Understanding Power Transfers: A Guide to Wiring Electrified Doors

 July 22, 2025 0 Likes 41 Views
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When it comes to electrified locks and exit devices, power transfers play a crucial role in ensuring seamless operation while maintaining security and aesthetics. Whether you’re planning new construction or retrofitting existing doors, selecting the right power transfer solution can make all the difference.

What Are Power Transfers?

Power transfers provide a means of running wires from the door frame to electrified door hardware such as locks, strikes, or exit devices. They come in various forms, each suited to specific applications and installation requirements.

Types of Power Transfers

  1. Surface-Mounted Power Transfers
    • Includes armored door cords or door loops.
    • Economical and easy to install on existing openings.
    • Ideal for field preparation in both retrofits and new construction.
    • Highly visible but durable, making them a practical choice for many applications.
  2. Concealed Power Transfers
    • Mortised into the door and frame for a clean, tamper-resistant installation.
    • Factory-prepared and approved for fire-rated openings.
    • Best for heavy-traffic environments or areas requiring higher security.
  3. Electric Hinges
    • Provide a concealed and vandal-resistant method of running wires.
    • Fit into standard 4-1/2″ or 5″ hinge preparations with minor modifications for wire clearance.
    • Recommended for the center hinge position for optimal performance.
  4. Wireless Power Transfers
    • Use radio frequency (RF) transmitters to wirelessly transfer energy across the door gap.
    • Eliminate the need for drilling or conduit installation, making them ideal for retrofits, especially with wood doors.
    • Capable of transferring power and signals, including latch bolt monitoring and request-to-exit (REX) signals.

When Are Conduits Needed?

  • For electrical locks and strikes, a conduit or raceway is often recommended to run wires from the hinge-side preparation to the lock or strike preparation.
  • With electrical panic devices, most connections are through the hinge-side mounting, and no conduit is typically required in the door.

Benefits of Power Transfers

  • Aesthetic Appeal: Concealed power transfers maintain a clean look by hiding wires.
  • Durability: Heavy-duty options are designed to withstand frequent use in high-traffic areas.
  • Security: Concealed solutions reduce the risk of tampering or vandalism.
  • Ease of Installation: Surface-mounted and wireless options simplify retrofitting and field preparation.

Key Considerations

  • Always consult your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to ensure compliance with fire-rated opening requirements.
  • For high-security or heavy-traffic environments, prioritize concealed or heavy-duty power transfers to enhance durability and tamper resistance.
  • For retrofits, consider wireless options to save time and avoid invasive installations.

Conclusion

Power transfers are the unsung heroes of electrified door systems, ensuring reliable power delivery while maintaining security and aesthetics. By understanding the types and applications of power transfers, you can choose the right solution for your project, whether it’s a high-security facility, a retrofit, or a new construction.

For more information or assistance with selecting the ideal power transfer for your needs, feel free to reach out to our team.

Understanding Windstorm-Rated Hardware: Protection Against Nature’s Fury

 April 23, 2025 1 Likes 527 Views
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When it comes to safeguarding buildings and their occupants from extreme weather events like hurricanes and tornadoes, windstorm-rated hardware plays a crucial role. These specialized components are designed to protect against high-velocity winds and dangerous debris while maintaining structural integrity and functionality. Let’s explore the key distinctions and requirements for hurricane-rated and tornado-rated hardware.

Hurricane-Rated Hardware: Built for Sustained Storms

Hurricanes are among the most devastating natural disasters, with an average of 12 forming in the Atlantic basin each year. While storm surges are often the deadliest aspect, windborne debris accounts for much of the structural damage.

Hurricane-rated hardware is specifically designed to:

  • Prevent Debris Penetration: Protect buildings from windborne projectiles while maintaining the integrity of doors and their components.
  • Withstand High Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ): Tested to endure sustained wind pressure and extreme conditions over long periods.

Guidelines and Testing

Hurricane-rated hardware must comply with the Florida Building Code (FBC), which sets stringent standards. Many coastal states adopt the FBC for their hurricane door requirements. Hardware is subjected to rigorous third-party testing, including:

  • Static Pressure Testing: Ensures hardware can withstand sustained wind pressure.
  • Debris Impact Testing: Verifies resistance to high-velocity projectiles.
  • Cyclical Pressure Testing: Simulates the stress of repeated wind gusts.

To meet FBC standards, all components—doors, frames, hinges, and exit devices—must bear visible windstorm rating labels. Importantly, the FBC recognizes component listings, allowing substitutions of products with equivalent ratings.

Tornado-Rated Hardware: Protecting Lives in an Instant

Tornadoes, while shorter in duration, are among the most violent natural events, with wind speeds reaching up to 250 miles per hour. In the U.S. alone, an average of 1,000 tornadoes are reported annually, making tornado-rated hardware vital in vulnerable regions.

The primary purpose of tornado-rated hardware is to:

  • Protect Occupants: Prevent extreme pressure differentials and block projectile debris.
  • Withstand Extreme Winds: Maintain integrity under short bursts of intense force.

