Door Strikes Information

Door strikes are important in the security and functional integrity of door systems. Typically manufactured from metal and installed in a door jamb, these devices are designed to engage and hold a door bolt, ensuring both closure and lock. Their construction often involves recessing into the door frame, thereby providing a secure pocket into which the door bolt extends, fortifying the door frame against bypass methods or physical coercion.

Types and Functionality

Door strikes are critical components in door security systems, designed to securely close and lock doors. These devices come in multiple configurations, tailored for specific applications and requirements.

Standard Door Strikes

Figure 1: Door strike plate. Source: lida/flickr

These are generally non-mechanical, with no moving parts. Their efficacy is predicated on the proper alignment and pressure exerted by the door bolt. The configuration is straightforward: usually a single curved plate with an aperture to accommodate the bolt. However, variants exist that allow for the incorporation of multiple bolts or specialized locking mechanisms.

Electric Door Strikes

Figure 2: Electric door strike. Source: Xaaxll/CC BY-SA 3.0

Unlike their standard counterparts, electric door strikes offer dynamic control capabilities. These strikes hold the door bolt in place while enabling it to remain in an extruded state. A key feature is their compatibility with electronic access control systems, facilitating remote operation. These units can operate on a range of voltages, from 5 V to upwards of 120 V, sourced from either AC or DC power supplies. In case of a power outage, these strikes typically have a fail-safe or fail-secure setting to which they default.

Magnetic Door Strikes

A subset of the electric category, magnetic door strikes employ strong magnets to hold doors in a closed position. Like electric strikes, these too are wired into the building's electrical system.

Fire-rated Door Strikes

Fire-rated door strikes are engineered to withstand high temperatures, contributing to the structural integrity of fire-rated doors during fire events. These strikes often employ heat-resistant materials and coatings. While they offer enhanced fire resistance and typically comply with specific fire safety standards, they are generally costlier and may necessitate professional installation to meet safety regulations. These are most commonly employed in fire-rated doors found in commercial buildings, hospitals, and educational institutions.

Adjustable Door Strikes

Adjustable door strikes come with slotted holes, enabling minor adjustments in the strike plate's positioning to accommodate any door or frame misalignment. They offer flexibility, which is advantageous in older structures or doors that are frequently used. However, the flexibility can compromise security compared to fixed strikes. These are primarily used in residential settings, older buildings, or any doors prone to misalignment over time.

Heavy-duty and High-security Strikes

Constructed from high-strength steel alloys or other reinforced materials, heavy-duty and high-security door strikes are designed to endure significant force and resist tampering. These strikes are robust, providing elevated levels of security against physical intrusion. However, they tend to be expensive and often require specialized installation. These are ideal for securing high-risk areas such as banks, government facilities, and data centers.

Double Door Strikes

Double door strikes are specifically designed to secure both doors in French door configurations. These strikes feature multiple receptacles for bolts to secure both doors simultaneously. While they are efficient for double-door setups, their complexity necessitates precise alignment and a more involved installation process. These are mostly used in residential French doors and commercial settings where double doors are present.

ANSI Strikes

ANSI strikes are manufactured in compliance with American National Standards Institute specifications, which ensures a standardized level of quality and assures compatibility with other ANSI-certified door hardware. While they offer a broad range of compatibility, they may lack some specialized features present in non-standard strikes. They are typically employed in commercial settings where ANSI compliance is mandated.

Panic Release Strikes

Panic release strikes are incorporated into emergency exit doors and are programmed to release instantly when a panic bar or emergency release system is activated. While they offer rapid and reliable egress in emergency situations, their application is limited to emergency doors and are not suited for general security. These are commonly installed in emergency exits in public spaces such as shopping malls, theaters, and educational institutions.

Mortise Strikes

Mortise strikes are integrated into a cutout in the door frame, which not only provides a cleaner aesthetic but also adds an extra layer of security. These strikes are commonly chosen for high-end residential and commercial environments, but their installation complexity often requires professional expertise.

Extended Lip Strikes

Extended lip strikes feature an elongated lip that offers extra depth for the bolt, making them suitable for door frames that are deeper than standard. While providing additional bolt extension, these strikes may require customization and could be more costly. These are generally used in specialized architectural settings with non-standard door frames.

System Integration Considerations

Door strikes frequently integrate with complex security and building management architectures.

Electronic Access Control

Electric and magnetic door strikes readily integrate with electronic access control systems. This enables centralized control over door access, time-based restrictions, and audit logging. Specific data exchange protocols may vary, but compatibility is generally high.

Video Surveillance

Door strikes can be linked with video surveillance systems, enabling synchronized actions such as event-triggered recording. This helps in monitoring and post-event analysis, offering an additional layer of security and oversight.

