The American Association of Automatic Door Manufactures is a trade association of manufacturers of automatic pedestrian door systems. AAADM was founded in 1994 to• promote safety in the manufacture and operation of automatic doors throughout the industry.

When a sensing device or mat signals the door's control box to perform a specific action or function.

The floor zone where motion or presence is detected. The active area in reality is 3- dimensional as the sensors project their signal from the door header or above to the floor.

First operating door of a pair, when unlocking; the door usually equipped with cylinder control for locking mechanism.

A floor-installed, usually weight-sensitive device that activates an automatic door when a pedestrian steps on it.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The ADA is a wide-ranging civil rights law that prohibits, under certain circumstances, discrimination based on disability. It affords similar protections against discrimination to Americans with disabilities as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which made discrimination based on race, religion, sex, national origin, and other characteristics illegal. Disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. The determination of whether any particular condition is considered a disability is made on a case by case basis. Section II and III deal with the accessibility aspects that concern the automatic door industry.

A vestibule in which only one door ( or set of doors) can be opened at a time. Airlocks

Any device used to secure a building part or component to adjoining construction or a supporting member.

American National Standard Institute. The Institute oversees the creation, promulgation and use of thousands of norms and guidelines that directly impact businesses in nearly every sector: from acoustical devices to construction equipment, from dairy and livestock production to energy distribution, and many more, ANSI is also actively engaged in accrediting programs that assess conformance to standards

The industry standards for power operated pedestrian doors. Published by the American National Standard Institute.

The industry standards for power assist and low energy door operators. Published by the American National Standard Institute.

A latch bolt designed to reduce friction when the bolt starts to engage the lock strike.

Refers to hardware and fixtures designed to prevent the attachment of ligatures or other materials that could be used for self-harm or harm to others.

The floor-installed, usually weight sensitive, device placed in the approach side of a door used in swing, slide and revolving door applications. Floor mats have lost popularity with the advent of microwave and infrared sensor which are generally overhead mounted.

The activating device placed in the approach side of an automatic entrance.

Hardware used in building construction, particularly that used on doors, windows, cabinets and other movable members.

See DRIVE ARM

Tamper-proof faceplate or front of a lock mortised in the edge of a door to cover the lock mechanisms.

A lock that consists of two plates: one, the under plate, is fastened to the case and is unfinished; two, the finish plate, is fastened to the under plate and when in place covers the cylinder set screws thus protecting them from tampering. Used on mortise locks.

A molding or strip whose purpose is to cover or close the gap between the edges of a pair of doors. Some types overlap, others meet at the center line of the gap. Usually holds the weatherstrip

Power-operated door activating device and control, actuated by approaching traffic or remote switch.

See OPEN CHECK

A door equipped with double-pivoted hardware so designed as to cause a semi-counterbalanced swing action when opening.

An electromechanical device that utilizes a gear box and pulley system to move a belt that in turn moves an automatic door.

Two sliding panels, moving in opposite directions providing one door opening.

All four or three wings of a revolving door folded so that they are parallel and point in the same direction. This is a requirement for emergency egress.

See PANIC BREAKOUT

A type of hinge designed for mortising into the edge of the door and into the rabbet of a door frame.

A meeting of two members squarely end-to-end.

A rotating piece attached to the end of the cylinder plug to engage the locking mechanism. Cams are used in Horton swing operators as a means to set open and close check positions.

Swing hardware having its pivot axis on the thickness centerline of the door and normally located about 2-3/4 inches from the hinge jamb.

The vertical axis to which the wings of a revolving door are fastened.

A door hung on center pivots.

The clear opening width measured:

• Swing Doors - Distance between the face of the door and jamb.
• Pair of Swing Doors - Distance between the faces of the two open doors.
• Sliding or Folding Doors - Distance from the edge of the leading stile to the jamb or jamb stop.
• Pair of Sliding or Folding Doors - Distance between the edges of the leading tiles of the two doors.

The position of the door's travel where it decelerates prior to reaching the full closed position. Must be at least the last 2 (51 mm) of closing travel for a sliding door and 10 degrees of closing travel for a swinging door.

The reduced speed a door travels during its final closing travel.

The automatic swing folding or slide door motion from its full open position to its full closed position.

The entire travel distance and time elapsed when a door moves from the full open position to the full closed position.

The speed a door travels towards its full closed position.

A hinge of the same length as the moving part to which it is applied.

The electronic circuit board device that regulates an automatic door motion and forces.

The construction of an aluminum door panel by which members are joined together via solid block that increase the rigidity and longevity of the door panel. Through-bolt construction, instead, joins the member using threaded rod, which result in less rigid panel more suited for mass, low cost production.

A removable panel or case to provide service access to the door operator.

