- Home |
- About Us |
- News |
- Terminology |
- Your Basket |
- Contact Us |
BROCHURE DOWNLOADS
Terminology
![]()
This page provides a 'quick reference' guide to the most common terms used in electronic locking data.
This page provides a 'quick reference' guide to the most common terms used in electronic locking data.
A
Term which refers to the voltage from a transformer or mains supply.
The means of influencing and regulating the flow of persons through a door (entry and/or exit) using electronics
The arrangement of the Spring Bolt and it’s accessories in a Lock or Latch and how they function
The first opening and last closing leaf of a rebated single swing double door set, and the one to which the Mortice Lock or Panic Latch is fitted
Any device in the form of a lever handle, cross bar, push pad or Touch Bar that when operated will retract the bolts of a Mortice Night Latch or Mortice Escape Sash Lock.
Top and Bottom Shoot bolts on exit hardware that offer adjustment, generally ± 5mm
A number of Locks or Cylinders which can be passed or Keyed Alike, often referred to as ‘Locks to Pass’
Measurement for the flow rate of electrical current for an electrical device (smaller amounts below 1 amp are quoted in milliamps (mA).
American National Standards Institute. Ensures mortice electric release dimensions for faceplate and side lip are the same for every version.
Screw which has a non-standard head (Hex or Torx drive head).
A component part of a bolt that prevents the bolt from being pushed back when the door is closed
Metal plate supplied with an electromagnetic lock and bolted to the door or bracket. Must be flexible when fixed to the door.
A member or combination of members applied to one or both doors of a pair of doors at their meeting edges. The astragal closes the clearance gap for the purpose of either providing a weather seal, minimizing the passage of light between the doors or retarding the passage of smoke or flame during a fire. Some types overlay, others meet at the centerline of the gap (sometimes referred to as a "split astragal"
Part of an emergency or panic exit device to enable the automatic securing of a door in the closed position, after it has been operated
The first opening and last closing leaf of a rebated single swing double door set, and the one to which the Mortice Lock or Panic Latch is fitted A mechanism used on Panic Bolts to hold the shoot bolts in the withdrawn position and release when the door closes
B
Electrical surge which is produced from the coil of an electric release or electromagnetic lock. Can cause an access control system to crash.
Rechargeable battery which fits into a DC Power Supply (PSU) to provide power for a limited period in a power failure.
Means of emergency release for a Fail-Safe locking device. Has a switch inside which is operated when glass panel is broken when pushed.
C
Amount of electrical current which is required to operate an electronic locking device or system. usually measured in Amps or Milliamps
D
Small electronic component used to protect an electronic device from Back EMF surges. Allows current to flow in one direction.
Term which refers to the voltage from a power supply unit (PSU).
Flexible metal tube used to transfer cable securely from the frame of a door to the door leaf of a pair of doors with an electric strike fitted.
Term used for switches or break glass call points. Means that the switch has 2 isolated sets of contacts (see also Single Pole)
Can be set to work on 2 different voltages (i.e. 12 or 24)
E
Electrical spring switch which is used to momentarily control electrical current to an electric locking device. Can be used with other devices.
F
Means that an electric locking device will remain locked in a power failure.
Means an electric locking device will be unlocked in a power failure.
An exit from a building where people can continue to disperse in safety and where they are no longer in danger from fire and/or smoke
A door assembly, intended when closed, to restrict the passage of fire and/or gaseous products of combustion and capable of meeting specified performance criteria to these ends
Measurement of the ability of a specified door set to resist the effects of fire for a recognized period of time. (Usually expressed in minutes - e.g. FD60 or E60 implies a door set capable of withstanding exposure to fire test for at least 60 minutes)
A strike with a flat (non-curved) lip, which may often be non-handed
The size of the space between the bottom of a door and the finished floor
A part of a lock which normally has a square aperture for a square spindle to fit in to which withdraws a Latch Bolt
G
A slot in a lever which a bolt stump passes during the bolts travel
Positioned equally on the Top and Bottom Shoot Bolt of a Panic or Emergency Bolt, know as a guide, but intended to prevent the bolts from being pulled away from the door face.
H
Reley circuit which indicates correct alignment of the armature plate on an electromagnetic lock.
The term used to indicate the direction a door swings
The description of swinging door operation, always viewed from outside the room, building, and so forth. Left hand means that the door hinges on the left and right hand means that the door hinges on the right. Alternatively know that a Left Hand Door uses you Left Hand to open it etc
A Term used for Locks, Door Closers and other hardware, limited to use with doors that swing in a given direction
The member of a frame across the top of a door frame
(Also known as Dogging) Mechanism fitted to an emergency/panic device for holding the shoot bolts / latch to remain in a retracted position, permitting free push-pull operation of the door from either side until manually or electronically released. A Hold Back device cannot be used on fire-rated exit devices unless the door has been fire rate tested in the unlatched position
A device used to keep a door in the open position
Amount of pressure which can be applied to an electric locking device before it will release / unlock. Usually shown in pounds (lbs).
