Comprehensive guide to door hardware and efficiency

Architectural door hardware

Hanging the Door

Properly hanging a door is crucial for its functionality, longevity, and compliance with industry standards. Here are the primary types of hinges:

• Mortise Hinges: Mortise hinges are recessed into the door and frame, offering a seamless and secure fit. They are preferred in both residential and commercial settings for their durability and compliance with ANSI/BHMA standards.
• Pivot Hinges: Pivot hinges support doors from the top and bottom, minimizing stress on the frame and allowing smooth operation. These hinges are essential for heavy doors and are compliant with DHI’s recommended practices.
• Floor Closers: Integrated into the floor, these closers provide robust support and control for heavy-duty applications. Floor closers must comply with ANSI/BHMA standards for performance and durability.

Securing the door: Locks and exit devices

Ensuring door security involves selecting the appropriate locking mechanisms and exit devices that meet safety standards:

• Mortise Locksets: These locks are installed within a mortised pocket in the door, providing enhanced security and strength. Mortise locksets must meet ANSI/BHMA A156.13 standards for high-security applications.
• Panic Devices: Essential for emergency egress, panic devices ensure quick and safe exit during emergencies. These devices, typically used in buildings where a high number of people congregate, feature a horizontal push bar that, when pressed, unlocks the door. They must comply with NFPA 101: Life Safety Code and ANSI/BHMA A156.3 standards.
• Fire Exit Hardware: Fire exit devices are designed to function under fire conditions, allowing safe evacuation and containing fire and smoke. Unlike panic devices, fire exit hardware often includes additional features like fire-resistance ratings and automatic relocking mechanisms. Compliance with NFPA 80: Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives is mandatory.

Controlling the door: Door closers

Door closers are vital for controlling door movement, ensuring they close securely and comply with safety regulations:

• Surface-Mounted Closers: These are the most common type of door closers, visible on the door surface and easy to install. They must comply with ANSI/BHMA A156.4 standards for performance and reliability.
• Concealed Closers: Installed within the door or frame, these closers provide a clean aesthetic while maintaining functionality. Compliance with ANSI/BHMA standards is required.
• Floor Closers: Embedded in the floor, these are ideal for heavy doors, offering superior control and durability. They must adhere to ANSI/BHMA A156.4 standards.

Protecting the door: Plates and guards

Protecting doors from damage and wear ensures their longevity and maintains their appearance:

• Mop Plates: Installed at the bottom of doors, mop plates protect against cleaning tools and moisture. They should meet ANSI/BHMA A156.6 standards.
• Kick Plates: These plates shield the lower part of the door from impact damage and are crucial in high-traffic areas. Compliance with ANSI/BHMA A156.6 standards is essential.
• Armor Plates: Covering larger sections of the door, armor plates provide extensive protection, especially in commercial settings. They must adhere to ANSI/BHMA standards.
• Edge Guards: These guards protect door edges from chipping and wear, particularly in environments with frequent contact with carts and equipment. They should meet ANSI/BHMA standards.

Sealing the door: Sealing systems

Effective sealing prevents drafts, noise, and moisture infiltration, enhancing comfort and energy efficiency. Different types of sealing systems include:

• Adhesive Seals: These seals are easy to install, adhering directly to the door or frame. They provide a simple yet effective barrier against drafts and sound. Compliance with ANSI/BHMA A156.22 standards ensures performance.
• Surface-Mounted Seals: Mounted on the door surface, these seals are more robust and durable than adhesive seals. They offer enhanced protection against elements and are suitable for high-traffic areas. They must adhere to ANSI/ BHMA A156.22 standards.
• Bottom Sweeps: Attached to the bottom of the door, bottom sweeps are crucial for sealing gaps between the door and the floor.

Types of bottom sweeps include:

• Surface-Mounted Sweeps: Easily attached to the door bottom, they provide an effective barrier against drafts and pests. Compliance with ANSI/BHMA standards is necessary.
• Semi-Mortised Sweeps: Partially recessed into the door bottom, semi-mortised sweeps offer a more integrated look while maintaining functionality. They must adhere to ANSI/BHMA standards.
• Automatic Sweeps: These sweeps are designed to automatically lower and seal the gap when the door is closed, retracting when the door is open. They provide an excellent balance of aesthetics and performance, complying with ANSI/BHMA standards by adhering to DHI and NFPA standards, architects and builders can ensure that doors are functional secure and compliant with industry regulations, providing safety, durability, and efficient.

This expanded article now provides more detailed information about the differences between panic devices and fire exit hardware and a comprehensive explanation of various sealing systems and bottom sweeps.

