Electrified Hardware

Schlage AD-Series Update

Yesterday I spent a few hours auditing a class on the Schlage AD-Series Electronic Locks.  If you haven't seen this lock yet, you should go to the website and take a look.  The whole idea behind it is that it's adaptable.  You can change the type of credential reader (keypad, mag-stripe, proximity/Smart Card/Multi-Tech reader) , the function (classroom/storeroom, office, apartment, privacy), or even the level of access control (offline, networked, wireless), and the changes can be made without taking the lock off the door.  So you install a stand-alone keypad lock today...tomorrow you can change it to a networked wireless lock with a Smart Card reader, and only the credential reader and inside escutchen need to be replaced.  The rest of the change is accomplished with free firmware.

By |2013-09-29T19:27:58-04:00June 24th, 2010|Electrified Hardware, Locks & Keys|0 Comments
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TJ Bracket

When someone wants to install an electromagnetic lock on the pull side of the door, I feel like it's my civic duty to warn them that the installation will not be pretty.  I was finally able to get a photo of this application in the T.F. Green Airport today, so I'll be able to use it as descriptive evidence in the future.

By |2012-01-27T22:07:33-05:00May 19th, 2010|Electrified Hardware, Funky Applications|4 Comments
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Middle School Entrance

Last night I went to a presentation at one of our 3 local middle schools, which I'm guessing was built in the 70's.  What struck me right away was that the exterior doors are all about 10' tall, and the interiors are about 9' with a transom panel above.  What a strange application for a school.  They still seem to be working pretty well though.

By |2012-01-27T22:07:34-05:00April 13th, 2010|Automatic Operators, Electrified Hardware, Funky Applications, Panic Hardware|7 Comments
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Interlocks

I went to see an architect on Friday, for what I thought would be a 2-hour meeting to discuss the security requirements for a new project.  3 1/2 hours later (time flies when you're talking about hardware!) I emerged to the sunlight (and the parking ticket), after literally resorting to cheerleading to get the architect through one more floor of the building (Her: "Lori, my brain hurts."  Me: "Come on!  You can do it!!").

By |2014-10-08T09:11:50-04:00March 21st, 2010|Electrified Hardware, Videos|3 Comments
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Low Voltage License

Someone recently asked me whether a low voltage license is required for wiring electrified hardware in Massachusetts.  I asked my Panel of Experts and did some research on the Mass.gov website, and (regardless of what actually happens out in the field on a daily basis) a license IS required for connecting wires to electrified hardware in Massachusetts (actually two licenses - read on).

By |2017-05-25T15:39:21-04:00January 1st, 2010|Electrified Hardware|7 Comments
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Elevator Lobby Egress

Fair warning...this is going to be one of those posts that makes your eyes glaze over, especially if you haven't had your coffee yet.  But since I've seen several people come to my site looking for this information and leaving without it, I need to post about it before the next person comes looking.  I'll try to make it as concise as possible, and remember, the red italicized paragraphs are the code excerpts so you probably don't need to read those unless you're really digging into this issue.

By |2013-03-14T18:06:07-04:00October 5th, 2009|Electrified Hardware, Means of Egress|1 Comment
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Electric Latch Retraction?

Well...the latch is retracted and it involves a wire!  As a follow-up to yesterday's post about retrofit dogging accomplished with a tie-wrap, here's a photo from Brendan Daley of Horner Commercial Sales that was taken in a new hospital.  I'm guessing they weren't happy with the lock function so they came up with this ingenious solution.  I especially love the tape on the lever.  Thanks Brendan!

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00June 4th, 2009|Electrified Hardware, Funky Applications|0 Comments
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Double Egress Pairs

Last week someone called me with a "quick question" about a double egress pair in a hospital.  The hospital wanted to install shear locks on a pair of double egress doors, to use during emergency lock-downs.  Unfortunately, as some of you have figured out by now, I don't usually have a quick answer.  There are actually two issues here:

By |2016-06-23T21:32:04-04:00May 26th, 2009|Electrified Hardware|4 Comments
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Fail Safe Locks

I didn't want to scare anyone by adding more information to my previous post about stairwell re-entry, but I do get questions about how to accomplish this.  The stairwell re-entry requirements state that the stair side lever must unlock on fire alarm or on a signal from the fire command station depending on the code (there is always free egress from the non-stair side).  I have seen stair doors that had been retrofitted with card readers and electric strikes.  If these doors are required by code to meet the stairwell re-entry requirements, an electric strike is not an acceptable way to do this.

By |2014-04-26T19:26:55-04:00April 24th, 2009|Electrified Hardware, Locks & Keys, Means of Egress|0 Comments
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Max Headroom

Remember him?  I guess I'm dating myself if I admit that I do since he made his debut in the mid- to late-80's, right around the time that Bill Lawliss, John Gant, and I all graduated with degrees in Architecture from Vermont Technical College.  Just think where we could be now if we took those drafting jobs we were offered instead of choosing the glamorous field of door hardware.

By |2013-09-13T00:25:23-04:00March 26th, 2009|Accessibility, Electrified Hardware, Means of Egress|0 Comments
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Electrical Power Transfer (EPT)

An EPT is an electrical power transfer, which is used to transfer wires from the door frame to the edge of the door.  It is used when there is a door-mounted piece of electrified hardware which requires power and/or sends a signal to a remote location.  The security consultants that I have worked with all prefer the EPT over electric hinges or door loops, which perform the same function.  It is also preferred over an electric hinge by most installers, because the EPT can be installed when the wiring connections are made, rather than being installed by the carpenter, removed for wiring, and reinstalled, getting mangled in the process.  The EPT is concealed when the door is closed (the door loop is exposed and prone to abuse) and it can accommodate larger gauge wires than an electric hinge. 

By |2012-01-27T22:10:41-05:00February 23rd, 2009|Electrified Hardware|14 Comments
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