The leaf of a pair of rebated doors that is bolted when closed and to which the lock strike is fastened to receive the latch of the active door. It is the last opening and first closing leaf of a pair of rebated doors
Face of the door on which the operator device (Push Pad, Push Bar, and Touch Bar) is situated for operating an emergency exit device in order to exit
Material for obstructing passage of sound, heat or cold from one surface to another
The ability of a specimen of a separating element to contain a fire to specified criteria for collapse, freedom from holes, cracks and fissures and sustained flaming on the unexposed face
The part of a Mortice Lock which supports the Latch or Dead Bolt and is fitted into the edge of a door. The inner forend would be covered by an outer forend to give the lock its decorative finish, either brass or satin chrome etc
A substance which swells when in contact with heat to seal an aperture or gap between product and the door or door and frame
The width of a jamb, measured perpendicular to the door or wall face at the edge of the opening
J
The vertical member forming the side of a door, window or wall opening frame. The hinge jamb is the jamb at which the hinges or pivots are installed. The strike jamb is the jamb in which a strike may be installed and away from which the door or window swings. A blank jamb is one that has not been prepared to receive hardware
Amount of side pressure which can be applied to an elctric strike's jaw before it will release / unlock. usually shown in pounds (lbs).
K
A term used to describe doors, frames and trim with a metal covering over a wood core, often known as Composite Doors.
Similar to a striker but generally has a form of enclosed box section to prevent end pressure on a bolt or latch.
The various keying arrangements for pin-tumbler cylinders: Individual Key – the key for an individual cylinder; Keyed Alike - all cylinders or locks may be operated by the same key (not to be confused with master keyed); Keyed Different - a different individual key operates each cylinder (or group of cylinders); Master Key - a key to operate a group of cylinders or locks, each of which may be set to a different individual key; Master Keyed - all cylinders or locks in a group can be operated by one master key, although all cylinders may be keyed differently (not to be confused with keyed alike)
The shape or configuration of the hole in the lock mechanism that allows only a key with the proper key section to enter. Also the channel in a cylinder where the key enters, also called a “Profile”
Uncut keys before they are cut into a working key
The recorded code or baiting number indicating the key change, usually stamped on key
The code which is used to open a Digital Mechanical Lock or one which is read from an electronic key
The cross-sectional shape or configuration applied lengthwise to a key blade that may restrict its insertion into the lock mechanism through the keyway. Each key section is usually assigned a designation or code by the manufacturer. (This is usually shown as a cross-section view from the bow toward the tip of the key)
Key operated switch used to override an electric locking device.
L
Bracket used to fix an electromagnetic lock on the door frames with a shallow frame depth on outward opening doors.
One of the two doors forming a pair or a double door.
A lock component having a beveled end that projects from the lock front but may be forced back into the lock case by end pressure or drawn back by action of the lock mechanism. When the door is closed, the latch bolt projects into a hole provided in the strike, holding the door in a closed position.
The Latch Bolt can be monitored on Rim, Mortice and Vertical Pullman Devices. The switch is internally mounted and monitors the position of the Latch Bolt. The switch can be used to signal a monitoring station or an exit alarm.
The main mechanism of a locking device which controls the locking and unlocking.
M
Term used for switches - means the switch will remain in either the On or Off position when opened.
A key with baiting arranged to operate two or more locks of different changes in a group, each lock also being operated by its own individual key
These are locking devices normally fitted on the outside a door which require a digital code to unlock the door. A ten digital device normally has a non-sequential code, which means the digitals can be entered in any order.
On panic and emergency exit hardware, this is the main unit which controls the locking and unlocking of the device
The vertical edge of a door or window, in a pair, which is adjacent to the other door or window. A parallel bevel meeting stile is one, which has a beveled edge paralleling the edge of the other door. A round (radius) stile is one having a rounded edge. A V-bevel meeting stile has edges that bevel in opposite direction, thus forming a "V".
The cross member of a door which is normally one metre from the floor level
Term used for switches - means the switch will change from On or Off only while the switch is pressed / turned.
Shows status of an electric locking device by to an access control system or indication panel that the device is locked or unlocked.
An opening recess or cutout made to receive a lock or other hardware
Latch for fixing in a mortice, usually in the closing edge of a door leaf or window
Refers to an electric lock which is fitted flush into a door frame.
A lock which is morticed into the door, normally has a single latch which is withdrawn on the outside via a key and on the inside by a lever handle or panic actuator device. Some Mortice Night Latches have an Anti-thrust to prevent the latch bolt from being forced back from the outside. The Mortice Night Latches lock automatically when the door is closed.
A fixed or movable vertical member dividing a door opening
A locking device that has more than one locking point and can withdrawn in one action by a lever or Panic Actuator unit
O
A manufacturer such as a Steel Door Manufacture who would manufacturer a product, such as a door, and purchase other items to fit to it so that a package can be sold
The size of a doorframe opening, measured horizontally between jam rabbets and vertically between the head rabbet and the finished floor. The opening size is usually the nominal size and is equal to the actual door size plus clearances.
The main mechanism of a Panic or Emergency Exit Device, i.e. Lever Handle, Push Pad, Push Bar or Touch Bar
An additional front, applied to the inner front of a lock by machine screws, which protects the cylinder set screws, so that they cannot be loosened without removing the outer front. The outer forend need not be applied until after the door has been painted, thus giving the additional advantage of preserving the finish during painting operations.
