially a standard-sized lock front with a spring-activated roller installed in place of the latch bolt. There is enough spring pressure behind the roller to hold the door closed under most conditions. However when someone pushes against the door, the roller latch willpermit it to open. An ANSI universal strike, designed to function with the roller latch, will fit a standard frame cutout.

Push and Pull Sets

Push and pull sets are installed on doors that will be used frequently and are controlled with door closers. A push plate or bar is attached to the stop face of the door and a pull handle to the hinge face. Latches are not used because they would interfere with the push/pull operations. An exception is a roller latch, which is generally confined to hospital rooms and used in conjunction with the hospital arm pull.

Figure 7-25Roller Latch

Push and Pull Sets

Figure 7-26Hospital Type Pulls

Chapter 7 - Exit Devices, Closers and Misc. Hardware

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Other items of hardware are required for specific circum-stances and are often overlooked because they do not make a noticeable difference in the operation of the door, even though they will make a difference in the total performance and years of service that can be expected.

Kick Plates

Kick plates should always be installed at the base of frequently used doors that are subject to abuse and where door closers are being furnished.

Door Stops/Bumpers

Door stops or bumpers are necessary to prevent a door from bumping into a wall and damaging the wall, the hardware, or both.

Additional Hardware

Figure 7-27Kick Plate

Figure 7-28Door Stops and Bumpers

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Additional Hardware

Thresholds

Thresholds are used at the bottom of a door opening to minimize the clearance, thereby reducing the transmission of weather, sound, or light. Typically a 5/8” high threshold is used with a 3/4” undercut on the door.

Hospital Door Latch & Emergency Stop

The hospital door latch is designed primarily for use in hospitals/healthcare on corridor doors leading to patient rooms. It may also be used on any door requiring a push/pull operation, particularly by forearm or elbow, when hands are engaged in carrying objects. The emergency door stop is also intended primarily for use in hospitals/healthcare on doors between patient rooms and toilets. This stop permits the door to be opened from the stop side in the event that an incapacitated patient should block the normal swing of the door by falling. The door must be hung on center (double-acting) pivots.

Figure 7-29Thresholds

Figure 7-31Hospital Door Latch

Figure 7-32Emergency Door Stop

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Review

Check your understanding of the hardware covered in this chapter by completing the following statements.

1. An outswinging door, classified as an emergency exit, should be equipped with an_____________________________________________________________________________________.

2. The exit device that fits in a modified standard mortise lock cutout is called a _____________________________________________________________________________________.

3. A surface mounted exit device that is used only on an active door is called a _____________________________________________________________________________________.

4. The surface mounted exit device that latches at the head and floor is called a_____________________________________________________________________________________.

5. Which surface closer mountings should be used on outswing exterior doors ____________________________________________________________________________________?

6. A piece of hardware that will both hold a door open and resist the shock of a hard opening is called an _____________________________________________________________________________________.

7. Inactive doors are held closed by means of __________________________________________________or _____________________________________________________________________________________.

8. When a spring loaded latch is desirable but a knob or lever is not, the acceptable solution is the use of a _____________________________________________________________________________________.

9. Doors that are used frequently, which don’t have a lock, should be equipped with _______________________and__________________________________________________________________________________ sets.

10. Doors subject to abuse should have _______________________________________________at the base.

11. To prevent a door from bumping into the wall, use __________________________________________ or_____________________________________________________________________________________.

12. A __________________________________________________ should be used to minimize the clearance at the bottom of a door and reduce the transmission of weather, light or sound.

Note: The work exercise answers can be found at the bottom of this page.

Answers: 1. Exit Device, 2. Mortise Exit Device, 3. Rim Exit Device, 4. Vertical Rod Device, 5. Corner Bracket, Parallel Arm, Top Jamb Mounted, 6. Overhead Door Holder, 7. Surface Bolts, Flush Extension Bolts, 8. Roller Latch, 9. Push Pull, 10. Kick Plates, 11. Door Stops, Bumpers, 12. Threshold

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Work Exercise Answers

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