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The Double Door Rim Strike – A.K.A. “The Pocket Ripper”

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One of the hallmarks of bad hardware choices is the “pocket ripper” strike, used on a pair of doors when there is an inactive leaf with flush bolts or a vertical rod exit device and an active leaf with a rim exit device. Whenever I see this I think, “Cheap bastard,” because the only reason for this half fast solution is money and the desire not to spend it on doing the job right.

This lovely piece of hardware earned the nickname, “pocket ripper,” but hanging into the opening at a convenient height to catch the front pocket of a pair of trousers, resulting in egregious damage to said pocket and colorful language on the part of the victim.

What is the right way to secure a pair of doors? Vertical rod exit devices are the best. My second choice would be a mortise exit device with an open back strike and a vertical rod exit device on the inactive leaf. My third choice would be a mortise exit device with flush bolts on the inactive leaf.

Below are a couple of examples of the ‘pocket ripper.’ On the left is the classic Von Duprin 1609 strike and on the right an example from Ingersoll Rand in Europe. The European version looks like it has better manners.

In the center we have the Hager 4921 strike that really looks like it could take out more than just a pocket if you catch it the wrong way.

In addition, I find that often the rim latch stops dead before latching on the strike. Also, depending on how you install the rim device, the latch may drag across the edge of the other leaf, scraping an ugly divot over time. Yes, all in all a hardware choice to be avoided if you can.

Securitech Lexi Electrified Exit Device Trim

July 17, 2012 access control / builders hardware / door hardware / electric locking / Life Safety Hardware / security hardware

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Great Problem Solver

The Securitech Lexi series retrofit exit device trim is available with a variety of back plates and adapters that allow it to be used with most major brands, including many surface vertical rod and concealed vertical rod exit devices. Compatibility with a variety of vertical rod devices is a major plus.

I mean, anybody can electrify a rim exit device by simply installing an electric strike. However, while it is possible to install an electric strike on a vertical rod device it rarely brings a good result. First of all, in order to use an electric strike you have to first lose the bottom rod. That just leaves one latch at the top of the door to provide all the security. If it is a tall door or a flexible door – like an aluminum storefront door – you can pull the bottom open several inches with just that top latch holding it. Add a little time and a little hinge sag and pretty soon you have no security at all.

The other solution is electric latch retraction, or electric latch pullback, as some manufacturers call it: relatively expensive compared with a Lexi trim. Also, electric latch retraction is a fail secure only solution when locking trim is used and therefore may be inapplicable to fail safe installs such as stairwells, unless passage function (always unlocked) trims are used.

I notice that right out of the box the Lexi is very self contained. Other than a tiny box containing mounting screws, tailpiece operators, and a cylinder collar and cam, what you see is pretty much what you get. It’s pretty hefty for its size – it is designed on the slim side so as to be usable on narrow stile as well as hollow metal or wood doors. This does mean that the installer may have to be a little creative when replacing a larger exit device trim with the Lexi.

Installation instructions are easy to follow and short – only four pages, including the template. Something I would have liked to see in the instructions, but didn’t, was current draw. If I am installing one of these, the number of amps it draws are not going to matter much to me. But if I am installing twenty of them and want a centralized power source, now it’s an issue. Yet it isn’t anything that an experienced low voltage specialist with a ammeter can’t find out in two seconds.

One of the great innovations I noticed right away is the rotation restriction clip that allows the installer to customize tailpiece rotation to the exit device. I do not think that this is handled better by any other manufacturer. Correct degree of rotation often determines whether a trim will work or not, and to have a trim that has degree of rotation so easily selectable is damn nice.

As mentioned in the sales literature, since Securitech’s Lexi trim is compatible with so many exit devices, if you have a facility with different brands of exit devices dispersed throughout, you can install access control and unify the exterior appearance at the same time. And in addition to being versatile it is also durable. Forcing the lever only causes its internal clutch to break away, and it can easily be set right by rotating it back the other way.

