Frequently Used Terms
Trade Terms
Adjustable Top Pivot
An Adjustable Top Pivot is the female portion of the top pivot located in the top rail of an any door. The pivot adjusts the door from frame to frame.
Astragal
An Astragal is a molding that closes the clearance gap between a pair of doors. National Guard, Sealeze and Pemko astragals can fit your every need. The astragal is installed vertically on either side of a pair of doors. Astragals can be made of molded rubber and or a nylon brush. Astragals can be used on all types of interior or exterior doors.
Center Hung Pivot
The Center Hung Pivot from Rixson, Jackson, Dorma and International is a pivot that is installed in the center of the door either on top or bottom of the door. It can operate either single acting or double acting. Rixson, Jackson, Dorma, International.
Commercial Thresholds
Commercial Thresholds by Pemko, also called saddles, are made to transition under a door that seals out the weather. They are usually made of aluminum, but can be made of wood, brass and bronze. Door Closer Service carries a large variety of thresholds in stock. Special orders are available by contacting us. Thresholds can be used in varied applications such as wheelchair access. When ordering your threshold, you should also consider replacing worn weather-stripping.
Concealed Overhead Closers(COC)
Concealed Overhead Closers by Rixson, Kawneer, Dorma, International, Jackson, LCN and Door Closer Service brand are door closers that are hidden by a cover plate in the frame portion above the door. The opening range of these closers are 90º degree 105º degree Hold Open or Non-Hold Open models and can be offset or center hung in the application. These closers can be used on wooden, glass, steel and aluminum and all glass doors. The concealed overhead closer should not be confused with the concealed in a door closer. Those door closers are recessed in the door itself.
Crash Chain
A Crash Chain is a heavy-duty chain attached to a spring to help eliminate a door from swinging open to far. Crash Chains from Ives stops the door from swinging open and damaging buildings with a Heavy-duty Spring Chain.
Door Bottom Sweeps
Door Bottom Sweeps by National Guard, Sealeze and Pemko are products that you can install on any interior or exterior door to help with keeping out the cold, heat, weather or rodents. There are a variety of ways door bottom sweeps can be installed as well as a variety of materials that door sweeps are made of. This is the most cost-effective way of insulating your office or home.
Door Handle Parts
This kit contains different types of Cone Head Screws, spacers, spanner wrench, bushings, washers and handle tools. This kit is a must for locksmith’s service vehicle.
Door Pressure Gauge
A Door Pressure Gauge is a handy tool to measure the force it takes to open a door.
Door Stop
The purpose of a Door Stop is designed to keep doors open or closed - in a variety of finishes and heights. Door stops applications come in many different applications, either mounted to the top or bottom of a door or mounted to the floor or to the header of the door.
Dummy Arm Kit
Dummy Arm Kit is a kit to de-activate a concealed door closer that is mounted either in the frame header or in the floor. The kit allows the door to swing freely inward and outward. This application is mainly used for the installation of an automatic door closer.
Electric Strike
An Electric Strike made by Adams Rite and Rutherford is a keyless entry device that locks or unlocks a door with AC or DC currant. Some electric strikes come with buzzers which let people outside know that the door is open. It is important to know the type of application that an electric strike will be used for. If you are unsure, consult a professional.
Electromagnetic Locks
Electromagnetic Locks are simple in nature, these locks consist of a magnet and a metal face plate which is called an armature. The Rutherford magnetic lock has either AC or DC current that is mounted to the door frame. When the magnet is energized with a current, it adheres to the faceplate that is mounted on the door.
End Load Arms
End Load Arms for Overhead Concealed Closers - End Load Arms made by International, Dorma and Jackson are used for concealed overhead closers. The end load arm has adjustable screws to align the door into its proper closing position and is attached to the spindle of the closer from the end.
Floor Closers
Floor Closers are heavy duty door closers that are recessed underneath the door in the floor under the threshold. These heavy-duty floor closers – Rixson, Dorma, Speedy, OMV and Casma are mounted into a cement case and covered by the threshold or a cover plate. Door Closer Service Co. carries a large selection of floor closers and available complete or less all parts.
