Locksmiths who have been involved in access control and the specification and installation of electric strikes are all too familiar with amount of work that is required to install strikes, and all the pitfalls that can be encountered in specifying the strike and then deploying them. Providing exit devices and providing for the electric control of doors with exit devices also presents its challenges.
Where locking hardware is provided in new construction, many of the pitfalls can be avoided by proper planning, design and prepping. The architect evaluates the building and its occupancy and code requirements. A hardware specifier details the plans with specific part numbers for the right hardware, and vendors follow manufacturer’s guidelines for prepping the door and frame. In theory the site work is limited to bolting hardware onto the doors.
But alas in the world of the locksmith, we are typically involved in retrofit projects where we are called in to upgrade existing doors and frames.
Another common scenario is where the original plans for the new construction did not include the access control and the locksmith is called to make it happen.
Sometimes it is an oversight. Mechanical locks and keys are on the hardware schedule, and it is only after the materials have been ordered and work has begun does the owner realize that the security and access control were not included in the job.
In a way, you can understand why. Since the race out of the gate is to arrive at the absolutely lowest bottom line for a project, extras like specialized security systems may not be included in bids from the general contractor, carpenter and electrician. They may have concerns about making money on the additional work where they will have to rely on outside contractor to get them through the subsystems. They would rather not bring it up or voluntarily get involved.
So very often the locksmith gets involved in either upgrading and existing building where the doors are ready to fall off the hinges, or in new buildings where the locking doors and locking hardware may have been specified incorrectly and not properly installed or actually commissioned.
There is a relatively new category of electric strike, the electric rim strike. It is used to electrically control rim exit devices. This category of electric strike came into being after (but not because of) the ramping up of the codes as they apply to fire, life safety and windstorm.
It is a technically vigorous product group where the manufacturers are frequently bringing new models to market, and are revising the designs of existing models.
This overview offers several of the more popular electric rim strikes for your review.
HES 9700 Series
The new HES 9700 Series is an addition to the popular surface-mounted 9500 and 9600 Series. The new surface mounted strike combines both windstorm and fire-ratings into one solution and is designed to accommodate the Corbin Russwin SecureBoltTM and Yale SquareBoltTM exit devices. The HES 9700 is the perfect complement to these heavy-duty exit device solutions that are ideal for frequent use applications such as K-12, theaters, factories, government buildings and healthcare environments.
Features include:
- Separate base and decorative cover for easy adjustments
- Stainless steel construction
- Static strength to 2,000 lbs.
- Dynamic strength to 120 ft-lbs.
- Endurance 1,000,000 cycles
- Field selectable fail secure/ fail safe
- Dual voltage 12 or 24VDC
- Non-handed. Horizontal adjustability
- Five year limited warranty
Listings and Patents:
- UL 10C fire-rated, 3 hour (fail secure only)
- CAN4-S104 (ULC-S104), NFPA-252 and ASTM-E152 fire door conformant
- California Fire Marshall listed
- NFPA 80-07 compliant
- UL Listed to ANSI 250.13 Severe windstorm listed
- Florida Building Code Approved (FL#14307)
- UL 1034 burglary-resistant listed and suitable for outdoor use
- UL 294 (Rev.6) Listed
- ANSI/BHMA A156.31 Grade 1
- RoHs compliant
- Patents: 6,390,520, 6,392,520 and 8,454,520
The other strikes in the 9000 series ‑ the 9400, 9500 & 9600 ‑ offer a selection of surface mounted rim strikes which will satisfy virtually every application requiring a surface mounted rim electric strike.
The 9400 Series Slim-Line strike works with rim exit devices with a 1/2" throw latchbolt. Standard features include:
- Decorative cover for a sleek look
- Stainless steel construction
- Static strength to 1,500 lbs.
- Dynamic strength to 70 ft-lbs.
- Endurance 500,000 cycles
- Field selectable fail secure/fail safe
- Dual voltage 12 or 24VDC
- Non-handed. Horizontal adjustability
- Five year limited warranty
Listings and Patents”
- UL 1034 burglary-resistant listed and suitable for outdoor use
- UL 294 (Rev. 6) Listed
- ANSI/BHMA A156.31, Grade 1
- RoHS compliant
- Patents: 6,392,520 and 8,454,520
The 9500 Series Fire-Rated Surface Mounted strike works with rim exit devices with a 3/4" throw latchbolt. Standard features include:
- Separate base and decorative cover for easy adjustments
- Stainless steel construction
- Static strength to 1,500 lbs.