All in all the Securitech Lexi trim seems to be a well built, versatile problem solver. I think you’ll find it useful in many access control installations.

Full Height Housings for Electromagnetic Locks

December 29, 2011 access control / builders hardware / door hardware / security hardware

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Maglocks are generally great problems solvers, but they also create problems. One significant problem is the fact that they are usually installed on the header, and therefore only lock the top of the door. If the only lock on the door is a magnetic lock and the door is fairly flexible, a reasonably strong person may be able to pull the bottom of the door open four or more inches.

One solution to this problem is to install mags top and bottom on the lock side leg of the frame rather than on the header. If you have an opening that measures at least 35 inches from stop to stop and you use magnets that are three inches wide or less, you can install mags in the opening and still have 32 inches clear to comply with the American Disabilities Act. The problem with this idea is that no matter where they are installed in the opening, users are likely to bump into them with some body part or other.

Enter the full height housing for electromagnetic locks, an enclosure that houses one or two maglocks and mounts on the stop of the lock side leg of the door jamb as illustrated below.

The illustration above is one I prepared for a customer so that I could order a custom built, full height housing for two electromagnetic locks. The drawing shows the dimensions I requested as indicated by the lines with arrows at both ends: height of the opening from threshold to header stop; distance from header stop to center line of upper maglock prep; distance from threshold to center line of lower mag prep; and distance between the center lines of the mag preps.

Provided the opening is at least 35 inches clear and the housing is no more than three inches wide, the opening will still comply with ADA after the full height housing system is installed.

Multi-function Doorways, Part One

December 26, 2011 access control / door hardware / Life Safety Hardware / security hardware

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As seen in Doors and Hardware Magazine.

Whenever something is invented, humans find more uses for it. This is certainly true for door automation and electric locking. It was not long after people realized a door could be unlocked remotely using an electric strike and a door could be opened automatically using a power operator (automatic door opener) that they began using these devices together. Of course this combination of devices was soon interfaced with intercoms. Exit devices with electric latch retraction and electromagnetic locks were thrown into the mix, as well as access control, delayed egress and/or security interlock systems. Any of these systems alone is sufficient to complicate an installation, but when you start to use several on one opening, that’s when things really start to get interesting.

A hospital can be one of the best places to run into a doorway that needs to perform many functions (pun intended). Hospitals seem to have more varied reasons to keep different people out at different times, or to let them in or out by different means. In addition to standard life safety and security issues, hospitals also have to anticipate the needs of patients who may be under the influence of medication and/or mental disorders and/or have physical limitations. Some patients must be kept inside for their own safety while all patients must be able to exit swiftly and safely in the event of a fire.

Let’s use as an example a hospital emergency ward entrance used primarily by ambulance drivers. The hospital wants only ambulance personnel and the security guard to be able to activate the power operator, and to control access by use of a remote switch operated by the security guard for the general public and an access code by hospital employees (other than ambulance personnel).

Since it is a pair of doors, concealed vertical rod exit devices are the most efficient, safe and secure way to lock them and provide reliable free egress in the event of an emergency. However, since there is a power operator involved, these devices must be equipped with electric latch retraction; and since use of the power operator was to be limited, a second electric means of opening the door would be required.

A simple way to solve the problem of the second means of unlocking is by using electrified exit device lever trim with one of the concealed vertical rod exit devices. Persons not requiring the power operator can get in by using the access control, or the security guard can “buzz” them in using one of two remote buttons. Because there will be two means of unlocking the door electrically, the security guard will need a small desk unit with two buttons: one that activates the power operator and electric latch retraction and one that activates the electric exit device trim.

Below is an amateur wiring diagram (made by me) of how, basically, the system works.

Central to the concept is an access control device with two relays and a request to exit input. This allows several of the connections to be made through the access control system. If the access control system on site does not provide more than one relay, the same functions can be accomplished by using additional relays in the power supply.

