Industrial Door Systems Jargon Buster

Ironmongery device (eg: panic or push bar) which both unlocks the door set and opens it in one positive action.

The first leaf to open in a pair of doors (followed by the inactive leaf).

See ‘Screw in Frame Fixings’.

Generally applied to ironmongery. See ‘PAA’, ‘SAA’, ‘SSA’, ‘SSS’ and ‘PSS’.

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Often called the ‘Leading Edge’, ‘Anti Crow Bar’ or ‘Security Astragal’, this feature is a lipped edge to the slam (or non-hinged) side of the active leaf, which creates and additional obstruction to attempts to lever or jemmy the door when shut or locked.

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Ironmongery that has a series of latches and triggers to ensure that the locks automatically re-engage to secure the opening once the door leaves are shut. Use with a latching door closer to ensure no manual intervention is necessary to close the doors.

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Self locking bolts built into the top and bottom of the leading edge of the active leaf, to automatically snap locked without any need for manual intervention. Secures the active leaf shut first, before the active leaf typically locks to the inactive leaf. Only fitted to double door sets.

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Setting on a door closer to eliminate over swing. See also ‘Restrictor’.

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To allow internal and external lever handle operation of the door leaf by operating a sprung latch; whilst allowing locking of the door set by an internal thumb turn to operate a dead bolt.

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In the context of doors, consider generally ‘Part B’, ‘Part L’, ‘Part M’.

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See ‘Threshold’.

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A stick on rubber profile to seal air gaps at the hinge or leading edge sides of steel door leaves. Manufactured from intumescent material to allow use on fire doors.

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Oval or Euro Profile key lock for doors. Can be a half cylinder for external unlocking only; a full double cylinder for internal and external key locking and unlocking; or with an external half cylinder with internal thumb turn.

Disability Discriminations Act 1995. Replaced by the Equality Act 2010.

The disability Discrimination Act was a piece of legislation that promoted civil rights for disabled people and protected disabled people from discrimination. In this context, the Disability Discrimination Act set out building requirements and rules relating to safe ingress and egress through doorways.

A floor mounted threshold strip, less than 15mm in height, required to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Although now replaced by the Equality Act 2010, the new act incorporates essential requirements of the old act including the provision of accessible low profile threshold strips in key locations.

A Mechanical device to pull shut the door leaf without manual intervention, using either the power of a spring or a hydraulic cylinder. See also ‘Resistor’.

Setting for some models of door closer. Allows the door leaf to remain open for a pre-set time prior to automatically closing at a controlled rate. Useful for wheel chair access and where trolleys are regularly moved through the opening. See also ‘Hold Open Door Closer’.

Comprising a dead bolt (ie a lock that once double locked cannot be unlocked or activated by any other means than the key, or internal thumb turn where fitted). Can be supplied with lever handles, pull handle and push plate combination or simply a cylinder pull.

Also known as ‘Security Stud’ or ‘Hinge Stud’. A metal pin integral to one of the hinge plates, that engages in to a hole or slot in the opposite hinge plate, when the door leaf is closed. This prevents the door leaf being pulled out of the frame if the hinge knuckles are cut from the outside.

Determine whether the door set is to be used as a Personnel Entry Door, an Emergency Escape (for staff and trained users) or a Panic Escape (for members of the public and untrained users). Where doors are perceived to have multiple functions, generally a hierarchy of importance will emerge; for example an opening that is an emergency escape might also be required to provide a one hour fire rating. In the context of door function, the escape function is critical.

Generally used to refer to locks, handles, activators, restrictors and all manner of ‘ironmongery’.

Either internal or external to the building.

Although doors can be similar in size, specification and location, it is a real benefit to ascribe each door set an individual reference number for ease of identification.

Choose your door set specification based on anticipated use. Start with a Security Door, and upgrade to a 1 Hour Fire Rated Door (FD60) or a 2 Hour Fire Rated Door (FD120). Where a flush wall finish is required for internal sporting venues, choose a Sports Hall Door (with rebound panels and recessed ironmongery).

Glass peep hole with magnification to allow view from the secure side of a door set to an external area; so that safe egress can be determined before unlocking the door set.

A ‘pair’ of leaves, comprising an active and inactive leaf, usually in a three sided frame.

