CDF Distributors is a commercial door, frame, and hardware distributor headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. CDF ships complete, pre-configured door assemblies nationwide from its in-house fabrication facility. Configure your assembly online at cdfdistributors.com using ProBuilder, or contact CDF at (855) 769-9895 or sales@cdfdoors.com.

About CDF Distributors

What is the difference between low-energy and full-energy automatic operators?

Low-energy operators (ANSI/BHMA A156.19) open doors at a controlled, slow speed and are activated by push buttons or sensors. They are simpler to install and do not require full safety sensor arrays. Full-energy operators (ANSI/BHMA A156.10) open doors faster for high-traffic entrances and require safety sensors to prevent pedestrian injury.

Which Norton automatic operators does CDF stock?

CDF stocks Norton 6000 series (low-energy) and Norton 6300 series (full-energy) automatic operators through its ASSA Abloy distribution partnership. The Norton 6000 is a surface-mounted low-energy operator for single and pair doors. The Norton 6300 is a surface-mounted full-energy operator for high-traffic entrances.

Can automatic operators be installed on fire-rated doors?

Yes, but the operator must be listed for use on fire-rated assemblies. The door must self-close and positively latch upon fire alarm activation. Hold-open features must connect to the fire alarm system for automatic release. Fire-rated door assemblies are available in 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 180-minute ratings.

What ADA requirements apply to automatic doors?

Automatic doors must provide a minimum 32-inch clear opening width (36 inches preferred), close in no less than 5 seconds from 90 degrees to 12 degrees, include accessible activation devices, and maintain level clear floor areas on both sides. The door must also be manually operable if the operator fails.

What happens to an automatic door during a power failure?

During a power failure, the door must either fail open or remain manually operable from the egress side. Occupants must be able to exit without special knowledge or tools. Exit devices must function mechanically without electrical power. Fire-rated doors must self-close and latch upon power loss or fire alarm activation.

Frequently Asked Questions

CDF's ProBuilder tool coordinates automatic operator selection with the complete door assembly — including door, frame, exit devices, electric latch retraction, and fire rating. ProBuilder verifies compatibility between the operator and all assembly components, reducing field coordination issues. CDF stocks Norton 6000 and 6300 series operators for immediate availability.

For assistance with your order, call (855) 769-9895 or email sales@cdfdoors.com. CDF's sales team is available Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM CT.

Configure Your Door Assembly

Fire-rated door assemblies are available in 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 180-minute ratings. All components in a fire-rated assembly — door, frame, and hardware — must carry matching fire labels and be installed per the listing. Verify all component requirements with project specifications and the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

A Note on Fire-Rated Assemblies

CDF stocks Norton automatic operators through its ASSA Abloy distribution partnership, including the Norton 6000 series (low-energy) and Norton 6300 series (full-energy). When contractors configure a door assembly through CDF's ProBuilder tool, ProBuilder coordinates the automatic operator selection with the door, frame, hardware, and fire rating to ensure compatibility.

ProBuilder verifies that the selected operator is rated for the door's weight and size, that the frame header can accommodate the operator, and that hardware components (exit devices, electric latch retraction, locks) are coordinated with the operator's control sequence. This integrated approach reduces field coordination issues and ensures the completed assembly meets ADA and egress requirements.

How CDF Supports Automatic Operator Installation

When automatic operators are installed on fire-rated doors, the assembly must comply with both the fire test listing and the operator manufacturer's requirements. Fire-rated door assemblies are available in 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 180-minute ratings.

• The operator must be listed for use on fire-rated assemblies at the specified rating.

• The door must self-close and positively latch upon fire alarm activation. The operator must release the door to close under its own power (or spring-close mechanism) when the fire alarm system is activated.

• Hold-open features on fire-rated doors must be connected to the fire alarm system for automatic release.

• All wiring penetrations through fire-rated frames must maintain the frame's fire integrity.

Fire-Rated Assembly Integration

Automatic operators require electrical power and low-voltage wiring for controls and sensors.

• Most commercial automatic operators require 120VAC power. Verify the specific model's power requirements before installation.

• Provide a dedicated electrical circuit for the operator per the manufacturer's specifications.

• Low-voltage wiring is required for activation devices (push buttons, motion sensors), safety sensors, and integration with access control or fire alarm systems.

• Route all wiring concealed in the wall, header, or frame. Exposed wiring is not acceptable on finished installations.

• Consider battery backup if the building requires the operator to function during power outages.