The system as shown in my illustration above works like this:

Ambulance personnel activate the power operator using the access control system. The access control system signals the power operator via contact closure in Relay #1. The power operator triggers the relay in the power supply to retract the latches of the exit devices, then opens the door.

Other authorized hospital personnel use the access control system to unlock the lever trim. The access control system changes the state of Relay #2, triggering the relay in the power supply to unlock the trim. They turn the lever, pull the door open and walk in.

Injured people arrive on foot at the Emergency Room entrance. The Security Guard sees them (or is notified by intercom, not shown) and lets them in by pressing the red button, activating the power operator, or by pressing the green button that unlocks the exit device trim.

There exist many possible variations of this system. Knowledge of access control systems and door hardware are required, but the most important principal in play is the use of contact closure to signal multiple devices.

Exit Device Checklist

December 1, 2011 builders hardware / door hardware / hardware sales wars / Life Safety Hardware / security hardware

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PS900 Series Schlage Electronics and Von Duprin Power Supplies Demystified

September 27, 2011 access control / door hardware / Life Safety Hardware / security hardware

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Von Duprin and Schlage Electronics are divisions of Ingersoll Rand. Both are major manufacturers of power supplies for use with electric locking systems and access control. As of January 1st, 2011, Ingersoll Rand discontinued two of their power supply product lines, the PS800 series Von Duprin and the Schlage Electronics 500 series, and merged them into the new PS900 series.

A split in power supply branding may or may not remain, depending on what document you are looking at, but whether they say they are Schlage or Von Duprin, they are all the same PS900 series.

Here is the lineup:

PS902 – 2 Amp output at 12 or 24VDC, field selectable

Compatible with these option boards:

900-BBK: Battery Backup – back up power in case of power outage, includes batteries
900-FA: Fire Alarm – relay for interface with fire alarm panel – wires to main board
900-2Q: 2 Relay QEL control Board – to run 2 Von Duprin QEL devices
900-4R: 4 Relay Output Board – four relay outputs to operate 4 electric locking devices, not QEL or EL
900-4RL: 4 Relay Logic Board – for man trap or security interlock systems or up to 4 QEL devices
900-8F: Fused 8 Zone Distribution Board – 8 outputs, fused for circuit protection
900-8P: PTC 8 Zone Distribution Board – 8 outputs, circuit breaker protected

PS902 can accommodate 1 of the above option boards in addition to the 900-FA option and battery backup.

For use with electric locks and with Von Duprin Quiet Electric Latch retraction (QEL) exit devices, but NOT with Von Duprin electric latch retraction (EL) exit devices.

PS904 – 4 Amp output at 12 or 24VDC, field selectable

Compatible with these option boards:

900-BBK: Battery Backup – back up power in case of power outage, includes batteries
900-FA: Fire Alarm – relay for interface with fire alarm panel – wires to main board
900-2Q: 2 Relay QEL control Board – to run 2 Von Duprin QEL devices
900-4R: 4 Relay Output Board – four relay outputs to operate 4 electric locking devices, not QEL or EL
900-4RL: 4 Relay Logic Board – for man trap or security interlock systems
900-8F: Fused 8 Zone Distribution Board – 8 outputs, fused for circuit protection
900-8P: PTC 8 Zone Distribution Board – 8 outputs, circuit breaker protected

PS904 can accommodate up to 2 option boards and battery back up.

Note: no plug-in for fire alarm relay on main board. 900-FA is only usable with the PS904 if used with an option board.

For use with electric locks and with Von Duprin Quiet Electric Latch retraction (QEL) exit devices, but NOT with Von Duprin electric latch retraction (EL) exit devices.

