What is the difference between a cylindrical lockset and a mortise lock?
A cylindrical lockset installs through a round bored hole (161 prep, 2-1/8” diameter) in the door face. A mortise lock installs into a rectangular pocket (86 edge prep, 8” cutout) cut into the edge of the door. Mortise locks are heavier duty and offer more function options, but they require a thicker door stile to accommodate the lock body. Both types are used in commercial applications.
What do the fire rating levels mean for commercial doors?
Fire ratings indicate how long an assembly can resist fire in a standard test. The five standard levels are 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 3-hour (180-minute). The required rating depends on the wall’s fire resistance rating and the opening’s location in the building. All components in the assembly, including door, frame, hardware, and glazing, must carry matching or compatible fire labels.
What is the difference between a drywall wrap frame and a welded frame?
A drywall wrap frame ships in three pieces (head and two jambs) and installs after the wall is finished by wrapping around the drywall edges. A welded frame is a one-piece unit with the head and jambs factory-welded together, typically set during wall construction in masonry or concrete applications. Drywall wrap frames are standard for interior commercial applications in metal stud walls.
What does "hand" or "handing" mean on a door schedule?
Handing describes the swing direction of a door. Stand on the outside (key side) of the door and note which side the hinges are on. Hinges on the right means Right Hand (RH); hinges on the left means Left Hand (LH). If the door swings toward you, add "Reverse" (RHR or LHR). Correct handing is essential when ordering locksets, exit devices, and closers because many hardware items are hand-specific.
What gauge steel should I specify for commercial door frames?
Standard commercial interior frames are typically 16 gauge (0.0598”) or 14 gauge (0.0747”). For high-traffic areas, high-security applications, or frames receiving heavy hardware, 14 gauge or 12 gauge (0.1046”) is appropriate. The project specifications or architect typically dictates the required gauge.
What is a 161 prep and an 86 edge prep?
A 161 prep is a 2-1/8” diameter hole bored through the face of a door to accept a cylindrical (bored) lockset. An 86 edge prep is an 8” rectangular cutout in the edge of a door to accept a mortise lock body. The prep type is determined by the lockset type specified in the hardware schedule. Doors must be ordered with the correct prep to match the specified hardware.
Do all components in a fire-rated opening need to be fire-rated?
Yes. NFPA 80 requires that every component in a fire-rated opening carry a matching or compatible fire label. This includes the door, frame, hinges, lockset, closer, glazing, louvers, smoke seals, and any other component installed in the assembly. Missing or mismatched labels can cause the assembly to fail inspection by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Fire labels are available at all five standard rating levels: 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, and 3-hour (180-minute).
What finish should I specify for commercial door hardware?
The most commonly specified commercial hardware finish is US26D (626), satin chromium, which provides a durable matte silver appearance. For environments with moisture or chemical exposure, US32D (630) satin stainless steel is preferred. The finish should be consistent across all hardware on each opening. CDF’s ProBuilder displays available finishes for each hardware selection during the configuration process.