GUIDE SPECIFICATION FOR

INSTALLATION AND STORAGE OF

HOLLOW METAL DOORS AND FRAMES

CANADIAN L’ASSOCIATION
STEEL DOOR CANADIENNE
MANUFACTURERS DES FABRICANTS
ASSOCIATION DE PORTES D’ACIER

One Yonge Street, Suite 1801, Toronto, Ontario, M5E 1W7

Tel: (416) 363-7845 • Fax: (416) 369-0515 • E-Mail : [email protected] • Website: www.csdma.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part 1 – INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Part 2 – RECEIVING AND STORAGE OF MATERIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

A. Receiving Material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

B. On Site Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Part 3 – INSTALLATION OF FRAMES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

A. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

B. Prior to Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

C. Installation Tolerances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

D. Typical Installation Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

E. Wall Constructions and Appropriate Anchors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

INSTALLATION AND STORAGE OF HOLLOW METAL DOORS AND FRAMES 1

2 INSTALLATION AND STORAGE OF HOLLOW METAL DOORS AND FRAMES
STORAGE AND INSTALLATION OF HOLLOW METAL DOORS AND
FRAMES

PART I - INTRODUCTION PART 2 - RECEIVING AND STORAGE OF

MATERIAL
This guide specification is intended to stress the necessary
precautions and requirements for receipt, storage, handling and A. RECEIVING
installation of hollow metal products, and the skills essential in
the hanging of doors. Upon delivery, the contractor responsible for receiving hollow
metal products shall thoroughly inspect for damage. Cardboard
The proper performance of most products depends not only on and other wrappings shall be removed for inspection and to
how they are manufactured, but how they are installed. This is promote air circulation. Any scratches or disfigurements caused
especially true of hollow metal doors and frames. The installation in shipping or handling shall be promptly cleaned and touched up
of doors and frames is an operation demanding care and skill, if with a direct to metal rust inhibitive primer.
the doors are to operate properly. Care in manufacturing does
not, in itself, guarantee satisfactory performance. Even the best Should damaged material be found, the General Contractor has
designed and most carefully constructed frames and doors, if the option of refusing delivery or to accept the material as
incorrectly installed, will not function properly. damaged. For coordination purposes, CSDMA suggests that
delivery should not be refused, but rather accepted as damaged.
Hollow metal work is fabricated in accordance with the shop Any damaged items should be noted on the freight bill. Claims
drawings, approved by the architect or engineer. Preparation for will not be honored by the freight carrier, unless the damaged
hardware or other items supplied by others is provided in items are noted on the freight bill at the time of delivery. The
accordance with the information furnished to the hollow metal contractor shall notify the hollow metal manufacturer in writing
manufacturer. immediately of any item signed for as damaged.

The hollow metal manufacturer is a material supplier, not a

subcontractor. The manufacturer does not include the installation
of their product in the building, but only shipment in good
condition from the factory.

Should the General Contractor discover any error in the hollow

metal delivered to the job site, it is imperative that the hollow
metal manufacturer be notified in writing and allowed sufficient
time before initiating any corrective measure in the field, so that
the manufacturer can participate in solving the problem. Failure
to do so could result in the cancellation of the warranty and/or
fire label and non-acceptance of any cost associated with repair.

Most member companies of the Hollow Metal Manufacturer’s

Association Division of CSDMA have their own field
representatives who are qualified not only to do expert repair
work but to determine whether the fault lies with the
manufacturer or with some other party.

It is essential that material is properly stored prior to installation

and skills are exercised in the setting of frames and hanging of
doors.

INSTALLATION AND STORAGE OF HOLLOW METAL DOORS AND FRAMES 3

B. ON SITE STORAGE

Proper storage of hollow metal work at the construction site will

help prevent damage to the primer coat of paint. Prime coated
steel must be protected when exposed to the elements such as
high humidity, salt air, rain, snow, and/or damp wrappings etc....
Particular attention must, therefore, be given to steel products
having a coat of factory applied primer. Primer is porous to
properly receive and hold top coats. Water or moisture, in contact
with primer coated steel will seep through to the steel. An WOOD
electrolytic action then follows, resulting in corrosion and PLANKING
causing the paint film to lose adhesion. The presence of oxygen
at the water-air interface behind the loosened paint film
accelerates corrosive action and the prime coat further
deteriorates.

