Click on the Term

Accordion Grille: A side sliding grille product that requires little headroom, and no floor track.  Grille is able to follow curved lease line and stacks into side pocket enclosure(s).
Back to top

Adjusting Wheel: See Tension Wheel.
Back to top

Air Infiltration: The passage of atmospheric conditions between two areas.
Back to top

Air Lock Set-up: Optional electrical device used between two doors-whereas either door must be fully closed before opposite door can open.  Sometimes used in high security areas.
Back to top

Air Switch: A diaphragm mounted to either the bottom bar or the wall, used with a pneumatic sensor edge to signal motor operator when the door has encountered an obstruction.
Back to top

AISC: American Institute of Steel Construction.
Back to top

All Weather Door: A coiling service door having all the weather-stripping features, consisting of guide weather-stripping, hood baffle and bottom astragal.
Back to top

Anodize: A hard, non-corrosive oxide film on the surface of aluminum doors, grilles or shutters created by electrolytic action.  The electrochemical process produces an anodic coating by conversion of aluminum to essentially aluminum oxide.  It is generally clear in color and yields a satin finish.
Back to top

Approved Equal: A phrase used on plans and specifications to indicate that a substitution can be made to a specified brand name or specified manufacturer. See Prior Approval.
Back to top

ASHRAE: American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers.  Establishes standards for measuring effectiveness of insulating components.
Back to top

ASTM: American Society for Testing Material.  A source for establishing standards to which most door manufacturers adhere when designing and manufacturing a door component.
Back to top

Astragal: Neoprene or vinyl weatherstripping added to the bottom bar to seal opening along the floor or to protect a finished surface.
Back to top

Automatic Closing: Mechanical, self-closing device of a fire door upon melting of a fusible link, or activated by smoke detector or alarm system.
Back to top

B & S: Brown & Sharpe.  Gauge used for identifying aluminum thickness.  B & S gauges do not have the same decimal equivalents as standard steel gauges.
Back to top

Backroom: Amount of clear unobstructed space extending back from the face of the wall.
Back to top

Barrel Assembly: A steel tube or pipe that spans between the door brackets and contains the springs required to provide counterbalance and lifting capability.  The curtain coils up around the barrel.
Back to top

Barrel Ring: Stamping or casting, attached to counterbalance pipe or barrel, which is used to increase the curtain wrap diameter and which is attached to the curtain top slat.
Back to top

Bar Stops: See Wind Bar.
Back to top

Base Plate: Optional steel plate mounted under the tube support to help transmit weight of tube and product on floor.
Back to top

Bellmouth: Flared upper portion of guides to ease entry of curtain into the guides.
Back to top

Best Locks: Optional "brand name" locking system with removable locking cores.  Specify lock shells by Atlas Door™ with cores to be added in field by others.
Back to top

Between Jamb Mounted: Type of mounting where the guides are positioned between the mounting surfaces and not on the surface (interior or exterior) of the wall.  Guides are generally "packed out" mounted to the inside of jamb and hood below lintel.  Clear opening size will be reduced and may require "fascia" to close off back of hood.
Back to top

Bi-Part: A pair of vertical posts that divide an accordion grille into two or more pieces.  Used to stack grille into two pockets or to allow ease of operation on excessively large (>30'-0") grilles.
Back to top

Bonderizing: See Paint Bond.
Back to top

Bottom Bar: A reinforcing member at the bottom of a curtain; generally either two angles back-to-back forming an inverted "tee' or an extruded aluminum member.  Serves to add laateral strength to door, to add weight to help curtain close, to act as an obstacle to stop door when fully open, as a stop plate, and to hold weatherstripping.
Back to top

Bracket Plates: End supporting plates for the barrel counterbalancing assembly and to house coiled curtain.  One plate is the drive (chain hoist, crank or motor side) plate, the other is the tension (spring adjusting side) plate.  Each bracket plate is generally supported by the wall angle of the guide assembly.
Back to top

Brake, Dynamic: Optional braking system mounted between the motor and gear reducer used when rapid stopping of operator is required.
Back to top

Brake, Electrical: Solenoid activated friction brake is usually standard on most motor operators.
Back to top

Brush Seals: Term used to refer generically to the use of brush filament material either in use as a weather-seal or when used as smoke seals for smoke and fire doors.
Back to top

Brush Weatherstripping: Weatherstripping for use on all configurations of doors to close the gaps at jambs and header.  Brush material can be UL listed for fire door use.
Back to top

"C" Factor: Heat rate flow through an insulating material when there is a temperature difference from outer to inner surfaces.
Back to top

