Energy Awareness Month: How Facilities Can Cut Costs Before Winter Hits

 October 7, 2025 0 Likes 60 Views
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October is Energy Awareness Month, making it the perfect time for facility managers and building owners to focus on efficiency and savings. With colder weather just around the corner, facilities often see a spike in heating costs, utility bills, and energy waste. But with a few proactive steps, and the right building hardware, you can cut costs before winter hits, without sacrificing safety, security, or comfort.

Stop Wasted Energy at the Door

propped doors at a school

Doors are one of the most common sources of energy loss in a building. A single door left open, even briefly, allows conditioned air to escape and forces HVAC systems to work harder. Over time, this can translate into thousands of dollars in wasted energy.

  • Install door prop alarms to prevent staff from leaving doors open “just for a minute”
  • Use exit alarms to discourage unauthorized use of emergency exits
  • Seal air gaps by ensuring weatherstripping, mullions, and thresholds are in good condition

Use Automatic Door Operators Strategically

a boy presses a button for an automatic door operator so a girl on crutches can walk outside

Automatic door operators don’t just improve accessibility—they can also help regulate airflow in high-traffic areas. By ensuring doors open only when needed and close securely every time, operators help maintain indoor temperatures more effectively than doors that are frequently left ajar.

Prevent Drafts with the Right Mullions and Frames

Even small gaps around pairs of doors can create major drafts. By using mullions designed for a tighter seal, facilities can reduce the amount of air that slips through, lowering both heating and cooling costs. Stronger mullions also increase security, creating a win-win for efficiency and protection.

Maintain Equipment for Peak Efficiency

Regular maintenance of your hardware can extend product life and improve performance:

  • Test door operators to ensure smooth, reliable operation
  • Inspect alarms and batteries before colder weather hits
  • Check seals, hinges, and closers to prevent unnoticed energy leaks

Educate Staff and Tenants

Even the best hardware won’t stop energy waste if people don’t use it properly. During Energy Awareness Month, consider:

  • Posting signage near high-traffic doors reminding staff to keep them closed
  • Training employees on the cost impact of propped doors
  • Sharing your facility’s energy goals to encourage participation

The Bottom Line

Energy Awareness Month is more than just a reminder. It’s an opportunity to take action before winter drives costs higher. By combining smart building practices with the right hardware, facilities can reduce wasted energy, protect budgets, and create a safer, more comfortable environment for everyone inside.

Energy Awareness Month: How Facilities Can Cut Costs Before Winter Hits

 October 3, 2025 0 Likes 59 Views
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propped doors at a school

October is Energy Awareness Month, making it the perfect time for facility managers and building owners to focus on efficiency and savings. With colder weather just around the corner, facilities often see a spike in heating costs, utility bills, and energy waste. But with a few proactive steps – and the right building hardware – you can cut costs before winter hits, without sacrificing safety, security, or comfort.

1. Stop Wasted Energy at the Door

Doors are one of the most common sources of energy loss in a building. A single door left open, even briefly, allows conditioned air to escape and forces HVAC systems to work harder. Over time, this can translate into thousands of dollars in wasted energy.

  • Install door prop alarms to prevent staff from leaving doors open “just for a minute.”
  • Use exit alarms to discourage unauthorized use of emergency exits, which are often propped open for convenience.
  • Seal air gaps by ensuring weatherstripping, mullions, and thresholds are in good condition.

2. Use Automatic Door Operators Strategically

Automatic door operators don’t just improve accessibility—they can also help regulate airflow in high-traffic areas. By ensuring doors open only when needed and close securely every time, operators help maintain indoor temperatures more effectively than doors that are frequently left ajar.

3. Prevent Drafts with the Right Mullions and Frames

Even small gaps around double doors can create major drafts. By using mullions designed for a tighter seal, facilities can reduce the amount of air that slips through, lowering both heating and cooling costs. Stronger mullions also increase security, creating a win-win for efficiency and protection.