- Dynamic strength to 70 ft-lbs.
- Endurance 1,000,000 cycles
- Field selectable fail secure/fail safe
- Dual voltage 12 or 24VDC
- Non-handed. Horizontal adjustability
- Five year limited warranty
Listings and Patents:
- UL 10C fire-rated, 3 hour (fail secure only)
- CAN4-S104 (ULC-S104), NFPA-252 and ASTM-E152 fire door conformant
- UL 1034, burglary-resistant listed and suitable for outdoor use
- UL 294 (Rev. 6) Listed
- ANSI/BHMA A156.31, Grade 1
- California Fire Marshall listed
- NFPA 80-07 compliant
- RoHS compliant
- Patents: 6,390,520, 6,392,520 and 8,454,520
The 9600 Series Windstorm-Rated Surface Mounted strike works with rim exit devices with a 3/4" throw latchbolt. Features include:
- Separate base and decorative cover for easy adjustments
- Stainless steel construction
- Static strength to 2,000 lbs.
- Dynamic strength to 120 ft-lbs.
- Endurance 1,000,000 cycles
- Field selectable fail secure/fail safe
- Dual voltage 12 or 24VDC
- Non-handed. Horizontal adjustability
- Five-year limited warranty
Listings and Patents:
- UL Listed to ANSI 250.13 Severe windstorm listed
- Florida Building Code Approved (FL#14307)
- UL 1034 burglary-resistant listed and suitable for outdoor use
- UL 294 (Rev.6) Listed
- ANSI/BHMA A156.31 Grade 1
- RoHs compliant
- Patents: 6,392,520 and 8,454,520
More Info: www.hesinnovations.com
TRINE 4800 Series
Trine has an excellent line of rim panic electric strikes in its 4800 Series. These electric strikes all have the patented anchoring pin system for additional strength and stability on all installations.
The Trine 4800Ffire rated electric strike for rim panics is the newest addition to Trine’s surface mount series. Features include:
- Fire rated for the price of some competitors non-fire rated rim panic electric strikes
- 12-24 AC & DC, plus surge and kickback protection, included inside the strike. No external ‘pacs’ needed.
- ¾” rim panic strike, which is the most often purchased strike on the market.
Model 4850 features include:
- ½” rim panic electric strike
- Comes with a ¼” spacer and 1/8” spacer in the box.
- Has an open cavity (i.e. no back plate behind the latches) which means it is the only rim panic electric strike that can accommodate various bolt lengths right out of the box.
- 12-24 DC, plus surge and kickback protection, included inside the strike. No external ‘pacs’ needed.
The 4850PoE/LCD is a PoE Friendly electric strike for use with Rim panic devices and accepts the accepts the Yale Squarebolt and Corbin Russwin Securebolt. It requires only 0.260 Amps at 12DC and only 0.135 Amps at 24DC. Except for electronics the 4850PoE & LCD have the same mechanical characteristics as the 4850.
Trine also offers the 4850ITL, the ultimate tool for installing its entire 4800 series line of strikes quickly and accurately. The 4850ITL is not just a template; it is made from actual production parts, giving the installer the ability to adjust for common door issues such as sagging and misalignment. By placing the ITL on the frame, it allows the installer to "feel" the strike working with the door and panic device allowing for fine adjustments before holes are drilled. The flexibility and therefore accuracy of the 4850-ITL is derived from our patent pending magnetic holding system built into the body of the tool. A custom center punch is included with every 4850-ITL used to make perfectly centered marks on the frame.
Follow this link to see the “How to Use” Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1fq9IewUq8
More Info: www.trineonline.com
RCI 0162 & 0563 Rim Strikes
RCI, a DORMA company, offers two versions of surface-mounted rim strikes, the 0162 and the 0563 rim strikes. Applications are commercial centers, industrial buildings, educational facilities, retail outlets, health care facilities and office complexes.
