Q: Do you have a Lead Lined Access Panel for 1/4" thick lead? Can the KATR-LL handle 1/4" thick lead
A: I have spoken to the manufacturer who "believe they can do it" which causes me pause for concern. They have stated 1/16" & 1/8" lead is stocked but do not "see why" 1/4" is not possible. When I review this application I notice
if the factory had tried to apply ¼” lead lining to their Fire Rated Ceiling Access Panel, they would clearly see that #16 or 1/4" lead lead interferes with the mechanical function of the access door, and it will not open. The door opening mechanism would have to be modified…and therefore I do not see how the RDW or the KATR would work.
I asked the factory if thay have "actually" performed this applying of lead to the RDW door they stated:
Yes – we’ve applied lead to the RDW…not highly recommended …large void around the door panel lacking lead protection. However, they can do whatever they want. there is a grommet provided for each screwdriver latch.
To which I asked: How do you compensate for the area around the latching mechanism specifically and I see - there is a lead grommet that is going to fill over the hole that you will pop out and remove when you need to access the roof hatch.
is this a correct understanding?
The response was :
No – nothing covers the screwdriver latch. The grommet is a plastic ring that installs around the screwdriver latch to protect the drywall from damage (from the screwdriver) when opening and closing the panel. The grommet has nothing to do with the lead.
i then asked: When you apply the led to the door you have to make an accommodation for the screwdriver latch mechanism.
that inherently is a lack of lead protection.
is there any consideration given to this scenario from the factory when lead lining?
And the final "check mate" answer was:The screwdriver latch is a void in the lead protection
Having sold and literally manufactured lead lined wood doors in the past I have an understanding of the general concept.
I do not see how they can possibly market the material as lead lined when it is so blatantly not.
i'm sorry this has been an epic waste of time that the material is not properly manufacturered whatsoever.
Q: We would dog-house the lock as best we could, but it would possibly impede the access door opening. For years we have had this issue, and we solve it by building a hatch door that can be secured above the access door, so if the door is 24” x 24”, we would build a hatch door 30” x 30” , with a 3” overlap on all sides…
A: Right on -
Same way we would have hardware compensate for a hole drilled through a 3/0 x 7/0 lead lined door.
There is proper way to lead line an access panel without the accommodation you mention and would not tell you there is a way to proceed when that way is half a@@ as you were advised from SSS.
You will, in my opinion, need to continue to dog house.
Q: Yes, and in some rooms we have to order lead lined hardware, with that said we install what is designed. We do design, when contracted. But installing here in San Leandro since 1952 gives us some experience, in when, how, and why. . Thanks for your help. I do know that most hardware never want to say no, it cannot, it will not, or our product cannot do that, they skate around the subject. In this case for the Fire Resistive Access Door to work it would have to be re-designed. The cost to re-design and get the Fire Resistive label again is not chicken feed. And no supplier was willing to do that, but one. We run into this often, some folks and owners are less likely to believe us than others.. I just wish suppliers were more direct in their responses, and then again, they may not really know the answer. We will reach out you again in the future sometimes, thanks for the communications - photos here:
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