Trim Functions

Trim Operating Options

Building Code — can be divided into two categories; life safety and fire codes.

Life safety codes are those that most municipalities and states have adopted to set the minimum criteria for designing a building to include safety. An overview of what most codes include can be found in NFPA 101, especially in Chapter 5, which reviews many of the criteria for application of door hardware.

Fire codes, such as NFPA 80, outline the minimum requirements for doors and door hardware among other items that may be incorporated into fire door assemblies.

Third Party Testing Lab — refers to an independent testing lab that tests manufacturers products to determine whether they meet building code requirements.

Fire Assembly — refers to an opening in the wall, and everything that is installed in that wall to provide a “rated” assembly. This would include the door, the frame, the frame anchors, the hinges, the door closer, lock sets and other hardware attached to the door.

Field Modifying — not allowed on panic or fire devices, as this would remove the manufacturer’s warranty. In most cases field modifying is not allowed to any component of a fire assembly. Door manufacturers do have a limited number of holes that may be field-drilled into the door and frame. This is typically limited to mounting such things as a door closer, and in some cases, may allow the addition of something such as a kick plate or a fire-rated door viewer. Any modification outside those specifically allowed by life safety codes, fire codes or the manufacturer could limit or destroy any liability or warranty that the manufacturer had on a product.

Panic Device — a self-releasing device designed to allow free egress.

Fire Device — similar to a panic device, it allows free egress while providing self-latching under all conditions.

Altering or Deleting Parts — this would cover such items as failing to install strikes, bottom rods on vertical rod exit devices or using a vertical rod device with an electric strike.

Rim — a single-point latch device that attaches to the surface of a door.

Mortise — a single-point latching device that incorporates a lockset, mortised into the edge of a door.

Surface Vertical Rod — a two-point latching exit/fire device that latches at the top and the bottom of the door and is mounted to the surface of the door.

Concealed Vertical Rod — a two-point latching exit/fire device with latches at the top at the bottom of the door, with the latches and the control rods concealed in the door itself.

Wood Door Concealed — similar to a concealed vertical rod but specifically designed for mortising into the edge of a wood door. Typically these devices have limited fire ratings and require special blocking in the door construction.

Electric Latch Retraction — allowed on fire devices as well as panic devices in place of dogging. When used on fire exit devices, it must be interfaced with the fire alarm.

Latch Bolt Monitor Switch — monitors the position of the latch bolt for security purposes.

Exit Only — refers to an exit device that allows no exterior entry. It either has a blank plate or no plate at all on the exterior of the door.

Dummy Trim — a knob lever or handle on the exterior of the door with no way to use a key to enter. Used with a dogged panic device or electrically dogged panic/fire device.

Night Latch — describes a function of an exit device similar to the storeroom function of a lock set.

Rigid Trim — similar to a dummy trim but incorporates a lock cylinder for night latch operation.

Blank Escutcheon — describes a function where the knob, lever or thumb piece is unlocked and there is no key to lock the trim.

Controlled Panic Exit Device — describes a special panic/fire device that incorporates all the requirements for a panic/fire device as well as delayed egress (15 or 30 second delay) allowed by some codes.

High Security Device — incorporates all the features of a panic or fire device and is also combined with a security deadbolt that meets Department of Defense requirements (similar to DIAM-50-3).

Request-to-Exit Switch — a switch installed on exit device, actuated only when someone is leaving the interior of the building. This is different from a latch bolt switch which is actuated even when the latch bolt is retracted using the exterior trim.