Cable Sensor Edge: An edge that uses two cables inside a standard neoprene loop astragal.  Upon connection with motor operator, a sensing field is established between the two cables.  Any disturbance to this field causes the motor to stop, or stop and reverse.
Back to top

Card Key: Optional electrical control device that reads a magnetic card to open/close product.  Should be specified and sequence desired, in coiling product specifications.  Usually supplied and installed by electrical contractor, but must be coordinated with coiling product for proper motor preparation.
Back to top

Center Hook Lock: A cylinder lock that locks a grille bottom bar directly to the floor.  Usually used in extreme widths for added security.
Back to top

Center Throw Lock: A center locking device available on Atlas Door grilles/shutters, unlocked by one cylinder that throws a locking bar into both guides, mounted on bottom bar.
Back to top

Chain Hoist: A mechanical device to assist in raising and lowering the door by use of hand chain and gear or sprocket reduction.
Back to top

Charge Pin: A metal pin used to lock tension wheel after proper spring tension is applied.
Back to top

Charge Wheel: See Tension Wheel.
Back to top

Class A, B, C, D: Underwriters Laboratories' designations to cover location of opening and appropriate UL Label to be furnished.  A - Fire Wall, 3 hour rating.  B - Elevator Shaft, 1-1/2 hour rating.  C - Partition, 3/4 hour rating.  D - Exterior opening.  Door and wall must be of equal rating.
Back to top

Clear-vue: Trade name for Atlas Door's LEXAN panels for coiling grilles and accordion (scissor) grilles.  Increases security without obstructing view into secured area.
Back to top

Coil-Cord: An extendable wire that attaches sensor device to the motor operator.  Maximum 20'-0" extended.
Back to top

Coiling Grille: An upward acting coiling gate offering security without loss of visibility or ventilation.  Widely used in shopping malls and parking areas.
Back to top

Combo Starter/Combination Reversing Starter: A wall-mounted reversing starter with one additional component; a disconnect switch or circuit breaker.  This switch is turned on and off by a handle mechanism attached to the door of the enclosure.  When the door is opened, the switch is turned off.  Either a disconnect switch or circuit breaker can be supplied.  In addition, if the choice is a disconnect switch, a further choice must be made; the switch may be either a fusible or non-fusible disconnect switch.  Job specifications will normally indicate which type of switch is to be supplied when a combination starter is required.  See Wall-Mounted Reversing Starter.
Back to top

Continuous Endlocks: See Endlocks.
Back to top

Continuous Windlocks: See Windlocks.
Back to top

Contractor: An electrical device that, by means of magnetic coils, performs switching and control of the door motor circuit.  Referred to as contactor, reversing contactor, magnetic reversing starter.  Includes thermal overload and includes mechanical interlock.
Back to top

Counter Shutter: A door used to close an opening which includes a counter-type sill.
Back to top

Counterbalance: A system of springs or weights to provide the amount of force needed to raise the door and maintain it in the open position.
Back to top

Crank Operation: A mechanical assisted operator using a wall mounted gear box on coiling doors and an awning box on grilles and shutters.
Back to top

Cremone Lock: Center locking device on doors/grilles that will throw a locking bar into both jambs. See Center Throw Lock.
Back to top

CSI: Construction Specification Institute.  See Uniform Construction Index.
Back to top

Curtain: The part of the door that actually rolls up and down, or slides side to side.  It may be manufactured of slats and/or rods and links, endlocks and windlocks.
Back to top

Curved Slats: The optional coiling/fire door curtain slat configuration.  Referred to as C-3 curved slat.
Back to top

Cycle: An action on the door from the fully closed position, to the fully open position, and returned to the fully closed position.
Back to top

Cylinder Lock: Key-operated locking device located on the bottom bar.
Back to top

Dade County Approval: Approval given to a coiling door manufacturer, on application and approved testing, by Dade County, Florida, to comply with its building code.  Normally requires heavier components to withstand unusually high windloads.
Back to top

Dead Tension: A spring tension method where tension is applied without the use of an adjusting wheel.  Limited by weight of curtain.  Not available on Thermal, Fire Doors or Labeled Shutters.
Back to top

Disconnect Switch: A mechanical device normally furnished and installed by electrical contactor.  Adjacent to the motor operator, it disconnects the main power source before it enters the door control box or battery back-up system, for safer servicing of electrical components.
Back to top

Door/Grille Combo: Combined assembly of a coiling service door and a coiling grille door sharing guides and common bracket plates.  Allows full security when required and ventilation with door opened and grille closed.
Back to top

Double Throw Lock: Center locking device that throws a locking bar into both guides, mounted on bottom bar.
Back to top

