1 Scope
NOTE This Standard covers the design, materials, fabrication, and installation of overhead coiling grilles: upward-coiling open-mesh curtain assemblies that close an opening while remaining visually open and ventilated. (1.1)
NOTE An overhead coiling grille consists of a curtain of horizontal rods linked by vertical members that coils onto a barrel above the opening, guides at each jamb, a bottom bar, an operator, and a coil hood or housing. The closed curtain is approximately 75 to 80 percent open, which is the defining property that separates a grille from a door. (1.2)
1.3This Standard applies to coiling grilles used as storefront security closures, shopping-mall storefront and demising closures, interior tenant-separation grilles, parking-structure entries, and light-duty industrial openings.
1.4This Standard applies to new construction and to replacement of an existing grille in any project type requiring a roll-up security closure that remains open when deployed.
1.5This Standard covers both non-fire-rated and fire-rated assemblies, manual and motorized operation, standard and high-cycle (high-performance) models, and curtains of galvanized steel, aluminum, or stainless steel.
NOTE A coiling grille is an open-mesh closure and does not provide a smoke, weather, thermal, or acoustic barrier. Where a continuous opaque barrier is required, an opaque rolling-steel door under
Overhead Coiling Doors shall be specified instead.
(1.6) 2 Referenced Standards
2.1Equipment, materials, and installation shall comply with the latest adopted edition of each of the following unless a specific edition is cited or the Authority Having Jurisdiction has adopted a different edition.
2.2Where referenced standards conflict, the more stringent requirement shall govern unless the Engineer of Record directs otherwise in writing.
| Standard |
Title |
| UL 325 |
Door, Drapery, Gate, Louver, and Window Operators and Systems |
| UL 10B |
Fire Tests of Door Assemblies |
| NFPA 80 |
Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives |
| NFPA 101 |
Life Safety Code |
| IBC |
International Building Code (Section 716, Opening Protectives) |
| ASTM A653/A653M |
Steel Sheet, Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) or Zinc-Iron Alloy-Coated by the Hot-Dip Process |
| ASTM B209 |
Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate |
| ASTM B221 |
Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes |
| ASCE 7 |
Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures |
| AAMA 611 |
Anodized Architectural Aluminum |
| AAMA 2603 |
Pigmented Organic Coatings on Aluminum Extrusions and Panels |
| AAMA 2604 |
High Performance Organic Coatings on Aluminum Extrusions and Panels |
| DASMA TDS-254 |
Guidelines for Installation of Rolling Steel Fire Doors |
| DASMA TDS-297 |
Fire Related Standards and Rolling Steel Fire Door Ratings |
3 Submittals
3.1 Action Submittals
3.1.1The Contractor shall submit the following action submittals for review and approval before fabrication:
- Product data for each grille type, including curtain material, rod diameter, pattern, link spacing, open-area percentage, operation type, and cycle rating.
- Shop drawings showing each opening, with field-verified dimensions, mounting arrangement, guide type, coil and hood dimensions, bottom-bar profile, anchorage, and required clearances.
- Structural calculations for guide and bracket anchorage, signed and sealed by a professional engineer where wind, seismic, or wide-opening conditions require, including wind-load and seismic anchorage per ASCE 7.
- Wiring diagrams for motorized units showing operator, controls, entrapment-protection devices, and interface points.
- Finish samples for each exposed color and finish, with anodize class or powder-coat performance class identified.
- Fire-rating documentation for rated assemblies, including the UL 10B listing and the listed assembly size range.
☑ Product data
☑ Shop drawings (field-verified)
☐ Structural / anchorage calculations
☐ Wiring diagrams (motorized)
☑ Finish samples
☐ Fire-rating listing documentation
3.2 Closeout Submittals
3.2.1The Contractor shall submit the following closeout submittals before Substantial Completion:
- Operation and maintenance manuals covering lubrication, adjustment, and troubleshooting.
- Manufacturer's written warranty.
- Fire-door installation and inspection certificate per NFPA 80 for each rated assembly.
- Record drawings showing as-installed dimensions, anchorage, and control locations.
☑ Operation and maintenance manuals
☑ Manufacturer warranty
☐ NFPA 80 installation / inspection certificate
☐ Record drawings
3.3.1The Contractor shall submit the following informational submittals:
- Manufacturer's installation instructions, including DASMA TDS-254 guidance for rated assemblies.