A mechanical rubber profile in a metal carrier. When the door leaf is closed towards the fully shut position, an activating button lowers the carrier so as to position the rubber profile in a pre-adjusted position to ensure a uniform seal when the door is fully closed.

A push bar, push pad or handle activation to comply with BSEN179; where only staff or trained users are likely to use the door set to leave the building in a fire or alarm condition.

To allow internal lever handle operation for the door leaf by operating a sprung latch, and external unlocking by a key cylinder from the outside. Automatically locks on closing the door. The door set cannot be dead locked from the inside allowing for ease of escape in case of an emergency. Also known as ‘Emergency Night Latch’.

To allow internal and external lever handle operation f the door leaf by operating a sprung leaf; whilst allowing locking of the door set by the integration of an external lock cylinder and internal cylinder or thumb turn to operate a deadbolt. Latch automatically engages on closing the door. However, when locked both the deadbolt and the latch bolt are withdrawn simultaneously by the inside lever handle, using a ‘split follower’ function. Also known as ’emergency Escape sash Lock’.

The protective face plate around a key hole or door handle. Standard SSS finish.

A standardised European Union Lock Cylinder type.

A high quality panic escape system to comply with BSNEN1125. Only a very light touch is required to operate the activator, making the system very suitable for recessed fitting to sports hall doors. Can be supplied unlock and open the door from the outside.

An ironmongery device is provided to allow unlocking and opening of a door leaf from the outside of the secured zone/building. See also ‘Knob Set’ and ‘Outside Access Device’.

Glazed over panel above a metal door set. Fire doors are rated in minutes of resistance to the spread of a fire.

FD60 is a 1 hour rated door (FD60 OR Fire Rated Door 60 Minutes).

FD120 is a 2 hour fire rated door (FD120 or Fire Door 120 Minutes).

FD240 is a 4 hour fire rated door (FD240 or Fire Door 240 Minutes).

See Push Plate

Strips/guards to prevent pinching of fingers in the hinge gap on the inside and/or outside of a door set. Used where vulnerable, elderly or children have unsupervised access to the door set.

Paint coatings applied to bare metal doors, usually via a process of polyester powder coating (PPC). Bare metal is first treated using an etch primer, prior to top coating.

Can include standard and non-standard colours, food safe; lead free and marble or timber effect finishes. PPC is typically applied electro statically and without the need for environmentally unfriendly solvents. A PPC finish is cured under high temperature once applied and gives a hardened finish.

Generally a means of securing the inactive leaf of a double door set. See Auto Flush Bolt and Manual Flush Bolt.

Designed for fire compartmentalisation and to reduce the spread of fire. Door product is burn tested to BS476 part 22 to ensure suitability for fire protection in buildings. Door fire ratings are expressed in minuets of fire resistance – e.g. FD60, FD120 etc.

Snap in plastic dome plugs to blank off fixing holes in the door frame.

Different depths of door frame are suitable for different applications.

Specify 120mm frames as standard; or 100mm where there is a limited, firm, fixing substrate face to support the door set. 250mm Cavity Frames can be specified to span voids between brick and block walls and so as to ensure adequate structural fixing of the door frame.

Wrap around frames can be provided to improve refurbishment or poorly formed openings. 100mm Clamp Frames can be provided for Durawall (incorporated into the Equality Act 2010) a 4 sided frame can be used for maximum security.

Which side the door is hung (ie hinged). Also used to describe which way the door leaf opens. Derived by standing so that the hinge knuckles are visible, with the door shut. If the hinges are on the right then the door is ‘right handed’ (or ‘RH’) and so on. Consider also whether the door set is inward or outward opening.

Used to describe which way the active door leaf opens. Derived by standing so that the hinge knuckles are visible, with the door shut. If the right hand leaf is required to be active then the door is ‘right handed’ (or ‘RH’) and so on. Consider also whether the door set is inward or outward opening.

Means of overriding the door latch to open the door set (as with a sash lock for example); or a D shaped or cranked ‘pull handle’, used to move the door easily from the closed position, by establishing a point by which to easily grasp the door leaf.

The top, horizontal member of the door frame.

See ‘Dog Bolt’.

Allows the door leaf to remain open at 90°. Useful for wheel chair access and where trolleys are regularly moved through the opening.

A mechanical arm to prop open a door at pre-determined position.