A finish plate used to cover the exposed face of a floor closer not covered by the threshold; also, a plate used to cover the exposed face of a closer mounted in the head of a door frame or a section of threshold over a door closer.

The cylindrical-shaped assembly containing the tumbler mechanism and the keyway, which can be actuated only by the correct keys. There are two different types of cylinders: Mortise type -- which has a threaded surface which screws directly into a lock case, with a cam which engages the lock mechanism. Rim type -- which is mounted on the surface of a door, usually by screws from the reverse side, it is mounted independently of the lock and engages with the lock mechanism by means of a tail piece or metal extension.

A lock bolt having no spring action nor bevel, and which is operated by a key or a turn piece.

A lock equipped with a dead bolt only.

A latch bolt incorporating a plunger that is held in a retracted position when a door is dosed, thus preventing the bolt from being retracted by end pressure.

See DRIVE ARM

The clearance around the edge of a door between door and frame.

A device combining a spring for closing and a compression chamber into which the liquid or air escapes slowly, thus providing a means of controlling the speed of the dosing action.

The assembly of members into which a door fits when closed, consisting of jambs and head but no sill.

A hardware device designed to limit the swing of a door and hold it open at selected positions.

The glass area in a glazed door.

The opening dimension of a doorway, measured from inside of jambs and from floor line to underside of head of frame. The opening size is usually the nominal door size, and is equal to the actual door size plus clearances and threshold height.

A hinging device embodying a fixed pin and a single joint. Most types include lateral fastening.

The horizontal structural component of a door's top and bottom edge. Typically a narrow stile door has a 4 bottom rail, a medium or wide stile door typically has a 6 bottom rail. High bottom rails are typically 10.

a)         For swing doors, the actual width and height of the door leaf itself. b) For revolving doors, the inside diameter of the enclosure walls and the height from floor to underside of ceiling.

The vertical structural component of a door's edge. Narrow door stiles are about 2 wide, medium door stiles are about 4 wide and wide door stiles are about 5 wide.

A door equipped with hardware which permits it to swing in both directions from the plane of its frame.

A set of two automatic swing doors that move in opposite direction and are designed for two way traffic.

A bolt that can be projected beyond its first position into a second, or fully extended position, thus providing extra security.

The mechanical device, connecting the operator to the door, which transmits motion.

An electrical device that permits releasing of the door from a remote control.

A self contained device which utilizes an electric motor in conjunction with a pump and piston usually controlled via electronic control box.

A self contained device which uses an electric motor in conjunction with a gear box (transmission) as a means of transmitting motion to a door.

A safety device other than panic hardware which permits egress under emergency conditions.

The curved wall components of a revolving door.

A door-locking device designed to grant instant exit by pressing on a cross bar that releases the locking bolt or latch. (Also See Panic Exit Hardware)

A flush bolt in which the connection between bolt head and operating mechanism is by means of a rod inserted through a hole bored in the thickness of the door.

A face of a building, usually the front

A closure strip of soft material such as rubber or plastic, which is applied at the edge of a·door or to the pivot jamb adjacent to the door, to prevent damage to hands or fingers inserted between door and frame.

Hardware that has a finished appearance as well as a functional purpose and that may be considered a part of the decorative treatment of a room or building.

Door operator which is installed at or below the floor surface; usually an electro hydraulic or electro mechanic device.

A rod or bolt which is mounted flush with the edge or the face of the inactive door of a pair, to lock the door to the frame at head and/or sill. When mounted in the edge, operation is by means of a recessed lever

A method of setting glass whereby glazing-beads are recessed within and flush with the edge of the frame.

A hinge designed to hang a door and hold it at any desired degree of opening by means of friction control incorporated in the knuckle of the hinge.

A door with no stiles in which glass forms the structure.

A grille or bar mounted on the door to protect the glass from impact.

A glazing bead which is either applied to, or is an integral part of the frame.

Traffic control device used to move pedestrians around and away from a swing door travel arc. Also used to direct pedestrian traffic through a door opening in a perpendicular travel path.

The designation of direction of swing of door. Viewed in plane, a clockwise swing inward is right hand, and outward is left hand reverse; a counter-clockwise swing inward is left hand, and outward is right hand reverse.

A term used to indicate the direction of swing or movement, and/or locking security side of a door.

A term used to indicate that the article is for use only on doors of the designated hand.

Hardware designed to accommodate the needs of the physically handicapped and to provide for ease of operation of doors and accessibility.

An enclosure used to conceal and mount a door operator. The housing of the slide or swing door operator Housing is usually made of aluminum.

A photo electric light mounted across the threshold area of a door, used to keep the door in the open position when the threshold area is occupied.

Door operator which utilizes a cylinder and piston powered by compressed fluid. The pump (or power pack) for a hydraulic operator is usually mounted in a remote location. Hydraulic lines or hoses are used to supply pressurized fluid to the operator.

