I’ve received this question a couple of times lately…What is the maximum holding force allowed for an electromagnetic holder (or other automatic-closing device)?
Automatic-closing doors are fire doors which are held open under normal operation, and release automatically during a fire to allow the door to close and latch. An automatic-closing door will typically be equipped with either a) a door closer and a wall- or floor-mounted electromagnetic holder, or b) an automatic-closing unit which incorporates the closer and electronic hold-open into one product.
NFPA 101 – The Life Safety Code, requires automatic-closing doors to be able to be closed manually, but the code does not include any prescriptive information to define what an acceptable amount of manual force would be. The NFPA 101 Handbook states: “The manual method might involve tugging on the door leaf to cause its release. Therefore, magnetic devices with significant holding forces that are not easily overcome by a deliberate tug on the door leaf cannot be used.”
But what’s a “deliberate tug”? This might vary from one AHJ to the next, and there’s a fine line between having enough holding force to overcome the closing force of the closer and keep the door in the open position, and still being able to close the door manually with a tug. When I was working in the Boston area, one of the end users used electromagnetic locks with a 600-pound holding force to hold open fire doors. For their application – high-traffic facilities open to the public and prone to vandalism – it was important for the facility to maintain control of the position of the doors. But they certainly couldn’t be closed manually with an average person’s tug.
I did some digging, and I think I found an answer that at least helps to establish a guideline – in the BHMA standard A156.15 – American National Standard for Release Devices – Closer Holder, Electromagnetic, and Electromechanical. In this standard, there are several references to a hold-open intensity between 10 lbf and 40 lbf:
5.3.7 Adjustable Hold-Open Intensity Test
Setup: Mount door closer for 90 degrees of hold-open.
Test: Open door until closer engages hold-open. The force required to manually release the door from hold-open shall be between 10 lbf (44 N) and 40 lbf (178 N). (Not applicable for free swinging models.)
Anybody disagree with a 40-lbf maximum?
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I’ve been so busy that I forgot to wish iDigHardware and our community a Happy 8th Birthday! It’s hard to believe that there has been something door-related to write about every weekday for the last 8 years – and I haven’t come close to running out of topics.
If you have questions or topics I haven’t addressed yet, feel free to leave a comment or drop me a line any time.
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Interesting,
I know some you actually pull the mount off the wall, and still has not released.
Did not know there was a manual requirement.
I thought you had covered every possible topic!!
Happy number eight, your idighardware has grown into a great child.
Thanks Charles!
– Lori
I have a question regarding the “90 degrees of hold open”: Would 180 degrees make a difference in the holding power?
Hi Eric –
The degree of opening would probably affect the holding force needed to keep the doors open, but the test standard is based on 90-degree opening so the products would be designed to meet that standard.
– Lori
There are reasons why a door should not be easily unpropped. There is also a holder with a 300 pound holding force. I use them in situations where I want the door to be held open and stay that way (for security, CPTED reasons). What does the IBC say about this? When does this apply? I have also used keyed bottom flush bolts to keep doors open.. whats the difference between the flushbolts and the magnetic holders?
I couldn’t find a requirement for manual release in the IBC. Using keyed flush bolts as hold-opens would only be allowed on non-fire-rated doors, so there isn’t a requirement to release them with a tug as they would not be considered automatic-closing doors.
– Lori
Happy “B” day Lori!!
Thanks! 🙂
– Lori
What if there is a momentary release switch on or near the magnetic hold open?
I don’t know if that would be considered a manual release or not. Maybe it would be up to the AHJ.
– Lori
Which section of 101 handbook did you find this in:::
The NFPA 101 Handbook states: “The manual method might involve tugging on the door leaf to cause its release. Therefore, magnetic devices with significant holding forces that are not easily overcome by a deliberate tug on the door leaf cannot be used.”
It’s the part of the 2015 handbook that talks about paragraph 7.2.1.8.2.
– Lori
Happy “Birthday”, Lori — and many happy returns of the day!