Key takeaways
- For aluminum frames the sheet says to router cut following the jig; for hollow metal frames, to cut with a jigsaw.
- HES 8000 Series No-Cut strikes need no cutting on the frame, and surface-mounted rim strikes need no alteration of the frame.
- A no-cut strike still expects a plumb, square frame and a door gap of at least 1/8 inch.
- Converting the HES 8300 to fail safe negates its fire rating, so fire-rated frames go to the authority having jurisdiction first.
Frame
What changes with the frame material?
Hollow metal
RCI's frame prep jig instructions have the installer trace the cutout outline onto the frame, remove the jig, and cut on the inside of the traced line with a jigsaw. The same sheet says to file the corners of the cutout to suit a square faceplate.
Wood
Von Duprin's installation sheet says to pilot drill for #12 wood screws. HES lists its 504 faceplate under wood frame installations. HES also describes its 8000 Series as suited to aluminum, wood and hollow metal applications.
Cutouts
How do templates and jigs set the cutout?
HES instructions say to prepare the frame using the appropriate template for the faceplate being installed.
For aluminum frames, the 4 and 7 Series frame-prep sheet says to drill and tap for #12 screws. Trine's 4850 uses the supplied spacer as a template to mark the two mounting holes and the wire exit hole.
Von Duprin's sheet says to test fit the strike to ensure full latch engagement. Von Duprin's 6300 sheet says to test fit the strike to ensure full latch engagement and to add the provided spacer if required.
| Sheet | Frame | Preparation method named |
|---|---|---|
| RCI IS4/7JIG | Aluminum | Router cut following the jig; drill and tap for #12 screws |
| RCI IS4/7JIG | Hollow metal | Trace the outline, cut inside it with a jigsaw, file corners square |
| Von Duprin 6211WF | Wood | Pilot drill for #12 wood screws |
| Von Duprin 6211AL | Aluminum | Cutout corners drawn at 3/16-inch radius |
| Trine 4850 | Surface mount | Supplied spacer used as the template for mounting and wire holes |
No-cut options
When can the frame stay uncut?
HES says no cutting on the frame is required for its 8000 Series No-Cut strikes, and surface-mounted rim strikes need no cutting either.
The HES 8000 and 8300 are designed to work with an unmodified, plumb and square door frame.
Von Duprin describes the 6300 as a surface mounted strike for rim exit devices that requires no alteration or cutting to the existing frame. Its instructions say maximum latch projection is essential to obtaining full holding force. Trine's 4850 is also a surface mounted strike, and Trine warns that installing it on an uneven surface can cause problems with the internal mechanism.
An aluminum frame with a blade stop needs an added part.
Fit
What is checked before the strike is wired?
One Allegion instruction sheet says to make sure clearance between latch bolt and strike lip is 1/32 inch.
Fire and egress
What changes on a fire-rated frame or exit-device opening?
On a labeled frame, the authority having jurisdiction decides what is acceptable, so ask before any strike is cut into or mounted on it.
HES states that the 8300 fire rating applies to fail-secure units and that conversion to fail safe negates it. Von Duprin lists the 6300 as UL 10C 3-hour fire-rated, fail secure only.
For fail-secure installations of the 6300, Von Duprin says the local authority having jurisdiction shall be consulted about the selected panic hardware to ensure emergency exit from the secured area. Exit-device, maglock, request-to-exit and automatic-operator hardware on the opening is also a question for the authority having jurisdiction.
FAQ
Electric strike installation questions
Does installing an electric strike mean cutting the frame?
Not with a no-cut or surface-mounted model. HES says no cutting on the frame is required for its 8000 Series, and Von Duprin says the 6300 requires no alteration or cutting to the existing frame. Cut-in models follow the manufacturer's template or jig for the frame material.
Can the same strike go into aluminum, wood and hollow metal frames?
HES describes its 8000 Series as suited to aluminum, wood and hollow metal applications.
Does converting a strike to fail safe affect a fire rating?
Yes on the HES 8300, where HES states that conversion to fail safe negates the fire rating. The Von Duprin 6300 is listed fail secure only for its UL 10C rating. Ask the authority having jurisdiction before changing any strike on a labeled opening.
Sources and further reading
These sources back up the general guidance. Your building and the people who approve the work decide the details for your doors.
- HES (ASSA ABLOY): 8000 | 8300 Series Installation Instructions
- HES (ASSA ABLOY): 8000 Series No-Cut Electric Strikes
- HES (ASSA ABLOY): 9400-9800 Series Installation Instructions
- Folger Adam (ASSA ABLOY): 310-4 and 310-4S Installation Instructions
- Von Duprin (Allegion): 6300 Surface Mounted Rim Strike Installation Instructions
- Von Duprin (Allegion): 6300 Electric Strike Data Sheet
- Von Duprin (Allegion): 6211 Installation Instructions
- Von Duprin (Allegion): 6211AL Aluminum Frame Installation Instructions
- Von Duprin (Allegion): 6211WF Wood Frame Installation Instructions
- Trine (Detex): 4850 Instruction Sheet
- RCI (dormakaba): 4 and 7 Series Frame Prep Jig Instructions (IS4/7JIG)
- Adams Rite (ASSA ABLOY): 7100 and 7101 Electric Strike Data Sheet
- HES (ASSA ABLOY): 5000 | 5300 Series Assembly Instructions