Guidelines and Testing

Tornado-rated hardware adheres to FEMA 361 and ICC 500 standards, which outline stringent safety measures for tornado shelters. These products undergo comprehensive testing by third-party laboratories, including:

  • Static Pressure Testing: Ensures durability against extreme pressure differentials.
  • Impact Testing: Confirms resilience to debris impacts at speeds up to 100 miles per hour.

Unlike hurricane-rated systems, tornado-rated hardware is tested and certified as an assembly. This means the door, frame, and hardware must be supplied and installed together as a single unit to maintain compliance.

Key Differences Between Hurricane- and Tornado-Rated Hardware

FeatureHurricane-Rated HardwareTornado-Rated Hardware
PurposeLong-term protection from sustained winds and debris.Short-term protection from extreme winds and debris.
StandardsFlorida Building Code (FBC).FEMA 361 and ICC 500.
TestingStatic pressure, debris impact, and cyclical pressure.Static pressure and 100 mph impact testing.
ApplicationCan use component listings.Must be installed as an assembly.
MaterialsVarious materials.Steel doors only for FEMA 361 compliance.

Choosing the Right Windstorm-Rated Hardware

When selecting windstorm-rated hardware, consider the specific risks in your region. Coastal areas prone to hurricanes may prioritize FBC-compliant systems, while tornado-prone regions should invest in FEMA-rated assemblies for maximum protection.

By understanding the differences between hurricane- and tornado-rated hardware, building owners and facility managers can make informed decisions to safeguard lives and property.

Have questions about windstorm-rated hardware? Contact us to learn more about protecting your building against extreme weather events.

What You Need to Know About Exit Routes: A Guide to Compliance and Safety

 March 3, 2025 0 Likes 1283 Views
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In an emergency, a well-maintained exit route can mean the difference between chaos and a safe evacuation. Exit routes are not just a critical component of workplace safety—they’re also a legal requirement under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. This blog post explains what exit routes are, their requirements, and how to ensure your building remains code-compliant.

What Is an Exit Route?

OSHA defines an exit route as a continuous and unobstructed path that allows occupants to travel from any point within a workplace to a safe location.

An exit route consists of three key components:

  1. Exit Access: The path leading to the exit.
  2. The Exit: The actual door or area, separated from other spaces, that provides safe passage during an evacuation.
  3. Exit Discharge: The portion of the route that leads outside to a street, open space, walkway, or refuge area.

Requirements for Exit Route Compliance

To ensure safety and compliance, exit routes must meet specific requirements:

  1. Unlocked Doors
    • Exit doors must be unlocked from the inside.
    • Devices or alarms on doors (e.g., delayed egress) must not restrict use in an emergency unless explicitly approved by your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
  2. Swing Direction
    • Exit doors must swing outwards in the direction of travel during an evacuation.
  3. Clear Width
    • The minimum width of an exit is 36 inches, with a clear opening of at least 32 inches.
    • The maximum width of a single opening is 48 inches, but exceptions allow for clear widths as narrow as 28 inches.
  4. Lighting and Signage
    • Emergency lighting and exit signs must be provided and adequate for individuals with normal vision.
  5. Permanent and Unobstructed Routes
    • Exit routes must be permanent, unobstructed by materials, equipment, or debris.
    • Chains, deadbolts, or dead-end corridors are prohibited.
  6. Accessible Exits
    • Exit routes must lead to a safe location, such as a street, refuge area, or open space with access to the outdoors.
  7. Fire-Rated Doors and Labels
    • Fire-rated exit doors require labeling from third-party agencies such as Underwriter Laboratories (UL), Warnock Hersey (WH), or Intertek Testing Services (ITS).

Special Considerations for Fire Exits

Fire exits are an essential part of many buildings, often located inside and not part of an external wall. Here are some critical rules for fire exits and fire exit devices:

  1. Projection Limits
    • Exit devices cannot project more than 4 inches from the door (per Section 1003.3.2 of the 2018 International Building Code).
  2. Fire Door Standards
    • Fire exits must be equipped with self-closing fire-rated doors that automatically re-latch or re-lock upon closure.
    • Fire exit devices must pass rigorous testing to prove their ability to keep doors secure during a fire emergency.
  3. Time Ratings
    • Fire exit devices must display a time rating from a third-party agency—typically 20 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, or 3 hours.
  4. Dogging Mechanisms
    • Mechanical dogging (which prevents re-latching) is not allowed. However, electric dogging is permitted for fire-rated exit devices.

Did you know?
Many exit routes are overlooked during routine building inspections. Improperly maintained or obstructed exits can result in citations, fines, or worse—endanger lives in an emergency.

Maintaining Exit Route Compliance

To stay compliant and ensure safety:

  • Conduct regular inspections of all exit routes, ensuring they are clear and functional.
  • Verify that all exit devices meet the appropriate fire-rating standards.
  • Consult with your local AHJ to confirm compliance with jurisdiction-specific requirements.

Having proper exit routes is not just about meeting code—it’s about ensuring that everyone in your building has a safe path to escape during an emergency.

Need help with exit route hardware?

Contact us today for expert guidance on maintaining safe, compliant exit routes in your facility.