What are the most common vulnerabilities in bifold and sliding doors when it comes to home security?
Where some believe there to be perceived security weaknesses in bifold and sliding door systems, these are largely negated with modern locks and tight tolerances. For example, if a folding door has lockable flush bolts or a two point shoot system on breakout points and a PAS 244 or SBD rated multipoint lock, the doors are as secure as a standard back door - they won’t be going anywhere in a hurry!
How do security requirements change between residential and light commercial applications?
Although there are slightly different focus areas between residential and light commercial applications, such as increased footfall and the potential value of assets within commercial settings, there are not many definitive security adaptations needed when it comes to the hardware systems - some may only need to consider that keys are more likely required to be keyed alike.
Do security requirements change with the seasons?
Modern multipoint locks often have adjustable keeps, allowing for any expansion or contraction in the door which may be a result of a fluctuation in temperature. With flush bolts, the keeps also have a fair amount of give in them for expansion and contraction, although longer keeps are an option when required.
How do current standards like PAS 24 or Secured by Design impact the choice of locking systems for these door types?
Both timber and aluminium systems can utilise multipoint locking systems on the swing leaf of an odd leaf system, ensuring Product Assessment Specification (PAS 24) and Secured by Design (SBD) requirements are met.
PAS 24 is a testing system applied to complete installation, including the door, frame and hardware system, whereas SBD can be awarded to hardware elements such as locks, hinges and sliding door systems, with both accreditations signifying quality assurance and security performance.
With folding doors rarely ‘standard’ and learning more on the side of bespoke items, it is difficult to test all configurations. Though, with multipoint locks having SBD or passing PAS 24 accreditation, we normally recommend these testing methods are used as a way of knowing applications are fit for purpose.
What are the most common vulnerabilities in bifold and sliding doors when it comes to safety?
With safety, the key area to consider is how a user may operate the door system - especially when it comes to folding door applications. A lack of education on how to operate the door effectively can cause misuse and potential safety incidents, so in many cases, it is important to provide a level of training or understanding on how to use a system as intended.
How do safety requirements change between residential and light commercial applications?
With busy commercial settings, a door system may be used more frequently and as such, more consideration must be placed into cycle testing, ensuring the door will remain reliable under consistent use throughout its lifecycle.
When folding doors are operated, we recommend children are supervised at all times. In application, folding doors will fold inherently which runs a possibility for trapped fingers. If a system has what’s known as a swing panel, we also urge users to secure this in place before folding the doors, as this can be potentially hazardous if left to swing freely.
Do safety requirements change with the seasons?
In some cases, doors may be subject to expansion and contraction as temperature rises or drops, requiring more effort to open or close as the seasons change. With this, it’s important to focus on appropriate installation and maintenance, so to ensure the safe and reliable operation of sliding and folding doors all year round.
What about heat – ventilation and insulation?
Doors are recognised as the natural walkway between spaces, with external doors providing access to outside environments and internal doors enhancing movement from room to room and so it is important to consider the thermal efficiency of doorset systems and their materials.
Bifold doors can outperform their traditional counterparts in thermal efficiency and when specified correctly, will call upon reliable mechanisms, airtight seals and glazing to further help installations retain heat between rooms. With this in mind, it’s crucial to use quality hardware systems that will reliably close doors to completion each and every time - producing an airtight seal which can minimise cold air infiltration and reduce heat loss as a result.
The use of sliding and folding door applications should not be overlooked as s source of much needed ventilation when facing extreme summer conditions too. The naturally wide openings that are created with modern door designs can help circulate fresh air through a building when temperatures begin to rise, supporting a controlled climate in several scenarios.
How do warmer temperatures and increased use during summer affect the performance or wear of locking hardware on sliding and bifold doors?
The distinctive design of sliding and folding door systems is especially useful in situations where increased traffic flow is expected and with high use during the summer months especially, the importance of testing becomes even clearer. Testing and cycle standards are crucial in ensuring the wear of sliding and folding doors is kept to a minimum, with durable hardware lasting longer in high use situations.
What about finish? Especially for coastal or high-humidity summer environments?
Coastal and corrosive environments can significantly impact doors, where components can deteriorate, damage or rust by a combination of high humidity, wind and salt spray. In these conditions, either PVD stainless or anodised aluminium components can offer additional durability, but should they become scratched or damaged, it can be difficult to repair. Timber panels on the other hand, can benefit from some incredible paints and varnishes that are designed to withstand all weathers.
What maintenance recommendations should be made to homeowners or facility managers for hardware longevity during summer?
Regardless of weather, all door hardware should be checked, washed with soapy water and lightly lubricated periodically – more frequently in coastal or corrosive environments. In doing so, users can assure the performance of their systems are maintained and finishes are prolonged.
What are the most common mistakes you see when bifold or sliding door hardware is specified for security and safety?
Using the right system for the right job is paramount to all projects, and for that specification is key. As well as considering functionality, weather performance and style, it’s crucial to choose a system with the appropriate levels of safety and security. Specification teams must ensure tolerances and clearances are followed closely to negate any potential security issues, for example. In many cases, especially on taller doors, multipoint locks are also preferable to single central mortice locks and provide better performance.
How can specifiers ensure the hardware they choose is compatible with the door profiles or systems being used?
Early collaboration and ongoing consultation with trusted manufacturers and suppliers is beneficial for all parties and helps to safeguard the compatibility of hardware and door profiles. Timber doors are often simple to pair with our hardware for example, although, aluminium profiles can be problematic if the core internal structural areas in the profiles don’t align without hinge hole patterns.
In any case, decision makers should always review product information to further understand the system requirements and contact manufacturers for details and drawings of aluminium applications to double check when unsure.
What is the role of the installer in ensuring safety/security hardware performs as intended, and are there any checklists you'd recommend?
There are three key points here; instructions must be followed to the full, customers and end users must be correctly advised on how to operate systems, and the role of care and maintenance must be understood and actioned post-installation.
What impact does increased thermal expansion and UV exposure in summer months have on the performance or tolerances of sliding and bifold door hardware?
As we’ve touched upon, all keeps for bolts and locks should have enough tolerance and adjustment to allow for some expansion or contraction of the materials used. This can go a long way in safeguarding the performance of sliding and folding door hardware systems during the summer months.
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