Inactive Leaf The second leaf to open in a pair of doors (preceded by the active).

Also referred to as ‘Door Hardware’ or ‘Furniture’.

Generally and technically incorrectly used, but colloquially coined to mean the different locks, handles and accessories etc. Used on a door set.

How the fixing substrate is made up- eg: steel, masonry or timber. A fuller description is helpful to assist in determining suitable fixings.

The vertical frame legs – comprise a pair of hinge jambs (a double door) or a hinge and lock jamb for a single door. Fixed to the ‘head’.

Metal Strip (usually 150mm high) designed to prevent scuffing and rub marks across the bottom of the door leaf. Used in high traffic areas.

See ‘Outside Access Device’.

A non-locking catch which locates into a keep plate; typically withdraw by operation of lever handles on a sprung rose. Can be unsprung depending on ironmongery specification.

A Door Closer that slams itself shut by applying an additional mechanical force when 10 degrees from rotation into the shut position. Often used Auto Bolting Ironmongery.

The non-hinged edge of the active door leaf; can be lipped (with ‘Astragal’) or non-lipped.

An unequal leaf configuration of a pair of doors, where the active leaf is as close to full width size as possible; the inactive leaf is consequently the unequal or narrower leaf. The narrower leaf may only be wide enough to incorporate flush bolts.

Designed to allow rebated auto closing doors to latch closed in the correct sequence (i.e. inactive leaf first, then the active leaf).

Means of overriding the door latch to open the door set (as with a sash lock or dead lock for example). Usually mounted on a sprung rose to self latch shut when pushed too.

A means of securing a single door leaf to its ‘lock jamb’; or of securing an active leaf to an inactive leaf in a pair of doors. Consists of a lock case with latch and a slam plate to activate the break of the latch.

Vent or grille in a door leaf, to allow air flow. For use in natural ventilation systems, in plant room doors etc. Typically a free air flow of 50% is required. Can be augmented with bird, insect or vermin mesh to keep out unwanted visitors.

Electrically operated magnetic lock, usually operated remotely or by local permission switch or break glass unit.

Only fitted to double door sets. Locking bolts are built in to the top and bottom leading edge of the inactive leaf, which can be manually snapped, locked. Secures the inactive leaf shut first, before the active leaf typically locks to the inactive leaf.

As in ‘mortice fitted’ i.e where lock boxes or shoot bolts are recessed into the door leaf or frame profile. As opposed to surface mounted.

The flexible plastic weather seal fitted to a Standard Threshold.

To allow internal lever handle operation of the door leaf (when in the unlocked condition) by operating a sprung latch, and external access by unlocking with a key cylinder from the outside. Automatically dead locks on closing unless the ‘snib’ is held back. Often used for controlled access to a building or an area. External cylinder may have a ‘Cylinder Pull’ or the door leaf might have a ‘Pull Handle’. Doors with a night latch are often fitted with a door closer.

Inward opening, into a building or Outward opening from the building. Can be difficult to determine when between zones inside a building. A common reference point might be required, for example-doors opening into corridors from rooms are ‘outward’ opening; etc.

A ‘Knob Set’ or lever handle, provided to activate an internal emergency or panic escape ironmongery set, from outside the building. Includes a key operated cylinder. Gives a Personnel Use function to what would otherwise only be an escape door set. Useful for controlled access for ‘out of hours’ key holders.

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A fixed or demountable metal faced panel installed above a door set to fill an oversize opening, as a cheaper and more functional alternative to a very large door. May be Glazed (as in a ‘fan light’).

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Polished Anodised Aluminium architectural ironmongery finish.

Solid, glazed or louvre door leaves in a number of layouts and configurations.

Activation to comply with BSEN1125; where untrained users or members of the public would have to use the door set as an exit, so door operation has to be instinctive and not require training.

For entry and exit during normal use with a latch, lock and handles to pull the leaf/leaves open.

Polished Stainless Steel architectural ironmongery finish.

Usually a ‘D’ shaped handle mounted on the outside of the door leaf, to move the door easily from the closed position, by establishing a point by which to easily grasp and pull open the door leaf.

A single point locking device with a pad or paddle handle to allow ease of activation of a single door set or the active leaf of a double.

Complies with BSEN179.