Face of the door, opposite to that on which the Push Pad, Push Bar or Touch Bar is fitted
A mechanism for opening a panic or emergency exit device from the outside of the door, either by lever or knob
P
An operating unit which is surface mounted and is connected to a Mortice Lock
An exit device conforming to EN1125, operated by either a Cross Bar or Touch Bar on the inside of the door and for use where panic situations may be foreseen, such as Public Buildings, places of entertainment, etc.
See Exit Device
An alternative name for an Escape Sash Lock (See Escape Sash Lock)
Locks that provide immediate exit from the inside at all times, also known as Escape Locks
Vertical
A pair of double doors that both have plain meeting stiles when the doors are both closed
The distance that the device stands off the door face. Products must have a projection of less than 100mm if they are to be used on Fire Escape route doors which do not open beyond 90°
Unit which is connected to a mains fuse spur. Reduces 240v AC to 12v or 24v AC and the converts current to DC.
Latches used on Panic and Emergency Exit Bolts that are fitted at the ends of the Top and Bottom Shoot Bolts. They act like latches in mortice locks and generally have their own keeps which prevent the latches from being forced inwards. They can be vertical or horizontal and have the advantage of being much quieter in operation than traditional bolts and are hardwearing, thus increasing the life of the product
The operating component on a Panic Exit Hardware Device, some times referred to as the cross bar, which operates a Latch, Bolt or Mortice Lock Case
The operating component of an Emergency Exit Hardware Device, which operates a Latch, Bolt or Mortice Lock Case
A full-thickness, horizontal structural member forming the top, bottom or middle edge of a door. The rail may be located at an intermediate height in the door to separate a panel or glazed area
A term used to define that portion of a doorframe into which the door fits. Also a term used to describe the abutting edges of a pair of doors or windows so shaped as to provide a tight fit. One half of the edge projects beyond the other half, usually 1/2"
R
Electronic device which is used to switch voltage to an electric locking device. Can also be built into the circuit of an access control device.
The force applied to the operating element, which is necessary to withdraw or release all the bolts from their keeps / strikes, in once action
Any mullion separating doors vertically within a door frame. Required for the normal operation of doors by designed to permit its temporary removal so the entire width of the opening can be utilized
The part of the back bend which projects out from the finished wall. Also, the dimension from the inside face of the door to the face of the frame at the side opposite from the direction of the door swing
A term indicating articles of hardware designed for application to the surface of the door or frame
See Cylinder
Refers to an electric release which is fitted to the face to the face of the door frame.
S
Fitted vertically to the main mechanism of a Panic or Emergency Exit device for locking the door into the frame. They are supplied in a pair, one for the top and one for the bottom
A door mounted to swing to only one side of the plane of its frame
Term used for switches or break glass call points. The switch has a single set of isolated contacts (see Double Pole).
The support unit to the main mechanism of a Panic System, which supports the cross bar operator
Made of neoprene, woodpile, or brush, applied as single material or combined with intumescent material to prevent the spread of ambient temperature ‘cold’ smoke
The under surface of the stop at the header frame. That portion of a doorframe between the rebates on a double-rebated frame or between the rebates and the outer edge of the frame on the stop side of a single-rebated frame. Sometimes referred to as the "stop width."
Electronic device which is fitted inside an electric release or bolt which controls the movement of the locking mechanism.
A written document that accompanies the working drawings, which sets forth standards for, the materials used in the construction of buildings. It also covers all conditions relating to that construction; labour, bidding, purchasing, payment, etc
A bar which connects knobs or levers through the door and operates the lock mechanism, through it’s follower, normally 8mm square section
An astragal that is split through the middle, allowing each door leaf to operate independently
A Follower of a lock which allows operation from either side without compromising the other side. i.e. an escape sash lock would have a split-follower so that the inside lever handle operates the latch bolt and dead bolt, but the outside lever would only operate the latch bolt leaving the dead bolt secure
A plain latch with a beveled latch-bolt that is activated by springs
See Keeper
The vertical members of a door to which the lock and hinges are applied
The direction of opening of a swinging door Synonymous with the "hand of a door."
T
Unit which is connected to a mains fused spur. Reduces 240v AC current tpo 12v or 24v AC.
Plastic key used to test the operation of a break glass or call point.
U
A term used to describe a lock, door closer or other device that can be used on doors of either hand, without modification or change
A keep supplied with the hardware that has more than one application, such as single and double door applications
A metal plate or box that is pierced or recessed to receive the bolt or latch of a lock. Sometimes called a "keeper."
V
A heavy duty trim fitted on the outside of a door, fitted around the edge of the door or local to the locking mechanism, designed to withstand abuse and vandalism
See Top Shoot / Bottom Shoot
Measurement of the energy available to drive the flow of electrical current.
Z
Set of 3 brackets used to fix an electromagnetic lock to the door and frame on an inward opening door.
An electric lock that requires power to unlock
An electric lock that automatically unlocks with any power interruption