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An American Institute of Architects (AIA) Continuing Education Program
Become familiar with the successful installation and
operation of hollow metal doors and frames, as well as
the requirements for the correct anchoring techniques,
proper receipt, and recommended storage guidelines.
Course Description
Upon completion of this course, the design professional will
be able to:
• Describe the necessary precautions for the successful
installation and operation of hollow metal frames.
• List the requirements for the successful installation and
operation of hollow metal frames.
• Explain the proper receipt and storage of hollow metal
doors and frames on a jobsite and list where each of the
responsibilities lay.
• Illustrate the correct installation and anchoring techniques
for hollow metal frames.
Course Objectives
Installation & Storage
of Hollow Metal Products
• Contractor Responsibilities
– Receiving material
– Proper Storage
• Installation
• Anchors
• Wall construction
• Technical notes
1. Receive and inspect material
2. Store products properly
3. Install products correctly
General Contractor
Job Site Responsibilities
General Contractor
Job Site Responsibilities
1. Receive and inspect material
2. Store products properly
3. Install products correctly
Contractor options
for damaged material
1. Refuse material (reject delivery)
2. Accept material as damages and
accept responsibilities
Contractor responsibilities
1. Note defects on freight bill
Claims will not be honored by freight
carrier unless noted
2. Notify distributor/manufacturer
3. Failure to notify could result in:
– Cancellation of warranty
– Loss of fire label
– Rejection of any repair cost
General Contractor
Job Site Responsibilities
1. Receive and inspect material
2. Store products properly
3. Install products correctly
Contractor options
for damaged material
1. Refuse material (reject delivery)
2. Accept material as damages and
accept responsibilities
General Contractor
Proper storage is critical • In accordance with HMMA 840
• Protect from weather
Job Site Responsibilities
1. Receive and inspect material
2. Store products properly
3. Install products correctly
General Contractor
1. Store all materials in dry area,
under cover.
2. Do not use non-vented plastic or
canvas.
3. Store doors and frames in
upright position.
4. Place no more than 5 doors or
welded frames in a group.
5. Place all material on planking or
blocking at least 4” off ground,
2” off paved area or floor slab.
6. Provide at least 1/4” between all
units for circulation of air.
Proper storage is critical • In accordance with HMMA 840
• Protect from weather
Prior to Installation
General Contractor or installer must: 1. Check mark numbers
2. Check size and swing
Prior to Installation
General Contractor or installer must: 1. Check mark numbers
2. Check size and swing
3. Remove shipping bars
Caution:
Shipping bars must be
removed, and not used as
installation spreaders
NOTE
Most field problems relate to installation deficiencies
General Contractor
Job Site Responsibilities
1. Receive and inspect material
2. Store products properly
3. Install products correctly
1. With frame in position (fig. 4),
install temporary wood spreaders
(fig.5) square and no less than 1”
thick.
2. Cut clearance notches for frame
stops.
3. Install a spreader at bottom of
frame and second spreader at
mid or strike point (fig. 6).
4. Square and brace frame.
Caution
Shipping bars must be removed, and not
used as installation spreaders
Typical Installation Procedures
4. With jamb opening heights greater than 6’ or face dimensions less than 1-
1/2”, install additional wood spreader (fig. 7).
5. At frames with sidelights where sill intersects door jamb near strike, the wood
spreader should be located at this location (fig. 8).
Typical Installation Procedures
6. Level head by positioning level to head door rabbet (fig. 9).
7. Position builder’s square against jamb and head at door rabbet (fig. 10).
8. Adjust as required.
Typical Installation Procedures
9. Use carpenter level to check frame for plumbness, alignment.
10. Plumbness: position level against both hinge and strike jambs in rabbet.
11. Alignment: position level against both hinge and strike jambs on the stop,
adjust as required.
Typical Installation Procedures
12. Use builder’s square to check jambs for twist.
13. Position square against door rabbet and
project line perpendicular to plane of door
rabbet.
14. Adjust as required.
Typical Installation Procedures
1. Longer life
• Door
• Frame
• Hardware
2. Correct clearances
3. Proper operation
4. Less maintenance
Installation Tolerances
Anchoring Systems
• New masonry
• Stud walls
• Existing masonry
Anchors for Frames
• Proper anchoring is vitally important for proper performance of door opening.