Even when zinc coated steel is used to provide corrosion

resistance, manufacturers of hollow metal door and frame
products have found that one week of product exposure to
water, due to improper storage, can be equivalent to at least
a year of outdoor exposure to the elements.

NOTE: Paint manufacturers advise that the primer typically used

by hollow metal manufacturers should receive a finish coat of WOOD
paint within 30 days of delivery. It is the responsibility of the PLANKING
General Contractor to sand, touch up and clean prime painted FIGURE 1
surfaces prior to finish painting in accordance with the finish FRAME STORAGE
paint manufacturer’s instructions.

The following procedures shall always be observed in storing

hollow metal doors and frames at the job site:

1. Store all materials in a dry area, under cover. All products shall
be stored where they will not be exposed to, or come in
contact with the elements.

2. Do not use non-vented plastic or canvas. These materials

create a humidity chamber, which promotes blistering and
corrosion. WOOD
PLANKING

3. Store doors and frames in an upright position with heads

uppermost, Figures 1 and 2.

4. Place no more than 5 doors or welded frames in a group.

Small groups not only minimize the likelihood of damage due
to excess handling, but also facilitate selection from the group
for installation. In the case of multi-opening frames, no more
than three units should be stored in a group, to avoid serious
damage to the bottom most frame.

5. Place all material on planking or blocking at least 4 in. (100

mm) off the ground, 2 in. (50 mm) off a paved area or the floor WOOD
PLANKING
slab.
FIGURE 2
6. Provide at least 1/4 in. (6.4 mm) space between all units to DOOR STORAGE
permit air circulation.

4 INSTALLATION AND STORAGE OF HOLLOW METAL DOORS AND FRAMES

PART 3 - INSTALLATION OF FRAMES C. INSTALLATION TOLERANCES

During the setting of the frame, check and correct as necessary

A. GENERAL
for opening width, opening height, squareness, alignment, twist
Welded door frames are checked at the factory to ensure that they and plumbness. Permissible frame product installation
are square and that no jamb twists have occurred during tolerances shall be maintained within the following limits: See
fabrication. Temporary steel spreaders are then attached to the Figure 3.
jamb base to minimize misalignment or other damage during
Opening width – Measured horizontally from rabbet to rabbet
handling and shipment. The frames are loaded on the carrier by
at top, middle and bottom of frame; +/- 1/32 in. (1mm).
personnel experienced in frame packing. The spreaders are for
shipping and handling purposes only and must be removed Opening height – Measured vertically between the frame head
before installing the frame. rabbet and top of floor or bottom of frame minus jamb extension
at each jamb and across the head; +/- 1/16 in. (1.5mm).
At no time shall the spreaders be used during installation.
Squareness – Measured at rabbet on a line from jamb,
In spite of precautions, frames can and sometimes do arrive at
perpendicular to frame head; not to exceed 1/16 in. (1.5mm).
the job site with minor alignment deviations. Minor deviations
from true form and alignment can be corrected by the contractor Alignment – Measured at jambs on a horizontal line parallel to
responsible for installation. the plane of the face; not to exceed 1/16 in. (1.5mm).
When knock-down frames are used the manufacturer’s Twist – Measured at opposite face. Corners of jamb on parallel
recommended assembly procedures must be followed before lines, perpendicular to the plane of the door rabbet.
installation of the frame can begin. A knock-down frame is easier
to pack for shipment and requires less shipping space than a Plumbness – Measured at jambs on a perpendicular line from
welded frame. Such frames, however, place greater responsibility the head to the floor; not to exceed 1/16 in. (1.5mm).
on the installer, who must assemble them and make sure that, in
The tolerances shown provide a reasonable guideline for proper
spite of job conditions, they are square and in true alignment.
installation of hollow metal frame products. However, it should
Frames of this type normally use bendable tabs, screw or bolt
be noted that the cumulative effect of the installation tolerances
fasteners in their assembly, and these may be lost in shipment or
at or near their maximum levels could result in sufficient
at the job site. In general, knockdown frames are not
misalignment to prevent the door from functioning properly.
recommended for doors wider than 3 ft. 6 in. (1067 mm) or
Installers should be careful not to create a tolerance buildup.
weighing more than 100 pounds (45 kg).
Tolerance buildup occurs when several tolerances are at or near
B. PRIOR TO INSTALLATION their maximums. Care should be taken to keep each of these
tolerances as close to zero as possible.
The installer shall perform the following prior to installation:

