The First Facility Management Blog

With a focus on enhancing safety, energy efficiency and convenience, Larco, a division of ATEK Products, LLC and a supplier of commercial safety products, expanded its door access control product line with the addition of the Blue Diamond Backlit Wall Switch. Suitable for automatic indoor and outdoor entryway applications, the switch provides subtle blue backlighting, allowing for easy visibility in poorly lit entryways and nighttime environments.

Incorporating energy efficient Monolithic Constant-Current Regulator, light guiding, and LED technology, the backlit switch is easy to install and durable. It is also designed and manufactured to US and CE certification standards and is compatible with electronics in all automatic doors.

Available in a 4.5″ square version, Larco will introduce two round versions (4.5″ and 6″), as well as a 6″ square version in the coming months. Customizable to meet décor or branding requirements, the new wall switch is available in a stainless steel or brass finish as well as a variety of logos and face decals.

The Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) announces the publication of three revised American National Standards: ANSI/BHMA A156.3 -2008 for Exit Devices; ANSI/BHMA A 156.4 - 2008 for Door Controls – Closers; and ANSI/BHMA A156.16 - 2008 for Auxiliary Hardware.

ANSI/BHMA A156.3 for Exit Devices
This standard establishes requirements for exit devices and trim, automatic and self-latching flush bolts, removable mullions, coordinators and carry-open bars. Among the changes to ANSI/BHMA A156.3, the updated standard includes tightening the operational key torque value to 12 in-lbf; adding electrified exit device functions; and adding definitions for dogging, electric dogging, mullions and multipoint exit devices and unlatches. This publication is an update of an earlier 2001 version of the standard.

ANSI/BHMA A156.4 for Door Controls – Closers
This standard contains requirements for door closers surface mounted, concealed in the door, overhead concealed, and concealed in the floor. Also included are pivots for floor closers. Whole scale reformatting was done primarily to reduce cross references and clarify test sequences for each type of closer. Changes to ANSI/BHMA A156.4 include improving floor marking template diagrams; clarifying the door weight table by showing ranges; revising leakage failure criteria; adding a dead stop test procedure based on A156.8 for stops and holders; and clarifying the requirements for range of closing motion. This publication is an update of an earlier 2000 version of the standard.

ANSI/BHMA A156.16 for Auxiliary Hardware
This standard establishes requirements for auxiliary hardware. Among the changes to ANSI/BHMA A156.16, the updated standard includes updated product type illustrations; revised shower curtain rod test requirements and moving the location of the door stop in the cycle test to across the middle hinge. This publication is an update of an earlier 2002 version of the standard.

The SL-120 Continuous Hinge from Special-Lite® compensates when door openings are not perfectly square.

The Special-Lite® SL-120 Continuous Hinge provides an easy-to-install solution to compensate for out-of-plumb jambs in both new construction and door replacement. The SL-120 is designed for use when rough openings or existing framing are not perfectly square. With adjustability of up to 1/8” in either direction or opposite directions top to bottom, the hinge allows Special-Lite flush doors to hang properly in less than perfect openings.

The SL-120 has survived abusive testing beyond 3 million cycles, matching the durability of Special-Lite flush doors. The Special-Lite hinges are covered by the same 10-year warranty as Special-Lite doors. The hinge is available with standard Class 1 anodized finishes in clear and dark bronze, with optional colors available. Hinge caps can be painted to match door or frame colors.

Based in Decatur, MI, Special-Lite manufactures complete entrance systems consisting of flush, monumental, wood grain and colonial doors, panels and framing for new construction and replacement installations in educational, commercial, institutional, industrial, and municipal applications. The company was founded in 1971 and pioneered the use of fiberglass reinforced polyester (FRP) material for door skins in the early 1980s. Special-Lite® Entrance Products were the first to earn GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification, including the Children Schools Standard.

When they cannot find an “off the shelf” bollard for their facility projects, some industry professionals are turning instead to custom bollards that offer a number of design options.

Bollards from Wikk Industries can be customized for facilities.

“For some building projects, the standard, boxy, aluminum bollard post just isn’t right,” says Dave Boehmer, sales engineer for Detroit Door & Hardware.  “It can undo the effect the architect or building occupant was aiming for.”

