Push Paddle Handles for Doors

[ewmon]

Here's a common push paddle handle for doors.

I see them everywhere. Why are they made of aluminum?

 

[imatfaal]

Is the locking mechanism often associated with them a magnetic locking system (or at least an electric system with chunky solenoids) that might end up with them permanently opened if the paddle was steel

[John Cuthber]

Because it's cheap.

[Appolinaria]

To give us Alzheimer's. It's a conspiracy.

[ewmon]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought of an answer that no one has brought up.

 

Okay, another clue: the makers of these handles also make them of bronze.

[insane_alien]

the onews in my work are made of stainless steel.

[John Cuthber]

"Okay, another clue: the makers of these handles also make them of bronze."

Actually, I rather doubt that. I suspect they are bronze coloured.

Bronze is rather expensive.

However, I note that they all seem to be made from non magnetic, but electrically conductive metals.

If it were not for the apparent "hinge pin", I'd wonder if they sensed touch electrically rather than mechanically.

[Cap'n Refsmmat]

If they only want you to open the door from one side, the aluminum makes it impossible to use a magnet to pull the handle from the other side.

[John Cuthber]

Assuming that's right it rules out steel and a few other materials (really few, about 4 elements of which 2 are seriously impractical).

So why isn't it glass or plastic or wood or ceramic or...?

Incidentally, I strongly suspect the spring in it is steel.

[ewmon]

the aluminum makes it impossible to use a magnet to pull the handle from the other side.

Bingo, Cap'n! That's what I concluded. I seem to see these handles only on exterior glass doors for businesses, not interior doors (which tend to use push bars, push panels, regular handles, etc). If they were steel, someone outside could place a powerful electromagnet near the paddle and zap it to activate it and open the otherwise locked door.

[John Cuthber]

You must have really sophisticated thieves. Ours would just break the door.

[michel123456]

Isn't it about emergency exit doors?

Edited November 11, 2011 by michel123456

[imatfaal]

Bingo, Cap'n! That's what I concluded. I seem to see these handles only on exterior glass doors for businesses, not interior doors (which tend to use push bars, push panels, regular handles, etc). If they were steel, someone outside could place a powerful electromagnet near the paddle and zap it to activate it and open the otherwise locked door.

 

Good thinking - not 100 pct convinced though. JC pretty much summed up what most thieves would do - if they weren't the clever sort who just dress smartly , catch the door when an occupant leaves, and strolls in as if he owns the place (which pretty soon he will!) Those sorts of releases that I know of are all associated with electric release (ie via video link from reception etc) and might well fail when placed under a strong electromagnet, additionally in a sophisticated locking mechanism it would be a piece of cake to install a doogit which would prevent release of latch when under a strong magnetic pull.

[John Cuthber]

Can I just glue a steel washer to the back of it please?

 

Seriously, do you have a magnet that would provide any significant force at that distance- say a couple of inches or more if the door is double glazed?

 

I just love the idea of the sales pitch.

 

"Hi, for a slightly higher price you can have the version that goes rusty."

"Sounds good to me, but wait a minute: won't that leave it vulnerable to a man with a huge magnet?"

"Damn!"

[michel123456]

Emergency doors have a mechanical release actioned by the push handle. The electromagnetic system is used for doors that are constantly open and automatically close in case of fire to create a fire compartment.

 

I suppose anodised aluminium is used because no paint is needed. Paint on handles gets scratched very quickly. You paint steel also, except stainless steel which is more than twice more expensive.

Another solution is chrome, but it gets oxydized quickly if the support is not good. A good support is brass but it is expensive too.

Edited November 11, 2011 by michel123456