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Performance duty levels & values

Integral to I.S. 1A are “Performance Duty Levels and Values.” Previous industry standards had dealt with Aesthetic Grades (Premium or Custom) while the new standard now adds Standard, Heavy Duty and Extra Heavy Duty guidelines. For example, Standard Duty involves doors used in smaller facilities where frequency of use is low. Heavy Duty typically represents doors in office buildings, etc., where use is intermediate or more frequent. Extra Heavy Duty cites doors used in industrial and institutional facilities, where use is heavy and frequent. If the Performance Duty Level is not specified, Heavy Duty shall be the required standard. (See related Suggested Installation Chart on these pages for details on the types of facilities covered under each Performance Duty Level.)

 

From the WDMA I.S. 1A-04, Industry Standard for Architectural Wood Flush Doors. Left: pg. 23, Middle: pg. 24, Right: pg. 50

Extra Heavy Duty—This duty level typically involves doors used in industrial and institutional facilities. These facilities may be schools, hospitals, medical clinics or factory environments where use is considered heavy and frequent. This duty level requires the highest minimum performance standards.

Heavy Duty—This duty level typically involves doors used in commercial environments. These projects include office buildings, hotels, churches and retail. This duty level requires intermediate minimum performance standards.

Standard Duty—This duty level typically involves doors used in smaller facilities where frequency of use is low. They may also apply to use in closet or wardrobe doors where use is infrequent. This duty level requires the lowest minimum performance standards.

Architects may reference Section P1 of the standard (page 23) for a complete description of Performance Duty Levels for Architectural Wood Flush Doors. Section P2 (page 24) displays the Suggested Installation Chart. Each door type page in Section C, Constructions, has a facing page with the aesthetic and performance duty levels for easy reference when specifying wood flush doors.

While the new performance section of the standard is the major focus, four additional species were added to the veneer grading tables, adapted from HPVA; positive-pressure fire door wording was added; the finishing section was completely revised and expanded; and a specification checklist was added (included within this article).