When bolts are specified and installed on inactive leaves of pairs of doors, a typical surface or recessed rectangular strike is furnished with the device to accept the bolt when engaged in order to secure the door. Another option to the standard strikes supplied is the dust-proof strike, which is typically mounted on the floor (but could be used in the head). The dust-proof strike has a spring and cover, which is depressed when the bolt is projected and springs back flush to the surface to cover the hole when the bolt is retracted.
The main function of the strike is to protect the opening that accepts the bolt from dirt buildup, typi- cally more so on the floor, so the bolt can project fully every time it is engaged. If a standard strike is FIGURE 2.7 Metal Door Manual Flushbolt
(Source: Courtesy of Rockwood® Manufacturing Company)
FIGURE 2.8 Wood Door Manual Flushbolt
(Source: Courtesy of Rockwood® Manufacturing Company)
used, every time someone walked over it, cleaned the area with a mop or broom, or just everyday dust accumulation, the buildup would eventually prevent the bolt from engaging fully, as the dirt would be filling the void instead.
Extended Rod
Extended rods are available for manual flushbolts for doors that are taller than 7 feet. This means the flip lever that operates the device can be low enough at the edge of the door while having a long enough rod to extend to the frame head or opening in order to secure the opening properly.
FIGURE 2.9 Metal Door Self-Latching Flushbolt (Source: Courtesy of Rockwood® Manufacturing Company)
FIGURE 2.10 Wood Door Self-Latching Flushbolt (Source: Courtesy of Rockwood® Manufacturing Company)
Nonkeyed
Most slide bolts are manufactured without a key and just slide across the door into the strike, which is typically applied to the frame or door if it is one of a pair.
Keyed
Some manufacturers offer slide bolts with a key so that the bolt cannot be extended or retracted without the use of the key. Again, most commonly, we might see this on the exterior of a home on a storage door or a barn-type door, or in a warehouse where recessing a conventional locking device is not feasible.
Rabbet Kits
For doors that are manufactured with a rabbet at the edge, accessories such as a rabbetted face plate and strike guide are available to accommodate this configuration.
QUANTITIES
Depending on their application, function, and governing codes, bolts can be furnished as single pieces or in a pair.
SINGLE
Typically, a surface-mounted bolt would be furnished as a single device and used in the middle of a door opening to secure it to a wall or another door.
FIGURE 2.11 Dust-Proof Strike
(Source: Courtesy of Rockwood® Manufacturing Company)
FIGURE 2.12 Flushbolt Rabbet Kit
(Source: Courtesy of Rockwood® Manufacturing Company)
Flushbolts could be used as single pieces, either at the top of the door or bottom, as long as they are in compliance with codes and standards for application, function, and fire rating. An example of a single-use manual flushbolt is a moving partition that needs to be secured at the bottom only from the secure side of the door.
PAIR
Most bolts are furnished in top and bottom in pairs in order to secure the door opening to the frame or framed opening and floor.
APPLICATIONS Flush
Flushbolts are typically installed in pairs, one at the top edge of the door and one at the bottom edge.
This helps to maximize securing the door to its surrounding elements, typically the door frame and floor or saddle on the floor.
Flushbolts are manufactured to be installed in a specific door material, whether it is wood, aluminum, or other metal. In order to maximize securing, a strike would be installed on the head and floor for the bolt to engage into when in the locked or “thrown” position.
Surface
A surface bolt, sometimes referred to as a slide bolt, cannot be used on fire rated doors because it is a manually operated device.
Typically used on existing openings in a retrofitting application, surface bolts can be used on the inside of a door to secure it from the inside only or possibly on the outside of a door to simply keep the door in the closed position. The strike is applied to the frame, other door in a pair, or floor, and the bolt slides across the face of the door, frame, or wall, and into the strike to secure the opening.
Surface bolts are not commonly specified locking devices commercially, but are more prevalent in a residential application. However, you will see them used in warehouses and heavy door openings that must stay in the closed position but not be locked. These bolts have guides that help the device slide along the face of a door or opening properly and in line to meet the strike at the other end.
FIGURE 2.13 Surface-Mounted Slide Bolt Strike (Source: Courtesy of Rockwood® Manufacturing Company)
INSTALLATION
Bolts are typically installed in pairs as a top and bottom set, although they can be installed as a single.
Flushbolts are usually installed at the top and bottom edge of the strike or latch side thickness of a door; this provides a consistent and equal-locking position, and rigidity of the door at both the top and bottom of the opening. Slide or surface bolts can be used for various functions, to secure the inactive leaf of a pair of nonfire rated doors, where the bolts would be installed at the top and bottom edge of the door strike or latch side thickness of a door. In both situations, the bolts latch or slide into the head of the frame or jamb and the floor or threshold if installed. If a slide bolt is used on a single door, it might be installed at the center on the latch edge of the door and secure itself into the frame or adjacent wall.
FIGURE 2.14 Surface-Mounted Slide Bolt
(Source: Courtesy of Rockwood® Manufacturing Company)
FIGURE 2.15 Surface-Mounted Slide Bolt (Source: Courtesy of Scott J. Tobias)
FIGURE 2.16 Surface-Mounted Slide Bolt (Source: Courtesy of Scott J. Tobias)
When installing bolts that latch into the floor or threshold if installed, it is recommended to include a dust-proof strike for the bolt to extend or latch into (see Dust-Proof Strike in this chapter).
If a bolt is being installed on a stile and rail door, always confirm the lock stile dimension to ensure that the bolt will have enough room to be installed.
Fasteners
Bolts are typically installed with screw fasteners, which are available for wood or metal door and frame material installation. Phillips and flat-head screws are available depending on the manufacturer’s standard, and special screw heads are available as an option, including security, security stud, and torx.
It is recommended that the proper fasteners be specified for efficient installation rather than relying on a box of self-tapping screws, which might be more convenient for the installer.
Locations
Bolts are typically installed at the top and bottom edge of the strike or latch side thickness of a door and latch or slide into the head of the frame or jamb and the floor or threshold if installed. If a slide bolt is used on a single door, it might be installed at the center on the latch edge of the door and secure itself into the frame or adjacent wall.
Always refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations, standards, and codes relevant to the bolt being installed.
Preparations
Flush, recessed, or mortised bolt preparations are typically machined and reinforced by the manufac- turer at the factory. Surface-mounted bolts typically require less or no factory preparation and can be installed in the field.
FIGURE 2.17 Light Duty Surface Bolt (Source: Courtesy of Scott J. Tobias)
FIGURE 2.18 Decorative Surface Bolt (Source: Courtesy of Scott J. Tobias)