• Welcome to The Building Code Forum

    Your premier resource for building code knowledge.

    This forum remains free to the public thanks to the generous support of our Sawhorse Members and Corporate Sponsors. Their contributions help keep this community thriving and accessible.

    Want enhanced access to expert discussions and exclusive features? Learn more about the benefits here.

    Ready to upgrade? Log in and upgrade now.

What is this device located at this fire door in a healthcare occupancy?

My first guess (and I emphasize "guess") is that the door may have a security function and that's a magnetic lock that holds the door in the closed position unless released by a button or activation of an alarm.
 
The door has a hole bored in it, and it has been enlarged over time to accommodate apparent differential movement and either way, obstructing closure is probably not part of the intent.

This was sent by an associate so I have no first hand knowledge but I think this is a normally open door (mags) separating a smoke compartment.
 
That is called a ratchet release assembly. I can't see the whole door but it must have fire exit hardware (panic hardware that is listed for a fire door). This hardware has concealed vertical rods and latches inside of the door. When someone presses the touchpad of the panic, the latch stays retracted until the door comes to a close. Then the thing in your photo goes through the hole in the face of the door and projects the latch.

Rather than enlarging the hole I would try to figure out why the door is sagging or what is causing the misalignment.
 
LGreene said:
That is called a ratchet release assembly. I can't see the whole door but it must have fire exit hardware (panic hardware that is listed for a fire door). This hardware has concealed vertical rods and latches inside of the door. When someone presses the touchpad of the panic, the latch stays retracted until the door comes to a close. Then the thing in your photo goes through the hole in the face of the door and projects the latch.

Rather than enlarging the hole I would try to figure out why the door is sagging or what is causing the misalignment.
Click to expand...

If the hardware is a Von Duprin 98 or 99 series, the listing allows a hole size of 1/2-inch, which you can see on page 3 of the installation instructions: https://us.allegion.com/content/dam...t_Device_Installation_Instructions_107603.pdf
 
LGreene said:
That is called a ratchet release assembly. I can't see the whole door but it must have fire exit hardware (panic hardware that is listed for a fire door). This hardware has concealed vertical rods and latches inside of the door. When someone presses the touchpad of the panic, the latch stays retracted until the door comes to a close. Then the thing in your photo goes through the hole in the face of the door and projects the latch.

Rather than enlarging the hole I would try to figure out why the door is sagging or what is causing the misalignment.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the info, glad you were watching! I did direct the inspector to idighardware.com for better info!
 
After 50 years in this business and even having had an uncle who managed a factory for one of the major architectural hardware companies, this is one I have never encountered. Many thanks, Ms. Greene.
 
LGreene said:
I don't think I have a post on that, but it's on the list! I have asked one of our compliance engineers to weigh in on the shim idea, and I'll post the answer here.
Click to expand...
I looked but didn't see anything, I just recommended he go to the website to take advantage of all the info it has to offer in general. It is a go-to for me.
 
LGreene said:
I don't think I have a post on that, but it's on the list! I have asked one of our compliance engineers to weigh in on the shim idea, and I'll post the answer here.
Click to expand...
There are shims that come with the assembly, but the concern that our compliance engineer mentioned is that if the door is sagging (which is making the hole misaligned), the latch engagement at the top is decreasing. Because of this, the hardware may not hold during a fire.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top