Allegion Services Group: Best Practices | Coordinating Scopes

Have you ever been hit with a hefty change order related to the openings on your project? This is often caused by incomplete or improper coordination between trades. This page will provide some tips on how to prevent these issues from arising.

Keying

• Building owners prefer to have all openings on a single key system.
• In today's world, openings have become more complex and are often divided among different suppliers. For example, one vendor may supply hardware for hollow metal doors, while another vendor provides hardware for wood doors, aluminum storefronts, or glass demountable partitions. This results in multiple vendors supplying their "own" cylinders and cores, which can be frustrating for the owner.
• It is recommended to have a single vendor provide all cylinders and cores. Usually, this is the vendor responsible for the majority of the hardware on the project. Even if the door and hardware are not within their scope, it is important to ensure that the cylinder, core, and keying are coordinated with them. Simply identify which doors will have locking capabilities and specify the locking components, so the supplier can provide the appropriate products.
• Specifications typically include language that requires a keying meeting in Part 1 of section 087100. This meeting brings together all relevant trades to coordinate and avoid any keying issues. Make sure this meeting is held with the appropriate parties before approving submittals.

Wiring Elevations

• Ensure that wiring elevations are included in someone's scope, typically the security consultant.
• These elevations should visually show all electrified components on and around the opening, along with their connections and operational descriptions.
• Each product should be specified in one place to avoid issues later. For instance, both the security consultant and hardware consultant may specify a power supply, resulting in two being installed on-site. Similarly, they may assume the other is specifying a door contact, leading to none being installed on site.
• Refer to the image below, which takes an added step by color coding the components in each contractor's scope.
• Typically, specifications require an electrified hardware coordination meeting in part 1 of 087100 to coordinate all trades and prevent these issues. Ensure that the meeting is held with the appropriate parties before approving submittals, and have your consultants review the shop drawings to ensure that the openings are prepared according to the wiring elevations.

Design & Function

• Without input from the architect and owner, a building will end up with opening solutions dictated by the assumptions that the hardware specifier makes.
• Be sure to point out any areas of the project requiring a specific aesthetic, concealed hardware, door pull, etc.
• Door hardware reviews with ownership are highly encouraged to ensure openings will function as desired and not have to be changed later. This is especially critical when it comes to school security and lockdown scenarios, as there are so many solutions that can be designed.