- Maintenance and inspection instructions, including the fire-door annual-inspection procedure per NFPA 80 Section 5.2.
- Qualification statements for the installer.
☑ Installation instructions
☑ Maintenance / inspection instructions
☐ Installer qualifications
4 Quality Assurance
4.1The grille manufacturer shall be a firm regularly engaged in the manufacture of overhead coiling grilles of the type and size required, with a record of successful in-service performance.
4.2The installer shall be the manufacturer's authorized representative or a firm trained and approved by the manufacturer for the products being installed.
4.3Fire-rated assemblies shall be installed by an installer qualified to install listed fire-door assemblies in accordance with NFPA 80.
NOTE Each grille shall be the product of a single manufacturer to maintain consistency of curtain, guides, operator, and finish across the project. (4.4)
4.5Fire-rated grilles shall bear the label of a nationally recognized testing laboratory and shall be installed without field modification that would void the listing.
NOTE The listed dimensions of a fire-rated assembly are size-specific, and a field modification to fit a mismatched rough opening voids the listing; the listed assembly size range must be confirmed against the actual opening before order. (4.6)
5 Environmental and Service Conditions
NOTE The curtain material and operator enclosure rating shall be selected for the service environment of each opening, accounting for exterior exposure, humidity, wash-down, coastal salt, and food-service conditions. (5.1)
NOTE Mill-finish aluminum corrodes rapidly in coastal, high-humidity, and food-service environments. (5.2)
5.3Aluminum curtains in coastal, high-humidity, and food-service environments shall be anodized or otherwise corrosion-protected.
5.4Aluminum curtain rods used in exterior or high-humidity applications shall be anodized or otherwise corrosion-protected, not left as mill finish.
5.5Stainless steel curtains shall be specified for high-humidity, food-service, wash-down, or coastal environments where galvanized steel or anodized aluminum will not provide adequate corrosion resistance.
5.6Motorized operators in exterior, wash-down, or corrosive locations shall be enclosure-rated NEMA 4 or NEMA 4X; a NEMA 1 operator shall not be used in those locations.
● Interior, conditioned
○ Interior, high-humidity or food-service
○ Exterior, sheltered
○ Exterior, exposed
○ Coastal / corrosive
● NEMA 1 (interior, dry)
○ NEMA 4 (washdown, indoor)
○ NEMA 4X (corrosive, exterior)
6 Fire Rating
NOTE Whether a grille must be fire-rated is determined by the fire-resistance rating of the wall it occupies and the opening-protective rating required by IBC Section 716 for that wall and occupancy; it is not a discretionary upgrade. (6.1)
6.2Where the grille closes an opening in a fire-resistance-rated wall, it shall be a fire-rated assembly listed and labeled to UL 10B and installed in accordance with NFPA 80.
6.3A fire-rated grille shall be provided with automatic closure on a fire signal, by fusible link or by electric release, in accordance with NFPA 80.
6.4The fire-protection rating of the assembly shall be not less than the rating required by IBC Section 716 for the wall rating and occupancy at the opening.
NOTE A grille is an open-mesh closure and is not a smoke barrier; where the opening protective must also restrict smoke, a grille shall not be substituted for a listed smoke-rated assembly. (6.5)
● Non-rated
○ 20 minute
○ 45 minute
○ 1 hour (3/4 hr label)
○ 1.5 hour (90 min)
● Not applicable (non-rated)
○ Fusible link (thermal)
○ Electric release (fire alarm interface)
7 Curtain
NOTE The curtain is the visible, load-bearing face of the grille: horizontal rods spanning the opening, joined at intervals by vertical links and spacer sleeves, forming the open mesh that gives the grille its visibility and ventilation. (7.1)
7.2 Curtain Material
NOTE The curtain material shall be selected for the required security level, corrosion environment, and appearance, from galvanized steel, aluminum, stainless steel, or powder-coated steel. (7.2.1)
7.2.2Galvanized steel curtain rods shall conform to ASTM A653/A653M.
7.2.3Aluminum curtain rods and links shall conform to ASTM B209 for sheet and plate components and to ASTM B221 for extruded components.
7.2.4Stainless steel curtains shall use 300-series stainless steel for rods, links, and sleeves.