4. Maintain Equipment for Peak Efficiency

Regular maintenance of your hardware can extend product life and improve performance:

  • Test door operators to ensure smooth, reliable operation.
  • Inspect alarms and batteries before colder weather hits.
  • Check seals, hinges, and closers to prevent unnoticed energy leaks.

5. Educate Staff and Tenants

Even the best hardware won’t stop energy waste if people don’t use it properly. During Energy Awareness Month, consider:

  • Posting signage near high-traffic doors reminding staff to keep them closed.
  • Training employees on the cost impact of propped doors.
  • Sharing your facility’s energy goals to encourage participation.

The Bottom Line

Energy Awareness Month is more than just a reminder—it’s an opportunity to take action before winter drives costs higher. By combining smart building practices with the right hardware, facilities can reduce wasted energy, protect budgets, and create a safer, more comfortable environment for everyone inside.

6 Security Gate Applications

 September 25, 2025 0 Likes 252 Views
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With more outdoor areas needing to be secured, businesses and property owners are looking for new options for exterior security hardware that can serve their needs. The challenge is finding the security hardware solution that can stand up to the weather and application conditions. There are many options available for weatherized security hardware to satisfy outdoor applications. Always remember to refer to the local life safety codes when securing any gate.

Garden Centers & Lumber Yards

Garden centers and lumber yards need to have many entry points to move materials into the sales area, but they need to funnel the consumer traffic out through only one or two exit points. Garden-center environments tend to be more damaging to the gate hardware due to the weather, the constant spraying of water and the presence of fertilizers for maintaining live inventory; and those gates require hardware that is designed to withstand the rigors of that environment. The gates in these areas require security hardware that is either alarmed or equipped with delayed egress, which can be stand-alone or connected to the greater building security system.

Courtyards

Courtyards are another area that very often needs to be secured. Courtyards have traditionally been places for social gathering and for getting some fresh air at the workplace. But now, we find that many courtyards need to be protected with secured gates to keep the general public from entering and, more importantly, to keep the people in the courtyard from leaving the area unattended. This is especially critical at memory care facilities, preschools and playgrounds. One problem with this is that the courtyard is often also used as an emergency exit route, and people must have free egress to get away from the building in case of a fire or emergency exit situation.

Courtyard gates must allow for the mounting of weatherized security hardware. Currently the most common security hardware used on courtyard gates includes delayed egress. The delayed-egress function keeps the gate locked for 15 or 30 seconds while a local alarm sounds, after which the gate opens to allow free egress. The length of the delay is specified by the local municipality’s life safety codes. These systems can be stand-alone or they can be tied into the facility’s security system.

Swimming Pools

Outdoor swimming pools are probably the most common place to find security hardware securing a gate. Swimming pools are sources of considerable liability for their owners; security hardware is an ideal way for them to secure the area outside of normal operating hours and to prevent access by people who are not authorized to use the facility. Since the gates are outdoors, they should be secured with weatherized security hardware, which will often include top and/or bottom vertical rods. It is also typically tied into a security access system and a facility’s security monitoring system, including cameras.

Stadiums

Athletic stadiums often use many secured open-air gates. This applies to stadiums that are used for outdoor sports, such as football, baseball, soccer, lacrosse and others. These gates are typically used for deliveries and as an additional free exit after the game is over. Like courtyards, these gates allow must free egress in case of an emergency, but they must also be secured from unauthorized access or exit. The weatherized security hardware attached to these gates typically includes top and/or bottom vertical rods and is usually tied into the greater facility’s security system.

Storage Facilities

Storage facilities are also often controlled by secured gates. These businesses typically have a drive-in gate secured by an access control system, as well as a pedestrian gate that has access-controlled entrance and security hardware for exiting. This type of application usually includes weatherized security hardware with top and/or bottom vertical rods and is tied into a security system that monitors the entire facility and often includes security cameras.

Rooftops

Rooftop bars sometimes utilize a secured fence. Occupants of the bar must be able to evacuate in case of an emergency, but, for many reasons, routine use of that exit isn’t desirable for the establishment owners. This situation is similar to a courtyard because of the need for an emergency exit path. The weatherized security hardware can include delayed egress that provides a local audible alarm, and it can be tied into the security system that monitors the building and triggers the camera system. It can also be a stand-alone system with a local alarm.