Building Management Systems

Door strikes can be integrated into broader Building Management Systems (BMS), allowing for dynamic control based on various factors like occupancy or time of day. This often helps in energy conservation and can even be part of a broader security strategy.

Fire Safety Systems

Fire-rated door strikes can be tied into fire alarm systems to ensure automatic door release during fire events. These integrations are built to comply with safety standards, and facilitate rapid egress and fire department access.

Intrusion Detection

High-security door strikes often come with built-in tamper sensors. These can be integrated with intrusion detection systems, providing real-time alerts for unauthorized access attempts.

Home Automation Platforms

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFGQP2n7DCg

Video: How An Electric Strike Works, Remote Door Opener. Source: One Hour Smart Home

Though generally more common in residential settings, some commercial-grade door strikes offer compatibility with home automation platforms. Such integration allows for functionalities like voice-activated door unlocking.

Emergency Response Coordination

Panic release strikes can be integrated with emergency response coordination systems. When activated, these strikes can trigger alerts to security personnel or emergency services, enhancing the speed and effectiveness of the response.

Installation and Maintenance of Door Strikes

Proper installation and ongoing maintenance are key to ensuring the optimal functionality of door strikes.

Initial Installation

Initial installation requires careful consideration of factors like door alignment, material compatibility, and the intended function of the door strike. Detailed blueprints and specifications are potentially consulted. Ensuring the correct tools are used and that the installation professionals are well-versed in the type of strike being installed helps ensure effective installation, especially of more complex and integrated door strikes.

Electrical Wiring for Electronic Strikes

When dealing with electric or magnetic door strikes, electrical wiring becomes an additional consideration. The voltage, current, and wire gauge must be compatible with the strike's requirements. Often, consultation with electrical engineers is advisable to ensure adherence to electrical safety norms and functional efficiency.

Integration with Existing Systems

Door strikes are frequently part of a larger security infrastructure. For electric and magnetic types, this may mean integration with access control or building management systems. Proper API or protocol matching is crucial for seamless functionality and should be verified before installation.

Periodic Maintenance Checks

Routine checks are essential to ensure the operational integrity of door strikes. Visual inspections for wear and tear, functional tests for locking and unlocking, and system checks for electronic strikes may be conducted at regular intervals. A maintenance log can also be maintained for compliance and audit purposes.

Over time, mechanical or structural shifts can affect the alignment of door strikes. Adjustable door strikes may require periodic re-calibration to maintain proper bolt alignment. Regular adjustments mitigate potential security vulnerabilities and ensure functional effectiveness.

For electric and magnetic strikes, an important maintenance aspect is the periodic testing of fail-safe or fail-secure settings. This ensures that the strikes will function as expected in the event of a power outage or system failure.

In industrial settings like chemical plants or energy facilities, door strikes may be exposed to extreme conditions. Specialized maintenance protocols may be required to ensure their longevity and effectiveness.

Industrial Applications

Door strikes serve critical functions in industrial environments, not limited to access control but also encompassing broader safety and security objectives.

Manufacturing Facilities

Figure 3: Factory entrance gate. Source: Jaggery/CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED

High-security door strikes are commonly deployed in manufacturing environments to protect sensitive areas like R&D labs or production lines. These strikes are often integrated with intrusion detection systems to provide real-time monitoring and alerts. 

Chemical Manufacturing 

Chemical plants require door strikes with specific resistance to chemicals and extreme conditions. This often necessitates custom-engineered door strikes made from specialized materials that can withstand corrosive environments.

Data Centers

Figure 4: Data center. Source: Public domain

Given the sensitive nature of the information stored, data centers almost universally employ high-security and electric door strikes. These are integrated with multi-layered security systems, including biometric access controls and video surveillance.

Energy Plants

In energy plants, including nuclear, electric door strikes are commonly used for their ability to integrate with complex security protocols. These often include fire-rated door strikes that can be connected to fire alarm systems for rapid emergency response.

Airports and Seaports

Figure 5: Airport interior. Source: Jue Huang/Unsplash

In these environments, ANSI compliant door strikes are often the standard due to federal regulations. These strikes integrate with a wide array of security measures, from electronic access controls to terrorism threat response systems.

History

The history of door strikes is closely tied to the evolution of locking mechanisms and security systems. Initially, simple mechanical strikes were prevalent, designed to hold a door bolt in place. With advances in technology and increased security demands, door strikes have evolved significantly. Today, they encompass a wide range of types, including electric, magnetic, and fire-rated variants, integrated into sophisticated security and building management systems. This progression reflects both the technological advancements in the field and the growing complexity of security requirements across different sectors.

Related Information

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