Electrified door hardware

Electrified door hardware integrates advanced technology to enhance security and functionality. Key components include:

Electrified locksets

These locks use electrical power to control locking and unlocking. They come in two types:

• Fail-Safe (Power-To-Lock): In the event of a power failure, the door unlocks, ensuring safe egress. This is commonly used in maintaining security. This is suitable for securing sensitive areas like data centers or financial institutions.
• Electric Strikes: Installed in the door frame, electric strikes allow doors to be unlocked remotely by releasing the latch. They are often used in conjunction with access control systems and must comply with ANSI/BHMA A156.31 standards. Features include:
• Field Selectable Voltage: Allows the strike to be compatible with various power supply configurations.
• Integrated Monitoring: Provides feedback on door status, enhancing security and monitoring capabilities.

Electrified exit devices

These devices offer a range of functionalities to control egress and secure doors:

• Electrical Latch Retraction: Allows the latch to retract electronically, enabling smooth push/pull operation. This feature is often used in high-traffic areas and integrates with access control systems.
• Electrified Dogging: Keeps the latch retracted, enabling the door to operate freely until reset. applications where safe exit is paramount, such as in stairwells and exit doors.
• Fail-Secure (Power-To-Unlock): In the event of a power failure, the door remains locked, this function is useful in facilities where doors need to remain open during business hours and lock automatically after hours.
• Alarmed Exit Devices: Sound an alarm if the door is used without authorization, providing an audible deterrent against unauthorized exits.
• Delayed Egress Exit Devices: Delay opening for a predetermined time (usually 15 seconds) to deter unauthorized exit while complying with NFPA 101. These are often used in retail and healthcare facilities to prevent theft or unauthorized departure.
• Electrified Trim: Electrically controls the handle or lever to lock/unlock doors. This is commonly used in conjunction with access control systems to provide secure, keyless entry.
• Request to Exit (REX): Sensors or switches that signal the access control system when someone exits, ensuring security and monitoring. Common REX devices include motion sensors, push buttons, and touchless exit devices.

Additional electrified exit device functions

• Battery Backup: Ensures that electrified door hardware remains operational during power outages.
• Remote Lock/Unlock: Allows doors to be controlled remotely via access control systems, enhancing security and convenience.
• Integration with Fire Alarm Systems: Ensures doors unlock automatically in the event of a fire, complying with NFPA 72 standards.

Automatic door operators

Automatic door operators provide ease of access and improve the functionality of doors in various settings. Types of automatic operators include:

• Low Energy Operators: Designed for doors that open and close at a slower pace, these operators are typically used in facilities to comply with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards. They aid those with mobility impairments by allowing the door to open with minimal force or by activating a switch.
• Full Energy Operators: These operators are designed for high-traffic areas where doors need to open and close quickly. They are commonly used in commercial settings such as airports, shopping centers, and office buildings. Full energy operators must comply with ANSI/BHMA A156.10 standards, which cover power-operated pedestrian doors.
• Power Assist Operators: These operators reduce the effort required to open a door manually. They provide a mechanical advantage, making it easier for individuals to open heavy doors. Power assist operators are often used in healthcare facilities and other environments where ease of use is essential.
• Sliding Door Operators: Used for automatic sliding doors, these operators are common in retail environments and hospitals. Sliding door operators must comply with ANSI/BHMA A156.27 standards, ensuring safety and reliability.
• Swing Door Operators: These operators are used for swinging doors, providing automated opening and closing functions. They are suitable for both single and double-door configurations. Compliance with ANSI/BHMA A156.19 standards is essential for safety and performance.

Door hardware to improve building efficiency

Energy-efficient door hardware – including door closers, locks, panic devices, and sealing systems— plays a crucial role in advancing building energy conservation. These components ensure doors close securely and operate effectively, significantly minimizing energy loss. Properly designed and maintained door hardware is essential for preserving the integrity of a building’s thermal envelope, which, in turn, reduces the load on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Given that HVAC systems are major energy consumers in commercial environments, optimizing door hardware is integral to enhancing overall energy efficiency.

Energy efficiency refers to a system’s or component’s ability to perform its functions while minimizing energy consumption. By reducing energy waste, we lower carbon emissions and decrease energy costs. Doors, often overlooked, can be significant sources of energy loss and inefficiency in buildings. Gaps around the door frame, poor insulation, and inadequate sealing can lead to air leakage, allowing conditioned air to escape and unconditioned air to enter. This creates unnecessary energy demands and discomfort for occupants.