• Anchors are designed to match the wall construction.
• There are variations in design between manufacturers, but performance remains the same.
• Additional information in HMMA 820 – Hollow Metal Frames.
Welded Frames
• Wall anchor locations and quantity are in addition to floor (base)
anchors, when required.
• Required anchor quantity differs with wall construction and height
of frame.
• Masonry walls are
frames with expansion
bolt anchors.
• Requirement also specifies
spaces of these anchors.
Anchor Spacing of Wall Anchors
• Installation of a hollow metal frame in
masonry.
• Check to make sure all angles are 90
degrees before securing frame.
• As a wall is laid up, locate anchors at the
hinges in hinge jamb and at
corresponding position in
strike jamb.
New Masonry Walls
3 different versions of Masonry Anchors
New Construction Masonry Walls
• Zee-shaped anchor is welded to both
rabbets inside the jamb.
• Steel studs are mechanically fastened to
exposed flange through throat of stud.
• Due to irregularities in wall construction
width, it is strongly recommended that
frames for stud wall have a throat
dimension 1/8” greater than the
dimensioned wall thickness
Steel Stud Walls
• Position vertical steel studs in frame
throat opening in accordance with
architect’s details.
• Attach vertical steel studs to floor and
ceiling runners and fasten to steel stud
anchors with mechanical fasteners.
Steel Stud Walls
• Follow steel stud manufacturer’s recommendation on thickness and
general construction technique to ensure a solid, stable opening is
achieved.
Steel Stud Walls
Steel Stud Walls
• Caution must be taken to ensure any fasteners applied through face of
studs or any construction will not increase wall thickness.
• Continually check squareness, plumbness, alignment and twist in frame
as wall progresses.
• Wood stud walls can be constructed after
frame is set or prior to setting frame.
• When constructing the wall after the
frame is set, follow guidelines for steel
stud walls.
• For constructing wall prior to setting
frame, follow these guidelines:
• Rough Stud Opening: width of
opening must be overall frame width
plus 1/2”.
• Opening height must be overall frame
height plus 1/4”.
Wood Stud Walls
• Place frame in rough stud opening.
• Bend anchor tabs around stud, leaving
desired clearance between frame
return and stud, for inserting finished
wall material.
Wood Stud Walls
Wood Stud Walls
• Square frame at top corner and nail top anchor to stud on One Jamb Only.
• Recheck level, plumb and alignment of frame at other corner and continue to nail balance of anchors to studs.
• Repeat same process for opposite jamb.
• It is extremely important that heads of fasteners are considered to ensure that combined thickness of wall stud, fastener head height and finished wall material does not exceed designed wall thickness.
Fixed Base Anchors
• Fixed Anchor: welded to base of jamb,
typically secured to floor by mechanical
fasteners.
• Shimming must be used if floor is not level.
• Not to be used in existing masonry, pre-framed
stud walls or slip-on dry-wall frames.
• For existing masonry or concrete walls,
additional expansion anchor reinforcement
provided.
• For pre-framed stud walls or completed dry
openings, an additional base anchor is
included.
Base Anchors
• Adjustable anchor: designed for use where
there are significant irregularities from
level, an intended slope in floor, or surface
toppings, such as terrazzo are used.
• Cannot be used in prepared openings or
slip-on knock-down dry-wall frames.
Adjustable Base Anchors
Base Anchors
Existing Masonry Walls
• Clearance between existing wall and
frame is critical.
• Size frame accordingly to dimensions
taken, providing 1/4” clearance around
frame.
• Insert mechanical fasteners through
frame soffit into existing wall.
• Shim, by others, behind anchors, above
bolts to ensure a plumb frame.
• Make sure to keep frame square during
installation with the use of spreaders.
• Tighten bolts.
• Caulk between frame and wall.
Existing Masonry Walls
Drywall Framing Systems
• Type of stud walls
• Drywall Slip-on frames
Drywall System – Types of Stud Walls
Type of stud wall constructions:
• Steel Stud
• Wood Stud
Regardless of whether the wall is constructed of either wood or steel
studs, there are two hollow metal frame designs to consider. Either
frame design is installed into commercial drywall framing systems. The
difference is in the method of installation and basic product features.