A metal plate with an architectural finish, to allow a door leaf to be pushed open without scoring or marking the door leaf finish.

An internationally recognised system of paint coding to promote colour conformity and systematic finishing. Please request powder coated finishes by citing a suitable RAL number.

Designed to ensure doors in Sports Halls are always flush to internal wall finishes, so as to remove corners of walls into which athletes might run or stumble. Formed from padded core material inside a thin metal skin to ensure rigidity but a softened impact if needed.

A mechanical means of preventing a door swinging beyond a fixed point and thus preventing damage; for example a door restricted to 90 degrees opening to avoid a clash with adjacent brick wall reveals. Also useful for preventing snatching of door leave in high winds; if snatched, the restrictor limits the over swing of the door. See also ‘Back Check’, ‘Door Closer’, ‘Latching Door Closer’, ‘Hold Open Door Closer’ and ‘Stay’.

Satin Anodised Aluminium architectural ironmongery finish.

Laminated glass, designed to reduce damage and injury if broken.

To allow internal and external lever handle operation of the door leaf by operating a sprung latch; whilst allowing locking of the door set by the integration of an external lock cylinder and internal cylinder or thumb turn to operate a dead bolt. Latch automatically engages on closing the door.

Threaded adjusters in the frame jambs, which can be screwed out to set the frame in the structural opening before fixing. Easy to use and a time saving device used in lieu of traditional metal or plastic packers.

Satin Chrome Plated architectural ironmongery finish.

See ‘Combined Weather & Cold Smoke Seal’.

A fixed or demountable glazed side panel adjacent to a metal door set.

A fixed or demountable panel installed adjacent to a door set to fill in an oversize opening, as a cheaper and more functional alternative to a very large door with larger than average leaves.

May contain a louvre or glazing (as in ‘side light’).

As opposed to a pair of doors; comprising an active leaf only, in a three sided frame. Leaf is hung (hinged) on one side, and the other side slams (locks) into the opposite jamb.

Sports Halls are always flush to internal wall finishes, so as to remove corners of walls into which athletes might run or stumble.

Formed from padded core material inside a thin metal skin to ensure day to day rigidity but a softened impact in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

The pivot point of a lever handle, or pair of lever handles; sprung to allow automatic re-latching when the door is closed.

Supplied as standard with the lever handle set, escutcheons etc.

See ‘Door Viewer’.

See ‘Threshold’.

Restrictor to prevent over swing of a door leaf. See also ‘Hold Open Stay’.

Usually defined as a range of standard doors, often offered in limited sizes and ironmongery options, to suit short order time requirements. Often only available from others in a primed finish. However bespoke made doors need not take long from order, it is worth asking.

The vertical hole in the wall dimension that the door will have to fit into. Measure at the tightest points of the opening, and not less than at the left, middle and right of the opening. Consider also the formation of the reveal depth. Does the reveal get wider or narrower as it gets deeper?

The horizontal hole in the wall dimension that the door will have to fit into. Measure at the tightest points of the opening, and not less than at the top, middle and bottom of the opening. Consider also the formation of the reveal depth. Does the reveal get wider or narrower as it gets deeper?

Satin Silver Aluminium architectural ironmongery finish.

Satin Stainless Steel architectural ironmongery finish.

Where the key cylinders are made to accept a common key type; can be grouped or sub-suited in advance if requirements are known.

Fixed on to the door, rather than mortice fitted into it.

A bolting system which secures the door leaf into the frame by three different lock points (usually at the head, into the slam side jamb and into the threshold). Three point locking provides greater locking strength than single or two point locks, however consider also the strength of the frame, the leaf and the supporting structure (ie the wall).

A profiled metal strip with rubber seal, fixed to the floor between the door jambs. Creates a weather and light seal at the foot of the door. Options available for inward and outward opening door types.

Two Point Locking A bolting system which secures the door leaf into the frame by two different lock points (usually at the head and into the threshold).

See ‘Leaf and a Half’.

See ‘Door Viewer’.

Single or double glazed units of glass with a metal clamp frame; either integrated into the door leaf itself, or into the side or over panels. Can be fire rated if required.

See ‘Frame Types’ and ‘Frame Options’.

High quality electro-zinc coated mild steel to BSEN10152: 2009; the process increases corrosion resistance of the base metal.