Answers to common questions from architects and general contractors about specifying, ordering, installing, and
maintaining doors, frames, and hardware. If you do not see your question, we are glad to help.
Division 08 basics
Plain-language answers to the questions we hear most often.
Division 08 is the Openings division of the CSI MasterFormat specification system. It covers doors, frames, windows, glazing, storefront and curtain wall, and door hardware.
- 08 11 13: Hollow Metal Doors and Frames
- 08 14 16: Flush Wood Doors
- 08 71 00: Door Hardware
- 08 80 00: Glazing
Hollow metal doors and frames are made from formed sheet steel. They are widely used in commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings for their durability, security, and ability to carry fire ratings. Doors are built with an internal core, such as polystyrene or steel stiffeners, and frames come in profiles designed for drywall or masonry walls.
A welded frame is fabricated as one piece at the factory. It is rigid and is the usual choice for masonry walls and many high-use openings. A KD frame ships flat in pieces and is assembled on site. It is easier to ship and store and is common in drywall construction. Many KD frames are available with fire labels, but confirm the specific listing before ordering.
A hardware set is a group of hardware items (hinges, lockset, closer, stops, and so on) for openings with the same requirements, usually numbered like HW-1 or Set 4. The hardware schedule lists every set and shows which openings use it.
For architects: specifying
Specification, selection, and coordination questions.
A complete section typically addresses:
- Referenced standards, such as ANSI/SDI A250.8 and HMMA guide specifications
- Door level, model, gauge, and core, and frame gauge and profile
- Base material and coating, such as cold rolled, galvanized, galvannealed, or stainless
- Fire ratings, labels, and any special performance (sound, lead, bullet, storm, or temperature rise)
- Anchors for each wall type
- Hardware preparation, coordinated with the hardware schedule
- Factory finish or primer
- Submittals, quality assurance, delivery and storage, and warranty
The Steel Door Institute (SDI) classifies doors in four levels. Level 1 (standard duty) is typically 20 gauge, Level 2 (heavy duty) 18 gauge, Level 3 (extra heavy duty) 16 gauge, and Level 4 (maximum duty) 14 gauge. Models describe construction, such as full flush or seamless. Choose the level based on traffic, abuse, and security. Heavy duty is common in many commercial applications, while extra heavy and maximum duty are used where abuse is expected. Check ANSI/SDI A250.8 and SDI selection guidance for the specifics.
Cold rolled steel is common for interior, dry locations and is primed and painted. Galvanized (such as G-90) has a heavier zinc coating and suits exterior or moisture-prone locations. Galvannealed (such as A-60) is zinc-coated steel that holds paint well. Stainless steel is used where sanitation, corrosion, or appearance is a priority, such as food service, labs, and healthcare.
At a minimum: opening number, door size and thickness, door type or elevation, material and gauge, frame type and profile, fire rating and any special labels, hardware set, and remarks (such as sidelights, glazing, or electrified hardware). A clear schedule prevents most ordering errors downstream.
Finalize the hardware schedule early, because hollow metal preparations (hinge, strike, closer reinforcement, electrical raceways) depend on the specific hardware chosen. Hardware manufacturers publish templates that the door and frame manufacturer uses for the preps. Changing hardware after shop drawings are approved is one of the most common causes of delays and rework.
These are performance assemblies, tested as a complete opening including the frame, hardware, and seals.
- Sound (STC): specify the required STC rating and the tested assembly. Seals and drop seals must be maintained.
- Lead-lined: the lead thickness comes from the project's radiation shielding design, prepared by a qualified physicist.
- Bullet-resistant: specify the UL 752 protection level.
- Storm and hurricane: specify the applicable requirement, such as ICC 500, FEMA P-361, or local product approval (for example, in Florida).
Do not substitute components without confirming the tested assembly still applies.
A fire-rated opening is an assembly. The door, frame, hardware, glazing, and gasketing must be listed and labeled for use together and be suitable for the rating required. The required door rating depends on the type and rating of the wall or barrier (see IBC Table 716.1(2) for the edition your jurisdiction has adopted), and it is often lower than the wall rating.
