This standard covers the furnishing and installation of hollow metal (steel) doors and frames, architectural wood flush doors, and the complete hardware assemblies for swinging door openings in commercial and institutional construction. The scope includes interior and exterior applications, fire-rated and non-fire-rated openings, and the coordination of electrified hardware with building access control and security systems. Door schedules, frame elevations, hardware sets, keying plans, and fire-rated opening ratings shall be as indicated on the contract drawings and in the Owner's hardware specifications; this standard establishes minimum performance, material, installation, and inspection requirements for all of those conditions.
A door opening is a system. The door leaf, the frame, the hardware, the glazing, any gasketing, and any threshold must all be coordinated to function together — and in the case of a fire-rated opening, they must perform together under fire test conditions as a labeled assembly. This standard requires that the Contractor treat every opening as a system and that product selections, submittals, and installation be managed accordingly. The hardware consultant, the general contractor, the hollow metal supplier, the wood door supplier, the hardware supplier, and the glazing trade shall coordinate submittals so that the opening schedule, the hardware sets, and the frame preparations are all reconciled before procurement begins.
Coordinate this work with Gypsum Board Assemblies for frame-to-partition interfaces, with Access Control Systems for electrified hardware power and control wiring, and with Fire Alarm Systems for door-holder and magnetic-hold-open devices that release on fire alarm signal.
Materials, fabrication, and installation shall comply with the latest adopted edition of the referenced standards. Where contract documents or the adopted building code impose more stringent requirements than a referenced standard, the more stringent requirement shall govern. The Contractor shall resolve conflicts in writing with the Engineer of Record before proceeding.
| Standard | Title |
|---|---|
| ANSI/SDI A250.8-2023 | Specifications for Standard Steel Doors and Frames (SDI-100) |
| ANSI/SDI A250.4 | Test Procedure and Acceptance Criteria for Physical Endurance for Steel Doors, Frames, Frame Anchors, and Hardware Reinforcing |
| ANSI/SDI A250.6 | Recommended Practice for Hardware Reinforcing on Standard Steel Doors and Frames |
| ANSI/SDI A250.11-2022 | Recommended Erection Instructions for Steel Frames |
| ANSI/SDI A250.10 | Test Procedure and Acceptance Criteria for Prime Painted Steel Surfaces for Steel Doors and Frames |
| ANSI/WDMA I.S.1A-21 | Industry Standard for Interior Architectural Wood Flush Doors |
| ANSI/BHMA A156.1-2021 | Standard for Butts and Hinges |
| ANSI/BHMA A156.2-2022 | Locks, Latches, and Bolts |
| ANSI/BHMA A156.3-2025 | Exit Devices |
| ANSI/BHMA A156.4-2024 | Door Closers and Pivots |
| ANSI/BHMA A156.13 | Standard for Mortise Locks and Latches |
| ANSI/BHMA A156.18 | Materials and Finishes |
| ANSI/BHMA A156.21 | Standard for Thresholds |
| ANSI/BHMA A156.22 | Standard for Door Gasketing and Edge Seal Systems |
| NFPA 80 (2025 Edition) | Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives |
| NFPA 105 (2025 Edition) | Standard for Smoke Door Assemblies and Other Opening Protectives |
| UL 10C | Standard for Positive Pressure Fire Tests of Door Assemblies |
| IBC Chapter 10 | International Building Code — Means of Egress |
| ICC A117.1-2017 | Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities |
| ASTM A653 | Standard Specification for Steel Sheet, Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) or Zinc-Iron Alloy-Coated (Galvannealed) by the Hot-Dip Process |
| ASTM A1008 | Standard Specification for Steel, Sheet, Cold-Rolled, Carbon, Structural, High-Strength Low-Alloy, and High-Strength Low-Alloy with Improved Formability |
| DHI WDHS.3 | Door and Hardware Institute — Recommended Locations for Architectural Hardware |
The following submittals shall be submitted for review and returned before procurement or fabrication begins. Coordinate hollow metal, wood door, and hardware submittals to be reviewed together as a package so that frame preparations, hardware reinforcing, and door cutouts are confirmed to be compatible before any product is ordered.
Opening Schedule and Door Schedule: A complete schedule listing every opening by mark number, including door size, door type, door material, fire-rating period, frame type, frame material, hardware set reference, glazing, and special conditions. The schedule shall be cross-referenced to the floor plans and elevations.
Hollow Metal Door and Frame Shop Drawings: Fabrication drawings indicating door construction (level, model, core type), frame profile dimensions, face widths, rabbet depth, throat opening, hardware reinforcing locations, anchor types and spacing, and any special preparations for glazing or louvers. For fire-rated assemblies, the listing information and label location shall be noted.
Wood Door Product Data and Shop Drawings: Manufacturer's product data including face veneer species and grade, core construction, edge banding, and fire-label listing, with shop drawings confirming size, hardware prep locations, and finishing requirements.
Hardware Schedule and Catalog Cuts: A complete hardware schedule organized by hardware set number, with each product identified by function, ANSI/BHMA grade, finish (BHMA three-digit code), and applicable listing. Product data sheets for each hardware item shall be included, along with the hardware supplier's letter of compliance confirming that each hardware item is appropriate for the opening type, handing, fire rating, and accessibility requirements.
Keying Schedule: A preliminary keying schedule identifying the keying system hierarchy (change key, master key, grand master key levels), the keyway designation, the key control system, and the key blank quantity requirements. The keying schedule shall be reviewed and approved by the Owner before cylinders are ordered.
Electrified Hardware Coordination Drawings: For openings with electrified hardware, a wiring diagram for each opening showing power supply requirements, conduit routing through frame, contact and monitor points, and interface with the access control or fire alarm system.