● Galvanized steel
○ Aluminum (alloy 5056-H32)
○ Stainless steel (300 series)
○ Powder-coated steel
7.3 Curtain Pattern
NOTE The curtain pattern determines visual openness, security level, and airflow; a brick pattern staggers the link joints between courses, while a straight pattern aligns them vertically. (7.3.1)
7.3.2The curtain shall be furnished in the specified pattern, with vertical link spacing selected so the closed curtain provides the required open area.
NOTE Tighter vertical link spacing increases security and reduces hand and tool access through the curtain, at the cost of open area and visibility; wider spacing maximizes visibility and airflow. (7.3.3)
● Brick pattern (6 in staggered)
○ Straight pattern (6 in)
○ Straight pattern (9 in)
● 12 in o.c. (standard openness)
○ 9 in o.c. (tighter security)
7.4 Curtain Rods, Links, and Sleeves
7.4.1Curtain rod diameter shall be selected for the required security level and span, with 5/16 in as the standard rod and 3/8 in for heavier-duty or higher-security openings.
7.4.2Links and sleeves shall be aluminum on standard assemblies, and shall be upgraded to stainless steel where corrosion resistance or wear life requires.
NOTE All curtain links and sleeves shall be a consistent material throughout a single curtain to avoid galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals. (7.4.3)
● 5/16 in (standard)
○ 3/8 in (heavy-duty / high-security)
● Aluminum (standard)
○ Stainless steel (upgraded)
8 Bottom Bar
NOTE The bottom bar is the rigid member at the leading edge of the curtain that seals against the floor, carries the lock, and on motorized units carries the sensing edge. (8.1)
8.2The bottom bar shall be a double-angle section, 2 x 2 x 1/8 in galvanized steel minimum, unless a heavier or material-matched section is required for the curtain material or width.
8.3The bottom-bar clearance to finished floor in the closed position shall not exceed 0.5 in where the grille occurs in an accessible route, in accordance with the threshold provisions of IBC Section 1010.
NOTE Where a pedestrian pass-door (wicket door) within the grille is required, it shall be factory-built with reinforced bottom-bar and side members; pass-doors shall not be field-cut into a finished curtain. (8.4)
8.5Where a pedestrian pass-door within the grille is required, the location and required reinforcement shall be shown on the drawings pass-door location. ● Double-angle 2 x 2 x 1/8 in (standard)
○ Slotted for ADA threshold coordination
○ Reinforced for pass-door
9 Guides and Mounting
NOTE The guides are the vertical channels at each jamb that retain the curtain edges and transfer wind and impact loads into the structure; their type and anchorage govern the reveal, the jamb blocking, and the structural attachment. (9.1)
9.2The mounting arrangement shall be coordinated with the rough opening, with face-of-wall mounting for surface installation and between-jamb (pocket) mounting where a recessed, concealed appearance is required.
9.3The guide type shall be coordinated with the available reveal depth, using surface-mounted angle guides where a surface reveal is acceptable and recessed guides where a flush jamb is required.
9.4Guide angles shall be structural steel not less than 3/16 in thick, anchored to the supporting structure in accordance with the manufacturer's sealed structural calculations.
9.5Guide anchors to masonry or concrete shall be embedded or through-bolted and sized by calculation.
NOTE A generic anchorage note does not satisfy the Authority Having Jurisdiction for guide anchor design. (9.6)
9.7In Seismic Design Category C and higher, guide and bracket anchorage shall include pull-out and seismic calculations per ASCE 7.
NOTE The coil-housing (barrel) depth and width shall be coordinated with the structural header or soffit framing; standard coils can require 12 to 18 in of clear depth above the opening, while compact-coil products exist for shallow-header conditions. (9.8)
● Face-of-wall
○ Between-jamb (pocket mount)
● Surface-mounted angle guides
○ Recessed guides (flush jamb)
● Not required (SDC A or B)
○ Required per ASCE 7 (SDC C and higher)
10 Coil Hood and Housing
NOTE The coil hood encloses the coiled curtain and barrel above the opening; it protects the coil, conceals the mechanism, and contributes to weather and vandal resistance. (10.1)
10.2A coil hood or enclosed housing shall be provided where the coil is exposed to weather, accessible to vandalism, or visually prominent.