That leaf of a pair of doors that does not contain a lock, but is bolted when closed, and to which the strike is fastened to receive the latch or bolt of the active door.

Cylinders operated by the same key

Cylinders requiring individual keys for their operation.

A protective plate applied on the lower rail of the door to prevent the door from being marred.

A user-controlled means of activating a door operator; i.e., wall switch, card reader, ceiling mounted pull cord switch, etc.

See CLOSING CHECK POSITTON

See CLOSING CHECK SPEED

The door's jamb (frame) opposite to the hinges. Usually the side the door latches on.

A swing door hinged on the left side, which swings into a building space.

A swing door hinged onthe left side, which swings out of a building space.

Traffic pattern through a vestibule or an entrance in which traffic enters and exits the door through the left side.

Gearless mechanical transmission which converts rotary motion of a drive shaft to linear motion. This is a Horton Automatics design.

The supporting structure over the top of a doorway.

a)  Deadlock: A lock in which a bolt is moved by means of a key or thumb turn, and is positively stopped in its projected position. b)  Latch: A mechanism having a spring-activated beveled latch bolt but no locking device. Retraction of the latch bolt is by lever handle or by knob. c)  Deadlatch: A latch bolt having an auxiliary feature which prevents its retraction by end pressure when in projected position. d)  Deadlock and Latch: A hardware item containing both a deadbolt and latch bolt.

Automatic swing door operator designed to open a door under low power and slow speed under ANSI 156.19. Usually used at accessible entrances for the disabled. Low energy door operators are usually both manually operable and automatic.

Opening in a brick, stone or concrete wall into which a door or window is to be installed. Also see ROUGH OPENING.

The vertical door edges that meet in the center of the opening for a pair of doors within a single frame opening.

A cavity made to receive a lock or other hardware; also the act of making such a cavity.

A door bolt designed to be mortised into a door rather than applied to its surface.

A lock designed to be installed in a mortise rather than applied to the door's surface.

An electronic device that detects motion and sends an actuation signa·I to a door operator via its control box. Microwave motion sensors detect motion by the Doppler effect (radar) principle. .Passive infrared motion detectors detect a heat differential . moving through a detection area.

A fixed or movable post dividing an opening vertically.

The horizontal midrail in a door panel, usually dividing the door's glass into two pieces.

A device used in conjunction with automatic doors (normally revolving doors) that prevents extraneous objects to be passed from the non-secure side of the entrance to the secure side of it.

A pin-and-socket hardware device with bearing contact by means of which a door is suspended in its frame, allowing it to swing about an axis which is normally located about 3/4 out from the door face.

A patter of traffic by which pedestrians can approach an entrance by only one end.

The position of the door's travel where its speed is reduced prior to reaching the full open position. For swing doors the open check normally occurs at 80 degrees of travel from the full closeD position. For a sliding door, it normally refers to the last 6 inches of travel.

The reduced rate of speed a door travels after reaching the open check position.

The final travel position just before the door reaches its full open position. The door's opening speed is reduced when in open check.

The entire travel distance and time elapsed, while a door moves from the full closed position to the full open position.

The speed a door travels from its fully close position to the open check position.

a)     Surface Type -- an exposed door swing control and closer device mounted on the surface of a door and frame at its head. b)      Semi-Concealed Type -- a door swing control and closing device mortised into the door top rail and/or frame head. c)      Concealed Type -- a door swing control and closer device enclosed within the door top rail and/or frame head.

An automatic door operator which is installed directly over the top of the door and is not visible.

A stationary door panel.

Swing Doors: A device that allows doors which normally swing in the direction of ingress to swing in the opposite direction for emergency egress purposes. Slide and Folding Doors: A device that allows sliding or folding doors to swing out in the emergency egress direction.

A door locking mechanism designed to be always operable from the interior by pressure on a crash bar or lever. a)  Mortise type -- panic exit hardware having the lock mechanism mortised into the edge of the door or concealed within the door. b)   Rim type -- panic exit hardware having the lock mechanism mounted on the push side of the door. c)  Vertical Rod type, surface or concealed -- panic exit hardware having latches in or on the top and/or bottom of the door, which are activated through the crash bar by a rod linkage extending vertically on or in the door stile.

An actuation switch that sends a signal to the door's control when the path of a light beam is interrupted by a pedestrian or object.

The action by which an authorized or unauthorized pedestrian joins an authorized pedestrian as they enter the building. It normally applies to revolver door applications.

A set of doors or wall barrier designed to prevent passengers from reaching the tracks of a train. PSD typically cover the length of the system station, and the doors are synchronized with those of the train.

Automatic door operator powered by compressed air in a piston cylinder. They are normally used in clean room applications and/or where the sparks needs to be minimized.

When the door operator's motor (or other type of power system) is used to assist the door operator's closing spring. Usually at locations with very high winds and/or building stack pressures.