At substantial completion the Contractor shall provide the following closeout submittals before final acceptance.
Where the project employs an Owner-retained hardware consultant, the hardware consultant shall prepare or review all hardware sets, the keying schedule, and the hardware submittal. The general contractor's hardware supplier shall coordinate directly with the hardware consultant on product selection, finish uniformity, and template submissions for door preparations. The hardware consultant is the primary reviewer of the hardware submittal on behalf of the Owner and Architect.
Where no hardware consultant is retained, the Architect shall perform the hardware schedule review and the hardware supplier shall provide a letter of compliance confirming code compliance of all specified hardware.
Hollow metal door and frame fabricators shall demonstrate a minimum of five years of continuous production experience with products meeting ANSI/SDI A250.8. For fire-rated hollow metal assemblies, the fabricator shall maintain a current, active listing with a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory for the rating periods required on the project.
Wood door suppliers shall demonstrate a minimum of three years of production experience with ANSI/WDMA I.S.1A compliant flush doors. For fire-labeled wood doors, the supplier shall maintain a current, active listing from a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory for the fire-rating periods required on the project.
Hardware suppliers shall employ a certified architectural hardware consultant (AHC) or equivalent qualified professional as the primary project coordinator. The hardware supplier shall be authorized distributors of the products they supply and shall provide documentation of the authorization upon request.
Where a mock-up is required, it shall be installed at a location acceptable to the Architect and shall remain in place until approved in writing. Mock-up shall demonstrate door fit, hardware function, weathertightness at the exterior, and finish quality. The Architect may designate the mock-up as a permanent installation after approval.
Every component of a fire door assembly — including the door leaf, the frame, the hinges, the latching hardware, the closing device, any coordinator, any gasketing, and any glazing — shall be part of a listed assembly from a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory. Substitutions of any component within a listed fire door assembly, even substitutions for items that appear physically identical, shall not be made without written confirmation from the listing laboratory that the substitution does not void the listing. This requirement is frequently overlooked when hardware is substituted late in the project; any hardware change on a fire-rated opening shall be reviewed against the listing before the change is made.
Hollow metal doors and frames are susceptible to surface rust when stored outdoors or exposed to moisture during construction. Wood doors are moisture-sensitive and dimensionally stable only within the normal occupied range of interior relative humidity. Frames that are grouted in masonry or concrete must be properly protected from grout moisture during and after installation.
All doors and frames shall be delivered to the jobsite with surfaces dry and free of condensation. Wood doors shall be stored in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment. Hollow metal doors shall be stored upright off the ground on dunnage, protected from direct weather.
Frames shall not be installed in masonry walls until the wall is built up to the full frame height and adequate adjacent masonry exists to brace the frame without temporary shoring failure. Grout filling of hollow metal frames in masonry openings shall be done in lifts not exceeding 24 in. to prevent distortion of the frame from grout weight.
For exterior openings or interior openings exposed to moisture, cleaning chemicals, or corrosive environments (such as pool enclosures, commercial kitchens, or mechanical rooms), frame and door material selection shall address the environment.
ANSI/SDI A250.8-2023 classifies steel doors by physical performance level (1 through 4) and model (full flush, seamless, stile and rail). Performance levels reflect the physical endurance characteristics established by testing under ANSI/SDI A250.4. Level and model selection shall be based on the anticipated use, traffic frequency, and security requirements of each opening, as indicated on the door schedule.
Level 1 doors are appropriate for interior office applications, low-traffic stairwell doors in low-rise residential, or similar light-use conditions. Level 2 is the appropriate default for most commercial and institutional interior openings. Level 3 is appropriate for high-traffic corridors, entry vestibules, and exterior doors at occupied buildings. Level 4 is appropriate for mechanical rooms, exterior service entrances, and any opening subject to repeated abuse. The door schedule shall specify the level for each opening; do not default all doors on a project to the same level without reviewing opening conditions.
Steel faces shall be formed from cold-rolled steel sheet conforming to ASTM A1008 or galvanized steel conforming to ASTM A653 for exterior or corrosive-environment doors. The nominal face gauge for each performance level is defined in ANSI/SDI A250.8 and shall be confirmed on the hardware schedule. Interior construction shall consist of a core that provides the required structural, fire, and acoustic performance.
Temperature-rise cores shall be specified for door openings in fire barriers where the fire-rating assembly listing requires compliance with a maximum temperature rise at the unexposed face of the door at 30 minutes into the fire test. IBC 716.5.3.1 limits temperature rise to 450°F (250°C) for stairway and exit passageway enclosure openings; the door manufacturer's listing documentation shall confirm compliance. The Contractor shall note that the core type drives the fire-label listing and shall not substitute cores without confirmation from the listing laboratory.
Hollow metal frames shall be fabricated to the profile and dimensions shown on the frame schedule. Frame type designates the wall profile (single-rabbet for standard swing, double-rabbet for pair openings) and the installation method (welded, knockdown, slip-on).
Welded frames are the preferred type for masonry construction and for any opening in a rated wall assembly, because the welded unit maintains dimensional accuracy and is anchored to the masonry in a controlled sequence. Knockdown frames are appropriate for metal stud and wood stud wall construction where the frame anchors are integrated into the stud framing. Slip-on drywall frames are used for low-duty interior applications where the gypsum board is completed first and the frame wraps the board edge; they are not appropriate for fire-rated openings.
The frame face width shall match the wall thickness plus the rabbet depth on each side, as indicated on the frame schedule. The specifier shall confirm that the face width on the door schedule is coordinated with the partition schedule and the actual wall thickness, including any plaster or tile finish on the frame face.
