[ Page 11 of 12 ]

Advertising supplement provided by

When all of these areas have been specified, the final step would be to select weather stripping and thresholds. Both weatherstripping and thresholds come in a variety of functions and materials.

In nearing the conclusion, as promised, we will briefly review door handing. In commercial hardware, there are four hand swings:

• RH — right hand
• LH — left hand
• RHR — right hand reverse
• LHR — left hand reverse

Always consider handing from the keyed or exterior side. If, when looking at the door from the keyed side, the door swings into a room to the right, it is a right hand door. If it swings into a room to the left, it is a left hand door. If it swings away from the room to the right, it is a right hand reverse door. And, if it swings away from the room towards to the left, it is a left hand reverse door. The key is to consider the exterior side first. One reason this is important is that it will identify which side of the door the key cylinder should be on. In the case of a mortise lock, there may be only a cylinder on the outside of the door which requires only one hole to be drilled in the door on one side. This will help identify which side needs the prep.

To summarize, as hardware is being specified, first look at a building’s use, then the door’s use. Check for applicable codes, and, finally, select the type of hardware. Look at door design to determine what hardware will be compatible. Figure out the correct function or application and be sure to consider the design and finish of the hardware pieces. It is also helpful to adapt a method of covering the doors to be sure they are all scheduled with hardware. Some start with exterior doors, then fire-rated doors, single doors, pairs of doors, non-rated singles and pairs, and then take it by door use — bathrooms, corridors, janitors, storage, etc. Develop a method that works and use it consistently. Developing a thorough and efficient methodology should help prevent omitting doors that require hardware.

There are many other hardware items and more detailed applications of those touched on here. Commercial hardware is a very involved and detailed subject. It takes knowledge of life safety, fire and accessibility codes in addition to local codes to meet all of the proper requirements. It also takes extensive product and application knowledge to properly outfit a door with hardware.

If you are interested in learning more about commercial hardware, the Door and Hardware Institute has a CD-ROM self-study course on the Fundamentals of Architectural Hardware which is an excellent resource and reference.

But, if all of this information seems overwhelming, or if, like most people, you simply don’t have the time to handle the countless details that must be addressed when selecting numerous doors for a building, you should consider hiring an Architectural Hardware Consultant (AHC). These are individuals with over five years experience who are certified with the Door and Hardware Institute (DHI). They have the knowledge and skills to write specifications and hardware schedules and help you rest easy knowing that someone else is handling details like the ones addressed here. For a list of AHCs in your area, visit www.dhi.org or call (703) 222-2010.