Drive Gear: Large gear for chain or crank-operated units.  It is directly fastened to the door shaft on the drive side bracket plate.
Back to top

Drive Plug Assembly: See Plug End.
Back to top

Drive Shaft: The shaft in the barrel that is securely attached to the barrel, through welding or pinning.  When this shaft rotates the barrel should also rotate.
Back to top

Drive Sprocket: The smaller sprocket on the motor operator that drives the Driven Sprocket on the coiling door sprocket.
Back to top

Driven Sprocket: The larger sprocket on the door product that is driven by the Drive Sprocket on the motor operator.
Back to top

Dropout: Weighted mechanical device for disengaging gearing motor operator for coiling fire doors.  Also used to activate closing spring and to release governor in case of fire.
Back to top

Drop Test: Test performed on a fire door to ensure proper operation during emergency.  Testing is required to be performed annually see NFPA 80.
Back to top

Duranodic: Alcoa trade name for an electrochemical treatment on aluminum that results in development of color while protecting against oxidizing.  Colors and shades are limited since process results are a function of alloy used.  Bronze finish colors and shades are identified by number, 311, 312, 313, etc.
Back to top

Dust Tight: Electrical designation and special requirement available for various components.  See NEMA.
Back to top

"E" Guides: Common expression for the shape that guides form when they are mounted to steel jamb supports or frames.
Back to top

Electrical Wireless Interlock: An interlock integrally contained within an Atlas Door motor operator.  This interlock will sense when a bottom bar lock is engaged and prevent the motor operator from causing damage to the bottom bar, locking device, or the motor operator itself when electrical operation is attempted prior to the lock being disengaged.  This option requires no additional field wiring by the Electrical Contractor.
Back to top

Finish Coat: Prime coat of paint applied to galvanized steel before roll forming.  Paint is baked-on.  Used on slats, hoods, fascias and soffits when specified.
Back to top

Fusible Link: Two metallic pieces that are joined together by a low temperature alloy.  When the ambient temperature exceeds that of the alloy, the connection melts and the pieces separate.  These are used to release holding chains or cables that maintain a mechanical fire door release system.  The most common temperature for a fire door is 165� E.
Back to top

Galvanizing: Zinc coating to protect steel against corrosion.  Slats and hoods made of steel are galvanized.  Optional on other steel surfaces.
Back to top

Gauge (Gage): U.S. Standard gauge, specifies that weight per square foot would be indicated by gauge numbers, i.e. 20 gauge.  Galvanized sheet, weighs approximately 1.65 lbs. (7.3 KG/Sq. m�) per sq. ft. and is approximately 0.036" (0.912 mm) thick.  Based on 40.8 lbs. per square foot, 1" thick steel. 
Back to top

Gear Cover: Metal cover protecting the drive mechanism from weather and debris.
Back to top

Governor: Device on coiling fire door drive brackets to control rate of descent of rolling fire door when released in the event of fire.
Back to top

Grille Door: An upward acting coiling gate offering security without loss of visibility or ventilation.  Widely used in shopping malls and parking areas.
Back to top

Guide Assembly: Consists of two or more angles or a roll-formed channel to create a groove in which the coiling curtain moves up and down.
Back to top

Guide Standout: The distance that face-mounted guide assembly extends from wall face.
Back to top

Guide Weatherseal (1side): A strip of weatherstripping material that is attached to the exterior guide angle and designed to compress against the exterior surface of the curtain slats.  The material may be vinyl, neoprene, rubber, or brush filaments.
Back to top

Guide Weatherseal (2 side): The weather stripping material is applied on both the exterior and interior guide angles and is designed to compress against both the interior and exterior curtain surfaces.
Back to top

Gussets: See Bracket Plates.
Back to top

Hand of Operation: The side on which the door operation mechanism is placed, as viewed from the coil side of the door.  It is either a RH or LH operation.
Back to top

Hazardous Location: Building areas where explosive or volatile conditions exist such as paint spray areas, and grain elevators, etc.  Electrical equipment in such areas must often be explosion proof.  See NEMA.
Back to top

Header Seal: Weatherstripping mounted to opening header to seal the opening between header and curtain, sometimes used where hood baffle is ineffective.
Back to top

Headplates: See Bracket Plates.
Back to top

Headroom: Amount of clear unobstructed space about the door lintel or header.
Back to top

Helical: It means a spiral, and is a term referring to the type of torsion spring used in the spring counterbalance.
Back to top

Hertz: Cycles per second (Hz).
Back to top

High Cycle Design: Door components and operator designed for a fixed number of cycles for a specific period of time.
Back to top