10.3The hood material and finish shall match the curtain material and the specified finish unless the drawings indicate a concealed coil above a finished ceiling.
○ Open coil (concealed above ceiling)
● Enclosed hood cover
11 Operation
NOTE The operation type shall be selected from the daily cycle count and the opening size, with manual operation for low-use openings and motorized operation for frequent use or large openings. (11.1)
11.2 Manual Operation
11.2.1Manual grilles shall be furnished as hand-lift for small, balanced openings or as chain-hoist for larger or heavier curtains.
NOTE Chain-hoist operation shall not be specified for openings wider than approximately 16 ft or taller than 12 ft without verifying that the required chain-pull force is within ergonomic and code limits, because chain-pull force can exceed 40 lbf on large grilles. (11.2.2)
○ Not applicable (motorized)
○ Hand-lift
● Chain-hoist
11.3 Motorized Operation
11.3.1Motorized grilles shall be furnished with a tubular or jackshaft operator sized for the curtain weight, opening size, and cycle frequency.
11.3.2The operator shall be single-phase or three-phase as coordinated with the available building power.
11.3.3Every motorized operator shall be provided with an emergency manual release that allows operation on loss of power.
NOTE Operator power and control interface shall be coordinated with the available building power and any building-automation or access-control interface. (11.3.4)
○ Not applicable (manual)
○ Single-phase 120V
○ Single-phase 208-240V
● Three-phase 208-240V
○ Three-phase 480V
☐ Key switch
☑ Push-button station
☐ Building-automation (BAS) interface
☐ Access-control interface
11.4 Entrapment Protection
11.4.1Every motorized grille operator shall comply with UL 325 for entrapment protection.
11.4.2Each motorized grille shall be provided with a primary entrapment-protection device, by photo eyes or a sensing edge, in accordance with UL 325.
11.4.3Exterior photo eyes shall be rated NEMA 4X for the exposure.
NOTE Entrapment-protection devices required by UL 325 must be included in the motorized order, because retroactive installation after the operator is mounted is difficult and is commonly required by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. (11.4.4)
☑ Photo eyes
☑ Sensing edge (bottom bar)
☐ Safety light curtain
NOTE The cycle rating shall be selected from the expected daily use, because a standard-cycle model will fail prematurely in a high-traffic application. (12.1)
NOTE Standard-cycle grilles, rated at approximately 50,000 cycles, are suitable for low-use storefronts; a standard model used at 60 or more cycles per day in a mall or transit application will fail within two to three years. (12.2)
12.3High-traffic retail, transit, and parking applications shall use a high-performance grille rated for 300,000 cycles or more.
● Standard (~50,000 cycles)
○ High-performance (300,000+ cycles)
○ High-performance extreme (500,000-600,000 cycles)
13 Wind Load
NOTE The wind-load rating shall be selected for the project location and exposure; standard grilles are rated to a nominal static pressure, while engineered models carry higher pressures supported by calculation. (13.1)
13.2The grille shall be designed for the static design wind pressure determined for the opening per ASCE 7 for the project location and exposure.
13.3Standard grilles are rated to approximately 10 psf static; coastal and high-exposure locations shall use an engineered grille rated to the calculated pressure, up to 40 psf static for high-performance models.
13.4Motorized high-performance grilles intended to operate under wind shall be rated for the operable wind pressure, up to approximately 20 psf, in addition to the static rating.
● Not required (standard 10 psf)
○ Required per ASCE 7 (engineered)
14 Opening Size
NOTE Standard production grilles are limited in size, and openings beyond the standard range require engineered or custom assemblies coordinated with the manufacturer. (14.1)
14.2The grille width and height shall be confirmed against the manufacturer's standard size range, with engineered assemblies provided where the opening exceeds the standard limits.
14.3Standard models cover openings up to approximately 20 ft wide and 14 ft high; wider or taller openings, up to approximately 30 to 40 ft wide and 20 ft high, require engineered or custom assemblies.
15 Finish
NOTE The finish shall be selected for the curtain material and the exposure, with anodize class and powder-coat performance class matched to interior or exterior service. (15.1)
15.2Anodized aluminum finishes shall comply with AAMA 611, Class I (0.7 mil minimum) for exterior exposure and Class II (0.4 mil minimum) for interior exposure.