Door handles

Choosing the right door handles can enhance energy efficiency. Opting for handles made from materials with low thermal conductivity, such as insulating materials or those incorporating thermal breaks, can help prevent heat transfer. This ensures that the handle does not become excessively hot or cold, thereby contributing to a comfortable indoor environment.

Door locks

A properly installed and functioning door lock is crucial not only for security and peace of mind but also for energy efficiency. A poorly fitted or malfunctioning lock can create gaps between the door and frame, leading to air leakage. An automatic door lock system can ensure that the door is securely closed, thus minimizing energy loss and maintaining the desired indoor temperature. Door Closers Door closers are mechanisms designed to ensure that doors close automatically after use, eliminating the risk of leaving the door open. They play a critical role in energy efficiency by preventing doors from being unintentionally left ajar. An automatic door closer ensures that the door is tightly and promptly closed after each use, effectively preventing air leakage and minimizing energy waste.

Door seals

Door seals are essential for enhancing energy efficiency by preventing air leakage and reducing energy waste. They act as a barrier, sealing the gaps between the door and the frame, which effectively reduces drafts and prevents the exchange of conditioned air with the outside environment. By ensuring a tight seal, door seals help maintain the desired indoor temperature, thereby reducing the workload on heating and cooling systems and resulting in significant energy savings. A gap as small as 1/8 inch under your door can lead to heat loss and higher energy bills, similar to having a 3-inch hole drilled into the side of your home. Additionally, if the gap is large enough, it may even invite bugs and critters into your home.

To check if your threshold or bottom door weather stripping is functioning properly, hold a burning candle or incense stick next to the bottom of the door on a windy day. If the flame or smoke diverts, it indicates that the wind is getting through and action is needed.

Adjustable door thresholds require periodic adjustments and may need replacement weather-stripping every couple of years. Adjusting them involves a bit of trial and error; make very small movements towards the bottom of the door and be patient.

Weather-stripping along the sides and top of the door should also be checked using the candle method and replaced if necessary. There are various styles and types of weather- stripping, so it’s important to find an exact replacement type suitable for your door. Door sweeps, which are mounted at the bottom edge of the door, provide a seal when the door closes and typically cost under $20. A door shoe is another type of weather-stripping made of rubber, mounted on the underside of the door

Benefits of energy-efficient door hardware

Using energy-efficient door hardware offers numerous advantages for buildings and occupants alike. Key benefits include:

• Energy savings and cost reduction: Improved door hardware, such as energy-efficient handles, locks, and closers, can lead to substantial energy savings. These components reduce heating and cooling loads by minimizing air leakage and preventing energy waste. Consequently, energy consumption decreases, leading to lower utility bills and long-term cost savings.
• Enhanced comfort: Energy-efficient door hardware helps maintain a comfortable indoor environment. By preventing drafts and air leakage, occupants can enjoy a consistent temperature free from cold spots or sudden temperature changes. Additionally, well-sealed doors contribute to noise reduction, enhancing overall comfort within a building.
• Indoor air quality: When doors are adequately sealed with energy-efficient hardware, they act as a barrier against outdoor pollutants, allergens, and dust. This helps maintain better indoor air quality, creating a healthier living or working environment.
• Reduced environmental impact: By promoting energy efficiency in buildings, we can reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a sustainable future. Energy-efficient door hardware helps lower energy consumption, thereby decreasing greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy generation. This represents a small yet impactful step toward mitigating climate change.

Energy efficiency ratings and certification

When selecting door hardware, it is essential to look for products that have undergone testing and received certification for energy efficiency. These ratings ensure that the hardware meets rigorous performance standards and actively contributes to energy savings. By choosing certified door hardware, you can be confident that it has been evaluated for its ability to reduce energy loss and improve overall efficiency. These certifications validate that the hardware has undergone thorough testing and meets specific criteria for energy conservation, allowing you to make informed decisions that align with your goals of reducing energy consumption and promoting sustainability.

Innovative technologies and features

Exploring the latest advancements in energy-efficient door hardware can reveal a range of exciting possibilities. For example, some door closers now incorporate cutting-edge smart technology that goes beyond traditional mechanisms. These intelligent closers are equipped with sensors that detect foot traffic and adjust the closing speed accordingly. By dynamically adapting to the flow of people, they effectively reduce unnecessary air exchange, limiting energy loss while maintaining convenience and accessibility. Additionally, features such as adjustable closing force and adjustable latching speed allow for customization of the door’s operation, ensuring a balance between secure closure and controlled energy consumption.