PS906 – 6 Amp output at 12 or 24VDC, field selectable

Compatible with these option boards:

900-BBK: Battery Backup – back up power in case of power outage, includes batteries
900-FA: Fire Alarm – relay for interface with fire alarm panel – wires to main board
900-2Q: 2 Relay QEL control Board – to run 2 Von Duprin QEL devices
900-2RS: 2 Relay EL Control Board – to run up to 2 Von Duprin EL devices
900-4R: 4 Relay Output Board – four relay outputs to operate 4 electric locking devices, not QEL or EL
900-4RL: 4 Relay Logic Board – for man trap or security interlock systems
900-8F: Fused 8 Zone Distribution Board – 8 outputs, fused for circuit protection
900-8P: PTC 8 Zone Distribution Board – 8 outputs, circuit breaker protected

PS906 can accommodate up to 3 option boards, fire alarm interface (with option board) and battery back up.

For use with electric locks and with up to 6 Von Duprin Quiet Electric Latch retraction (QEL) exit devices, but NOT with Von Duprin electric latch retraction (EL) exit devices.

PS914 – 4 Amp output at 12 or 24VDC, field selectable

Compatible with these option boards:

900-BBK: Battery Backup – back up power in case of power outage, includes batteries
900-FA: Fire Alarm – relay for interface with fire alarm panel – wires to main board
900-2Q: 2 Relay QEL control Board – to run 2 Von Duprin QEL devices
900-2RS: 2 Relay EL control Board – to run up to 2 Von Duprin EL devices
900-4R: 4 Relay Output Board – four relay outputs to operate 4 electric locking devices, not QEL or EL
900-4RL: 4 Relay Logic Board – for man trap or security interlock systems
900-8F: Fused 8 Zone Distribution Board – 8 outputs, fused for circuit protection
900-8P: PTC 8 Zone Distribution Board – 8 outputs, circuit breaker protected

PS914 can accommodate 2 of the above option boards, plus fire alarm interface (on one of the boards) and battery back up.

Capable of powering:

Up to 4 Electric Latch retraction (EL) exit devices with 900-4RL board
Up to 2 EL devices with 900-2RS board
Up to 4 Quiet Electric Latch retraction (QEL) exit devices
Up to 4 Chexit (CX) delayed egress exit devices off the main board (use 900-8FA combination board if Fire Alarm relay is required)
Electric locks or strikes

Ordering Tips:

PS-914 is a 4 Amp power supply that is double the capacity of the old PS873, however, from my conversation with IR tech support, their feeling is that it is prudent to power no more than 4 EL devices per PS-914. Theoretically the power supply could support as many as 8 EL devices however this presents the challenge of timing the relays so that no two can change states at the same time. If two EL devices are powered up simultaneously the PS-914 could be damaged.

None of the PS900 series power supplies are a drop-in replacement for their predecessors, and the old and new option boards are not cross-compatible with the old and new power supplies. Therefore, replacing old power supplies with new can present a rewiring challenge.

Ordering back-up batteries can be a little tricky, since they have very similar part numbers for the batteries, the charging circuit board, and a set that includes the board and the batteries.

900-BAT – Pair of batteries only
900-BB – Battery back up board only
900-BBK – Power battery back up kit, board and batteries

How to Choose a Door Closer

July 8, 2011 builders hardware / Door Repair

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To intelligently choose a door closer for your application you have to know certain facts:

Does the closer need to comply with ADA opening force guidelines?
Is the door an interior or exterior door?
What is the door width?
Will the closer be mounted on the push or pull side of the door?
Where on the door will the door closer be installed? How much room is there?
Are there any special circumstances like wind, positive or negative pressure, etc.?
You may also need to know the door handing.

ADA Reduced Opening Force Guidelines

American Disabilities Act (ADA) reduced opening force restrictions are enforced by the Authority Having Jurisdiction in your locality. In some localities or applications ADA requires a maximum opening force of 5 lbs. and in others a maximum opening force of 8.5 lbs. Most closers on the market today can be field adjusted to comply with these restrictions, but to do so you need to have a door pressure gauge.