The area of floor on which the frame is to be installed and the

path of the door swing shall be checked for flatness and
levelness. Permissible tolerance is +/- 1/16 in. (1.5mm). If the
floor exceeds this, it is the general contractor’s responsibility to
correct the area that is out of tolerance before the frame is
installed.

Frame shall be checked for correct size, swing, fire rating and
opening number. Remove temporary steel spreaders. Spreaders
can typically be removed with cold chisel and hammer. With
frame standing on concrete, position cold chisel at weld joint of
spreader and jamb and strike chisel with hammer.

INSTALLATION AND STORAGE OF HOLLOW METAL DOORS AND FRAMES 5

 OPENING WIDTH; MEASURED HORZON-
TALLY FROM RABBET TO RABBET AT TOP,
MIDDLE AND BOTTOM OF FRAME;
+/- 1/32 IN. (1mm)

1"
16

1"
90º 32
SQUARENESS; MEASURED AT RABBET ON
A LINE FROM JAMB PERPENDICULAR TO
FRAME HEAD.

HEAD

OPENING HEIGHT; MEASURED

VERTICALLY BETWEEN FRAME
HEAD RABBET AND TOP OF
FLOOR OR BOTTOM OF FRAME
HINGE OR
MINUS JAMB EXTENSIONS AT
STRIKE JAMB
EACH JAMB AND ACROSS THE
HEAD; +/- 1/16 IN. (1.5mm)

PLUMBNESS; MEASURED AT JAMBS ON A

PERPENDICULAR LINE FROM THE HEAD
TO THE FLOOR.

1" 1"
16 16
1"
16

PROFILE MAY VARY ALIGNMENT; MEASURED AT JAMBS 1"

AS A FUNCTIONAL DESIGN ON A HORIZONTAL LINE PARALLEL TO 16
THE PLANE OF THE FACE.

1" 90º
16

1"
16 TWIST; MEASURED AT OPPOSITE FACE
CORNERS OF JAMBS ON PARALLEL
LINES, PERPENDICULAR TO THE PLANE
OF THE DOOR RABBET.

FIGURE 3
FRAME INSTALLATION TOLERANCES

6 INSTALLATION AND STORAGE OF HOLLOW METAL DOORS AND FRAMES

D. TYPICAL INSTALLATION PROCEDURES

Position frame in the correct location. Brace the frame as shown,

Figure 4. Do not brace in the direction of intended wall.

SPREADER

FRAME
DEPTH
2"x4" BRACE
DOOR OPENING AT HEADER

SUPPORT BRACE
AT FLOOR
FIGURE 5
WOOD SPREADER

FIGURE 4
FRAME BRACING

SPREADERS

With frame in position, install the temporary wood spreaders.

The wood spreader, Figure 5, must be square and no less than 1
in. (25 mm) thick. Correct length is the door opening width
between the jambs at the header. Cut clearance notches for frame
stops. Spreader must be nearly as wide as frame depth for proper
installation. Install a spreader at the bottom of the frame and a
second wood spreader at the mid or strike point to maintain a
proper door opening and to prevent bowing of the jambs, Figure
6. Clamp or wire spreaders to frame to hold spreaders in place
until the frames are set permanently in the wall. FIGURE 6
SPREADER LOCATION

INSTALLATION AND STORAGE OF HOLLOW METAL DOORS AND FRAMES 7

At frames with jamb opening heights greater than 8 ft. (2438mm) At frames with sidelights where the sidelight sill intersects the
or frame face dimensions less than 1-1/2 in. (38mm), install an door jamb near the strike, it is imperative that a wood spreader is
additional wood spreader. Space wood spreaders at a maximum located at this location, Figure 8.
of 36 in. (914mm) intervals between header and bottom of frame,
Figure 7.

