Frames FAQ

This information is provided as a guide to ensure the details provided to us by you for the manufacture of metal door frames are sufficient in detail to allow for the correct manufacture of the metal door frames you are after.

We provide pro forma frame order sheets which can be supplied electronically via email or we can fax them to you. We also have a range of frames fully detailed and available for purchase via our web site.

Although we would prefer that our pro forma frame order sheets are used we do understand that you may have existing systems in place. If you send through frame orders in your own format please ensure that the following details are provided as a minimum;

1. The profile of the frame (include a dimensioned sketch or drawing of the profile/s - See our downloads section for pro formas you can use)
2. The reveal size of the frame or the overall dimensions of the frame (make sure you state if sizes provided are reveal or overall). If the type of size is not stipulated we will assume the size to be the frame reveal size.
3. The fixing method of the frame (i.e. how the frame is to be built into the wall)
4. The number of and type of hinges
5. The type of strike
6. The lock height
7. The thickness of the door to be fitted to the frame
8. The type of door (fire rated or non rated e.g. solid core)
9. The handing of the door (use the fridge door test. If you open the fridge door is the hinge on your left or right? If on the left the handing is left and if on the right the handing is right)
10. How you want the frame supplied (e.g. fully welded, in parts to put together on site etc)

Adding hardware to a door frame can require preparations to be provided in the frame during manufacture. Examples include electric strikes, reed switches, pivots for swinging doors etc. Ensure you include details of the hardware to be fitted to the frame to ensure the correct provisions are accommodated in the manufacture of your frames. These details will ideally provide a full dimensioned drawing of the hardware. If this is not provided, we may request a physical sample of the hardware which would require to be supplied at your cost.

While we take all care to ensure you are provided the manufactured products you require we do rely on the information you provide in terms of size and specification. 

Where we identify possible errors or omissions in information provided or if the frame profile ordered is not physically possible to manufacture we take care to discuss and resolve these issues with you prior to manufacture. If we make an error we rectify at our cost but if you make an error we can rectify but it would be at your cost.

No. The maximum clearance between the head of the door and the frame rebate is 3mm. For a lift off hinge to work you need a clearance equal to the throw of the lift off hinge which is generally 10mm to 15mm. This clearance is created by shortening the length of the door so there is a 10 to 15mm gap between the head of the door and the frame rebate and as such far exceeds the maximum allowable clearance for a fire door being 3mm.

Our standard hinge locations are show on our TDF Standard Hinge Locations Frames drawing. As a manufacturer we can however locate hinges at any location you specify but if you do not specify your hinge locations at the time of order our standard hinge locations are used.

For TVC Core fire doors, stud clips are not a tested and approved fixing method. If you require a fire rated frame in a plaster board wall we would recommend a strap fixed frame, a partition frame or a new generation frame profile which also provides a more secure connection between the frame and the wall.

 

Standard Fixing Methods for Plaster Board Walls

No. If you have a latch that requires a universal strike then yes, you will need a universal strike preparation.  If you have a different type of strike, example, or electric strike - you will need a strike preparation for the specific type of strike you are using or wish to install. If we do not have a standard preparation available, we will require a strike to be supplied and we will engineer a suitable provision to allow the fitting of the strike to the metal frame.

The short answer is no. There are standard size doors (i.e. the usual 2040 x 820 etc) but when it comes to frames, a world of variables come into play. The frame size changes based on the type of door (i.e. fire rated or non rated), the thickness of the door (i.e. 35mm, 37mm, 40mm, 45mm, 47mm) the type of wall you are fitting the frame into or on to, how you are going to fix the frame to the wall, the hardware you require, the handing of the door and the list goes on. Taylors Doors and Frames make all our frames to order to match the exact specification of the required installation. We do have pre designed frames for common wall types available to order online, but all our frames and doors are made to order.

Our lead times are generally maintained around 5 to 7 working days so unless the frame you want is listed on our current stock list then the frame will have to be made.

No. We manufacture all our frames in steel (zincanneal, galvabond and stainless steel).

No real easy answer here, sorry. We have a number of Pro Forma detail sheets which may assist you, and these are freely available via our downloads section. If you really don't know where to start, we suggest taking a little time to review our resource section which provides more detailed information about our products and their configurations based on various wall types. If you need assistance and don't have the time to go through the information we have available online, feel free to contact us and one of our technical sales staff will give you a hand to work out a suitable solution. If you want to discuss your requirements in person, feel free to drop by our NSW or QLD office at any time (during business hours) . If you are going to drop by, please make an appointment to see one of our staff to ensure they are available and have set aside the time to go through your requirements and provide you with options that you can consider.

Are you serious? (just kidding). Taylors Doors and Frames manufactures frames from three standard types of material - zincanneal, galvabond and stainless steel.  A full review of the different types of steel we use in the manufacture of our frames can be found under frame material in our resource section.

A frame profile is simply the cross sectional shape of the frame. The frame profile is the starting point when providing an estimate of cost for your frame as the profile determines the width of the material required in a flat section to enable the folded shape to be achieved with the dimension you require.

A metal door frame is generally a 3 or 4 sided housing to accomodate a door. As the name suggests this housing for the door is made of steel as opposed to a timber door frame.

A mullion is a section of frame running vertically from the bottom to the top of the frame and basically creates the provision for two doors within a single frame where both doors can be hinged and latched separately.

A standard frame has three sides being the lock side, hinge side and the hat (or head). The Sill is the term for the fourth side being a frame section welded to the bottom of the frame (same as the hat). These are generally seen in areas where the door leads to a service area or an area with a hob section to stop water (i.e. a pump room) and are not normally seen in high traffic areas as the sill could be considered a trip hazzard.

A transom is a section of frame running horizontally from one side to the other which creates a separate opening within the frame. These are commonly seen in areas where there is an excessive ceiling height so a standard size door is used and then a transom installed with a fixed panel above the door. Taylors Doors and Frames can manufacture a frame with a removable transom which is especially useful in areas where large equipment may need to be replaced during the life of a building but for normal every day use a smaller door is sufficient for personnel access and egress. The ability to remove the transom section and fixed panel provides a larger opening should equipment need to be replaced or relocated during the life of the building.

An FR profile is the Taylors Doors and Frames frame profile prefix for a frame to accomodate a mini fire door (i.e. 37mm thick fire door). An FRM profile is the Taylors Doors and Frames frame profile prefix for a frame to accomodate a maxi fire door (i.e. a 47mm thick fire door). The rebate size for an FR frame is 41mm x 25mm and the rebate size for an FRM frame is 51mm x 25mm.

Countersunk holes are just that, a countersunk provision in the face of the frame (generally in the centre of the stop section). Tube fixing is exactly the same as countersunk fixing except that a steel tube is welded to the back of the countersunk which provides a barrier if the frames are to be backfilled by preventing mortar running out of the countersunk hole through the frame. The other advantage of tube fixing is that the tube in essence provides a physical stop preventing the dyna fixing to be over tightened which can distort the frame.

Taylors Doors and Frames can provide provisions for many differnt types of hinges. The standard size hinges are 100 x 75 x 2.5 for doors with a thickness up to 40mm and 100 x 100 x 2.5 for doors with a thickness greater than 40mm. We have a photo of  custom hinge provision which may give you some understanding that we are not really limited to just rectangular hinges.

We have some photo's of a custom hinge provision we did recently for a customer which may give you some understanding that we are not really limited to just rectangular hinges.  If the hinge you want to use is a little different, all we need is a sample of the hinge and a day or two to get a sample worked out for you. If samples are required there may be a fee for the design and fabrication of the sample but we can discuss this with you if the need arises.