15.3Powder-coat finishes shall comply with AAMA 2603 for interior or economy applications and AAMA 2604 for exterior or commercial applications.
15.4Galvanized steel components shall be hot-dip galvanized where a bare protective finish is acceptable.
○ Mill aluminum
○ Clear anodized (AAMA 611 Class II)
○ Clear anodized (AAMA 611 Class I)
○ Color anodized (AAMA 611 Class I)
○ Hot-dip galvanized
● Powder-coat, interior (AAMA 2603)
○ Powder-coat, exterior (AAMA 2604)
Per drawings — finish schedule
16 Locking
NOTE The locking method shall be selected for the security requirement and the operation type, from no lock, slide bolt, cylinder lock, or integrated motorized lock. (16.1)
16.2The locking method shall be coordinated with the building's keying and access-control system where a cylinder or integrated motorized lock is specified.
16.3Motorized grilles requiring positive security in the closed position shall use an integrated motorized lock rather than a manual bolt.
○ No lock
○ Slide bolt
● Cylinder lock
○ Integrated motorized lock
17 Testing
17.1 Factory Testing
17.1.1Each grille shall be operationally cycle-tested at the factory before shipment to confirm smooth travel and correct curtain coiling.
17.1.2Engineered wind-load assemblies shall be tested to the rated static pressure in accordance with the manufacturer's wind-load test protocol or the applicable DASMA guidance.
17.1.3Fire-rated assemblies shall be of a design tested and listed to UL 10B.
17.2 Field Testing
17.2.1After installation, each grille shall be operated through its full travel to verify smooth operation, correct limit settings, and proper seating of the bottom bar.
17.2.2Each motorized grille shall be tested to confirm that the entrapment-protection devices stop and reverse or stop the curtain in accordance with UL 325.
17.2.3Each fire-rated assembly shall be drop-tested and reset after installation to verify automatic closure.
17.2.4Each fire-rated assembly shall be subject to the annual operational test required by NFPA 80 Section 5.2, including verification of fusible-link condition, automatic closing, and manual release.
☑ Full-travel operation test
☐ UL 325 entrapment-protection test
☐ NFPA 80 fire-door drop test
☐ NFPA 80 annual operational test
18 Installation
18.1The grille shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's written instructions and the approved shop drawings, plumb, level, and true to the opening.
NOTE The supporting substrate at the floor shall be level under the full width of the opening, because a sloped floor under a wide storefront grille causes binding and can void a fire-rated listing. (18.2)
18.3The bottom-bar clearance and threshold shall be coordinated with the finished floor elevation so the curtain seats evenly across the full width of the opening.
18.4Guides and brackets shall be anchored to the supporting structure in accordance with the sealed structural calculations and the manufacturer's instructions, using the specified anchor type and embedment.
18.5Fire-rated assemblies shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 80 and DASMA TDS-254, without field modification to the listed assembly.
18.6Motorized operators, controls, and entrapment-protection devices shall be installed, wired, and adjusted by qualified personnel and tested before the opening is placed in service.
18.7The opening location, swing of any associated doors, and clearances to adjacent construction shall be coordinated with the drawings grille opening location. 19 Delivery, Storage, and Handling
19.1Grilles shall be delivered in the manufacturer's packaging, labeled to identify each opening, and protected from damage and weather during transport.
19.2Grilles shall be stored indoors, off the floor, in a dry, ventilated space, and protected from construction traffic and from staining or abrasion of finished surfaces.
19.3Curtains and finished components shall be handled to prevent bending of rods, distortion of links, and scratching of the finish.
20 Warranty
20.1The manufacturer shall provide a written warranty against defects in materials and workmanship for the standard warranty period.
20.2High-performance and high-cycle grilles shall carry a cycle-based or extended warranty appropriate to the rated cycle count.
20.3The warranty shall state the coverage period, the components covered, and the maintenance required to keep the warranty in force.
21 Spare Parts
21.1The manufacturer shall furnish spare parts and consumables appropriate to the operation type and service environment for owner maintenance.
21.2For fire-rated assemblies, spare fusible links matched to the listed assembly shall be furnished for replacement at the intervals required by NFPA 80.
☐ Spare fusible links (fire-rated)
☐ Spare sensing edge / photo eye
☐ Operator drive components
☑ Lubricant / maintenance kit