Hood: Metal cover that conceals the door/grille coil and is attached and supported by headplates and intermediate hood supports (if required).
Back to top

Hood Baffle: A flap of material secured to the interior of the door hood, resting on the curtain roll and designed to retard air infiltration over and through the hood.
Back to top

Hood Bead: Stiffening bead (or bend) added to hood to prevent sag.  Top hood bead is reversible.  See Turn Down.
Back to top

Hood Support: A structural member which is rigidly contoured to the shape of the hood.  It is attached to the hood to add rigidity to the hood and its upper end is attached to the building.  Generally furnished on doors 16'-0" (4879 mm) and wider and on two-piece spliced hoods.
Back to top

Hot Rolled: Forming of structural steel shapes, usually angles, I-beams, channels, through a succession of rollers.
Back to top

In Tube Motor Operator: Totally concealed motor operator that mounts inside counterbalancing shaft.  Reduces clearance requirements, but limits size optional electrical features.  Normally used on shutters, grilles and small coiling doors.
Back to top

Inertia Brake: A unit that is attached to the door shaft and headplate ore wall, which will stop the door from free falling should there be a failure in the motor operator brake, roller chain drive or torsion spring assembly.  When the shaft is moving at a certain RPM the unit will lock up the shaft, preventing it from moving until door can be repaired. 
Back to top

Initial Charge: See Initial Turns.
Back to top

Initial Tension: See Initial Turns.
Back to top

Initial Turns: Amount of turns of the tension shaft to apply spring tension from zero with the door in the fully open position.  These turns provide the minimum moment or force to hold door in the open position.
Back to top

Inset: See Setback.
Back to top

Inside Adjusting Wheel: See Inside Tension Wheel.
Back to top

Inside Tension Wheel: Spring adjusting wheel located inside bracket plate so that no additional sideroom is required beyond the guide.
Back to top

Insulation: Material having the ability to reduce heat or cold transmission.  Two popular types are: foam injected polyurethane and rigid block polystyrene.
Back to top

Insulation Terms BTU: Amount of heat necessary to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree F.
Back to top

Integral Frame and Shutter: Combination unit of coiling shutter built into a frame that often includes a sill.  Built into wall construction by General Contractor.  Can be furnished as a split frame unit so it can be erected in an existing opening.  See Integral Frame and Shutter, Labeled.
Back to top

Integral Frame and Shutter, Labeled: Same general construction as Integral Frame and Shutter except door will drop on temperature rise or smoke detection (if specified).  Limited in width to 6'-0" (1829 mm) and height to 4'-0" (1219 mm).  No split-frame construction permitted; shutter must be built into wall construction by General Contractor.
Back to top

Interlock, Emergency Hand Chain: Motor operator component switch which will prevent electrical operation if emergency hand chain or crank operator is engaged.
Back to top

Interlock, External: An electrical switch to prevent motor operation if locking device is not first disengaged.  Not to be confused with interlock of emergency hand chain operator. 
Back to top

Interlock, Wireless: Optional feature integral of the Atlas Door motor operator, to prevent motor operation if emergency hand chain or crank operator is engaged.
Back to top

Intermediate Hood Support: A rigid member which is contoured to the shape of the hood and mounted to the wall, between the headplates.  The hood is then attached to the support to give the hood rigidity.
Back to top

Intrinsically Safe: Refers to electrical equipment that, by its construction, should not permit sparking precipitating an explosion in hazardous areas.  Permits use of standard Safety Edge and Reelite in explosion-prone environment.  See Explosion Proof and NEMA.
Back to top

Ionization Type Smoke Detector: Particular or smoke in the air is sensed signaling the magnetic release permitting the door to close.  See Magnetic Release and Fire Scout�.
Back to top

Jamb: A vertical member at either side of a door or window frame.
Back to top

Jamb Angle: An angle of the guide assembly in which it attaches to the inside of jambs and supports the load of the door assembly.
Back to top

Jamb Load: Force exerted on jamb by guide assembly when curtain is subjected to windload.
Back to top

JIC: Joint Industrial Conference.  Industrial group that has established standards and special requirements.  In our case, JIC requirement affects motor operator.  Special requirements and pricing.
Back to top

Keyed Lockout: Optional electrical control device of 3 buttons (open-close-stop) and a keyed 2 position cut-out switch (on-off).
Back to top

Key Switch: Optional electrical control device, key operated to open, close and stop.
Back to top

"K" Value: (Thermal Conductivity) - laboratory determined value of thermal conductance of a material.
Back to top

Labeled Shutter: A miniature fire door approved by UL (ULC) primarily used on smaller openings.
Back to top