The Steel Door Institute has published industry-wide Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for steel doors and frames, and manufacturers can provide recycled content letters and product-specific documentation for LEED and similar programs. Ask for these at submittal.
For general contractors: ordering, delivery, and installation
Specification, selection, and coordination questions.
Typically: approved door and frame submittals, the approved hardware schedule and templates, wall types and thicknesses, handing and swing for each opening, quantities, finish, and required delivery dates. Field-verified dimensions are needed for replacement or existing-opening work.
Lead times vary by manufacturer, product, and market conditions. Stocked or quick-ship products may ship in days. Custom fabrication, fire-rated or special-performance openings, and long-lead hardware (electrified hardware, exit devices, special finishes) can take weeks to months. Work backward from the installation date and get lead times in writing when submittals are approved.
Measure the existing frame opening width at the top, middle, and bottom, and the height on both sides and in the center. Record the door thickness, handing, hinge size and locations, strike location and backset, and lock preparation. Note the wall thickness and type. Photos help. Use the smallest measurements and consult the manufacturer's rough opening guide, since rough opening dimensions vary by frame type.
Stand on the outside of the opening (the secure or public side, or the corridor side of a room). If the door swings away from you, it is left hand (LH) when the hinges are on the left and right hand (RH) when the hinges are on the right. If it swings toward you, it is left hand reverse (LHR) or right hand reverse (RHR). Confirm the convention on your project, and mark up the drawings when in doubt.
Inspect deliveries for damage and count, and check labels against the order before signing. Store material upright, off the ground, in a dry, ventilated area. Remove any plastic wrap or shrink wrap that can trap moisture and cause rust, and protect frames and doors from other trades. Avoid stacking that could bend or twist frames.
It depends on the frame, wall type, and rating. Frames in masonry walls are commonly grouted, with mortar guards protecting hardware preparations. Some fire-rated assemblies require specific grouting or fill. Follow the frame manufacturer's instructions and the listing for the assembly.
Be careful. Steel doors generally cannot be trimmed in the field, and cutting can damage the construction and void the warranty. Fire-rated doors and frames are listed as assemblies, and NFPA 80 permits only limited field preparation. Anything beyond that should be done at an authorized shop under a labeling service. Ask the manufacturer before making any change.
Common causes and checks:
- Loose hinge screws or worn hinges, or hinges too light for the door weight
- A frame that is out of plumb, square, or has twist, which causes uneven gaps and latch misalignment
- Strike misaligned with the latch
- Closer adjusted incorrectly (latch speed, backcheck, sweep)
- Floor, threshold, or floor covering interfering with the bottom of the door
- Building settlement or wall movement
On fire-rated openings, keep adjustments within the limits of the listing and NFPA 80.
Only through the substitution procedure in the specifications, usually with the architect's written approval. A proposed substitute should match the specified ratings and labels, function, grade, finish, and any special performance, and should come with supporting data. Do not order a substitution before it is approved.
Tell the supplier immediately. Once an item is in production, changes can cost time and money, and a change to size, handing, hardware, or rating may mean a re-order. Ask for a written change order that covers cost and schedule impact before proceeding.
Fire and life safety
Ratings, labels, inspection, and accessibility basics. Code editions vary by jurisdiction, so always confirm what applies to your project.
A label is a permanent marking applied at the factory under the supervision of a testing agency such as UL or Intertek (Warnock Hersey). It typically shows the agency mark and the fire rating in minutes or hours, and may show other ratings such as S (smoke and draft control) or temperature rise. Labels are commonly found on the hinge edge of the door and on the frame. Never paint over, remove, or damage a label.
NFPA 80 generally allows about 1/8 inch (plus or minus 1/16 inch) at the head, jambs, and meeting edges, and up to 3/4 inch under the door. Gaps outside these limits are among the most common reasons a fire door fails inspection. Confirm the numbers against the edition adopted where you work.