RCI 0162 Rim Strike features include:
- Higher grade stainless steel ensures superior keeper strength
- Compatible with most major exit devices
- Accommodates exit devices with latch projections from 1/2" to 3/4" (13mm - 19mm)
- Ensure proper latch alignment with horizontal adjustment up to 1/4" (6.4mm) to compensate for door misalignments
- Field selectable voltage input –12 or 24VDC and 12 to 24VAC (even 11 to 16VAC)
- Horizontal solenoid prevents manipulation from vibration
- Modular plug-in wire connectors
- Selectively brushed stainless steel finish
- Non-handed
- Hex socket head cap screws for added support and tamper resistance
- Mounting spacer included to provide enhanced latch engagement
- Tamper resistant
- Conventional keeper design - promotes even load distribution
- Installation tool included (hex key)
Options include:
- 0162LM – Latch monitor
- F0162 – Fire-rated
- F0162LM – Fire-rated with latch monitor
Accessories:
- 0162DDH – Double door housing (To accommodate non-rated double doors)
- 0162MSK – Mounting spacer kit 1/16" (1.5mm) (Additional spacer included)
- ICEPK – Heat reducer
Certifications & Testing:
- UL 1034 Listed for 1500lbf of static strength
- F0162 has a 3-hour fire-rating to UL10C
- Factory-tested to over 4-million cycles of operation
- US Patent 7,722,097
- 5-year limited warranty
RCI 0563 1/2" rim strike features include:
- Requires continuous power – battery backup system recommended to ensure the best achievable security/operation of the lock during a power failure.
- Includes two 1/8" spacers to accommodate all installations (5/8" & 3/4")
- Conventional keeper design (one moving part)
– promotes even load distribution
- Lockdown holes for secure mount
- High-grade stainless steel ensures superior strength and creates a sleek aesthetic
- Non-handed – for use with right and left handed doors
- Compatible with most Pullman latch exit devices
- Accommodates exit devices with latch projections from 1/2"–3/4" (13mm 19mm)
- Horizontal adjustment ensures proper latch positioning to compensate for door misalignments - up to 1/4" (6.4mm)
- Auto-sensing 12–24VDC
- Plug-in wire connector
- Hex socket head cap screws for added support and tamper resistance
- Installation tool included (hex key)
- Patent pending
Options:
- 0563LM – Latch monitor
- BB12 (4.5 or 7Ahr) – 12VDC battery backup
- BB24 (4.5 or 7Ahr) – 24VDC battery backup
Accessories:
- 0563DDH – Double door housing (not compatible with 0563LM model)
Certifications & Testing:
UL 1034 Listed for 1500lbf of static strength
More Info: www.rutherfordcontrols.com
ROFU 2464 Series
ROFU is an international company which manufactures a full line of electric strikes electromagnetic locks power supplies and accessories. Their U.S.A. headquarters is located in Lakewood, Wash., and provides full customer service and support. ROFU products can be found at most wholesale locksmith and integrator distributors.
ROFU has been manufacturing strikes for a long time, and they are continually updating their products and bringing new products to the market.
Their newest strike is the ROFU 2464 Series Surface Mount Rim Strike. Features include:
- 12/24 VDC
- Fail Safe / Fail Secure reversible
- Latch monitoring standard
- 1/2″ model or 3/4″ model
- Stainless steel housing
More info: www.rofu.com
Things to consider when specifying locks and hardware
Building Codes (fire and windstorm): It’s essential the fire rated windstorm rating requirements are understood and adhered to. Fire doors require fire rated hardware sets, and fire doors cannot be altered extensively in order to install the locks and hardware.
Depth of the frame: Most electric strikes involve mortising the door frame to install them, and for many strike designs a portion of the electric strike will protrude back into the frame where clearances and depths may not be readily apparent from a cursory visual inspection. Examples that come to mind are storefronts where the edge of the glass interferes, and metal jambs where frame reinforcements shadow boxes, sheetrock or poured concrete may create issues.
Length of the latch: Electric locking devices are frequently designed for use with a specific length latch. Not matching the lock to the strike may result in an installation where the door does not close and latch properly, or there will be reduced security on the door due to less than the optimal latch/strike engagement.
Type of latch: There are many type of latches and bolts used on locks and exit devices. The electric locking device must be specified accordingly.
Getting wiring down the frame: This has less to do with the type of electric locking device, and more about the site conditions and the experience and resourcefulness of the installer. I just wanted to mention it because running the wire in the frame is often the final blow after you’ve chopped and cut a frame for a few hours to install the electric strike.
Tim O'Leary
Tim O'Leary is a security consultant, trainer and technician who has also been writing articles on all areas of locksmithing & physical security for many years.