Label Size: The largest size of a fire door or fire shutter assemble, fire-proven by test, to meet a specific fire rating.
Back to top

Lift Handle: A handle supplied on manual push-up doors, to assist in raising and lowering the door.
Back to top

Limit Switch: Device to limit opening and closing travel of motorized door and eliminate over-travel.  Roller chain driven, arranged so that emergency hand chain or manual operation will not affect limit switch setting.
Back to top

Locking: See Slide Bolts or Cylinder Locks.
Back to top

Locking Pawl (Pin): A metal piece used to lock spring adjusting wheel as tension is applied.
Back to top

Loop Detector: Device generally buried in the ground that will activate the motor operator to open or close by sensing mass or pressure.  Usually supplied and installed by Electrical Contractor, but must be coordinated with coiling product for proper motor preparation.
Back to top

Magnetic Release: Device connected to a smoke detector or alarm system, that on either an interruption of electrical power or applied signal will release the automatic closing device of a fire door or fire shutter.
Back to top

Magnetic Reversing Starter: See Contractor.
Back to top

Malleable Iron: Casting alloy used for endlocks and other components subject to shock or requiring good abrasion resistance.
Back to top

Manual Override: Means of operating a motorized shutter by manual operation in case of power loss.
Back to top

Master Keying: Arrangement whereby cylinder locks, although fitted with different keyed cylinders, can be opened or locked by means of one "master" key.
Back to top

Metric System: A standard system of weights and measures having the Meter as unit of length, the Liter as measure of volume, and the Gram as unit of weight.
Back to top

Midget Slat: The term used for the smaller slat used on the shutter product line.  Midget slats are available in aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and wood materials.
Back to top

Mill Finish: Finish as received from manufacturer; applies generally to aluminum and stainless steel.  Will show extrusion die marks in aluminum.  Stainless steel in mill finish is referred to as 2B.
Back to top

Motor By Others: Option to apply motor from source other than door manufacturer.  Not recommended since mounting, shaft size, key size and horsepower requirements are properly determined by door manufacturer.
Back to top

Motor Cover: Metal cover to protect the motor from exterior weather; debris, or to meet OSHA safety requirements.
Back to top

Mullion, Motorized: A combined guide assembly joining two adjacent rolling doors where center guide is hinged and motorized to lift up and out of the way; to expose a full opening width when both doors are open.
Back to top

Mullion, Removable: A combined guide assembly joining two adjacent rolling doors where center guide is hinged and motorized to lift up and out of the way, to expose a full opening width when both doors are open.
Back to top

NBFU: National Board of Fire Underwriters.  An independent group sponsored by an association of insurance companies.
Back to top

NEMA: National Electrical Manufacturers Association.  Established to provide standards for electrical components.  Number designation refers to motor operator and controls to meet the required ambient requirements:

     NEMA 1 - General Purpose
     NEMA 4 - Watertight
     NEMA 7 - Explosion Proof-Class 1 
     NEMA 9 - Explosion Proof-Class 2
     NEMA 12 - Dust and Oil Tight
Back to top

NFPA: National Fire Prevention Association.  Establishes standards for fire door installation.  NFPA Bulletin 80 is usually referred to in specifications.
Back to top

NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code: Code deals with the application, installation, performance, and maintenance of fire alarm systems and their components.
Back to top

NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Door and Fire Windows: Regulates the installation and maintenance of assemblies and devices used to protect openings in walls, floors, and ceilings against the spread of fire and smoke within, into or out of buildings.
Back to top

Offset: Dimension between face of header of jamb and center line of curtain.  Required to reduce drag of curtain on bellmouth of guides when curtain is in a lowered position.
Back to top

Offset Bottom Bar: Optional configuration so bottom bar will align with step offset in floor.
Back to top

Oil Tight: Electrical designation. Available for various components.  See NEMA.
Back to top

Oscillation Governor: A cast iron or steel cut combination of tooth gear and governor ring.  Governor ring is off-balanced to cause the ring to ratchet with the tooth gear to control the rate of decent of a fire door or labeled shutter during its emergency mode operation.
Back to top

Oversized Label: A fire door on fire shutter assembly that has not been fire tested, and receives a label or a Certificate of Inspection which does not indicate that the door is capable of furnishing "Standard Fire Protection", but only that the door conforms to the construction requirements.
Back to top

Packout: Guide build-out to clear obstruction or provide clearance for drive or tension mechanism when door is between-jamb mounted.
Back to top

Paint Bond: Treatment applied to galvanized steel to insure paint adherence.  Generally consists of phosphoric acid bath and water bath.  Also know as Bonderizing.
Back to top