Frame gauges shall comply with ANSI/SDI A250.8 minimums and shall be appropriate for the door performance level and opening size.
Frame gussets at corners, hinge reinforcement, strike reinforcement, and closer reinforcement plates shall be of heavier gauge than the frame body, as specified in ANSI/SDI A250.6. The hinge reinforcing plates on frames that will receive heavy-weight doors or continuous hinges shall be specifically confirmed by the hardware supplier before the frame is ordered, because reinforcing upgrades cannot be added after fabrication.
Frame anchors shall be factory-welded to the frame jambs and shall be of the type appropriate for the adjoining wall construction. Anchor type and spacing shall comply with ANSI/SDI A250.11.
For masonry applications, anchors shall be located within 6 in. of the top and bottom of each jamb and spaced at not more than 26 in. on center, unless the frame manufacturer's listing or ANSI/SDI A250.11 requires closer spacing for the frame size and masonry unit type. For fire-rated frames in masonry, the AHJ may require anchor spacing to match the fire-label requirements; coordinate with the listing documentation.
For metal stud construction, the frame Contractor shall coordinate with the framing Contractor to ensure that full-height metal studs or a header assembly capable of carrying the frame load is in place at each jamb before frame installation. Hollow metal frames shall not be anchored to light-gauge metal stud framing that is not structurally adequate to restrain frame movement under door operating loads.
Frames shall be factory-prepared for all specified hardware, including hinge cutouts and reinforcement, strike cutout and box, door closer reinforcement and blocking, and electric strike or door position switch conduit routing and junction box location. Field-cutting of hinge or strike cutouts is not permitted except for minor field-fit adjustments documented and approved by the frame manufacturer.
Conduit stubs for electrified hardware shall be factory-installed in the frame and shall extend a minimum of 6 in. into the wall cavity above the frame head. The conduit shall be minimum 1/2 in. diameter EMT unless the wiring quantities and wire sizes require larger; confirm with the access control Contractor. Conduit shall be installed before the frame is delivered to the site.
All factory-primed hollow metal surfaces shall be cleaned, phosphate-treated (or equivalent conversion coat), and primed with a rust-inhibiting primer conforming to the acceptance criteria of ANSI/SDI A250.10. The primer is a pretreatment and bonding coat; it is not a finish coat. Field painting is required before door and frame surfaces are exposed to weather or to normal building occupancy. The general contractor shall coordinate with the painting Contractor to ensure that field paint is applied before frames are installed in exterior or wet applications, and that doors receive their finish coat before hardware installation where possible.
Architectural wood flush doors for interior commercial and institutional applications shall conform to ANSI/WDMA I.S.1A-21. These doors are intended for interior use only; wood doors shall not be specified for exterior applications unless the manufacturer provides specific exterior rating documentation and a documented exterior-use warranty, and the project conditions allow for the moisture-management requirements of an exterior wood door installation. For exterior openings, hollow metal doors are the default unless the Architect specifically selects wood.
ANSI/WDMA I.S.1A classifies architectural wood flush doors by duty level (Custom, Premium, and Economy) and face grade. The duty level governs construction quality, core requirements, and glue-bond performance. The face grade governs the appearance of the face veneer, including permitted characteristics, patch limits, and matching requirements.
Custom grade is the appropriate default for commercial construction. Premium grade is appropriate for lobby doors, executive offices, courtrooms, and other spaces where the door is a prominent interior finish element and the owner requires a higher standard of face veneer appearance and matching. Economy grade is acceptable only for utilitarian areas such as janitor rooms, electrical rooms, and service corridors.
The core is the structural substrate of the wood door and determines acoustic performance, screw-holding strength for hardware, and fire-rating capability.
Structural particleboard core (SPC) is the appropriate default for standard commercial interior wood doors in Custom grade. SPC provides adequate screw-holding strength for standard hardware, dimensional stability, and consistent face-glue quality. Hollow core shall not be used in commercial applications except for residential-occupancy areas such as hotel guestrooms, student dormitory rooms, or residential dwelling units within the project. Mineral core is required for fire-labeled wood doors and the core type cannot be changed without voiding the fire label. Stave lumber core is appropriate where the door will receive heavy hardware, where dimensional stability in high-humidity environments is required, or where the door is of a non-standard size that exceeds the particleboard core manufacturer's dimensional limits.
Standard wood door thickness is 1-3/4 in. for commercial applications. Oversized doors, very wide pairs, and doors with unusual opening conditions may require increased thickness; consult the frame manufacturer and the wood door manufacturer for openings where the door width exceeds 4 ft or the height exceeds 10 ft.
Door width and height shall be as indicated on the door schedule. The wood door supplier shall confirm that the specified face veneer, core, and construction method are available in the size indicated before the order is released for fabrication.
Door edges shall be banded with a solid wood edge of compatible species, not less than 1/8 in. thick, glued to the core. For fire-labeled wood doors, edge-banding material and attachment method shall comply with the listing requirements. Doors specified to receive full-mortise hardware shall have an edge that provides adequate material for mortising without encountering the core.
Wood doors shall be delivered in an unfinished (raw) condition unless factory finishing is specified. Factory finishing provides better quality control and faster field completion but limits field touchup ability. Finishing shall be coordinated with the painting Contractor.
A fire-rated opening is not simply a fire-rated door — it is a complete, listed assembly consisting of the labeled door leaf, the labeled frame, listed hinges, listed latching hardware, a listed self-closing device, any listed gasketing, and any listed glazing material and glazing bead. Every element of the assembly must be tested together and carry a label from a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory in the configuration to be installed. NFPA 80 is the governing standard for the installation of fire door assemblies; IBC Chapter 7 establishes where fire-rated assemblies are required and what rating periods apply.
