Keith Nelsen of Lindquist Security Technologies sent me this photo and asked for suggestions, so after offering up some ideas to Keith I told him that I would ask all of you – “What would you do?” The doors are in a hospital corridor, they’re fire-rated, and they have LCN Senior Swing automatic operators which look to be actuated by a sensor. The doors have some obvious damage caused by carts contacting the push side face, and carts hitting the door edge when it’s open.
So…WWYD?
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Replace them
Looks like they were used, before they were installed???
Replace the doors immediately. While the look of wood is more welcoming, there are a lot of embossed or laminate finishes that can be applied to fire rated doors, that still look good, yet are much more resilient.
The best option is probably to use Acrovyn doors with replaceable edges.
Second best might be to add some edge guards to the doors. But since the doors need to be replaced – the fire bolt does not line up, this should not pass fire inspection – Acrovyn is probably a better long-term solution.
Isn’t a “knowing act” required to activate a low-energy operator?
Good question. If a low-energy operator is not actuated by a knowing act, it has to comply with the A156.10 standard for power operated pedestrian doors (full power operators). It looks like this pair has a sensor to actuate the doors (which is not a knowing act), and it also has the safety sensors that are required by A156.10. Guide rails are not required here, because there is a wall within 10 inches of the door when it’s open.
There’s more info here: http://idighardware.com/2013/08/decoded-actuators-for-low-energy-operators/
– Lori
Stainless wrap edge guards.
Of course you have to prep for the fire bolt, but it will be more visible as well as protect the door edge.
Beef up the GA of the doors and Install the Black Bumpers usually seen on Eliason Doors.They are Ugly but probably just what these doors need.
Hi Scott –
Do you know of a bumper that is listed for use on a fire door?
– Lori
Definitely time to replace the doors and at least the continuous hinges. The bottom of the RHR door looks bowed, so even if the bottom fire pin were still in place (and it doesn’t look like it is) it probably could not land in it’s strike. This voids the label. We don’t know how long the doors have been there so its hard to say how long it took for the doors to get this bad. Maybe hollow metal doors? Might also add an RF actuator farther down the hall so the impatient gurney drivers could get the doors started earlier. Does anyone make a springy “kickplate” that can be used on fire rated doors? I’m thinking of the type you see on some impact (Eliason) doors. I’d have to scour ADA rules to see if those are even compliant. Edge guards would help stiffen the doors but… rated.
Hi Raymond –
I don’t know of a springy kickplate that can be used on a fire door. It wouldn’t be an ADA problem because these are automatic doors, and the 10-inch flush area required at the bottom on the push side only applies to manual doors.
– Lori
I would use swing clear hinges so the door sits past the frame and also use fire rated door edge guards
First I would replace the doors. I assume they are concealed vertical rod LBR that can be re-used. I would then switch to the 715 continuous hinge, new edge guards (with proper hardware cuts for the fire pin), and armor plates both sides. You would custom width the armor plates to extend to the hinge and edge guard. Basically wrap the door below the pressure line (not sure if that would work for a fire rated opening though, have not done this application on a rated opening yet).
There are so many issues here, Where to start? Low energy operators on these doors is insane. They should have had high energy operators. The reason these door are damaged is because low energy operators are only allowed to open and close at the speed recommended in ANSI 156.19, which is much slower than high energy doors in 156.10. That’s why carts are running into the doors. This is all price driven. Low energy operators are less expensive than high energy operators. Look at this way, what’s the difference between grade A hardware and grade B? From the outward appearance, nothing really. It’s what’s inside that’s different. Same for these operators. What’s less expensive? Grade A or grade B? Throw these doors in the garbage, replace with new and put the proper automatic door operators in place.
That’s what I was thinking, too: the carts damage the push side because the person pushing the cart is impatient with the slow operation of the door.
I do think some of the other commentators are right about an edge guard, because there may also be damage from hitting the doors when coming through from the pull direction.
I would add full height u-channel stainless steel edge guards at the meeting stiles and change the hinges to swing clear edge wrap stainless steel. The swing clear hinges would necessitate a door loop because power transfers don’t work with the swing geometry of the new hinges. Lastly, 16″ kick plates and mop plates would protect the door faces from cart wheels.
I’m assuming the RHR door has an exit device for the top latch, which I’m also assuming there is one because of the ratchet release pin. It seems odd that the RHR being an EO does not have the exit device thru bolted. I know there are many issues with the doors brought out above so I won’t belabor it any further. I have many pairs of these in my facility all of them when approached from the pull side have trim to retract the latches to open the door. When the fire alarm goes off, the latches will release, the operator will shut off leaving only one operable door from the pull side to get to that exit at the end of the hall. Just seems a bit odd. Also seems odd that there is a body guard sensor and super scans on the pull side, and yes the doors and Markar hinges need replacement.
I am partial, but here goes. The operator does contribute as Steve mentioned. Swing-clear hinges with a special EPT allows their use while maintaining the electrification aspects without having to use illegal door loops. Wood doors should not have been used in areas where cart traffic is frequent. Integrated steel doors are perfect for this application. Low projection hardware, top latching, high-frequency electrification options, no fire pins, appropriate protection plates, adjustable leading edges (replaceable too!), and steel construction outfits these doors for the real world.
are the doors not opened 90 degree because the pedestrian sensors are detecting the wall?
Hi Alex –
I think they just weren’t fully open when the photo was taken. They have automatic operators so they were either in the process of opening, or closing.
– Lori
Graintech Doors!
There are possibly many contributory factors that result in the impact damage at the leading edges. I would suggest that a primary culprit is the location of the activation sensor. The sensor is positioned directly on the lintel on the pull side. Generally to avoid a reimpulse signal on the floor closing cycle the sensor will be disabled when the door closes from 90 degrees otherwise the sensor would detect the closing doors and reactivate.
The sensor should’ve positioned on the ceiling just outside the swing arc area of the doors in the open position. This arrangement will increase detection range and will detect motion and possibly presence during the complete closing cycle from 90 degrees back to zero.
Obviously users of the door have to steer equipment between the doors and floor mounted guides may assist as long as they do not introduce tripping or trapping hazards.