Panic Release Device: See Emergency Release Device.
Back to top

Pass Door: Hollow-metal pedestrian door integrated into the rolling door, the frame of which is hinged at the jamb so door frame swings out of the opening.
Back to top

Patterns, Grille: Straight and Brick curtain patterns.  Consult factory for narrower link patterns.
Back to top

Pendant Switch: Optional electrical control device hung from the ceiling.  Generally used at interior openings for operating doors by approaching vehicles.  Can be single or double acting pull cords.  Single acting when single pull opens or closes door (reversing position of door); double acting when one cord opens, second cord closes.  Sometimes referred to as a pull cord switch.
Back to top

Perforated Slats: See Fenestrated Slats.
Back to top

Photoelectric Type Smoke Detector: Particulate or smoke in the air is sensed by the interruption of a light beam signaling the magnetic release to permit the door to close.  See Magnetic Release and Fire Scout.
Back to top

Pipe Shaft: See Barrel Assembly.
Back to top

Plug End: Drive end of barrel assembly driven by gear or sprocket for which the curtain is raised and lowered.  Consists of assembly of short solid shaft and one or more round plates welded to the shaft and pipe which fit within the pipe.
Back to top

Pneumatic Sensor Edge: Uses an air hose with a diaphragm mounted to the wall or bottom bar, air hose is put into loop astragal.  Upon contact with obstruction, air hose is put into loop astragal.  Upon contact with obstruction, air hose will pulse diaphragm to signal motor operator to stop or stop and reverse the downwar motion of the door/grille.
Back to top

Polycarbonate: Thermoplastic used in sheet form.  Impact strength and heat resistant.  For vision panels and grille inserts.  See Clear-vue.
Back to top

Powder Coating: A paint process that allows powder to be applied to a surface in its dry form.  Upon exposure to elevated heat the components chemically cross link within themselves to form a better adhesive finish, with a more consistent color that is available in a variety of glosses, texture and colors.  Atlas Door will consider custom color requests when a manufacturer's name and color number are provided.
Back to top

Pre-Turns: See Initial Turns.
Back to top

Prior Approval: A requirement that approval in writing or addendum be issued by the architect, before bid date to allow a substitution on a specified brand name or manufacturer.  See Approved Equal.
Back to top

Pull Cord: See Pendant Switch.
Back to top

Push Button Station: Standard electrical control device of 2 or 3 buttons (Open & Close or Open, Close & Stop).
Back to top

Quartzoid: Trade name for liquid-filled fusible device, used generally on larger sized motor operated coiling fire doors.
Back to top

"R" Value: Thermal Resistance - ability of a material to retard the transmission of heat.  Note: the higher the "R" value, the better the insulting performance; the lower the "U" value, the better the insulation material.
Back to top

Reelite: See Take up Reel.
Back to top

Reversing Contactor: See Contactor.
Back to top

Safety Bottom Bar: See Sensor Edge.
Back to top

Safety Stop Bearing: See Inertia Brake.
Back to top

Safety Switch: See Disconnect Switch.
Back to top

Scissor Grille: See Accordion Grille.
Back to top

Sectional Door: Upward-acting articulating overhead door.
Back to top

Security Chain Box: Metal enclosure that encloses hand chain in a steel pad-lockable assembly attached to door guide.
Back to top

Sensing Edge: A device mounted on the bottom bar of an electrically-operated door to stop or stop-and-reverse the closing door upon contact with an obstruction in the door opening.
Back to top

Sensing Edge, Electric: An electrical bottom bar astragal enclosed with two parallel foils.  When closing door bottom bar touches an obstruction, the foils close an electric circuit to cause the operator to stop or stop-and-reverse the door.
Back to top

Sensing Edge, Pneumatic: An air hose installed inside the bottom bar astragal and connected to a diaphragm switch, to signal the motor operator to stop or stop-and-reverse the door.
Back to top

Sensor Edge: Electrical or pneumatic device mounted on the bottom bar of the door to stop or stop-and-reverse the door when closing by the motor operator should the door meet an obstruction.
Back to top

Sensor Edge, Fail-Safe: is the same as electrical except, should the safety edge become damaged, the door will reverse to the fully open position and will remain open until the safety edge is repaired.
Back to top

Service Counter Fire Door: A small version of a fire door where the combined door, sill, and frame (optional) assembly has a fire protection rating and will automatically close to a counter top in case of fire.
Back to top

Service Door: A heavy-duty upward acting coiling door.  Very versatile in its operations and applications.
Back to top

Setback: A standard space where the guide is recessed from edge of the jamb at both sides of opening on a face of wall-mounted door.
Back to top