Design and installation processes may vary by manufacturer:
Types of Frame Product Designs and Installations
Conventional HM frames are anchored to the floor
structure--plumbed, squared and directly to the
steel/wood studs prior to attaching the drywall. These
frames can be supplied to the jobsite as either KD
(knock-down) or as welded assemblies
Conventional Frame Installation
• Installed during wall construction
• Typical anchor for conventional applications
Hollow Metal Frames for Stud Walls
HM Drywall Slip-on frames are installed into a rough
opening of a pre-erected and finished steel/wood stud wall.
After the frame is slid into the wall, it is anchored and
squared.
Slip-on Frame Installation
• Installed after wall is complete and finished
• Typical anchor for slip-on applications
Hollow Metal Frames for Stud Walls
Stud Wall Construction
Construction Notes: 1. Follow stud manufacturer’s recommendations:
• 20 gage thickness at door openings
• Website located at www.ssma.com/
The wall construction methods are critical.
The security, integrity and long term operation of the finished
opening (frame, door and hardware) depends greatly on the
method and quality of the wall studding along with the application
and finishing of the drywall board.
In most cases, door operational issues relate directly to
compromised wall construction and deficient frame installation
methods. It is critical that wall framers follow the stud
manufacturer’s material recommendations and professional
commercial construction techniques.
Recommendations are for minimum #20 gage steel studs at the
perimeter of all hollow metal door and window openings.
Stud Wall Construction
Construction Notes: 1. Follow stud manufacturer’s recommendations:
• 20 gage thickness at door openings
2. Follow general construction technique must be followed to ensure a solid, stable opening.
• Proper fasteners
• Proper spacing
For steel stud walls, the vertical studs (both
jack and king studs) adjacent to the door or
window opening must extend the full height
of the wall from top plate to the bottom
plate. Studs must be properly spaced and
assembled with proper screw fasteners.
For wood stud walls, the vertical king studs
must extend the full height of the wall from
top plate to the bottom plate. As with steel
stud walls, the wood studs must be
properly spaced and assembled with
proper nail fasteners.
Stud Wall Construction
Construction Notes: 1. Follow stud manufacturer’s recommendations:
• 20 gage thickness at door openings
2. Follow general construction technique must be followed to ensure a solid, stable opening.
• Proper fasteners
• Proper spacing
3. Double studding at door opening is necessary;
• Header studs must be same width as jamb studs
The perimeter of the door or window opening must
be supported with double steel or wood studding.
Frame Installation Drywall Slip-on frame construction
Anchors
Wall Constructions
• Steel Stud
• Wood Stud
Advantages • Installed after drywall is hung and finished
• Easy installation and adjustment
• Less chance of construction damage
Features
• Knock Down
• Visible miter seam
Installation Process (5 steps)
1. Slide header in place over wall approximately in center of
opening. Step #1
Drywall Slip-on Frames
Installation Process (5 steps)
1. Slide header in place over wall approximately in center of
opening.
2. Install one jamb by sliding it over wall at top. Push
bottom of member until it is approximately vertical.
Step #2
Step #1
Drywall Slip-on Frames
Installation Process (5 steps)
1. Slide header in place over wall approximately in center of
opening.
2. Install one jamb by sliding it over wall at top. Push
bottom of member until it is approximately vertical.
3. Install other jamb in similar manner. Frame should be
installed with all excessive rough opening clearances
thrown to hinge side. Weight of door will tend to cause
movement, within opening, toward strike jamb.
Step #2
Step #3
Step #1
Drywall Slip-on Frames
Installation Process (5 steps)
1. Slide header in place over wall approximately in center of
opening.
2. Install one jamb by sliding it over wall at top. Push
bottom of member until it is approximately vertical.
3. Install other jamb in similar manner. Frame should be
installed with all excessive rough opening clearances
thrown to hinge side. Weight of door will tend to cause
movement, within opening, toward strike jamb.
4. Join horizontal header to jambs (fig. 19B). This is
normally done by inserting tabs into the slots, or screws
into the holes or a combination of both.
Step #2
Step #3
Step #4
Step #1
Drywall Slip-on Frames
Installation Process (5 steps)
5. Plumb and square opening, check jambs for twist.
• Anchor the base anchor of each jamb
• Adjust the compression anchors located in the
frame soffit near the top of each jamb.