A mechanism that reduces the amount of force required to operate a door manually. Power assist doors do not open the door for traffic.

When the door operator's motor (or other type of power system) is used to close the door. Power close door operators do not have closing springs.

When the door operator's motor (or other type of power system) is used to, open the door.

Pump (hydraulic or air) used to power a door operator. Power units are usually installed in a remote building location with lines or hoses to the door operator.

Electronic device which detects presence inside a detection zone and sends a operating signal to the door's control. Ultrasonic detectors use sonar technology to detect presence. Active infrared detectors use infrared light to discern the presence of a person or object in the detection range.

Ceiling mounted switch which is activated by pulling a chain or cord.

Operation of an automatic door which requires the user to activate a switch to open the door. The door remains open, until the user activates a switch to close it.

Pushing on the door activates the operator and the door opens at the set speed and then closes.

See Push to Open, Push to Close.

The reversing of a door's travel, prior to reaching its full closed position.

A door consisting of leaves, usually three or four in number, mounted at equal angles to each other on a common vertical pivot axis with their outer edges in sweeping contact with the building floor, a flat ceiling and two opposed curved or segmented enclosure walls, each of which extends through slightly more than.the 90 degree arc of a circle.

The often circular part of a revolving door between the ceiling sheet and the roof sheet.

A swing door hinged on the right side which swings into a building space.

A door hinged on the right :Side, which swings out of a building space.

Traffic pattern through a vestibule or an entrance in which traffic enters and exits the door through the right side.

Opening in a wall into which a door or window is to be installed. Also see MASONRY OPENING

See HOLD-OPEN BEAM

A floor-installed device, usually weight sensitive, that prevents a closed door from opening or a full open door from closing when a pedestrian steps on it.

A door operator which requires no external power unit. See POWER UNIT.

Automatic sliding door with a single moving door panel.

A stationary door panel that breaks out for emergency egress.

The mechanism that controls the rate of speed at which a door will operate.

A feature that reverses the door to the open position if it is stopped during closing.

The bar or tube connected with the knob or lever handle that passes through the hub of. the lock or otherwise engages the mechanism to transmitthe knob action to the bolt(s).

An astragal that is split through the middle, allowing each door leaf to operate independently.

An automatic door which uses a spring to return the door to the closed position.

See DOOR STILE

An assembly of molding members forming a continuous frame for a fixed glass store front.

An opening or retaining device provided in the head, jamb or threshold of a door frame or in the edge on an inactive door to receive a lock or latch bolt. (a.ka. keeper or strike plate). a)    Box Strike -- a strike consisting of a face plate with rectangular opening and a box-like enclosure attached to the back of the plate and surrounding the opening. b)  Dustproof Strike -- a strike which is placed in the floor, sill or threshold of an opening, to receive a flush bolt, and is equipped with a spring-loaded follower to cover the recess and prevent its filling with dirt. c)  Electric Strike -- a strike used with a latch bolt and designed to be actuated by a remotely controlled electro-magnet, to permit the door to be opened without retracting the latch. d)      Roller Strike -- a strike for latch bolts, having a roller mounted in the lip to reduce friction.

See LATCH JAMB

Door operator mounted onto the surface of the top door jamb and the structure above the door.

A sliding door panel that breaks out for emergency egress.

Operators that open a pair of doors simultaneously normally operating at the same speed.

The action by which an authorized or unauthorized pedestrian uses an authorized pedestrian revolution to exit a building though a revolving door.

Sliding door with two or more door panels traveling in the same direction.

A strip fastened to the floor beneath a door, usually required to cover the joint where two types of floor material meet.

The length of time a door remains fully open, after the actuation signal is removed.

A feature that stops the operator's automatic mode when an obstruction is met during the open cycle; then the door goes into the manual cycle and returns to closed.

Actuation device that requires a user to place their hand near the switch device, but does not require the user to touch or push.

A bracket used to support an all-glass transom over an all-glass door when the latter has no metal rail and no transom bar is used.

The area immediately above a door opening which contains fixed glass or an operating sash.

See SURFACE MOUNTED OPERATOR.

The part of a door frame that separates the top of a door or a window from the bottom of the transom.

A fastener applied to a transom and having a ring by which the latch bolt is retracted..

A short chain used to limit the opening of a transom; usually provided at each end. with a plate for attachment.

A vertically operated device attached to a door frame and transom by which the transom . may be opened or closed.

Decorative finish hardware used to operate functional hardware or the door itself.

A device sometimes required on three-hour fire doors to lock the inactive leaf of a pair. of doors at top and bottom.

A term used to describe a lock, a door closer or other device that can be used on doors of any hand without change.

See SURFACE MOUNTED OPERATOR

One of the rotating leaves of a revolving door.

A sliding door panel that does not break out.