Such was the case when the Adrian Public Library in Adrian, MI underwent a renovation. A typical aluminum bollard post didn’t match its renovation goals. “The library occupants wanted something more custom and durable,” explains Boehmer.

According to Boehmer, the head librarian was able to find the bollard post from Wikk Industries, a designer and manufacturer of automatic door equipment. The company customizes the material, design, finish, switch type, and location of bollard preps and also the dimensions and cap, with multiple preps for add-ons such as intercoms, card readers, and pull stations.

“The custom bollard has a streamlined look that’s more aesthetic than typical boxy units and it’s more functional,” said Boehmer. “With its stainless steel post and satin stainless finish, it’ll withstand Michigan winters much longer than the usual aluminum ones.”

Another option for Wikk bollards is the INGRESS’R switch, an automatic entry door product to be mounted on the bollard. Because the switch is 36” tall by 6” wide with a fully actionable 2-1/2” column, the door can be opened from any height or angle of approach. This was designed to make it easier for users to activate entry into a facility.

SARGENT introduces Beacon™, a next generation exit device to create a clearer pathway to safety during an emergency. Part of the ASSA ABLOY LiteGuide™ family of products, Beacon is an exit device that features a combination of audible and visible alerts.

The Beacon can retrofit to most of the company's 80 Series exit devices.

When activated, Beacon (which integrates with a facility’s existing fire alarm system) emits a pulse of light and white noise followed by an audible message declaring “exit located here.” A laser light beamed from the exit device forms an arrow shape pointing directly to the illuminated touch bar—allowing occupants to locate the exit and get out quickly. Beacon makes the opening highly noticeable for all occupants, including those who are hearing- or sight-impaired.

The verbal exit instructions indicating exit location are given in one or multiple languages. In the final phase of the sequence, a green laser light cone combined with flashing LEDs for increased visibility to draw occupants directly to the exit.

Both electroluminescent and photoluminescent versions are available. Available with MicroShield™ antimicrobial finish.

In 2001, ASSA ABLOY decided to support Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build houses for families in need and help address homelessness around the world. In November, the company, a provider of door hardware and security solutions, noted a major milestone for that organization. On November 13 and 14, construction began on Habitat’s 300,000th and 300,001st house, in Naples, FL and Zacapa, Guatemala, respectively.

ASSA ABLOY employees throughout North and South America have helped build Habitat homes.

ASSA ABLOY began its relationship as a sponsor of Habitat for Humanity seven years ago providing interior and exterior locksets for all Habitat homes built in the United States. To date the company has donated approximately 375,000 locks.

This milestone represents a decade of major growth for Habitat for Humanity, which was founded in 1976. In 2000, Habitat’s 100,000th house was built in New York City and 100,001st house in Plains, GA. Five years later, Habitat dedicated its 200,000th home in Knoxville, TN; and 200,001st house in Kanyakumari, India.

In an effort to spur industry communication on the increasingly important topic of component substitution for door certification and testing, the AAMA Door Component Interchangeability Task Group is hosting an all-day open discussion forum on July 8.

The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), located in Schaumburg, IL, is hosting the forum to further the development of guidelines to be used for side-hinged entry door component structural substitution/ interchangeability. These guidelines will then be used by the industry to craft procedural guides, certification, and other possible programs. In addition to members of the Task Group, representatives of the Association of Millwork Distributors (AMD) and Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) have been invited to attend.

“The exterior side-hinged door segment of our industry has voiced concerns about the requirements for full door system testing. AAMA and representatives from AMD have been diligently working to develop a program that allows the substitution of qualified pre-hung door components within approved door assemblies. This work has reached a stage where the development can be enhanced and accelerated with expanded input,” according to Rich Walker, AAMA president and CEO.

AAMA can accommodate other interested parties that are willing to contribute to the development of the guidelines. To request to be added to the meeting roster, interested facility managers call (847) 303-5859, ext. 225 by June 27, 2008.

For more information on this meeting and the door certification program efforts, please call 847-303-5664, or email John Lewis, technical director at jlewis@aamanet.org.