Josh Horne of Portal Entryways sent me today’s Fixed-it Friday photos (you might remember this company from my post about an app to open automatic doors). There’s no point in installing an automatic operator if the user can not reach the actuator. I receive a lot of questions about mounting locations for actuators – they can be found in BHMA A156.19, and in this Decoded article.
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Stickers? If has an operator , it’s supposed to state it . Correct?
Good question, Steve! Here’s an article on automatic-door signage: https://idighardware.com/2019/02/decoded-signage-for-automatic-doors-april-2019/.
– Lori
It can also be found in the LCN Automatic Operator and ADA class. If you are interested in attending one of these, or any other Allegion classes, go to AllegionTraining.com and register. Classes are added regularly, so if there isn’t one in your area yet, check back, or contact your Allegion rep for more information!
Good point, Deputy! If you ever want me to share any information about an upcoming class, let me know!
– Lori
Wow. I have never seen an actuator on the ground / floor. I must say that I did deal with a similar situation to having a chair in front of one. It was a lobby entrance to an auditorium and some staff would slide a bench seat in front of the actuator. We ended up talking to the Dean’s office and they made the point stick.
I’m sure in the photo with the Knowing Act button on the ground ,it must have been held in place with some type of adhesive tape . As in a wireless device and temperature caused it to fall off. Please tell me someone was not that inept.
A lot of the issues are the ones doing the drawing for the rough in don’t put the button locations in the correct spots, behind doors, too close to the swing of the doors or put them in a location they don’t realize there will be equipment or furniture in the button locations. My rule of thumb is 24”/600mm from the edge of the door and 36”/900mm off the floor. There are new building codes in B.C. now that require a button 150mm to 300mm off the floor as well but have only had one project that the inspector caught it.
Is the exterior mounted on the ground and elevated at least one inch?
What do you do, try to roll over it or poke it with a stick?
Don’t they get any snow?
Isn’t there a new code in CA where they want a 2nd actuator near the ground that can be hit with a foot to open the door?
Hi Amy –
Yes – there’s more info about that in this article: https://idighardware.com/2013/08/decoded-actuators-for-low-energy-operators/. Here’s what it says: The 2010 California Building Code requires two push plate actuators at each actuator location – one mounted between 7 and 8 inches from the floor to the centerline, and the other mounted between 30 inches and 44 inches above the floor. Vertical actuation bars may be used in lieu of two separate actuators, with the bottom of the bar at 5 inches maximum above the floor and the top at 35 inches minimum above the floor. Actuators must be in a conspicuous location, with a level and clear ground space outside of the door swing. The minimum size for push plates is 4 inches, and the minimum operable portion for vertical actuation bars is 2 inches wide. Both types of actuators must display the International Symbol of Accessibility.
I’m hoping that’s not what they were trying to accomplish with the actuator on the ground.
– Lori
I believe those floor mounts are design or installation errors. (I’ve gotten an RFI that prevented that) The installer didn’t read a mounting height, just saw the button on the plan and didn’t care to mess with getting a bollard to mount to or chase the wires in the mullions. The round metal button I can’t imagine passing a reasonable punchlist inspection, the rubber one might be some sort that is designed to be rolled over or stepped on, which is kinda brilliant and dubious.
On one of our high schools we added an automatic opener to to a door with access control.
On the inside the electrician added a relay to automatically release the strike when the actuator is pushed (24/7).
This is standard practice for us.
However they didn’t move the exterior access control prox reader. The actuator is mounted well clear of the door but
is at least 10 feet away from the existing prox reader. Fortunately our wheelchair bound students are accompanied by an aide so this is only an inconvenience for them but it is frustrating that the electrician couldn’t be bothered to either relocate or pair a second reader with the actuator. Thanks for the reminder, I will be submitting a work order to have it moved. 🙂
I can see the California low mounted actuators having a real issue with vandalism. We did have one low mounted actuator but found it destroyed more than once with bicycle tire marks on it. It was raised.
Our electricians generally ignore our requests to retrofit touchless actuators as they have to run extra wires to them. sigh!