Shop Drawings: Prepared for the Architect and General Contractor by the door manufacturer to show clearances and general construction details to assure proper interpretation of the specifications.  Approval usually precedes fabrication.
Back to top

Shutter: Small slat coiling unit generally used at counter openings.
Back to top

Side Coiling Door/Grille: Move horizontally in locations with limited head room.  Available in grille, flat slat or wood slat configuration.
Back to top

Sideroom: Required unobstructed space on either side of the opening.
Back to top

Slat: Cold roll-formed or extruded member of which curtain is formed.  Slats are formed so as to interlock and form a water-shedding surface.
Back to top

Slide Bolt: Locking device on bottom bar which slides into guide or guide shoe and is equipped for padlocking.  Mounted either inside, outside or both sides of the door.
Back to top

Slide Grille: A side-sliding grille product that requires little headroom and no floor track.  The grille, is able to follow a curved lease line and stacks into a side pocket in the wall.
Back to top

Sloped Bottom Bar: Tapered bottom bar to match sloped sill of opening.  Accomplished by inserting a tapered plate between bottom bar angles.  This tapered plate will hang into opening on low side unless door height is increased and coil raised to have sloped bar clear opening when door is open.
Back to top

Smoke Detector: A device that senses visible or invisible particles of combustion and/or heat.
Back to top

Smoke Door (Shutter): Designed to limit smoke spread in elevator lobbies, corridors, etc.  Equipped with perimeter smoke seals.  Shutter closes on signal from smoke detector or temperature rise.  Can be furnished with a glass lite at eye level.  Warnock Hersey International approved.
Back to top

Smoke Gasketing: Brushseal used on fire doors or fire shutters to reduce the passage of smoke and gases.
Back to top

S-O Cable: Oil resistant flexible electrical cable in take-up reel which is sometimes specified for sensor edges.
Back to top

Soffit: Steel or aluminum shape to close underside or exposed face of ceiling when shaft is mounted above ceiling.  Not available with a hood.  See Access Panel.
Back to top

Solenoid Brake: Electrically activated mechanical switching device whereby an electric current flows through an electromagnet having a movable core.  Movement of the core activates the motor operator brake: power On, brake Off - power Off, brake On.  See Brake, Electrical.
Back to top

Sparkproof: Specified item when volatile or gaseous conditions exist.  Very special construction required to prevent sparking caused by metal-to-metal contact.  Special hand chain, gears and other items required.
Back to top

Spot-Type Detector: A device with a detecting element concentrated at a particular location. Typical examples are bimetallic detectors, fusible allow detectors, certain pneumatic rate of rise detectors, certain smoke detectors, and thermoelectric detectors.
Back to top

Spring Counterbalance: See Barrel Assembly.
Back to top

Spring Cycle Life: Spring counterbalance is designed for a fixed number of cycles.
Back to top

Square Hood: Alternate shape available on doors in place of standard round.  Standard on all shutters.
Back to top

Stand-out: The distance that guide assembly extends out from the wall on face-of-wall mounted doors.
Back to top

Starter, Electrical: See Contactor.
Back to top

Starter, Fire Door: A mechanical device to imitate the closing of door in the event of a fire, independently of the hand chain, crank or motor operator normally used to close door.
Back to top

Starter Slats: Partial slats used to connect curtain to barrel rings.
Back to top

Stick-on Insulation: Optional foam insulating material added to inside face of curtain slat.  Not widely used since the introduction of Thermal Doors.
Back to top

Stop Lock Bearing: See Inertia Brake.
Back to top

Stops: Bars mounted at top of guides to prevent bottom bar from traveling out of the guides when the curtain is fully raised.
Back to top

Tailgate Door: A door located above an aircraft hangar door that picks up a section of the main hangar door upper track effectively increasing the opening height in that area.
Back to top

Take up Reel: Mounted near the motor operator and is a self-coiling electrical cord to supply the electrical signal from the circuit of the sensor edge to the motor operator.
Back to top

Tapered Bottom Bar: See Sloped Bottom Bar.
Back to top

TEFC: Totally enclosed, fan cooled motor operator specification that allows on ventilation on motor housing, but incorporates a fan to carry most of the heat off.
Back to top

Tension Wheel: Casting, either pinned or keyed to the spring inner shaft, with which the counterbalancing springs are initially tensioned or adjusted, and is used in conjunction with a locking pawl or pin to lock adjustment.
Back to top

TENV: Totally enclosed, non-ventilated motor operator specification that allows on mechanical ventilation on motor housing.
Back to top

