ALOA Door Hardware and Exit Devices 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of panic hardware installed on emergency exit doors?
- To electronically log all door openings for security auditing
- To reinforce fire-rated door assemblies against heat and smoke intrusion
- To prevent unauthorized entry from the exterior side of the door
- To allow immediate egress without requiring special knowledge or key operation (Correct answer)
Correct answer: To allow immediate egress without requiring special knowledge or key operation
Panic hardware allows anyone to exit quickly in an emergency simply by pushing on the crossbar or touchpad, with no prior knowledge or special device needed.
Question 2: What UL listing is required for exit devices installed on fire-rated door assemblies?
- UL 294 (Access Control Systems Equipment)
- UL 1034 (Burglary-Resistant Electronic Locking Mechanisms)
- UL 305 (Panic Hardware) (Correct answer)
- UL 10C (Positive Pressure Fire Tests of Door Assemblies)
Correct answer: UL 305 (Panic Hardware)
UL 305 is the standard for panic hardware, and fire exit hardware must carry a UL 305 listing to be used on fire-rated door assemblies without compromising the fire rating.
Question 3: A rim exit device is characterized by:
- Installation within a routed pocket cut into the door thickness
- Extending vertical rods to engage strikes at the top and bottom of the door frame
- Surface mounting on the inside face of the door with a rim case housing the mechanism (Correct answer)
- Requiring a mortise cutout along the entire door edge
Correct answer: Surface mounting on the inside face of the door with a rim case housing the mechanism
A rim exit device mounts directly on the interior face of the door with a surface-mounted case, making it one of the easiest exit devices to install without major door preparation.
Question 4: What is the 'dogging' feature on a panic exit device?
- An alarm that activates when the door is propped open beyond a set time limit
- A mechanism that holds the crossbar or touchpad in the depressed position so the door operates as a push/pull door (Correct answer)
- An auto-locking feature that engages the latch after the door has been closed for a set period
- An audible alert that activates if the device is tampered with
Correct answer: A mechanism that holds the crossbar or touchpad in the depressed position so the door operates as a push/pull door
Dogging retracts and holds the latchbolt in the retracted position so the door can be pushed open freely without operating the latch mechanism, useful during high-traffic business hours.
Question 5: According to NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, the maximum force required to operate panic hardware is:
- 5 pounds
- 15 pounds (Correct answer)
- 25 pounds
- 30 pounds
Correct answer: 15 pounds
NFPA 101 specifies that panic hardware must release with no more than 15 pounds of force, ensuring that people of all physical abilities, including children, can exit in an emergency.
Question 6: What distinguishes 'fire exit hardware' from standard 'panic hardware'?
- Fire exit hardware requires a key to retract the latch from the exterior
- Fire exit hardware is larger and requires additional fasteners for installation
- Fire exit hardware uses a distinctively shaped crossbar for visual identification
- Fire exit hardware is listed for fire-rated doors and any electrical dogging must automatically release when the fire alarm activates (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Fire exit hardware is listed for fire-rated doors and any electrical dogging must automatically release when the fire alarm activates
Fire exit hardware carries a fire listing for use on rated assemblies, and its electrical dogging must be tied to the fire alarm so the door can fully close and latch during a fire event.
Question 7: A vertical rod exit device provides multi-point door latching by:
- Locking the door at a single point at mid-height only
- Using an internal horizontal crossbar that spans the full door width for latching
- Extending rods vertically to engage strikes at both the top and bottom of the door frame (Correct answer)
- Operating a concealed mortise lock mechanism within the door body
Correct answer: Extending rods vertically to engage strikes at both the top and bottom of the door frame
Vertical rod exit devices use top and bottom rods that extend when the door is closed to engage strikes mounted at the head and floor of the frame, providing secure multi-point latching.
ALOA Door Hardware and Exit Devices 2
What is the primary purpose of panic hardware installed on emergency exit doors?