I am mildly acquainted with two door pressure gauges. One is the model DPG by HMC and the other is the ADA/FG by LCN. Apparently there are a lot of initials involved in door pressure.

Door closers are also available with reduced opening force meant specifically to comply to ADA standards.

Manufacturers usually print a disclaimer that says that a door closer adjusted to ADA maximum opening force may not have enough power to shut the door. This is often true because perhaps recommended spring strengths for different applications are the result of perhaps a century of innovation. Manufacturers know that a force greater than 8.5 pounds may be necessary to close a door.

Interior versus Exterior

When speaking about door closer closing force, we say that a door closer is of a certain size. Door closer size does not refer to actual dimensions, but to spring strength. Historically, door closers are available in sizes 1 through 6 – 1 being the wimpiest and 6 capable of exerting the strongest closing force.

A size 4 closer is usually recommended for an exterior, 3-foot wide door, whereas a size 3 closer is deemed appropriate for an interior door of the same dimensions. The assumption here is that the exterior door is more likely to be expected to close a door against a wind or negative or positive air pressure.

Door Width

If you look at a door hung on butt hinges and equipped with a door closer from above, it looks something like this:

View from the Ceiling

You see from the illustration that the door closer closes the door by exerting force on a point about eight or ten inches from the hinge side of the door. To see what this means, go to a door with no door closer. Open it. Now put your hand a foot from the hinge side of the door and push it closed. Pretty difficult, isn’t it? If your door was wider, it would be even harder to close from that point. This is why door closer size – that is, spring strength – is determined by the width of the door rather than the height.

For a three foot wide exterior door, you would normally adjust your door closer to be a size four. For a four foot wide exterior door you would adjust your door closer to be a size five. Therefore, if you have a four foot wide exterior door, you had better buy a closer that can be adjusted to a size five.

Push or Pull?

Different arms are required for different applications. On doors that swing out, where the closer is mounted on the push side, the closer is mounted in a top jamb or parallel arm configuration. If it is mounted on the pull side it is mounted in what is called a ‘standard’ installation. (There are other ways to mount a closer on the push side, but parallel arm and top jamb are the most common.)

See manufacturer’s literature for more information, or check out my article on Door Closer Basics.

Room

If you have a glass and aluminum storefront kind of door, you may have a space issue as regards your choice of door closer. If you have a hollow metal door with no window hung in a steel frame, chances are you will have no space issue.

You need to figure out what door closer will fit. To do that, measure the space where you would like to install it and download installation templates or instructions from manufacturer’s web sites. Check the dimensions to see if the closer you have selected will work or not.

Or you can measure your door and frame and consult a door hardware professional.

Special Circumstances

I have installed door closers in some fairly challenging environments. One, for example, was on a four foot wide, eight foot high, two and a quarter inch thick mahogany and glass door. In addition to the size of the door, the location was also challenging – right across Beacon Street from the Boston Common where the wind could race across the open ground and dash itself against the door to its heart’s content. Also, the front of the building had settled over the century or so of its existence, and leaned decidedly inward. The door opened inward, and, left on its own, would swing sedately inward to 90 degrees if not latched.

In other words I had to install a door closer that would close an extra heavy door, uphill, in a wind. I actually got one that would do it about 95% of the time. For this application I chose the most durable, powerful, adjustable door closer I knew at the time: the LCN 4041. If I did the same job today I would probably choose an LCN 4011 or a Norton 7500.

A big, beefy, versatile door closer is not a cure-all. For example, sometimes the 4041 is just too big, or templated too close to the hinge. The point is that you must look at all the details of your door before you buy a door closer – not only how it is made and its size, but its environment as well.

The Double Door Rim Strike – A.K.A. “The Pocket Ripper”

Securitech Lexi Electrified Exit Device Trim

Full Height Housings for Electromagnetic Locks

Multi-function Doorways, Part One

Exit Device Checklist

PS900 Series Schlage Electronics and Von Duprin Power Supplies Demystified

How to Choose a Door Closer

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