Hinge
A Hinge is a mechanism that connects two solid objects, typically a door to a frame. There are many types of hinges that are used on doors today: butt or ball bearing hinges, continuous hinges from Roton, Intermediate hinges and spring hinges by Bommer.
Butt or Mortise Hinges
Butt or Mortise Hinges are inset into the door and frame and can be used for interior or exterior applications.
Continuous Hinges
Continuous Hinges are hinges that run the entire length of a door also known as a piano hinge. Continuous hinges can be used on interior and exterior applications.
Spring Hinges
Spring Hinges are hinges that can be mortised or surface mounted on a door and frame that has an internal spring where the internal strength can be adjusted. Unlike door closers (floor closers and overhead concealed closers) spring hinges do not have hydraulic fluid to cushion the door on closing. Spring hinges come either single acting or double acting.
Intermediate Pivots/Hinges
Intermediate Pivots/Hinges are essentially hinges. Hinges help support heavy or very tall doors mainly on commercial applications and installed between the top and bottom pivot.
Lock Cylinder
A Lock Cylinder is the portion of a lock that the key fits into. Cylinders can be removed and changed out and the internal parts, known as tumblers can be changed by a locksmith, and the cylinder can be reinstalled with a different key than before or several cylinders can be keyed alike. Cylinders have a low profile. There are a variety of cylinders which include key in the knob lock, rim cylinders and round mortise cylinders.
Mall door rollers/sliders
Mall door rollers/sliders are rollers designed for bi-fold Mall doors.
Key pads
Key pads allow a person to enter a locked door through and touch pad with a coded number to gain entrance.
Offset Hung Pivots
Offset Hung Pivots are the same as a pivot set, but the installation is different. The pivot is installed off of the jamb. There are several types of offset pivots - 3/4" Offset Pivots pivot point located 3/4" from the heel edge of the door and 3/4" from face of door. 1-1/2" Offset Pivots pivot point located 3/4" from the heel edge of the door and 1-1/2" from face of door. Offset Hung Pivot Sets are also available for very heavy doors.
Panic bar - Exit device - Push bar
Panic bar, Exit device, or push bar is a mechanism for unlatching a door. The Panic bar is a spring-loaded metal bar fixed horizontally to the inside of a door. It is operated by pushing on it, which unlatches the door. Many exit devices are installed on emergency exits. Panic bars are usually installed on doors that open one way, but you can install door handles that will open the panic bar from the outside.
Patch Fitting Insert
A Patch Fitting Insert is the male or female insert of the top and bottom pivot patch or hinge. It is located in the top and bottom frame side corner portion of an all glass door. The pivot adjusts the door from frame to frame.
Perimeter Door Gaskets
Perimeter Door Gaskets also known as weather stripping, door sweeps or door bottom sweeps. These gaskets can be made of silicone, neoprene, brush, rubber and vinyl. Gaskets can be used for a variety of applications such as weather – energy sealing, noise sealing, light sealing, smoke sealing and fire sealing.
Pivot Sets
Pivot Sets come in a variety of applications – Center Hung, Offset Hung, Intermediate and heavy-duty applications. A pivot set will only swing the door like a hinge, it will not close a door like a door closer. Commercial door pivots are available from Rixson, Ives, YKK, Dorma, International, Jackson, Kawneer, Bommer, Vistawall, Hager and OMV.
Side Load Arms
Side Load Arms for Overhead Concealed Closers made by International, Rixson, Norton, Dorma and Jackson are used for concealed overhead closers. The side load arm has adjustable screws to align the door into its proper closing position and is attached to the spindle of the closer from the side.
Surface Bolts
Surface Bolts are made for use on double doors, this heavy-duty surface bolt has smooth, simple guides and allows one door to stay closed while the other is open.
Surface Closer
A Surface Closer is a mechanical devise that closes doors after someone manually opens it, or after it was automatically opened by an electrified opener. Door closers have internal springs and hydraulic oil with cylinders. All door closers have valves that adjust the speed of the door closing and latching. Surface closers can be used on any door, glass and aluminum, wood and metal doors. As the name suggests, a surface closer is mounted to the surface of the door or frame.