All fire door assemblies shall be installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA 80. Any modification to a listed assembly — including painting over the label, cutting the door for a vision light not covered by the listing, adding hardware not in the listing, or replacing a hardware component with a non-listed substitute — voids the listing and renders the opening non-compliant. The Contractor shall not make any field modifications to fire door assemblies without written authorization from the listing laboratory confirming that the modification is within the scope of the existing listing or that a new listing covers the modified configuration.
The required rating period shall be as indicated on the door schedule and as required by the building code for the wall fire-resistance rating at each opening. The following general relationships apply under IBC: openings in fire walls rated at 3 or 4 hours require 3-hour (180-minute) rated assemblies; openings in fire barriers require assemblies rated at three-fourths the barrier rating (a 2-hour barrier requires a 90-minute door); openings in fire partitions for corridor protection require 20-minute rated assemblies. The Architect shall confirm required rating periods from the building code compliance path and fire-resistance-rated construction schedule, not from this general guidance alone.
For doors in the enclosures of exit stairways and exit passageways required by IBC, the maximum temperature rise at the unexposed face of the door shall not exceed 450°F (250°C) above ambient at the end of 30 minutes. Doors complying with the temperature rise limit shall have their listing document temperature rise compliance confirmed by the manufacturer. The temperature rise requirement does not apply to the building side of doors opening directly to the exterior.
Fire door assemblies for commercial construction shall be tested to UL 10C, Standard for Positive Pressure Fire Tests of Door Assemblies. Positive pressure testing subjects the assembly to a condition where the fire side of the door is under positive pressure relative to the unexposed side after the first 5 minutes of the fire test, simulating actual fire conditions where a fire generates excess gases and pressure differential. Assemblies tested only to the older negative-pressure protocol (UL 10B) shall not be specified as substitutes for UL 10C-listed assemblies on this project. The listing label shall specify compliance with the standard under which the product was tested.
Every fire door and labeled frame shall bear a permanent label from a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory affixed to the product at the factory. Labels shall not be removed, painted over, or defaced. The label typically appears on the hinge stile edge of the door and on the strike side jamb of the frame. Hardware items required to carry a listing for use in fire door assemblies — including hinges, latching hardware, closing devices, and gasketing — shall be accompanied by listing documentation confirming their suitability for fire-rated openings and for the specific rating period.
Gasketing and intumescent edge seals on fire-rated openings shall be part of the listed assembly and shall be installed exactly as specified by the listing documentation. The use of any gasket or seal material not part of the listing — including supplemental gasketing added for acoustic performance — shall be reviewed against the listing before installation. Intumescent seals expand under fire conditions to close the gap between the door and frame; they shall not be painted, compressed, or damaged before installation.
Smoke door assemblies required for smoke compartment separation under IBC and NFPA 101 shall comply with NFPA 105:2025. Smoke door assemblies are tested and listed under a different protocol than fire door assemblies; the smoke door test does not involve a fire exposure but evaluates the assembly's ability to limit smoke leakage under both positive and negative pressure conditions.
Where both fire resistance and smoke control are required at the same opening, the door assembly shall be listed for both purposes and the listing documentation shall confirm compliance with both NFPA 80 and NFPA 105 requirements. Smoke doors require positive-latching hardware on both the active and inactive leaf of a pair, continuous gasketing around the entire perimeter, and a self-closing device; these requirements shall be confirmed against the hardware schedule before procurement.
Pairs of fire-rated doors require a door coordinator to ensure that the inactive leaf latches before the active leaf closes and latches over it. The coordinator shall be a listed component of the fire door assembly. For pairs rated 90 minutes or higher, an astragal (overlapping edge on the active leaf) shall be provided as part of the listed assembly; the astragal type and attachment shall be confirmed against the listing documentation.
Door hardware shall be grouped into hardware sets, each designated by a hardware set number on the opening schedule. All openings sharing the same hardware set number shall receive identical hardware unless specifically noted otherwise. The hardware schedule shall be prepared or reviewed by a certified architectural hardware consultant (AHC) and shall confirm that every hardware selection is compatible with the door size, door hand, fire rating, and occupancy requirements of the opening it serves.
The hardware schedule shall assign a hardware set number to every opening and every opening shall be shown on the schedule. No opening shall be left to "match existing" or "as required" without a specific set number; vague schedule entries generate RFIs and result in field decisions that may not comply with the fire rating or accessibility requirements.
Hinges shall conform to ANSI/BHMA A156.1. Hinge type (full mortise, half mortise, half surface, full surface), size, weight, and quantity shall be selected based on door weight, door height, door frequency-of-use, and opening conditions.
Full mortise hinges are the standard for commercial swinging doors. Continuous hinges shall be specified for high-cycle applications (restrooms, school corridors, high-traffic entries), doors subject to abuse, and any door where the standard three-hinge configuration is inadequate. Continuous hinges distribute load along the full height of the door and provide superior resistance to forced entry; they are appropriate for exterior doors in high-security applications.
For fire-rated openings, hinges shall be steel-base material in compliance with the listing requirements of the fire door assembly. Brass-base or stainless steel hinges used in fire door assemblies shall be confirmed as part of the listed assembly; not all brass or stainless steel hinges carry fire listing.
Locksets shall conform to ANSI/BHMA A156.2 (cylindrical) or ANSI/BHMA A156.13 (mortise), as appropriate for the hardware set.