The fire rating is how long the assembly resists fire. A temperature rise rating limits how much heat passes to the unexposed side, and is often required for stairwell doors in buildings that are not fully sprinklered, depending on the code edition. An S label means the assembly has been tested for air leakage as a smoke and draft control door, and is required at certain openings depending on occupancy and location.
A fire door must be self-closing and positive latching. Hold-open devices must be listed and release when the fire alarm activates. Do not wedge doors open, and do not add unlisted hardware or modifications. Keep gasketing, seals, and hardware in good working order.
Painting is generally acceptable, but never paint over labels, and keep paint out of hinges, latches, and moving parts. Follow the manufacturer's guidance for gasketing and any intumescent or smoke seals, and avoid paint build-up that changes the clearances.
NFPA 80 requires fire door assemblies to be inspected and functionally tested at least annually, with written records kept for the authority having jurisdiction. The building owner is responsible for making sure this happens. New installations should also be inspected and tested before the building is occupied. Look for inspectors with recognized credentials, such as DHI fire door inspector certification.
Under the 2010 ADA Standards (Section 404), typical requirements include:
- A clear opening width of at least 32 inches with the door open 90 degrees
- Hardware operable with one hand without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting, mounted between 34 and 48 inches above the floor
- A maximum opening force of 5 pounds for interior hinged doors (fire doors may use the minimum force the authority having jurisdiction allows)
- Thresholds no higher than 1/2 inch, beveled if higher than 1/4 inch
- Closers that take at least 5 seconds to move the door from 90 degrees to 12 degrees
State and local codes, and standards such as ICC A117.1, may add to or differ from these.
The International Building Code generally requires panic hardware on egress doors serving assembly (Group A) and educational (Group E) occupancies above a set occupant load, and in certain high-hazard occupancies, with exceptions. Check the edition adopted in your jurisdiction and confirm with the code official.
Hardware and access control
Hinges, templates, keying, and electrified openings.
A template is the hardware manufacturer's drawing of the exact preparation (cutouts, holes, and reinforcements) needed for a hinge, lock, closer, or other item. The door and frame manufacturer uses it to prepare the opening at the factory. Wrong or missing templates lead to misfit hardware and field rework.
Common practice is three hinges for doors up to 90 inches tall, plus one more for each additional 30 inches. Heavy, wide, or high-traffic doors may call for heavier-weight or ball-bearing hinges. Follow the specification and hardware manufacturer's guidance.
Several trades are involved: the door hardware supplier (Division 08), electrical (Division 26), and security and access control (Division 28). Hold a coordination meeting before shop drawings are finalized to agree on power transfers, electric hinges, door position switches, wire routing, and who supplies and installs each item. Late changes to electrified openings are costly.
The keying schedule defines the key system: who can open which doors, master key levels, and construction cores. Hold a keying meeting with the owner early, since keying affects hardware orders. Construction cores are typically used during the build and replaced with permanent cores at turnover.
Closeout and maintenance
What to hand over, and how to keep openings working.
Requirements vary by specification, but typically include warranties, operation and maintenance manuals (for closers, exit devices, and electrified hardware), the final hardware schedule, the keying schedule and key control records, as-built door and frame schedules, and any specified extra materials or special tools.
Inspect openings at least annually, and fire-rated openings per NFPA 80. Tighten hinge and hardware screws, lubricate moving parts as recommended, check and adjust closers, make sure latches engage, and replace worn gasketing and seals. Touch up scratched or chipped paint promptly to prevent rust.
Consider replacement when there is rust-through, a bent or twisted frame that cannot be corrected, a damaged or delaminated door, an illegible or missing fire label, or modifications that void the listing. For fire-rated openings, ask the manufacturer or a qualified inspector before repairing.
This page gives general information for reference and is not a substitute for the project specifications, the manufacturer’s instructions, or the code edition adopted by your jurisdiction. Requirements change and vary by location, so confirm details with the authority having jurisdiction before making decisions. Have a question we did not answer? Contact us. Last reviewed September 2026.
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