Some integrated doors also have an intumescent substance built into the assembly. This material swells as a result of heat exposure—a process that increases volume while simultaneously decreasing density. In North America, the way a door with intumescent is configured and installed is specified and regulated by law. Any reputable vendor offering doors with built-in intumescent will guarantee code compliance, enabling a safety measure.

Regardless of the type of space products are being specified for—whether hospitals, hotels, or community college classrooms—fire safety is critical. The wrong doors, or even the right doors improperly installed, can be a safety hazard for occupants. Choosing a door with integrated fire-safety functionality not only increases safety, but also decreases the frustration sure to accompany manually installing door seals and other hardware.

Code compliance
Beyond fire codes, there are many areas in which buildings need to demonstrate they meet standards or guidelines for specific things. As is the case with fire safety, a building’s code compliance has the potential to influence things like insurance premiums and the value of the space.

This is particularly important for hospitals and other medical facilities, where the doors specified must do a lot more than grant or deny penetration of light, air, or sound. The openings must be a specific width in order to allow passage for people in wheelchairs or on gurneys. Emergency personnel also rely on these passageways to move large equipment, and count on them being unobstructed.

Ensuring a fire hose or some other piece of equipment does not get caught on a door handle is mandated by building codes. Hardware must be inset for it to be considered a completely clear opening.

A fully integrated door from a reputable vendor ensures the door and all its components are up to code. A non-integrated door can complicate the installation process, and require the installer to verify each component to be installed is code-compliant—extra steps, again, that add up to more costs.

Warranty
In terms of warranties, the monetary advantages of integrated doors are simple, straightforward, and easy to explain. Warranties ensure the door and all its parts work as long as they are supposed to. If something fails, the part can be replaced, saving the hassle—and cost—of replacing the entire solution.

When all the hardware is produced and factory-installed by the same company, there is only one person to contact and one source responsible for sending a replacement part. This eliminates the need to contact multiple manufacturers and guarantees delivery of the correct hardware for the door.

Before a selection is made, specifiers should ensure the integrated door purchased comes with a warranty that covers the door as well as the components. This way, if just one part is damaged, the entire door does not have to be replaced.

Security
It is impossible to ignore the increasing importance of security. It has become a critical part of building management, particularly when facilities are designed to serve the general public. And, like most other things, it is not free.

Fortunately, the usual electrification options, including electrified dogging, alarm, latch retraction, and monitoring are all possible with integrated door systems. Security cannot be compromised for esthetics, and selecting an integrated system not only meets security requirements, but also often exceeds them.

The level of integrated functionality is an important tool for preventing crime by controlling access. The tamper-resistant hardware makes it difficult for unauthorized personnel to gain access once the integrated door assembly is in a secure position. Since the functionality is integrated, it does not require costly customizations and installations.

Conclusion
There are reputable vendors that design, manufacture, and market doors and door hardware products specifically to the commercial, industrial, and institutional building construction industry.

Esthetics might not be the most important feature of a fire door; however, its appearance has a definite impact on a room’s overall design. The specified products should be designed to complement the clean lines of modern doors while at the same time meet all safety, fire, and access codes.

Jennifer Manning is the product manager for Adams Rite–Rite Door Assa Abloy EMS and OEM Group. She has been with Assa Abloy for 16 years and has extensive knowledge in the door and hardware industry. Manning can be contacted by e-mail at jenn.manning@assaabloy.com.