Guide resource
Glass Doors explains a decision that can materially affect security, safety and administration. Use it to prepare for a site assessment, then have the final design checked against the building, door and operational requirements.
Identify the glass assembly before selecting a lock
“Glass door” can mean a frameless pivot door, a patch-fitted double door, a glazed aluminium shopfront or a framed door with a glass vision panel. Photograph the head, floor pivot, meeting stiles, top and bottom rails, handles and any existing patch fittings. Measure clearances only after confirming how the door settles when closed.
Do not drill, clamp or bond hardware to glass until the glass type, manufacturer limitations and fitting method are known. Toughened glass cannot be treated like a timber leaf, and an apparently minor hardware change may require a glazier or door specialist.
Choose locking around the actual frame and traffic
A framed glazed door may accept an electric strike or mortice solution when its latch and frame are suitable. Frameless assemblies often require purpose-designed patch locks, drop bolts or a carefully engineered electromagnetic arrangement. Double doors introduce sequencing, alignment and inactive-leaf questions.
For a public entrance, also examine door weight, closer action, accessibility, release method and the consequence of a queue. A visually neat lock that leaves the door difficult to open or unreliable to close is not a successful access-control design.
Look for movement, misalignment and unsafe improvisation
- Floor pivots or closers allow the leaf to stop short of the secure position.
- Patch fittings move over time and the bolt no longer enters cleanly.
- A magnetic lock is installed without a suitable release and egress design.
- Cables are exposed across moving glass or routed through unsupported adhesive trunking.
- Door furniture clashes with the reader, lock or request-to-exit device.
Commission the complete glass entrance
Test normal entry, denied access, exit, power loss and emergency release as applicable. Cycle the door repeatedly from different opening angles and confirm that it closes, aligns, locks and reports its position without a person lifting or pushing the leaf into place.
Handover records should identify the glass/door contractor, lock and bracket models, approved fixing method, release arrangement and adjustments that must not be altered without retesting.
Glass Doors questions
What decision should the glass doors guide support?
For Glass Doors, use it to record the relevant door, user, administration and failure requirements before equipment is selected. It is a planning aid, not a universal compliance certificate.
Does the glass doors guidance apply to every opening?
For Glass Doors, no. Door construction, traffic, egress, fire significance, accessibility, environment and other building systems can change the appropriate design.
What site information is needed for glass doors?
For Glass Doors, provide numbered doors, photographs or plans, user groups, operating hours, credential preferences, interfaces, known building constraints and expected changes.
Who should review a decision based on glass doors?
For Glass Doors, the client and security designer should review it, with IT, building, fire, electrical, privacy or specialist contractors involved where their responsibilities are affected.
What should be tested after applying glass doors?
For Glass Doors, test authorised and denied use, normal exit, physical closure, monitoring, relevant power or communications conditions and any integration from original event to operator outcome.
Discuss your access-control requirements
Share the door locations, approximate user numbers, site plans or photos, integrations and expected growth. Serious Security can prepare an itemised proposal after the requirements and site conditions are assessed.
Request an itemised access-control quote Sydney: (02) 8734 3250 Melbourne: (03) 8513 0799
