I’ve received lots of photos lately that illustrated problems with how products were specified, supplied, or installed. So let’s play…what’s wrong with this picture???
a) John Gant of Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies sent this fire door photo. Anybody see a potential problem here?
b) Tim Slaughter of Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies sent me this photo of a closer with a problem. Or more likely, a door with a problem. What’s the problem?
c) Brendan Daley of Securadyne encountered this door in a hotel, and when he walked up to the door and pushed on the panic bar, the electromagnetic lock did not release. What’s missing?
d) What’s wrong with this photo, sent in by Safecrackin Sammy?
e) What could have been done to avoid this problem, sent in by Kyle Learch of Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies?
f) Darren Patton of Isenhour Door sent me this one…what would cause someone to make this sort of modification?
I’m looking forward to hearing your answers!
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Love the upside down pull handle…and Ive seen worse “arm” improvisations.
I’ll have to look through some photos.
Mag lock is missing a rex sensor.
I’m sure you’ve seen LOTS of bad installations, Vince. If you see any that are particularly bad, send me a photo! 😀
In photo a), the door bumpers are attached with mechanical fasteners, which will void the label, unless there is a way to field-certify this door… is that possible?
In photo b), the installer did not check for blocking in the door and used screws instead of through-bolts.
In photo c), some jurisdictions prohibit a mag lock in the path of egress, even if it has a RX sensor or delay-egress feature. There is no card reader, so the mag lock seems to have no purpose… why would it not be adequate to simply lock the outside trim of the exit device?
a. Assuming the occupant load does not warrant an panic device: 1) the inactive leaf is labeled as a fire door but has not way to open it; 2) The depth of the bumper could restrict opening width.
b. The fasteners used were wrong for the substrate. The core material of the door does not appear to be appropriate for a rated door.
c. In addition to the missing sensor, there is no manual door override.
d. This is one I couldn’t see unless three hinges are inadequate for a 4-foot wide door.
Does the fire door sign stick out to the point where it could interfere with the lever return? I think either a floor mounted magnetic hold open or a sentronic type device would be a better application than the homemade shimming device. Not sure if an armature extension is reasonable to use there.
a) applied bumpers are not acceptable on fire-labeled doors.
b) through bolts were not used to install closer.
c) an emergency-release button.
d) an additional door viewer mounted for handicap.
e) use a floor mounted electro-magnetic hold open.
f) installer did not read installation instructions.
the first one, (fire doors) isn’t this door suppose to have a PANIC?? as a lever handle is 2 actions to open, turn handle, push door, don’t think that makes it complaint with fire codes,
2, (LCN hanging by the arm) processed wood filled door that the closer installer may have thought was a solid core, best cure, use sleeve nuts if not 100% sure of the door filler, as that nice looking outside of the door may just be a veneer and like seen here, closer pulled away from door, also noticed the spring setting (5) seems a bit extreme for a processed wood door without thru-bolts/sleeve nuts
3, where’s the REX button/sensor??
4. nice find safecrackin sammy, I guess the owner didn’t read the directions or maybe had wrong hand of handle for this door and makes a kludge out of it by inverting handle??
5, a floor mounted magnetic holder will fix this problem!!
6, 2 reasons for someone to have a bent forearm on a closer,
a, restrict the opening angle of the door, I notice this door only opens to 90 degrees due to the wall behind the door, instead of bending the arm, they could have used a separate overhead holder/stop (GJ)
b. forearm too long for the application and it’s at the shortest setting (maybe this D***a closer forearm was intended for deep reveal TJ install, which involves a long rod and shoe)
-Jess the door closer doctor
Great set-
a)so many things 1)signage on inactive leaf, 2) assuming rated door [it says “FIRE DOOR”] addition of bumpers may affect rating, 3) bumpers intrude into ADA clearance for lever.
b)either 1)inadaquate blocking, 2)not using thru-bolts,3)no stop, or 4) adjusting the closer to “11”
c)no interface between exit device and mag lock – not allowed or restricted under new code – see previous Lori articles
d)lack of communication between architect and mechanical engineer. better fix is either a floor mount or sentronic
e)lost template? hardware by alum door supplier? used old holes?
A) Double door system has more than one problem but lets start with the simple one: why does the lever have an IC lock on the inside, how does the bumper mount with the bolts but better yet is width ok with the inactive (fire door), the active door has the lever installed at what height as does not look like factory level. Does the lever interfere with the bumpers, improper signage size for fire door, astragal on inactive door ?, does the active door have a self close device as looks like it does not have any, is there a threshold on this fire door. But that is only with this one picture. Hmm interesting door don’t you all think 🙂
Yes that was for picture of door A only and will look at other soon
a) Everyone knows that doors and frames painted gray can’t be fire rated.
b) The closer is missing a cover.
f) That closer arm actually looks pretty darn awesome. LCN should definitely take note and start offering “designer” closer arms.
a)If this is the interior view, that pesky keyed cylinder could be an issue for egress. If this is the exterior view, the doors dont swing in the direction of egress.
b) Door does not appear to be closer reinforced which as others have said could have been solved with thru bolts.
c) No visible RTE PIR or switch in the exit to allow mag release. However, just reach up and yank the wires running over the header to the mag and your good to go.
d) Up is only relative on the template and Lori did a great job with photoshop
e)Gooseneck floor mount or use the top of the door which is clearly better in the pic.
f) Installer used 105 opening template. Found outer wall. Modified arm to 89.5 opening. Site survey is important before beginning.
I don’t want to duplicate what has already been identified above. The only other things that I see to add:
a.) The bumpers to interfere with the ADA clearance as Jack Ostergaard mentioned. To be more specific the levers appear to be installed higher than 48 inches (ADA,NFPA 101). And not to be too picky there is not a smooth continuous surface across the push side of the door measured 10 inches from the bottom of the door (ADA 2010).
– National Locksmithing Institute
a) bumpers not labeled and size
b) door not specified wih 5″ soild limber top rail
c)REX
d)Handle upside down
e)Provide floor hold open
f)First time to install a closer. Did the best they could with no supervision
I have not read any of the other comments yet but here is my comments.
a. Bumpers not fire rated.
b. Thru-Bolts or a better quality door with closer blocking.
c. Exit and lite to High, No sensor to release mag lock
d. Upside down outside trim
e. What can I say! Not a rated application
f. Looks good what could be wrong. lol
What is the name of the manufacturer for the plastic lock guards shown on the double doors with cylindrical lever lock?
a) that’s a fire door – not necessarily an escape door. The bumpers are to protect the door face from barrows, etc. but the lever handle will make it difficult to manoeuvre barrows, etc. through.
b) is this on an exterior door blown open by the wind?
c) maglock shouldn’t be there at all. better to fit an door-open warning alarm and just have the exit device.
d) not obvious to me what is wrong with this door.
e) definitely a floor-mount hold-open magnet just proud of the heater so it doesn’t trip people up.
f) looks as though the reveal is too shallow to allow normal upside-down mounting. Slide arm would solve that problem.
I am interested in wide door bumpers