Mortise locks are the preferred standard for high-use, high-cycle, or high-security applications because the mortise case provides structural integration with the door edge and the mechanism is less susceptible to vandalism than a cylindrical lock. Cylindrical locks are appropriate for standard interior commercial applications where cycle count is moderate and the door thickness and edge construction support the cylindrical lock backset.
Lockset function shall be selected to match the occupancy, security, and egress requirements of each opening. The hardware consultant shall verify that the selected function is compliant with the IBC means of egress requirements for the occupancy of the spaces served by each opening. Storeroom function (requiring a key for entry from either side) is not permitted on means of egress doors from occupied spaces unless the room is not normally occupied.
Round knobs shall not be used on any door that is on an accessible route. ADA and ICC A117.1 require hardware that can be operated with a closed fist and that does not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. Lever handles, loop pulls, and push/pull hardware satisfy this requirement; knobs do not. The default hardware selection for all commercial projects shall be lever handles throughout, and knobs shall be used only where the hardware consultant and Architect have confirmed the opening is not on an accessible route.
Exit devices shall conform to ANSI/BHMA A156.3. Exit devices shall be provided on all doors in the means of egress that are required by IBC to have panic hardware, including doors serving Assembly occupancies with an occupant load of 50 or more persons, and all doors in educational facilities serving classrooms with more than 49 occupants.
Exit device function (exit-only, outside trim, key retracts latch, key controls trim) shall be selected based on the security and access requirements of each opening and shall be shown on the hardware schedule. Outside trim shall be specified where controlled re-entry is required; exit-only trim is used where entry is via a separate door or access control system.
For fire-rated openings, exit devices shall be listed as part of the fire door assembly. Vertical rod devices with bottom rod latch in the floor present a field maintenance challenge on fire-rated pairs — the floor strike requires periodic adjustment and the rod mechanism requires annual inspection. Concealed vertical rod devices that latch into the header (concealed overhead rod) rather than the floor are preferred for fire-rated pairs.
Door closers shall conform to ANSI/BHMA A156.4-2024. All fire-rated doors shall have a door closer that is part of the listed assembly. All doors on accessible routes shall have a door closer adjusted to comply with the opening force requirements of ICC A117.1 and IBC.
Surface-mounted closers with a regular arm are the standard for commercial construction because they are field-adjustable, accessible for service, and applicable to both hollow metal and wood doors. Parallel arm mounting is used where the door's swing is toward a wall face and the regular arm would contact the wall before the door reaches the fully open position. Concealed closers are appropriate for high-finish interior spaces where the appearance of hardware on the door face is not acceptable; they provide equivalent closing force but require more precise installation and are more difficult to service.
Closers shall be furnished with a full-cover plate unless the hardware set specifies otherwise. The cover plate protects the closer mechanism from dust and impact and shall be included in all commercial applications as a default.
Back-check in the closer shall be provided on all doors where a wall stop or floor stop cannot be located within the door's swing to prevent the door from impacting a wall, window, or piece of equipment. Back-check shall not substitute for a physical door stop where a stop is required.
For doors on accessible routes, the closer shall be adjusted so that the force to open the door does not exceed 5 lbf (interior doors) per IBC Section 1010.1.3 and ICC A117.1 Section 404.2.8. The 5 lbf limit is a maximum measured at the latch edge of the door. Fire doors may require a closing force that results in an opening force exceeding 5 lbf to ensure reliable latching; in such cases, the accessible route requirement shall be discussed with the AHJ and the Architect. For exterior doors, the force limit does not apply to the forces required to overcome air pressure differentials, but the hardware-operable force still applies.
Electromagnetic door holders shall be used where fire-rated doors are required to be held open during normal operations. The electromagnetic holder shall be listed for use with the fire door assembly and shall be connected to the building fire alarm system so that it releases the door upon alarm activation, allowing the door to close and latch under the action of the door closer. Electromagnetic holders shall not be used to hold fire doors open on a continuous basis without the fire alarm connection; propping fire doors open with doorstops, wedges, or other objects not connected to the fire alarm system is a violation of NFPA 80 and shall not be permitted.
Where a pair of doors is used in a fire-rated assembly, the hardware shall ensure that both leaves are positively latched in the closed position and that the closing sequence is correct (inactive leaf before active leaf). Hardware for fire-rated pairs shall include: a coordinator to ensure proper closing sequence, a flush bolt on the inactive leaf to latch it at top and bottom (or an automatic flush bolt activated by the active leaf closing), and the active leaf lock or latch.
Automatic flush bolts are preferred over manual flush bolts on fire-rated pairs because they do not require the occupant to operate the inactive leaf bolt — it extends automatically when the active leaf closes. Manual flush bolts are acceptable for low-use openings but will be found retracted (preventing the inactive leaf from latching) if occupants fail to re-engage them after use.
Thresholds shall conform to ANSI/BHMA A156.21. For accessible-route openings, the threshold height shall not exceed 1/2 in. for exterior sliding doors or 1/4 in. for other door types, and changes in level between 1/4 in. and 1/2 in. shall be beveled at 1:2 slope per ICC A117.1 Section 303. The hardware consultant shall confirm threshold selection for all accessible-route exterior doors.
Door bottom sweeps shall be surface-mounted unless the door bottom and floor configuration allows for a surface-mounted sweep without creating an accessible threshold violation. Automatic door bottoms (cam-action drop seals that lower when the door closes) are preferred for exterior doors where the door must clear interior flooring during swing but provide a tight seal when closed. Weatherstripping shall conform to ANSI/BHMA A156.22.