Thermal Overload: May be referred to as Heat and Current Sensing Device.  An electrical device normally located in the motor that, upon sensing of an abnormal current flow, will cause a set of contacts to open, stopping the current.  It must be specified when required.
Back to top

Thermal Series: Trade name for Atlas Door's insulated coiling door.
Back to top

Thru-Shaft: Option on a manual operated service door, coiling grille, counter shutter, small fire door or small labeled shutter that cuts the drive shaft flush with drive bracket plate.  No additional sideroom is required beyond guide depth and bracket plate thickness.  Cannot add chain, crank or motor in future without major replacement of materials.
Back to top

Thru-Wall Fusible Link: Extending a fuse linkage to the opposite side of an opening, with respect to the side the door is mounted on.  Required per NFPA 80 for all non-exterior mounted doors.
Back to top

Thru-Wall Operation: A door driven by means of a hand chain, crank or motor operator located on the opposite side of the wall.
Back to top

Thumb Turn Mortise Cylinder: Locking device, much like a cylinder lock but does not require a key to lock or unlock.
Back to top

Timer to Close: Furnished to automatically close a motor operated door at predetermined interval after opening.  Requires the use of a sensor edge to prevent damage or injury due to unsupervised operation.
Back to top

Tinted Anodizing: An effective and attractive coloring and anodizing process for aluminum that is not subject to sunlight.  Many colors available, but custom colors will result in extended lead time for fabrication.
Back to top

Top Hood Bead: Bottom bead cannot be reversed.
Back to top

Top Slats: Roll-formed curtain materials used inside coil box above door or grille curtain.  Attaches to starter slat.
Back to top

Torsion Spring: A helical wound spring, commonly mounted inside a steel pipe, used to counterbalance curtain.
Back to top

Tubular Operator: A cylindrical operator that mounts directly into the pipe and electrically drives the barrel assembly.
Back to top

Turn Down Top Hood Bead: Optional reversal of top stiffening bead to reduce head clearance.
Back to top

UL 325: Underwriters' Laboratories regulation promulgated in 1973 mandating safety edges on motor operators door or constant pressure push buttons.  UL 325 is updated and revised on a continuing basis and therefore must be consulted for current codes and regulations.
Back to top

Underwriters' Laboratories (UL) (ULC): Independent testing laboratory to evaluate products, construction, systems with respect to possible hazards.  Approval is indicated by the label on fire doors, shutters, motor operators and other electrical devices.  They maintain inspection services of manufacturer's products during fabrication to be certain of compliance with original approved design or procedure.
Back to top

Uniform Construction Index: CSI Format system to standardize classification of construction related products; Section 08330 - Coiling Doors & Grilles (Coiling Steel, Fire, Grilles, Shutters), Section 08360 - Upward Acting Sectional Doors.
Back to top

"U" Value: Heat Transmission Coefficient - amount of heat, in BTUs, transmitted through one square foot of material (the door) in one hour at a temperature difference of 1� from one side to the door.
Back to top

Vision Lite: A series of single cut-outs in a door, glazed with clear plastic.
Back to top

Vision Panel: A series of cut-outs or lites glazed with clear plastic.  Configuration will vary depending on manufacturer.  Atlas Door's standard is 5" (127 mm) wide x 3/4" (19.05 mm) high cut-out, in sets of 15 cut-outs, five slats high, three cut-outs wide.
Back to top

Viscous Speed Governor: Device to control the drop rate on fire doors.
Back to top

Wall Angle: An angle of the guide assembly which attaches to the face of wall and supports the load of the door assembly.
Back to top

Wall-Mounted Reversing Starter: All control components that are normally enclosed in the operator mounted control box are supplied in a separate wall-mounted enclosure.  These components include the reversing contactor, overload relay, control relays, and control transformer.  Only the limit switches remain in the operator mounted control box.  This necessitates additional field wiring between the operator and the wall-mounted starter.  In addition, all other control devices (push buttons, safety edge, etc.) are wired to the wall-mounted starter instead of to the operator.  See Combo Starter.
Back to top

Wicket Door: See Pass Door.
Back to top

Wind Bar: Channel or bar welded inside guide groove which engage windlocks under windload.
Back to top

Windload: The design criteria that most coiling manufacturers adhere to is 20 lbs. per sq. ft. (0.96 kPa) or 87 mph (140 KPH).  Greater windloading capacity is available.
Back to top

Windlocks: Malleable iron casting riveted at predetermined intervals to slat ends to prevent curtain from leaving guides under windload, and which are used in conjunction with channels or wind bars in guides which windlocks engage under windload.
Back to top

Working Turns: The additional winding of the springs as the barrel rotates and the curtain closes.
Back to top