Detex Honored with Outstanding Manufacturing Mentor Award from Skillpoint Alliance

 September 19, 2025 0 Likes 291 Views
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Detex Corporation is proud to announce that it has received the Outstanding Manufacturing Mentor Award from Skillpoint Alliance, a nonprofit workforce development organization dedicated to empowering the next generation of skilled professionals.

The award was presented at Skillpoint Alliance’s 4th Annual Partner Luncheon in Austin, TX on September 18, 2025, and recognizes companies that go above and beyond in mentoring and supporting workforce development in the manufacturing industry.

Detex has been an active partner of Skillpoint Alliance’s Certified Production Technician (CPT) training program, offering plant tours, mentorship, and technical guidance to equip students with real-world skills. This award underscores the importance of collaboration between industry leaders and workforce development organizations in bridging the regional skills gap.

The 4-1-1 On Hinges

 September 10, 2025 0 Likes 228 Views
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There are four basic types of standard hinges: full mortise, half mortise, full surface and half surface.

The Four Types of Hinges

An illustration showing how a full mortise hinge works with a door frame and door

The full mortise hinge is the most frequently used type of hinge today. It can be used on aluminum, hollow metal and wood doors and frames. It was formerly referred to as a “butt hinge” because the two leaves of the hinge are pressed together when the hinge is closed. It is used for medium to heavy weight doors that are subjected to low to high frequency use. When the door is closed, the barrel is the only part of the hinge that is visible.

An illustration showing how a half mortise hinge works with a door frame and door

The half mortise hinge is generally used on hollow metal doors with channel iron frames that experience medium to high frequency use.

An illustration showing how a full surface hinge works with a door frame and door

The full surface hinge is for medium weight tubular steel doors and kalamein wood doors with channel iron frames under medium to high frequency service

An illustration showing how a half surface hinge works with a door frame and door

The half surface hinge is for regular weight hollow metal or wood composite doors with hollow metal frames that see medium to high frequency use.

Special Hinges

There are also some special types of hinges sometimes used with emergency exit doors. One of these is the continuous hinge, also called a continuous geared hinge or a traditional piano hinge. This hinge distributes the weight of the door along the full height of the door frame, and allows smooth operation and longer life for the door opening. Continuous hinges are great options on all openings, but especially high-use doors. And adding full length continuous hinges to exterior doors means that an intruder must cut the hinge the entire length of the door, which, while possible, requires much more time and effort.

An illustration showing how a swing clear hinge works with a door frame and door, both open and closed

Another special type of hinge is the swing clear hinge. Swing clear hinges are generally used on ADA swing doors, since they are designed to swing completely clear of the frame when opened, which creates a wider opening for maximum access.

electric hinge

An electric hinge is a special type of hinge that allows electrical current to pass from a door frame to a door. This allows the use of electronic hardware on doors, such as electric locks, electrified exit devices, access control systems, or monitoring devices without use of visible wiring.

There are also specific hinges for security applications of emergency exit doors.

Choosing A Hinge

There are a few factors that should be considered when choosing which type of hinge should be used, including the weight of the door, the frequency of use and the environment. Obviously, the correct choice of hinge depends on the application.

Interior doors usually have two hinges, while heavier exterior doors usually have three.

Concealed hinges are used when the design mandates that the hinge not be visible. A knuckle hinge is the exact opposite of a concealed hinge, in that it is intended to be seen and admired.

High-use doors, such as employee entrances and main entrances, might require heavy weight, ball bearing hinges in a finish that can endure the weather and elements. Bearings offer the highest levels of durability and ease of operation.

Medium-use doors, such as trash removal or receiving doors, might require a medium weight, standard 5-knuckle hinge in a durable finish.

Light-duty doors, such as emergency exit doors, may require three or even four hinges.

To help ensure the door provides trouble free operation, the height, width and weight of the door should be considered when choosing the type of hinge and the number of hinges.

