How to find the right Commercial Door Strikes AI guide
Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge.
What the AI looks for in Commercial Door Strikes
- Strike type and size
- Commercial hollow metal frames usually take an ANSI 4-7/8 inch strike; residential and light-duty prep uses a smaller strike The strike must match the existing frame cutout or the frame has to be modified.
- Lip length
- Measure from the centerline of the strike to the frame edge and choose a lip that reaches the door face without dragging A lip that is too short lets the latch catch on the frame. One that is too long protrudes and gets damaged.
- Electric strike fail mode
- Use fail-secure on fire-rated doors; use fail-safe only on non-rated doors where the code allows it Fire doors must stay latched during a power loss in a fire.
- Latch compatibility
- Match the strike to the latch type (cylindrical, mortise with deadlatch, or exit device rim latch) and to the latch projection A mismatched latch or deadlatch plunger can bind, fail to release, or be defeated.
- Frame material and voltage
- Choose a strike made for hollow metal, wood, or aluminum storefront frames, and match the 12 or 24 VDC access-control supply Storefront frames need narrow-profile strikes, and a voltage mismatch causes unreliable release.
Brands that matter
- HES: Widely used electric strikes for access control, owned by ASSA ABLOY.
- Von Duprin: Electric strikes made to pair with Von Duprin rim exit devices.
- Adams Rite: Specializes in narrow-stile aluminum storefront strikes and locks.
- Folger Adam: Heavy-duty electric strikes for institutional and high-security doors.
- Securitron: Access-control strikes and power supplies.
What to avoid
- Fail-safe electric strikes on fire-rated doors
- Residential round-corner strikes in commercial ANSI frame preps
- Guessing the lip length instead of measuring it
Questions
Fail-safe or fail-secure?
Fail-secure stays locked when power is cut but still allows free egress through the inside lever, and it is required on fire doors. Fail-safe unlocks when power is cut and is used on non-rated doors where the code calls for it.