Protection plates shall be furnished in the same finish as the door hardware. For hollow metal doors, protection plates shall be secured with countersunk screws into the door face; the screw pattern and preparation shall be coordinated with the door manufacturer to avoid penetrating the core or creating entry points for moisture. On fire-rated doors, the protection plate and its fastening method shall be confirmed against the fire-label listing — oversized plates or improper fastening can void the listing.
Hardware finish shall be selected from ANSI/BHMA A156.18 three-digit finish codes. All hardware within a hardware set and within a building zone shall use the same finish designation unless specifically scheduled otherwise for a functional reason (for example, a stainless steel hinge on an exterior door where the lockset is a different satin-finish material). The Architect shall designate the building's standard hardware finish on the hardware schedule, and the hardware consultant shall confirm that the selected finish is available from each hardware manufacturer on all specified products.
BHMA 630 (satin stainless steel) is the standard finish for exterior hardware, healthcare facilities, educational facilities, and commercial interiors where durability and corrosion resistance are priorities. BHMA 626 (satin chromium plated) is widely used for interior commercial applications in standard environments. Bright finishes (605, 625) require higher maintenance in high-touch applications and are appropriate only for low-traffic or aesthetic feature applications. The hardware consultant shall verify that the selected finish is available from each manufacturer for each hardware item; finish availability varies by product category.
Electrified hardware includes any door hardware component that requires electrical power to operate or that provides electrical signal output. Common electrified hardware items include: electric strikes (fail-safe or fail-secure), electromagnetic locks (fail-safe), electrified mortise or cylindrical locksets, electrified exit devices, door position switches (contacts), request-to-exit (REX) sensors, and electromagnetic door holders connected to the fire alarm. Electrified hardware shall be coordinated with the access control system Contractor and the electrical Contractor so that power supply, conduit, and control wiring are provided to each opening before the hardware is installed.
The choice between fail-safe (unlocked on power loss) and fail-secure (locked on power loss) electrified hardware is one of the most consequential decisions in access control hardware design and must be made by the Owner with the Architect and the access control Consultant based on life safety, security, and operational requirements at each opening.
Doors in the means of egress that are electrically locked shall use fail-safe hardware unless the installation complies with IBC 1010.1.9.8 or other specific IBC provisions allowing fail-secure locking with emergency override provisions. The general rule is that egress doors shall not be locked in a fail-secure condition that would trap occupants during a power failure. The hardware consultant and the access control Consultant shall jointly confirm the fail mode for every electrified locking device on the opening schedule against the IBC requirements.
The power supply for electrified door hardware shall be a listed power supply or power transfer device appropriate for the hardware and the application. Power supplies shall be located in a secure, accessible location and shall be labeled identifying the openings they serve.
For electromagnetic locks, the power supply current and voltage shall be confirmed against the lock manufacturer's requirements. Electromagnetic locks that do not receive sufficient holding-force voltage will not achieve their rated holding force and will be easily defeated. The conduit and wire sizing for power supply circuits shall be designed so that the voltage drop from the power supply to the lock does not reduce the holding voltage below the minimum required by the lock manufacturer.
Where electrified hardware requires wiring from the frame through a hinge into the door (for electrified mortise locks, electrified panic devices, or door-mounted REX sensors), a continuous wire hinge or an armored door cord loop shall be provided to carry the wiring through the hinge axis without binding or fatigue failure.
Unarmored wire looped across the hinge area is not permitted; the loop will fatigue and fail from repeated door cycling. The armored cord or continuous wire hinge shall be specified and included in the hardware set for every door with electrified hardware mounted in the door itself.
Electromagnetic door holders, magnetic hold-open devices, and any other electrically operated hold-open device for fire-rated doors shall be connected to the building fire alarm system so that activation of the fire alarm system releases all door holders simultaneously throughout the affected zone or building. The connection shall be a normally-closed relay or equivalent method so that a loss of power or fire alarm activation both result in door release. Coordinate the fire alarm relay contacts, wiring, and device quantities with Fire Alarm Systems.
This section applies to all doors and door hardware on an accessible route as defined by ICC A117.1-2017 and the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) 2010. The accessible route includes all required accessible entrances, all routes connecting accessible elements within the building, restroom access, and any other doors required by the project's accessibility compliance path. The Architect shall identify the accessible route on the drawings and the hardware consultant shall confirm that all hardware on the accessible route meets the requirements below.
ICC A117.1-2017 Section 404.2.3 establishes required maneuvering clearances on both the push and pull sides of each door based on the approach direction and door hardware configuration. These clearances are minimum clear floor space dimensions and shall be maintained free of obstruction by floor-mounted hardware, mat wells, adjacent walls, and other elements.
The Architect shall confirm that the clearances shown on the drawings are compliant with ICC A117.1-2017 requirements for the approach direction at each accessible door. The 2017 edition of ICC A117.1 increased the required maneuvering clearance for front approach from the push side to 52 in. perpendicular to the door face for new construction; this is more stringent than the ADA 2010 standard of 48 in. and more stringent than previous ICC A117.1 editions. Where the adopted accessibility standard differs from ICC A117.1-2017, the AHJ's requirements shall govern.
Door hardware shall be mounted at a height that is accessible to a person using a wheelchair or mobility aid, in accordance with ICC A117.1 Section 404.2.6.
Door hardware shall be mounted between 34 in. and 48 in. above the finished floor. The standard commercial mounting height of 38 in. for lever handles and 34 in. for push plates falls within this range and complies with accessibility requirements. The door closer arm, the viewer (peephole), and any security device shall not obstruct the operation of accessible hardware mounted within this range.