SPREADERS

SPREADERS

FIGURE 7
SPREADER LOCATION AT FIGURE 8
LARGE JAMB OPENING HEIGHTS SPREADER LOCATION AT SIDELIGHTS

8 INSTALLATION AND STORAGE OF HOLLOW METAL DOORS AND FRAMES

The installation contractor shall have a carpenter level and With carpenter level check the frame for plumbness and
builder’s square. Level the head by positioning the level to the alignment: For plumbness, position level against both hinge and
head door rabbet, Figure 9. If necessary, adjust for high spots in strike jambs in the rabbet. For alignment; Position level against
floor by shimming under the jamb floor anchor, Figure 13a. both hinge and strike jambs on the stop, adjust as required,
Equalize them through an adjustable floor anchor, if specified, Figure 11.
Figure 13b. Note, for labeled openings the maximum floor
clearance is 3/4 in. (19mm).

ALIGNMENT
LEVEL
LEVEL

LEVEL

A A
LEVEL PLUMB

SCETION A-A

FIGURE 11
PLUMBING AND ALIGNMENT

With builder’s square, check jambs for twist. Position square

FIGURE 9 against door rabbet and project line perpendicular to the plane of
LEVELING THE HEAD the door rabbet, adjust as required, Figure 12.

With builder’s square, check frame for squareness. Position

square against jamb and head at door rabbet, adjust as required,
Figure 10.

FIGURE 10
SQUARENESS

INSTALLATION AND STORAGE OF HOLLOW METAL DOORS AND FRAMES 9

Once the installer has ensured that the frame is in the correct The adjustable floor anchor is designed for use where there are
position, anchor the jamb to the floor. significant irregularities from level, an intended slope in the floor,
or where toppings such as terrazzo are used, Figure 13b. Like the
Floor Anchors: The fixed floor anchor is welded to the base of the standard anchor, it cannot be used in prepared openings or slip-
jamb, typically secured to the floor by mechanical fasteners, on knock-down dry-wall frames.
providing solid anchorage for the base of each jamb, Figure 13a.
Shimming must be used if the floor is not level. This type of
anchor is not used in existing masonry, preframed stud walls or
slip-on dry-wall frames, but may be provided.

At prepared openings (existing masonry or concrete) an

additional expansion anchor reinforcement is provided. With pre-
framed stud walls or completed drywall openings an additional
base anchor is included. In both instances these anchors are
located as close to the bottom of the jamb as is practical.

FIGURE 13B
ADJUSTABLE FLOOR ANCHOR

FIGURE 13A
FIXED FLOOR ANCHOR

10 INSTALLATION AND STORAGE OF HOLLOW METAL DOORS AND FRAMES

E. WALL CONSTRUCTIONS AND APPROPRIATE
ANCHORS

Proper frame anchoring is vitally important to the proper

performance of the door opening. A variety of jamb wall anchors
are available to suit the various types of wall construction.
Anchors shown on the following pages are but a few of the variety
of anchoring methods available.

ANCHOR SPACING

Anchor Spacing: CSDMA specifications require that the number

of wall anchors used on each jamb, in all cases, be as follows:

A. Openings in Masonry Walls. Frames with expansion bolt

anchors; Anchors spaced a maximum of 6 in. (152 mm) from
the top and bottom, with intermediate spacing at a maximum
of 26 in. (660 mm) o/c. See Table 1.

B. Openings in stud partitions with steel or wood stud anchors:

Near hinges and directly opposite on strike jamb. See Table 1.

C. Anchor quantity for slip-on drywall frames shall be as per

manufacturer’s standards and label requirements.

D. Wall anchors locations and quantity are in addition to floor

anchors, when required.

Table 1

Frame Anchor Spacing

Frame Height Masonry Walls Stud Partitions

> 0 in. < 60 in. (1524 mm) 2 3

> 60 in. < 90 in. (2286 mm) 3 4

> 90 in. < 96 in. (2438 mm) 4 5

> 96 in. 4 + 1 per 24 in. (610 mm) 5 + 1 per 24 in.

INSTALLATION AND STORAGE OF HOLLOW METAL DOORS AND FRAMES 11

CSDMA Membership

All Steel Doors 2000 Limited Fleming-Baron Door Products M. J. Daley Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
130 Milner Avenue 101 Ashbridge Circle 425 Comstock Road
Scarborough, Ontario M1S 3R3 Woodbridge, Ontario L4L 3R5 Scarborough, Ontario M1L 2H4
Tel: (416) 297-8500 Tel: (416) 749-2111 Tel: (416) 752-2030
Toll Free: (877) 353-0937 Toll Free: (877) 777-9354 Toll Free: (888) 423-2539
Fax: (416) 297-0374 Fax: (905) 851-8346 Fax: (416) 752-6002
E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.flemingbaron.com Toll Free Fax: (888) 899-9883
E-Mail: [email protected]
Ambico Limited Gensteel Doors
1120 Cummings Avenue 4950 Hickmore Street Shanahan’s Limited Partnership
Ottawa, Ontario K1J 7R8 St. Laurent, Quebec H4T 1K6 2731 57th Ave SE
Tel: (613) 746-4663 Tel: (514) 733-3562 Calgary, Alberta, T2C 0B2
Toll Free: (888) 423-2224 Toll Free: (866) 436-7833 Canada
Fax: (800) 465-8561 Fax: (514) 733-1932 Tel: 403-279-2890
E-Mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] Fax: 403-203-3345
Website: www.ambico.com Website: www.gensteeldoors.com Toll Free Phone: 800-661-8420
Toll Free Fax: 877-861-8457
Apex Industries, Inc. Les Métaux Tremblay Inc. E-Mail: [email protected]
100 Millennium Blvd. 3010, boul Losch E-Mail: [email protected]
Moncton, New Brunswick E1C 8M6 St-Hubert, Quebec, J3Y 3V8 Website: www.shanahans.com
Tel: (506) 857-1600 Tel: (450) 676-9141
Fax: (506) 857-1604 Fax: (450) 462-0082 Trillium Steel Doors Limited
E-Mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] 98 Stafford Drive
Website: www.apexindustries.com Website: www.mtremblay.com Brampton, Ontario L6W 1L4
Tel: (905) 452-1333
Artek Door (1985) Limited Metal Door Limited Fax: (905) 452-9475
1294 South Service Road West P.O. Box 638 E-Mail: [email protected]
Oakville, Ontario L6L 5T7 Gormley, Ontario L0H 1G0 Website: www.trilliumdoors.com
Tel: (905) 842-6695 Tel: (905) 888-5151
Toll Free: (888) 315-3667 Fax: (905) 888-0647 Vision Hollow Metal Limited
Toll Free Fax: (888) 882-7835 E-Mail: [email protected] 400 Zenway Blvd., Unit # 1
E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.metaldoorltd.com Woodbridge, Ontario L4H 0S7
Website: www.artekdoor.com Tel: (905) 851-1211
Métalec Portes & Cadres d’Acier Fax: (905) 851-1261
Daybar Industries Limited 2150 Léon-Harmel E-Mail: [email protected]
50 West Drive Québec (Québec) Website: www.visionhollowmetal.com
Brampton, Ontario L6T 2J4 Canada G1N-4L2
Tel: (905) 625-8000 Tel: 418-683-2431
Fax: (905) 624-4204 Fax: 418-683-1878
E-Mail: [email protected] Toll Free Phone: 877-683-2431
Website: www.daybar.com E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: www.metalec.com

CANADIAN L’ASSOCIATION
STEEL DOOR CANADIENNE
MANUFACTURERS DES FABRICANTS
ASSOCIATION DE PORTES D’ACIER

One Yonge Street, Suite 1801, Toronto, Ontario, M5E 1W7

Tel: (416) 363-7845 • Fax: (416) 369-0515 • E-Mail : [email protected] • Website: www.csdma.org