Technical Resources

Quick Tips from Jay Harris, Architectural Services Consultant, Allegion

Posted on Feb. 19, 2024  /  Technical Resources  /  Subscribe 0

Top 4 Things to Consider When Specifying in Div 08

Please check out the podcast to hear this in-depth interview

1. What are the advantages in working with a manufacturers rep when managing a Division hardware 8 project spec?

2. What type of design documents are consultants requiring to spec Division 8?

3. How do you determine what “grade” of product to use for projects?  Is “grading” that important?

4. What is the most challenging “type” of project to specify hardware?  Why?

1. What are the advantages in working with a manufacturers rep when managing a Division hardware 8 project spec?

Hardware is more cumbersome to manage then some think

• Keying systems / code compliance / types of doors / specialty applications, etc

• Locks are perceived as a commodity item but in reality, can be as cumbersome to specify as electrical components or specialty composites

Taking ownership of Division 8 (openings) & helping coordinate the players responsible for Division 28 (electronic safety & security)

From the early Design Development stage, hardware consultants will help gather, coordinate, implement and design a full set of construction specifications for Division 8

• Specification consists of products that completely outfit a door opening (doors, hinges, locks, closers, and electronic security hardware)

• Help determine correct product application (type of projects vary – Single & Multifamily, Healthcare, Education, Office, Industrial, Transportation, Utilities

• Pick finishes appropriate for the environment being used (interior/exterior/chemical)

• Complete keying schedules (new or to match existing owner’s standard)

• Review egress requirements and coordinate with local building codes (example – Specialty pool area panic hardware / Request to exit applications within memory care facilities / Fire rating electronic access control within a hotel / multifamily apartment stairwell corridor)

• Bring together “outside” entities (low voltage integrators) to help coordinate electronic security design and planning for project (hardware tie-in to security integrator software systems)

• Provide POST install site visits and punch walks

• Ensure product installed on project doors meet spec and are operating per design / punch report delivered back to architect and GC

SAYING IN OUR INDUSTRY – We take the HARD out of HARDWARE!

2. What type of design documents are consultants requiring to spec Division 8?

Initially, only three types of documents are needed to start a door hardware specification:

• Floor plan (with door #s marked)

• Door schedule (document listing door # and materials of the door)

• Life Safety / egress pathway plan

Access control

• Security floor plan mark-ups (listing doors requiring access control need)

• Integrator company name contracted

  • Identify software system being used

  • Discuss unique openings (memory care / school lock down / request to exit retail)

Needs from Architect

• Consultants request documents at the 75%+ (at the least) design phase (90% preferred)

• Owners’ standards (details-preferred manufacturer confirmation from developers / style, finish, keying systems, etc)

• Authorization to write “open” or with NO-SUBSTITUTION according to owner’s standard

• Ability to utilize “brand specific” specification software

• Helps speed up spec process and delivery of completed documents back to architect.

3. How do you determine what “grade” of product to use for projects?  Is “grading” that important?

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) have developed durability, strength, and performance standards for every type of door hardware on the market - Grades 1, 2, or 3 -- with grade 1 being the highest

Defined by progressive levels of performance benchmarks in each applicable standard

• Operation - force to retract the latch and force to close the door

• Durability – Products are expected to last a long time…. Cycle tests specify how many cycles a product can endure while still maintaining its functionality – EXAMPLE LOCKS

  • Grade 1 = 1 MILLION cycles before failure

  • Grade 2 = 400,000 cycles

  • Grade 3 = 200,000 cycles

• Safety & Security – Designed to test “security degree” from outside of the door – Torque testing to ensure levers will not fail (come off) the door when forced

• Appearance – Corrosion, chemical, abrasion and sunlight testing – Ensuring the hardware keeps its aesthetically pleasing appearance for years of operation.

• Is “grading” important, YES!

• Take a door closer for example:

  • Type of project working on

    • Cycle use of door (more usage / heavier duty)

    • Large retail store or healthcare entrance – 5,000 cycles per day / 1.5M cycles annually

    • Schools – 1,250 cycles per day / 225,000 annually

    • Office building – 400 cycles per day / 118,000 annually

      • Determining USE helps determine GRADE / “DUTY” LEVEL of product

4. What is the most challenging “type” of project to specify hardware?  Why?

By far, the most challenging projects to specify door hardware is Healthcare

• Several different types of healthcare projects “each” have their own unique set of challenges

  • Hospitals – Patient rooms – quite environments / loud door hardware / Hinge strengths – door armor – clean work environments (anti-microbial finishes)

  • Behavioral health – Doors require “varying” levels of security throughout facility

    • Lock down / request to exit egress / monitoring-“wonder” management

    • Anti-ligature – Specialty hardware to decrease one’s ability to harm themselves

• Out-patient / Urgent Care / Out-patient services

  • • Downsized hospital environment but with lower cycle expectations

    • Hands free environments (check-in / consultation)

    • Office settings / Maximize patient care space (sliding doors) / Increase aesthetics (modern hardware styles)

• Healthcare / hospital hardware specifying is the market segment used to certify a licensed hardware AHC (Architectural hardware consultant) during the educational phase of training

• Final exam consists of outfitting a small healthcare / hospital project with door hardware components!

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