Installing an electric locking system on an existing, currently unsecured all-glass or Herculite door can be a challenge for the security professional, but there are solutions. Here are a few:
Electromagnetic Locks
Securitron Glass Door Solution
The Securitron solution to the glass door locking problem is… glue. When I sell this solution, I usually use:
- M62G (1200 lb. holding force electromagnetic lock with conduit fitting)
- AKG (adhesive kit for glass doors)
- GDB (glass door bracket for armature)
For all glass doors with all glass headers, I also use the HEB-G header extension bracket. This can also be glued in place using the Securitron AKG. Since the AKG includes enough glue to do 10 glass-door mag installs, there is more than enough to do one all-glass door and one all-glass header.
Everybody Else’s Mag-Lock-for-Glass-Door Solution
As far as I know, no one besides Securitron really deals with the situation of an all glass header. For all-glass doors, all the other companies that make electromagnetic locks use variations of the HDB, or Herculite Door Bracket. This bracket is a U-channel that slides down over the top of the door. It’s a clip-on system:
Illustration from Rutherford Controls web site
The Herculite door bracket concept seems to work well except in cases were there is a reduced gap between the top of the door and the header. In that case the U-channel idea is out because the HDB bracket will keep the door from closing. Then it’s the Securitron and the glue or something else altogether.
RCI Cushion-Lok
A pricey but classy and easy to install alternative to the electromagnetic solution is the Rutherford Controls Cushion-Lok. The Cushion-Lok is a specially constructed, fail safe electric strike and passive latch that gently locks the door upon closure. Shown below is the RCI 3360 which is pre-installed on patch fittings that slide onto the glass of the door and “frame” when the entire doorway – door, lintels and header – is made of glass.
Not shown is another version for use with a wood or metal frame and Herculite door.
It is worthwhile to note that the reason security professionals are faced with installing electric locks on existing all-glass doors is because of a lack of planning on the part of the architect or project manager. It is much easier for a glass door manufacturer to pre-install a locking system than it is for a security professional to install it after the fact.
access control, cushion-lok, electric locking, electromagnetic lock, mag, maglock, security, security hardware
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