Weather-stripping
Weather-stripping is the process of sealing openings such as doors, windows, and trunks from the elements. The goal of weather-stripping is to prevent rain and water from entering by either blocking it outright or by blocking most of it and returning or rerouting it. A secondary goal of weather-stripping is to keep interior air in, thus saving energy with heating and air conditioning.
Abbreviations
AHO - Automatic Hold Open
AC - Alternating Current
ADA - Americans with disabilities act
AHJ - Authority Having Jurisdiction
AHO - Automatic Hold Open
AMP - Ampere
BC - Backcheck
BF - Barrier Free
C - Common
COC - Concealed Overhead Closer
CWF - Cold Weather Fluid
DA - Delayed action
DC - Direct Current
DPDT - Double Pole Double Throw
ELS - Extended Length Spindle
F - Fire Rated
FS - Fail Safe
FSE - Fail Secure
G - Ground
HO - Hold Open
LAP - Less All Parts
NC - Normally Closed
NFS - Non-Fail Safe
NHO - Non-Hold Open
NO - Normally Open
RX - Request To Exit
SC - Sealed Closer
SHO - Selective Hold Open
SPDT - Single Pole Double Throw
SPLO - Special Layout
SPST - Single Pole Single Throw
V - Volt
Acronyms & Abbreviations - Glossary
Adjustable Hold Open
A door closer option which can be adjusted to hold a door open at different positions.
Automatic Hold Open (AHO or A)
Available on certain series of closers. Preset at the factory for a specific degree of hold open. The degree of hold-open cannot be changed, nor can the closer be made into a non-hold-open closer.
Alternating Current (AC)
An electric current that reverses (alternates) its polarity regularly and continually. It is also known as AC current.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
A US federal law dealing with the minimum standards of building accessibility as well as other issues concerning individuals with disabilities.
Ampere (AMP)
The unit of measurement for the rate of current flow.
Annunciator
A signaling device which can be either audible or visual.
Audit Trail
A running history of events which occur in an access control system.
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
The person, usually within a municipality, charged with the application and interpretation of local life safety codes.
Backcheck (BC)
A hydraulic function, optional on some door closers, which cushions the opening swing of a door and prevents it from slamming into the stop or wall.
Backset
The distance of measurement between the center of a cross-bore or cylinder hole on the face of the door and the bolt edge of a door.
Barrier Free (BF)
Having to do with the absence of restrictions to access by the handicapped.
Battery backup
A backup source of power for an access control system
Center Hung
Refers to a floor closer or pivot where the pivot point is located within the dimension of the door, usually at the center-line of the thickness of a door.
Cold Weather Fluid (CWF)
An door or floor closer option that should be considered in installations where ground temperature is constantly below +15°F. May be used in temperatures as low as -35°F.
Common (C)
A terminal on a form-C relay or single pole double throw switch which is used to complete a circuit.
Concealed Overhead Closer (COC)
Closers concealed in the head frame over the door or in the door.
Continuous Duty
The duty rating of an electrical device. Continuous duty rated devices are designed to be powered continually.
Current
The flow of electrons measured in amperes (amps).
Current Draw
The amount of current (amps) consumed by a device in an electrical circuit.
Delayed Action (DA)
A function of a door closer which delays the closing of a door to allow for passage by a wheelchair. It typically permits a door to remain ajar (at approximately 70°) for up to 30 seconds.
Delayed Egress
A means of egress controlled (delayed) to prevent pilferage. Delayed egress must meet the requirements of NFPA101.
Direct Current (DC)
An electric current that travels in only one direction and typically has a negative and positive polarity.
Double Acting (door)
A door which swings in both directions
Double Pole - Double Throw (DPDT)
A type of switch or relay (form-C) where two circuits are activated simultaneously.
Dry Contact
Terminals on a relay which do not supply power but function to open or close a circuit.
Extended Length Spindle (ELS)
Closer bodies can be ordered with spindle extensions in ½" increments to accommodate installation variations such as thresholds or terrazzo pans.
Exit Door
A door typically used as a means of egress in an emergency.
Fire Rated (F)
A designation for door hardware indicating that it is for use on openings with fire-rated doors.