Detex Nominated for Outstanding Manufacturing Mentor Award by Skillpoint Alliance

 August 25, 2025 0 Likes 433 Views
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New Braunfels, TX — Detex Corporation is honored to announce its nomination for the Outstanding Manufacturing Mentor Award, presented by Skillpoint Alliance. This award recognizes companies that go above and beyond in supporting workforce development and mentoring the next generation of manufacturing professionals.

Winners will be announced at the awards dinner in September.

Through programs like Skillpoint Alliance’s Certified Production Technician (CPT) training, Skillpoint continues to bridge the regional skills gap and expand its reach. Detex remains committed to empowering future talent and strengthening the manufacturing community.

The Importance of Door Hardware Maintenance

 August 19, 2025 1 Likes 446 Views
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Door hardware plays a vital role in the safety, security, and functionality of any building. Whether it’s a school, office, hospital, or retail space, well-maintained door hardware ensures smooth operation, enhances security, and prolongs the life of your investment. Despite its critical role, door hardware maintenance is often overlooked until something goes wrong. Regular upkeep can prevent costly repairs, mitigate safety risks, and maintain compliance with building codes and standards.

Why Door Hardware Maintenance Matters

  1. Safety and Security
    • Faulty door hardware can compromise a building’s security. A misaligned latch, broken closer, or malfunctioning lock can provide easy access to unauthorized individuals or delay egress during emergencies.
    • Regular maintenance ensures panic hardware, exit devices, and locks function correctly, keeping occupants safe.
  2. Compliance with Codes and Standards
    • Building codes require specific types of hardware to be installed and maintained in certain environments. For instance, fire-rated doors must close and latch properly to maintain their fire-resistance integrity.
    • ADA compliance also hinges on properly maintained hardware that allows for accessible entry and exit.
  3. Cost Savings
    • Addressing minor issues before they escalate can save money. Preventative maintenance is less expensive than emergency repairs or full hardware replacements.
    • Well-maintained hardware reduces wear and tear, extending the life of the components.
  4. Operational Efficiency
    • Doors that don’t operate correctly can slow down traffic flow, causing frustration for employees, customers, or visitors.
    • Smooth-functioning hardware minimizes disruptions in daily operations.

Common Door Hardware Maintenance Tasks

  1. Inspection
    • Regularly check for loose screws, worn hinges, and damaged components. Inspect locks, exit devices, closers, and handles for signs of wear or malfunction.
  2. Cleaning
    • Remove dirt, grease, and grime from hardware to prevent build-up that can impede performance. Use manufacturer-recommended cleaning agents to avoid damaging finishes.
  3. Lubrication
    • Lubricate moving parts such as hinges, locks, and latch mechanisms to ensure smooth operation. Avoid over-lubricating, which can attract dust and debris.
  4. Alignment
    • Ensure doors are properly aligned within their frames. Misalignment can strain hardware components, causing premature failure.
  5. Testing
    • Periodically test panic hardware, door closers, and locks to confirm they’re functioning as intended. Ensure fire doors close and latch automatically.

Tips for Effective Maintenance

  • Create a Schedule: Establish a regular maintenance routine tailored to your building’s usage and environment.
  • Document Inspections: Keep detailed records of maintenance activities, inspections, and repairs.
  • Train Staff: Educate maintenance teams on the correct procedures for maintaining door hardware.
  • Partner with Professionals: Work with experienced technicians or hardware manufacturers for comprehensive inspections and repairs.

Conclusion

Investing time and resources into regular door hardware maintenance is essential for ensuring the safety, security, and functionality of your building. By addressing minor issues proactively, you can save money, comply with regulations, and provide a seamless experience for all occupants. Don’t wait for problems to arise—make maintenance a priority and keep your doors operating at their best.

My latch light never comes on. It stays on close speed

 August 6, 2025 0 Likes 242 Views
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The arm may have been installed wrong. To reinstall the arm, remove from spindle and put rocker switch to hold open. Put door at 90 degrees to frame and reinstall the arm as per instructions.

You may also have a cam orientation issue on top of the motor gear box where the back check and latch limit switches are controlled. Follow the chart below to re-position cam: