INOX solves sliding door access control at Pace University.

Pace University, a private college located within a skyscraper in downtown Manhattan, recently underwent office renovations that included 9-foot sliding doors crafted by Infinium Walls.

The campus employs a Lenel S2 access control system equipped with a standard

radio frequency identification reader for digital credential management. Traditionally, maglocks or electric bolts serve as the preferred locking mechanisms; however, these options present several challenges in this context

at Pace University.

• Low-voltage wiring challenges: Preparing sliding doors and their frames for low-voltage wiring poses significant challenges. Unlike swing doors, which commonly use hinges or wire loops to connect an electrified lock to its power source, sliding doors lack hinges and designated spaces for installing wiring loops.

• Fail-safe mechanism concerns: Traditionally, maglocks and electric bolts are go-to solutions for commercial sliding doors. Both types of locking devices operate

  as electrically locked, fail-safe mechanisms. This implies that in the event of a power outage, these devices automatically revert to an unlocked state, potentially leaving the entrance vulnerable. For institutions of higher education, where security and safety are paramount, this poses significant risks. These locking solutions fall short of meeting the stringent security requirements necessary for these environments.

  
  

SOLUTIONS

Infinium Walls proposed a secure and straightforward solution: the

INOX PD95ES electrified mortise lock featuring an integrated power-transfer

mechanism. This mortise lock, compatible with a standard 2 3/4-inch backset and equipped with either a 1-inch or 1 1/4-inch faceplate, fits into standard mortise preparations. It offers standard SFIC mortise housing with a clover cam for various keying options.

The design of INOX PD97ES incorporates electrified strikes that link power to two power-transfer contact pins, facilitating a 12/24V power transfer to the contact plates on the lock's faceplate as the door closes. The power-transfer mechanism eliminates the complexities associated with wiring sliding panels.

A sensor-controlled stepper motor operates the deadbolt that locks or unlocks in response to sensor feedback. This setup ensures the motor only activates to move the deadbolt into the locked or unlocked position when the sensors indicate the appropriate conditions.

Additionally, the lock features an integrated deadbolt monitoring sensor that performs a secondary verification to confirm the deadbolt is properly engaged with the strike box. If the deadbolt fails to lock correctly, a warning alarm alerts users that the locking is incomplete, which ensures a higher level of security and peace of mind.

Most importantly, if there is a power outage, a securely locked entrance will remain locked. The lock will still function mechanically, allowing for key override and manual exit using the interior lever.

CHALLENGE

On-site, the security integrator faced a different issue. Several doorways weren't functioning correctly after the strike had been installed into the frame's U-channel. The security integrator determined wiring errors were not to blame because the lock worked properly when he adjusted the strike's position by hand. The real problem was identified as a vertical misalignment between the door and frame cutouts for the lock and strike that prevented the power contacts from conducting electricity.

Regrettably, the door installer had already fully extended adjustability on the door's side. Adjusting the cutout for the strike on the frame would require the complete replacement. However, this solution wouldn’t assure stability if the door or walls began to shift or sag in the future.

RESOLUTION

Addressing the misalignment required a three-dimensional adjustable bracket.

This solution circumvented the need for an expensive frame replacement and minimized disruptions in the user's workspace. It also granted the facility's maintenance team the flexibility to adjust doors and frames as necessary, accommodating shifts or settlements that occur over time. Temperature

fluctuations are known to impact materials like wood and metal, further underscoring the need for this adaptable approach.

Computer-aided designs detailing the profiles and hardware specifications were shared between Infinium and INOX. Within a few days, a drawing of the 3D adjustable bracket was forwarded to Infinium, which created a prototype to validate the concept. The newly designed adjustable brackets were dispatched to Pace University, and the solution was a success.

"We try to move quickly to help clients solve issues with sliding door installations, even if those issues don’t necessarily concern the locking hardware,” Russell Anderson, Product Sales Engineer for INOX says, "Door and strike alignment is a constant issue in this industry, and we work to eliminate the major installation headaches for everyone involved.”

The 3D adjustable bracket, positioned between the PD97ES standard strike and the

Infinium frame offered a vertical adjustability of up to a half inch (12.5mm) and a horizontal adjustability of a quarter inch (6mm). For further precision, additional shims of one-sixteenth inch and one-eighth inch were included, enabling fine-tuning in the third dimension.

This design also permitted the integrator to detach the strike for any necessary wiring adjustments without altering the existing door and frame alignment. The frame opening became adaptable both during and after the installation process.

Using INOX's solution, the general contractor streamlined the installation processes and minimized the need for structural adjustments, resulting in saved time and reduced costs.

For Pace University's facility management, the INOX solution provided enhanced security and access control reliability across the campus in addition to reduced maintenance costs and ease of system adjustments.