Call STARFLEET for EXIT Device Service

Often referred to as ‘Push Bars’, ‘Panic Bars’ or ‘Crash Bars’ Exit Devices were developed to allow immediate egress in the event of a fire or emergency. Anybody pushing, leaning or crashing against the door will depress the bar and open the door, allowing exit without special knowledge.

Does YOUR business conform to all current ADA, Fire and Life Safety codes?

The RIM exit device is the most common type is use today. A spring-loaded latch projects from the end case of the device to secure the door. From the inside when the bar is pressed the latch retracts. From the outside a key is used to gain entry.

A VERTICAL ROD device uses latches at the top and bottom of the door to lock and release the door. The rods may be surface-mounted or concealed within the door structure itself. Concealed vertical rods are often found in pairs of doors in a commercial building. These devices are prone to binding or adjustment problems from slamming, heavy use, lack of maintenance or door sag.

The ALARMED exit device is used to notify a business when someone exits through a back or side door intended for emergency use only. An alarm sounds and must be reset with a key to disarm the siren. Although some devices are hard-wired into the building electrical system, most are battery powered.

When ENTRY from the outside is required a key-operated knob, lever or cylinder is used. When the key is turned the latch is withdrawn allowing the door to be pulled open. An exit device used for exit (egress) only requires no outside trim.

 

Call STARFLEET for Door Closer Service

A door closer is installed to close a door automatically after someone passes through the door. Residential doors can use a screen door spring or spring-loaded hinge to accomplish the task, but commercial doors require heavy-duty, special application units.

SURFACE – The most common door closers are surface-mounted in the upper hinge corner of a door or frame. On the left is an older style ‘pot belly’ closer while the right illustration is of a ‘streamlined’ closer. Either of these can leak fluid on the floor if a seal goes bad causing hydraulic fluid to leak on the floor in the path of pedestrians.

FLOOR – The heavy duty doors in some restaurants, stores churches and office buildings require special door closers. Buried in the floor, these units may also act as a pivot point for the door. Instead of hinges, the top of the door has a pivot that aligns with the bottom floor closer.

OVERHEAD – Storefront aluminum doors use a hydraulic closer mounted in the overhead framework of the door opening. These are out-of-sight but cause problems when they fail. A rubber seal can leak fluid on the floor area around the door causing injury.

SPECIALTY – Some specialty door closers can open the door too! Power door operators allow access by the disabled by opening the door when a button is pushed. The door then closes automatically after the person passes through. An adjustable timer is used to keep the door open long enough for wheelchair access.