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» BSF:
product design and specification 2
Glazing bead bolection
The bolection of the glazing bead, which is the part that
overlaps the door and projects from the door face, has a
tendency to be broken and split by children passing with bags.
Our recommended solution is the use of flush beads which by
design have no overlap, therefore eliminating this often
occurring problem.
Lever position and vision panels
Many schools opt for a long, single slot vision panel as the
most economical solution. If this design is coupled with a
sashlock and lever handle, the lever can project over the vision
panel, which is not aesthetically pleasing, and can cause a
'fingertrap' hazard. The document from the Department of
Children, Schools and Families which outlines doorset
specifications in schools recommends the use of a double slot
vision panel, and this recommendation has been included in our
doorset specifications.
Lever compatibility
In some circumstances lever handles are either not suitable
for the rigours of the environment or not compatible with the
specified lock case. Problems that may occur are:
- Excessive play on levers
- Levers not returning to the horizontal
position
- Sprung Levers where lock requires unsprung
lever
- Unsprung levers where lock requires sprung
lever
- Loose roses easily removable by children
All of these situations can lead to failure of the lock and/or
lever handle.
Leaderflush Shapland has its own Architectural Hardware
expertise and knowledge. This has been utilised when specifying
the locks and levers within our BSF offer so that the above
problems are avoided.
Closer arms
Traditional scissor arm closers, where the arm projects when
the door is in the closed position, can present a problem with
children swinging on the arm. As a result we highly recommend
the use of slide arm closers as detailed in all our
specifications.
Position of hold-open device
If the hold-open device is fitted at high level (wall mounted)
and the closing device is fitted at low level (floor spring for
example), it can damage the door as the stresses are being
applied at opposing corners of the door causing it to be
constantly in twist. The use of electro hold-open devices
overcomes this potential problem.
Escape lock/split follower
Classroom entrance doors must be able to be opened from the
inside at all times. The split follower method of achieving this
function can cause confusion as the lever handle overrides the
lock from the inside only. Problems can occur when users believe
this also to be the case from the outside and cause damage by
exerting excessive force on the lever. A simple cost effective
solution is the use of 'classroom cylinders' which allow the
door to be unlocked from the inside via a conventional
thumb-turn, although the door cannot be locked therefore
providing an elegant solution to the 'anti-barricade'
requirement.
Door leaf finish
Factory applied paint finish via pigmented lacquer can be
easily damaged in schools, pre-and-post handover as it requires
additional site remedial work in an uncontrolled environment.
Within our BSF specifications we advocate the use of laminate
which offers increased durability and avoids unnecessary
remedial work.
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