Hollow metal doors are one of the most common types of doors used in commercial and industrial environments. A hollow metal door is composed of a steel frame that has steel panels laminated to both sides. The door is typically equipped with mounts for hinges and a pocket for a mortise lock.
Better hollow metal doors may also be equipped with a steel tube from the center hinge to the mortise pocket for wiring an electrified mortise lock and an electrical pocket at the top of the door for mounting a magnet for a door position switch.
Hollow metal doors are robust doors that can take a beating. Depending on door height, they may be equipped with three to five hinge mounting points. Hollow metal doors may also be furnished with a plastic laminate, wood veneer, or stainless-steel finish to achieve a desired aesthetic effect.
Hollow metal doors are often supplied with a hollow metal frame, together creating a fire-rated assembly. Fire ratings of 45, 90, and 180 minutes are available.
Typical electrified locks for hollow metal doors include electrified mortise locks, magnetic locks, and electrified panic hardware. Magnetic locks may be either surface mounted or concealed, and electrified panic hardware can be applied with either surface or concealed vertical rods. Electrified panic hardware may be of any type (with mortise lock, rim type, or with vertical rods).
Hollow metal doors are very easy to use with automatic door operators. Five or seven knuckle hinges are the most common hinging methods for hollow core doors, although pivots are not uncommon. More hinges are better than fewer for any security door application.