Hardware on accessible-route doors shall be operable with a force not to exceed the applicable limits. ICC A117.1-2017 Section 404.2.8 limits the force to operate door hardware to 15 lbf for hardware operated by a forward pushing or pulling motion, and 28 in-lb for hardware operated by rotational motion. Note that the IBC limit on door opening force (5 lbf for interior egress doors) is distinct from the A117.1 hardware-operable force limit; both apply simultaneously and the combination governs hardware and closer selection.
Push/pull hardware on accessible route doors shall require not more than 5 lbf to operate. This 5 lbf limit, while more stringent than the A117.1 hardware-operable force limit, aligns with the IBC door-opening force limit and represents the practical accessible standard for commercial construction. The hardware consultant shall verify that the selected locks, latches, and push/pull sets operate within this force limit.
All lever handles on accessible-route doors shall be of a shape that can be operated with a closed fist without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. Loop-type levers, D-pull handles, and similar forms that require the user to grip a narrow profile are not acceptable. The lever profile shall be reviewed against ICC A117.1 Section 404.2.6 requirements.
The keying system shall be designed by the hardware consultant in coordination with the Owner before cylinder orders are placed. The keying system establishes the hierarchy of key access across the building — which keys open which doors — and determines the mechanical keyway and cylinder line required to support the system.
The grand master key system is the appropriate default for medium and large commercial buildings with multiple departments or zones requiring independent change keys. In a grand master system, department keys open only the doors within that department; master keys open all doors in a group; the grand master key opens all doors. Each additional level of keying reduces the number of available key combinations for change keys; the hardware consultant shall confirm that the system has sufficient theoretical key change capacity for the project's door count and anticipated future expansion.
Construction keying provides a common temporary key for all cylinders during the construction period, allowing the general contractor and subcontractors to access all areas without distributing permanent keys. At substantial completion or at Owner acceptance, the construction cores shall be replaced with the permanent keyed cores matching the Owner's keying plan. Construction cores shall be of the interchangeable core type to facilitate rapid replacement. All construction keys shall be collected and returned to the hardware supplier or Owner before the construction cores are removed; construction keys left in circulation after construction is complete represent a security vulnerability.
The hardware schedule shall include a key control cabinet with organized key tags for all keys cut under the keying plan, including change keys, master keys, grand master keys, emergency keys, and the construction key record. The key control system shall provide a documented inventory of keys issued, to whom, and when.
Cylinders shall be provided with the keyway specified by the hardware consultant to match the Owner's existing keyway or, for new buildings, to establish a proprietary keyway that cannot be easily duplicated without authorization from the Owner.
Proprietary keyways provide the highest level of key control because key blanks are not available through general locksmith channels. For organizations with multiple facilities or existing key systems, matching the existing keyway is more important than proprietary status; the Owner shall confirm the keyway requirement.
Hollow metal frames shall be installed before surrounding wall construction so that anchors are properly embedded in masonry or connected to framing. The Contractor shall coordinate frame installation with the masonry, metal stud framing, drywall, and concrete Contractors so that frames are plumbed, squared, and securely anchored before finishes are applied.
Door and hardware installation shall occur after the frames are in final position, after floor finishes are installed, and after the building has reached the temperature and humidity conditions in which it will normally be occupied. This sequencing is especially important for wood doors, which must not be installed into a building that is still under construction conditions of uncontrolled humidity.
Frames shall be installed plumb, level, and square within the following tolerances per ANSI/SDI A250.11:
The installed frame shall be plumb within 1/16 in. per foot of height on both jambs, square within 1/16 in. across the diagonal, and the face of the frame shall be flush with the adjacent finished wall surface or set at the reveal shown on the drawings. The floor clearance at the bottom of the frame shall match the conditions shown on the frame schedule; where no floor clearance is shown, frames shall be set so that the frame bottom is flush with the subfloor and the finished floor thickness brings the floor to within 3/4 in. of the door bottom.
Welded frames shall have the temporary shipping spreader removed and replaced with a calibrated setting spreader before installation. Frames shall be anchored, plumbed, and squared before grout is placed. Grout shall be placed in lifts, and the frame shall be checked for plumb and square after each lift. Frames shall not be loaded by door installation until the grout has achieved sufficient strength to resist the frame anchors.
Where frames are installed in masonry or concrete, the frame jambs shall be grouted solid with grout conforming to the structural drawings. Grout shall be placed in lifts not exceeding 24 in. and shall be consolidated without distorting the frame. Grout shall not contact hardware, mortise prep areas, or conduit stubs. Contractor shall protect all hardware cutouts and conduit from grout intrusion.
Doors shall be hung with the following clearances, which shall be verified before hardware is fully adjusted.
The clearance between the door and the frame at the head and each jamb shall be 3/32 in. (nominal) and shall not exceed 1/8 in. For fire-rated door assemblies, the maximum clearances are governed by NFPA 80, which limits the clearance at the head and jambs to 1/8 in. maximum and the clearance at the meeting edge of pairs to 1/8 in. maximum. These clearances are critical to the fire performance of the assembly; gaps larger than permitted allow flames and hot gases to bypass the door and shall be corrected.
For fire-rated assemblies, the undercut (bottom clearance) shall comply with the listing requirements and shall not exceed the maximum permitted by the listing. NFPA 80 limits the bottom clearance for fire-rated assemblies in corridors to 3/4 in. maximum. Where an automatic door bottom is specified, the drop distance and the compressed seal thickness shall be confirmed so that the door bottom provides continuous contact with the threshold or floor when the door is closed.
