Door Hardware: Rules of Thumb

Anyone else struggle with door hardware? In my almost-7 years of working experience (and 4 years of college), I've never really had to assign it. Architects always did, while I checked all materials, heights, and frame types. 

I spy a panic bar! 

photo: King County Library

Recognizing there are several "acceptable" answers, but usually a "best," I am usually pretty frustrated when I get 3 of 4 hardware selections wrong or "not exact." I learned that the newer tests (since 2011) have really narrowed down correct answers. On my latest test, I only got 2 of 4 wrong, but I had to ask NCIDQ directly. Before clarifying with them, I had 3 of 4 wrong. Heck, I could have only 1 of 4 wrong... 

This isn't a memorization test, it's a test of application, knowledge, and creativity. Therefore we have to LEARN it rather than just memorize a fact and forget it 4 days later. 

{ NCIDQ Partition Rules of Thumb }

• Rated partitions
• Demising walls between tenant suites
• Walls between tenant suite and public space/corridor (i.e. elevator lobby)
• Walls between assembly spaces (>750 SF) and adjacent space or tenant corridor
• Walls of a storage room >50 SF
• Rated partitions must extend to the underside of the deck
• Acoustical partitions must extend to the underside of the deck
• Rated = acoustical 
• Office-to-office or office-to-corridor extend to finished ceiling
• I rarely see 4" Above Finished ceiling as a correct answer. I'm still not really sure why it's an option? Anyone know what instance this would be used (on the NCIDQ)?

{ NCIDQ Door Rules of Thumb }

• Doors in a rated wall assembly (1-hour) must be a minimum 20 min. rating
• Most door frames can be AL unless required otherwise
• Doors are 7'-0" high and commonly 3'-0" wide with a few exceptions
• When "visibility" is required, I like to use either minimal glazing on the door itself, or a frame type with a sidelight. Why? Because rated doors have limits on the amount of glazing. These limits vary per code. Most fire-rated glazing is actually 45-min which is greater than the 20-minute minimum required by NCIDQ.
• I use SCW (solid core wood) doors throughout unless I have a storage or utility room. These are typically utilitarian with louvered vents or are completely solid-faced (but hollow on the inside) HMD (hollow metal doors). 

{ NCIDQ Hardware Rules of Thumb } 

• Rated doors require a closer
• "Controlled access" or "Secured" typically requires a Card Reader or a Code Lock
• Assembly space >750 SF should have a closer and a Lever Passage set typically. A panic bar is also acceptable, but not required.

{ The What and Why of Door Hardware }

What is each set and where would we use it?

To better see the chart, please click on it and it will become larger in your browser.

Good lock luck,

Carolyn