THREAD LOCKING AGENTS
Why no heavy door hardware
should be installed without it
By Michael Panish
Door Expert Witness & Consultant
Download PDF of this article here
Thread lock is a chemical product that was originally developed by an American
sealant company in the early 1950’s. Patents for this type of product
are found as early as 1960.
The goal of every competent professional door installer and door service
provider is to perform their duties in an efficient and cost-effective
manner. Solving issues on an immediate basis, with no need for repeated
costly call backs makes the most financial sense for all parties. A professional
door contractor must recognize and understand every possibility for product
failure, component detachment and abuse that all doors and their hardware
must endure.
As a door and door hardware consultant and expert witness, I provide information
to product manufacturers and multinational conglomerates that are involved
in product development. I assist and provide advice regarding installation
instructions, teach installers appropriate methods, and offer expert opinions
in defense of claims alleged to have been made as a result of some aspect
of injury from their products.
I have been working in the door and hardware field providing services as
a commercial contractor since the mid 1970’s. Prior to that, I was
involved with numerous antique automotive engine restoration projects
where I first became aware of the uses and benefits of thread locking
agents. In addition to deformed bolts, locking nuts, split ring, and star
washers, chemical thread locking agents were used to chemically bind bolt
components to various moving parts and created an even more stable and
secure method of attachment than simple torquing of bolts. Prior to the
use of thread locking chemicals, nuts and bolts using conventional attachment
methods could and would become loose and cause failure of significant
components due to their disconnection in critical areas. Early engine
components relied upon the use of cotter keys and castle nuts to restrict
the movement of critical connection points. Some hardware and engine components
cannot be properly secured without the use of a thread locking agent.
As a professional door, lock, and security equipment contractor, I made
a conscious decision to provide premium installation services for all
of my clients. I took every precaution to follow manufacturer’s
instructions, train my service providers in the most recent methods and
industry practices and institute a “no-call back policy” which
meant that there was a company financial incentive for my employees to
get the job done correctly on the first pass, rather than making repeated
attempts to correct improper or substandard trade practices.
Due to the level of installation proficiency attained by my company policies,
there are still thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands of hardware products
in place and functional to this day. My company has provided quarterly
inspections, maintenance, and new installations for ADA (American with
Disabilities Act) and NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) life
safety oversight for over 35 years. My company has been recognized as
a soul source installer that provides unparalleled service and quality
workmanship that is expensive but worthwhile.
One of the basic installation objectives of all competent service providers
is to not have to expense a return unpaid trip to a customer site. Taking
all precautions necessary to avoid return trips due to some loose or failed
attachment of a component on a door is good business and makes for a more
profitable business with satisfied customers that will continue to call
for future projects.
As a result of encountering thread lock chemicals being used on engine
rebuilds, I decided to include the use of this product on every hardware
installation with which I was involved. Whether or not the product manufacturer
recognized the importance of the locking agent, I chose to use the product
whenever there was a potential to improve the security of the installation
hardware. From the beginning of my construction career, all door closers,
magnetic locks, panic devices or any heavy components have been routinely
installed using thread locking agents.
I have used and encountered several brands and different viscosities of
the liquid that all seem effective and durable. Due to the type of connections
required or the type of materials, there are different chemical colors
needed. In general, thread lock comes in three or four colors which indicate
the bonding strength, whether or not the attachment is permanent or removable
with typical hand tools, and if it requires preparing primers, debonding
agents or heat for removal.
Due to industry awareness for safety concerns regarding heavy component
installations, many hardware manufacturers began including small bottles
of removable thread lock with specific hardware products. Recognizing
that some service providers do not have the awareness or understanding
that all heavy components need to be as safe as possible, some manufacturers
have chosen to coat their attachment bolts at the factory to ensure that
the thread locking agent is used when the product is installed. Thread
lock agents are a valuable, inexpensive, and easily included part of all
hardware installations that ensure product security, added safety for
users, and peace of mind for the installation contractor.
As a door and lock expert witness, I am continually involved in heavy door
hardware detachment injury claims. Most frequently, magnetic lock components
disconnect, or door closer parts have fallen, creating traumatic personal
injuries. Sliding barn door hardware has failed as a result of substandard
installation practices. In most cases, the lack of proper installation
of components including thread locking agents, missing hardware elements,
and inappropriate maintenance was the cause of these injury claims.
Some door and lock contractors or installers are simply not competent to
perform the installation of heavy door hardware components. Their lack
of basic understanding of the products they are tasked to install create
numerous injury claims. Building managers and their staff fail to properly
inspect overhead door hardware on a routine basis and do not possess the
knowledge to identify defectively attached existing hardware.
If the original installation of any hardware includes the use of a thread
locking agent, if properly used, the chance of errant disconnection is
significantly lessened. Maintenance of all hardware is essential and required.
In some cases, the fact that a thread lock agent was part of the original
installation has saved people from the threat of a heavy falling hardware
component. As an actual real-world example in numerous existing locations,
I have observed overhead door closer installations where two bolts were
thread locked and two were not. The two without the locking agent were
found to be loose upon my inspection, and the other two that remained
tight had been coated with a thread locking agent. This repeated observation
of defective attachment conditions confirmed my opinion that using a thread
locking agent is invaluable in increasing the safety of any piece of hardware
between inspections.
I am not representing any thread lock manufacturer and do not have any
interest in the financial gains or losses of any company that produces
these types of products. This article is to attempt to promote general
public safety and increase installer awareness that by taking advantage
of an inexpensive product you, as the installer, can clearly state that
you took all measures necessary to ensure that the hardware you installed
was attached in as safe a manner as was possible at the time your work
was performed.
Michael Panish is the nation’s leading expert witness for doors and
door hardware of every type. He has been involved in numerous types of
legal cases that pertain to injuries related to door hardware failures
and disconnections. He has authored articles pertaining to installation
safety and contractor obligations as well as a multitude of other personal
injury articles relating to door injuries, which are available on his website www.constructionwitness.com. Mr. Panish provides his expert services equally for plaintiff and defense
and is available for nationwide consultation and expert testimony and
has been retained on over 1750 legal cases to date. Mr. Panish can be
reached at (888) 902-4272 (ask for Sharon), www.ConstructionWitness.com.