Hardware shall be installed by skilled workers experienced in the installation of commercial door hardware and familiar with the applicable ANSI/BHMA standards for each hardware type. Hardware shall be installed at the heights and locations specified in DHI WDHS.3 and in the door schedule. Hardware reinforcing pockets in the door and frame shall be confirmed to align with the hardware before drilling or fastening; off-location holes in fire-rated assemblies may void the listing.
Hinges shall be mortised so that the hinge leaf is flush with the door and frame surfaces, with no rocking or proud edges. Hinge screws shall be tightened to the manufacturer's torque specification; stripped or spinning hinge screws are a common field problem and shall be corrected by installing the specified machine screw anchors in the frame reinforcing.
Closer arms shall be adjusted for proper back-check speed, closing speed, and latch speed, and the door shall latch with no assistance from more than 5 lbf applied at the latch side on accessible-route openings. Closer adjustments shall be completed after the building is enclosed and the HVAC is operational so that final adjustments reflect the actual door-to-pressure-differential conditions.
Exit devices shall be adjusted so that the touchbar operates freely, the latch retracts fully with a single motion, the device resets and latches when the door closes, and the outside trim (if provided) operates without binding. Vertical rod devices shall be adjusted so that both the top and bottom rods engage their respective strikes simultaneously.
At substantial completion, the general contractor shall arrange a walkthrough of all door hardware with the Owner's designated maintenance personnel. The walkthrough shall cover closer adjustment procedures, exit device adjustment, cylinder re-keying procedures (for rekeyable cylinders), weatherstripping replacement, and the fire door annual inspection requirements.
NFPA 80 requires that all fire door assemblies be inspected and tested annually by a "qualified person" — defined as someone who, by knowledge, training, and experience, has demonstrated the ability to evaluate fire door assemblies. The annual inspection shall be performed at each door assembly and shall include a visual inspection from both sides of the door. Inspection records shall be maintained and made available to the Authority Having Jurisdiction upon request.
The Contractor's obligation under this standard is to ensure that all fire door assemblies are in complete, listed condition at the time of substantial completion and turnover. The annual inspection obligation after turnover is the Owner's responsibility, but the Contractor shall document the condition of all fire door assemblies at turnover and shall provide the Owner with the list of assembly components and their listing documentation to support future inspections.
The following checklist reflects the NFPA 80 (2022 and 2025 editions) annual inspection requirements. All items shall be verified at each fire door assembly at turnover and documented in the closeout submittal.
Each line item in the checklist corresponds to a specific NFPA 80 requirement and represents a deficiency category that, if present, requires correction before the assembly can be accepted. Any deficiency discovered shall be corrected and the assembly re-inspected before turnover documentation is issued. Common field deficiencies at turnover include: painted-over labels, door clearances exceeded due to improper shimming or frame movement during construction, closer arms not fully adjusted, and construction materials stored against fire doors preventing them from closing.
The following conditions are the most common non-conformances found during fire door inspections and during construction quality reviews. The Contractor shall specifically check for these conditions during the turnover inspection.
Painted-over labels: Labels painted over during construction cannot be verified. The Contractor shall protect all fire door labels during construction and shall remove paint from any label that was painted over. If a label cannot be verified, the AHJ may require a new label from the listing laboratory.
Propped-open fire doors: Fire doors found propped open with doorstops, wedges, or hardware not connected to the fire alarm are a violation of NFPA 80. The Contractor shall confirm that no fire door is propped open at turnover and shall instruct Owner personnel on the prohibition.
Incorrect hardware substitutions: Hardware substitutions made during construction without checking the fire door listing may void the assembly. The Contractor shall produce a written record of any hardware substitution on a fire-rated opening and shall confirm that the substitution was approved by the listing laboratory.
Inadequate door clearances: Door clearances that exceed NFPA 80 limits result from frame distortion during masonry grouting, shimming errors, or hinge placement errors. The Contractor shall adjust door hanging and hardware to bring all clearances within limits before turnover.
Self-closing device not adjusted: Doors that do not close and latch from the full-open position fail NFPA 80 Section 4.8 and IBC 716.5.9.1. The Contractor shall complete all closer adjustments before the turnover inspection.
Missing or damaged gasketing: Intumescent seals and edge gasketing are part of many fire door listings. Missing, damaged, or improperly installed gasketing shall be corrected before turnover.
The hollow metal manufacturer shall warrant its products against defects in materials and workmanship for the specified period. The warranty shall cover the door and frame fabrication, the factory prime coat, hardware reinforcing, and the fire-label listing (where applicable). The warranty shall not cover damage caused by abuse, improper installation, improper field finishing, or modifications made without the manufacturer's authorization.
The wood door manufacturer shall warrant its products against defects in materials and workmanship, delamination, warping beyond 1/4 in. as measured in accordance with ANSI/WDMA I.S.1A, and failure of the factory finish (if factory-finished). The warranty shall not cover damage caused by moisture exposure inconsistent with the manufacturer's installation and storage requirements, physical abuse, improper field handling, or modifications to the door.
Hardware warranty periods vary by product category. Exit devices and door closers typically carry 1-year to 3-year warranties on mechanical operation. Cylinders may carry lifetime mechanical warranties from premium manufacturers. Electronic hardware (electrified strikes, electromagnetic locks, electronic access control trim) typically carries a 1-year to 2-year warranty. The hardware supplier shall provide a consolidated warranty summary at closeout identifying the warranty period and contact for each hardware product on the project.
The Contractor shall warrant the installation of all doors, frames, and hardware, including correct operation of all hardware, fire door assembly compliance with NFPA 80 clearance and function requirements, and proper adjustment of closers and exit devices, for the specified period. Deficiencies discovered during the warranty period that are attributable to installation workmanship shall be corrected by the Contractor at no cost to the Owner.