Face
The exposed part of a frame parallel to the surface of the wall.
Face (Door)
The surface of a door, parallel with the face of the door frame.
Fail Safe (FS)
A feature of a security device designed to release, for safety purposes, during a power loss, (also known as fail-unlocked, fail-safe or reverse action). The device requires power to be electrically locked.
Fail Secure (FSE)
Referring to an electrically operated lock which in an unpowered state is locked. (also known as fail-locked, fail-secure or non-fail safe).
Field Selectable
An option which can be configured after manufacture/, Generally as the product is being installed.
Finish
The finished color of a lock or other door hardware.
Fire Door
A door constructed to provide a specific degree of fire protection. It is typically rated for a period of time as resistant to penetration by fire.
Form-C
A type of switch mechanism which includes three terminals: common, normally open and normally closed.
Ground (G)
A conducting connection between an electric circuit and the earth.
Hand
The orientation of a locking device which matches the bevel or direction or swing of a door. Designations for handing are: RH, LH, RHR, LHR. On pairs of doors, the suffix -A may indicate that aleaf is the active leaf in the pair (i.e.: RHR-A).
Header
The horizontal member of a door frame above the door.
Holding Force
The bond strength of an electromagnetic lock.
Hold Open (HO)
A door closer option which allows a door to be held open.
Inrush Current
The measurement of amperage that an electrical device needs when power is first applied.
Intermittent Duty
The duty rating of an electrical device which is not designed to be continuously powered.
Labeled Fire Door
See fire door.
Less All Parts (LAP)
A designation for door closers supplied with a closer body only, including no accessories or components.
Load
See current draw.
Maintained Contact Switch
A switch designed to continually pass current or close a circuit in its normal condition.
Momentary Contact Switch
A switch designed to pass current or close a circuit on demand.
Monitoring
A method of indicating the operational status or security condition of a locking device or a door.
NFPA 101
National Fire Protection Association life safety code.
Non-Fail Safe
See fail secure.
Non Hold-Open (NHO or N)
Indicates a door closer that is not equipped with any hold open feature.
Normally Open (NO)
The normal condition of a switch or relay contact in which a circuit is open.
Normally Closed (NC)
The normal condition of a switch or relay contact in which a circuit is closed.
No Special Knowledge
A descriptive term which relates to the NFPA101 life safety code.
Offset Hung
Refers to a door closer or pivot where the pivot point of the door is offset from the surface of the door. Typical offset dimensions are ¾" or 1½".
Operating Current
The measurement of amperage that an electrical device needs after the device has been initially powered.
Physically Handicapped (PH)
ADA Opening Force Guidelines - Refers to door closers that are preset with lighter opening force then normal
Rail
One of the horizontal members of an aluminum or tempered glass door
Rectifier
An electrical device which allows current to flow in one direction only. It converts AC current to DC.
Request to Exit (RX)
A monitor or switch that signals an authorized request to exit a protected area.
Reveal
The distance between the face of a door frame and the face of a door.
Sealed Closer (SC)
Where water contact may occur with a floor closer. It provides gasketing and a cover plate that are epoxied around the cement case with the floor closer inside.
This option is only available for replacement closers when the cement case is also replaced.
Selective Hold Open (SHO)
A door closer option which allows a door to be held open and can be enabled or disabled on demand.
Silent Operation
The quiet operational mode of a locking device which typically buzzes or makes other noise when energized.
Single Acting (Door)
A door which swings in only one direction.
Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT)
The description of a form-C contact.
Single Pole Single Throw (SPST)
A switch with only two terminals which either close or open a circuit.
Special Layout (SPLO)
Custom application door hardware designed for non-standard installations.
Stile
The vertical member of an aluminum or clad door.
Stop
The part of a door frame against which the door closes.
Time Delay
A pre-set period of time when a circuit is either open or closed in order to activate a locking device.
Tri-Volt
A triple voltage option on some magnetic holders which allows multiple input voltages.
UL listed
A listing in the UL directory for a device which has passed specific Underwriters Laboratories tests.
Volt (V)
Unit of measurement of electrical current.