Door Hardware at Massive Athletics Complex Needs to Stand Up to Years of Use and Abuse

When facility managers at The Ohio State University (OSU), one of the nation's largest campuses, set out to build a new state-of-the-art Recreation and Physical Activity Center (RPAC), they undertook one of the largest, most complex college facility projects in the country. A facility this big has a lot of pedestrian traffic to manage. Ohio State's campus houses roughly 50,000 students. And the facility isn't exclusively for students: it's open to the public and faculty as well. This results in over 5,500 people using the facility everyday or nearly 300 per hour. When Ott, Inc. helped the project team develop a hardware schedule for the complex, it looked for components that balanced outstanding durability, accessibility and high aesthetic value. The university selected a variety of products from DORMA Architectural Hardware to meet the rigorous demands of the RPAC.

COLUMBUS (PRWEB) November 15, 2006 -- When facility managers at The Ohio State University (OSU), one of the nation's largest campuses, set out to build a new state-of-the-art Recreation and Physical Activity Center (RPAC), they undertook one of the largest, most complex college facility projects in the country.

"We're trying to create a new image of what a recreation center on a college campus can be," said Diane Jensen, associate director of recreational sports at Ohio State, in a news release announcing the project.

A facility this big has a lot of pedestrian traffic to manage. Ohio State's campus houses roughly 50,000 students. And the facility isn't exclusively for students: it's open to the public and faculty as well. This results in over 5,500 people using the facility everyday or nearly 300 per hour. When Ott, Inc. helped the project team develop a hardware schedule for the complex, it looked for components that balanced outstanding durability, accessibility and high aesthetic value. The university selected a variety of products from DORMA Architectural Hardware ( www.dorma.com/usa ) to meet the rigorous demands of the RPAC.

For example, DORMA's 9000 Series Exit Devices were a perfect fit for the building. Designed for high impact applications, the heavy-duty cast chassis provides superior durability, while the smooth, reduced projection touchbar assembly minimizes catch hazards to address safety concerns. Over 225 DORMA 9000 Series exit devices were used on exterior doors and high-traffic interior doors throughout the four-building complex. A standard finish was selected because it can hold up over long periods of time. DORMA is one of the few manufacturers that offer a true architectural grade finish standard rather than plating over inferior materials.

Considering the various environments and air flow patterns within the buildings, specifiers sought a durable door closer that offered spring power adjustment, which would allow opening and closing power to be customized at each entryway. For instance, doors separating the warm, moist air of the pool environments from cooler, drier areas require higher spring power levels to account for added air flow. DORMA's 8900 Series Surface Door Closers were an ideal solution. Featuring a full range spring power adjustment and backcheck, along with a narrow projection, full cover and flatform style arm, the 8900 Series closers delivered the perfect combination of durability, reliability and appearance. Over 600 DORMA 8900 Series closers were used on both exterior and interior doors at RPAC. The 8900 Series was selected with a heavy-duty parallel arm as well as a dead stop feature to stand up to the abuse of everyday use.

To meet barrier-free requirements, DORMA's ED800 Low-energy Power Operators were a cost-effective, natural fit. These operators are easy to maintain, an important factor for doors that are used by hundreds of people every day. DORMA's ED800 operators incorporate sophisticated microprocessor technology with field-proven door closers to provide accessibility for the physically challenged. The ED800 functions as a typical door closer until activated as a low-energy power operator. Eighteen ED800 Low-energy Power Operators were installed.

When completed, the massive complex will have four separate buildings: the main recreation area, two aquatics buildings and an academic building for the School of Physical Activity and Education Services.

RPAC, part of the main recreation area, features a large glass-enclosed atrium, overhead and underground walkways and a student wellness center. Other features of the main recreation area include a 25,000 square foot fitness conditioning space; two, four-court gyms; a four-lane jogging track; and 10 racquetball courts. Adventure Recreation Center, also part of the main recreation area, includes a climbing wall, a fitness/conditioning room, outdoor adventure center and a multi-activity court for indoor turf sports. The aquatic centers feature five swimming pools. The four-phase project is slated for a 2007 completion date.

For more information on DORMA Architectural Hardware and products visit www.dorma.com/usa

About DORMA Group North America

DORMA Group North America manufactures and markets a wide range of products for the architectural openings industry, with a particular focus on commercial and institutional openings. Part of The DORMA Group worldwide, DORMA Group North America comprises DORMA Architectural Hardware, DORMA Glas, Modernfold, DORMA Canada, DORMA Mexico, and DORMA Entrance Systems -- which markets products and services under the DORMA Automatics, Crane Revolving Door and Carolina Door Controls brands.

DORMA Group North America offerings include safety and security products, locks, door closers, exit devices, glass hardware and patch fittings, sliding and swinging automatic doors, revolving doors and operable partitions.

###