Power Requirements and Wiring

Automatic operators on egress doors must not impede emergency egress. Building codes require that occupants can exit through automatic doors without special knowledge or tools, even during power failures.

Egress Requirements

• The door must be operable manually from the egress side at all times, regardless of the operator's power state.

• In a power failure, the door must either fail open or remain manually operable. The specific requirement depends on the building code and the door's function.

• Exit devices on operator-equipped doors must function mechanically from the push side without electrical power.

• The operator must not create a lock-in condition — occupants must always be able to exit.

• Fire-rated doors with automatic operators must still self-close and positively latch upon activation of the fire alarm system or upon power loss.

Egress Compliance

Automatic operators are commonly installed to meet ADA accessibility requirements. The ADA Standards for Accessible Design and ANSI A117.1 define the requirements for automatic doors.

Key ADA Requirements for Automatic Doors

• Clear opening width: The door must provide a minimum 32" clear opening width when the door is open 90 degrees (36" is preferred and commonly specified).

• Opening force: Automatic operators eliminate the manual opening force concern, but the door must still be operable manually if the operator fails.

• Closing speed: The door must take a minimum of 5 seconds to close from 90 degrees to 12 degrees from the latch.

• Floor clearance: A level, clear floor area is required on both sides of the door as specified in the ADA Standards.

• Activation devices: Push buttons, motion sensors, or other actuating devices must be mounted at accessible heights and locations per ADA guidelines.

Low-energy operators (ANSI/BHMA A156.19) and full-energy operators (ANSI/BHMA A156.10) have different ADA implications. Low-energy operators may be used without the full safety sensor requirements of full-energy operators, but both must comply with ADA clear width and operational requirements.

ADA Compliance Requirements

Automatic operator installation requires coordination with the entire door assembly. The operator must work with the door's weight, size, hardware, and fire rating.

Door and Frame Requirements

• Verify the door weight and size are within the operator's rated capacity. Overloading an operator results in slow operation, motor burnout, and premature failure.

• The frame header must have sufficient depth and structural capacity to mount the operator. Surface-mounted operators require a minimum header depth specified by the operator manufacturer.

• Reinforcement plates may be required in the frame header for concealed operators or in lightweight frames.

Hardware Coordination

• The door closer is typically removed or replaced when an automatic operator is installed, as the operator serves as the closing device.

• Exit devices must be compatible with the operator's arm type. Verify that the exit device allows the operator arm to function without interference.

• Electric latch retraction (ELR) may be required on exit devices to allow the operator to open the door without manual push-side activation.

• Coordinate the lock or latch release with the operator's control sequence. The latch must release before the operator applies opening force.

Coordination with Door, Frame, and Hardware

Automatic door operators are electromechanical devices that open and close doors without manual effort. Selecting the correct operator type is critical for ADA compliance, egress safety, and coordination with the door, frame, and hardware assembly.

Low-Energy Operators

Low-energy automatic operators open doors at a controlled, slow speed. They are activated by a push button, motion sensor, or other actuating device. Low-energy operators comply with ANSI/BHMA A156.19 and are the standard choice for interior ADA-accessible doors where pedestrian traffic volume is moderate.

Low-energy operators do not require the same safety sensor arrays as full-energy operators, making them simpler to install and maintain. However, they still require a clear floor area and proper door clearances per ADA guidelines.

Full-Energy Operators

Full-energy automatic operators open doors at a faster speed and are designed for high-traffic entrances. They comply with ANSI/BHMA A156.10 and require safety sensors (presence detectors, guide rails, or other safeguards) to prevent injury to pedestrians in the door swing path.

Full-energy operators are common on main building entrances, hospital corridors, and other locations with high pedestrian volume. The additional safety sensor requirements increase installation complexity and cost compared to low-energy operators.

Norton Automatic Operators

Norton, part of the ASSA Abloy family, manufactures a range of automatic operators for commercial applications. CDF stocks Norton automatic operators, including the Norton 6000 series (low-energy) and Norton 6300 series (full-energy). The Norton 6000 is a surface-mounted low-energy operator suitable for single and pair doors. The Norton 6300 is a surface-mounted full-energy operator for high-traffic entrances.

Automatic Operator Types

Selection and coordination guide for automatic door operators, covering ADA compliance, egress requirements, and integration with commercial door assemblies.

This guide answers: How Automatic Operator Selection Affects ADA and Egress Compliance