• Compression anchor design may vary with frame
manufacturers
Note - Some installers prefer to
hang the door at this point,
permitting the door to aid in
performing this function.
Compression anchor
adjusting screw
Typical Detail
Step #5
Drywall Slip-on Frames
• An adjustable compression device is
normally located near the top of each jamb.
This anchor is used on slip-on dry wall
frames and in conjunction with slip-on dry
wall base anchors.
• Consult manufacturer’s literature for
direction to turn compression anchor.
• The compression anchor must be hand
tightened. Do not use screw gun.
Typical compression
anchor details See figure 19D
Adjustable Compression Anchor
Additional Information
Field Splice
Masonry clean up
Hanging and adjusting the door • Shimming and adjusting
Technical Tips • Grouting of frames
• Undercuts
• Field finish painting
Field Splicing
Some frames are oversized to the point where they exceed the shipping and
handling limitations. Those frames are supplied from the manufacturer with pre-
designed field splicing connections. Depending on architectural specifications,
the splice joints can either be mechanical or welded connections.
It is the responsibility of the installing contractor to:
• Install all units and join connections together.
• Complete mechanical connections.
• If connections are welded, all joints must be welded, cleaned, and
finished. All joints must be prime painted immediately after weld finishing
to avoid rusting.
Required on oversized opening
• Due to shipping and handling limitations
If splice joints are welded, welds must be ground smooth and immediately
cleaned and prime painted.
Typical splice detail See figure 20
Field Splicing
Masonry Clean up - CAUTION
Acid washing of adjacent masonry
• Protect all hollow metal
• Immediately clean to prevent rusting
If exposed to an acid wash
• All primed or painted steel surfaces
must be thoroughly cleaned
• Pay particular attention to hidden
areas such as those under glazing
stops.
NOTE: Rusting resulting from
improper protection and clean up
Hanging and Adjusting the Door
After the door and hardware is
installed, it is the
responsibility of the installing
contractor to make final
adjustments to the opening.
Adjustments are usually
accomplished through
shimming.
Shimming and Adjustment
Technical Notes
Published as supplements to technical information and standards
Tech Notes – Grouting Frames
• Frames in masonry walls are often specified to be grouted full during
the installation process. Proper grouting of frames will enhance
durability and sound deadening, but grouting is not required on fire
rated hollow metal door frames.
• The grouting process is the responsibility of the installing contractor.
• Only mortar grout is recommended.
• If anti-freezing agents (or other caustic agents) are added to the
mortar grout, it is the responsibility of the installing contractor to back
coat the hollow metal frames with corrosion resistant material prior to
installation. Back coating prevents the extremely aggressive rust
created by the anti-freeze agents.
Caution Notice: 1. When dictated by temperatures, anti-freezing agents for mortar may be recommended by
specifications. These agents can adversely affect metal, and all surfaces in contact with the
grout must be coated with a corrosion resistant material by the installing contractor.
2. Silencer must be installed prior to grouting
Tech Notes – Grouting Frames
• Grout - a substance used to fill the interior of
frames in masonry applications.
– MORTAR GROUT: Recommended
– PLASTER GROUT: Not recommended
• Responsibility of installing contractor
• Enhances frame durability and sound
deadening,
• Not required for fire-rated frames
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Tech Notes – Undercuts
“UNDERCUT” – The distance between the
bottom of door and the bottom of frame.
The formula in which to determine the undercut
is derived by adding the total sum of the
following :
• Floor Clearance
• Floor Covering Thickness
• Threshold Height
• Jamb Extensions Height (if required)
• Undercut
Incorrect door undercuts and jamb extensions create installation problems
and interferences which can be avoided.
Tech Note – Painting Hollow Metal Products
The Contractor’s Responsibility
1. As we covered earlier in this training session, jobsite storage of hollow metal is critical in avoiding damage and onsite rusting.
2. What appears to be obvious paint defects or problems could have varying causes and require different solutions.
3. It is the responsibility of the installing contractor to lightly sand all factory primed surfaces with a fine grit sand paper or emery cloth.
4. Hollow metal is a fabricated and welded architectural component. The finish paint gloss rating in excess of 20º (on a 60º gloss meter) is not recommended. The gloss of the field applied finish paint, compounded by the ambient light sources, could have a dyer effect on commercial fabricated metal finishes.
