The Maintenance of Armoured Doors: 4 operations to do

Do small maintenance operations on armoured door is essential to take the most of its potential, to keep the safety level unaltered and extend the service life as long as possible.

The cost of security doors is very variable, depending on the model and safety devices required, but it always represents an investment to be faced for our safety and to protect our loved ones. So, we do our best to take care of it and make it last as long as possible. How? Here is what we must consider in the maintenance of armoured doors.

First of all, it should be remembered that the security door is a complex security system, composed of various elements, which can be more or less delicate, carry out different roles and request specific attention. 

Keeping everything clear and fully functional not only serves to protect the economic investment, but is also essential to ensure that the level of security door is not compromised.

The Maintenance of Armoured Doors, here is what to check

Regarding the ordinary maintenance of armoured doors, the aspects to be checked at least a couple of times a year are:

  1. Frame and structure cladding
  2. Hinges
  3. Seals
  4. Lock

 

1. FRAME AND STRUCTURE CLADDING

Depending on the material you have chosen for the structure cladding of the armoured door, you will have to put in place different precautions. A natural wood coating, for example, will need to be looked after more often and more accurately than a metal panel or synthetic material and will be more suitable for an indoor. As for the frame let’s make sure it’s clean, free of dust and foreign bodies that could affect and limit the movements of the door.

Remember that it is generally good to avoid products that are too aggressive, it is better to orient yourself on the classic wet cloth with neutral detergent free of ammonia and solvents (not grainy), while for glass inserts denatured alcohol, so you can clean the armoured door without compromising materials and functionality.

The correct procedure for the maintenance of wooden panels is as follows: 

  • Before going forward with cleaning, dust the surfaces with wet and soft sponges so any deposited substances are removed to avoid their abrasive action in the rub (for example sand or dust deposited by rain)
  • Cleaning with water and little neutral detergent free of ammonia, solvents and that is not grainy;
  • Rinse with a damp sponge or soft cloth without exerting strong pressure on the surface;
  • The panel can be revived by using common beeswax (without solvents) by sticking to the indications and applying the minimum doses of recommended product as excessive use can irreparably ruin the surface of the panels treated.

For the maintenance of panels made from special materials such as corten, waxed black steel panel, burnished brass, etc. – it is advisable to display the indications on the product maintenance booklet and, if there is no information, contact the manufacturer to find out the correct procedure and the right products to use.

2. HINGES

The hinges (which we have discussed in these articles: article 1 and article 2) are the most important components to consider in the maintenance of armoured doors because they have to support continuously their weight and stresses. They also have to ensure a fluid effortlessly movement.

It is necessary to check that the door is always straight and that there is no friction between it and the floor or other places. If we start to notice signs of the ground or if it seems that operating the armoured door requires a force greater than usual, so you have to check the hinges and possibly lubricate or make them record.

 

3. SEALS

The seals are those profiles that coat the entire perimeter of the armoured door and serve to ensure the optimal closure and perfect insulation. They are usually made of rubber and plastics, so it is physiological that over time they can be worn out. Firs off all, it is good to check that the seals are perfectly in place and use special silicone sprays to revive and renew efficiency when we do the maintenance of armoured doors, but in the most extreme cases it is inevitable to them.

For the application of the silicone spray we recommended that you first clean the surfaces from the dust and then spray the product on a dry cloth with which you will rub all the seals of the armoured door, so you will avoid to stain the more delicate areas.

If you notice any unusual leaks or infiltration please contact a technician in a timely manner. 

Otherwise, every 6 months or so, you can do the so-called: “Sheet of paper test”: put a sheet on one side of the armoured door, close it and then try to take it off, if it resists it means that the seals still perform their task. Otherwise, you will have to rekindle or replace them.4. SERRATURA

 

4. LOCK

The lock of an armoured door is certainly the most delicate and sophisticated. When its operation seems compromised, or maybe we have the impression that the key no longer flows perfectly, the first instinct is to use a lubricant: don’t do it!

Although it may look the best, it really isn’t. For the delicate gears of the lock, the presence of oil can be harmful, especially because it attracts dust and foreign corpuscles that can attach to surfaces and create accumulations that are difficult to remove, it is also not recommended to use graphite powder as it conducts electricity  and, in the case of an electromechanical lock, there is a risk of burning the circuits.

The only parts of a lock that can be lubricated with the common lubricant (for example WD40) are the bolts and diverters. Be carful to use it in the right quantities and not to exceed.

If the lock appears compromised and or struggles in normal functioning after this operation it is advisable to contact a specialist technician.

Also, keep in mind that in some cases the lock of the armoured door can be extremely complex and not accessible from the outside. This certainly guarantees a high level of safety, but implies that even a simple operation such as maintenance must be carried out by a specialized technician.

So, on the locks is always better to avoid the do-it-yourself!

In conclusion, we say that small attentions are enough to carry out effective maintenance of armoured doors. The important thing is to follow the indications that will be given to you at the time of purchase. Don’t try to intervene on the lock because it is a very complex mechanism, so confide in knowledge of the specialist technicians.