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HANDLE INSPECTION
INSPECTING THE HANDLES ON WATERTIGHT CLOSURES CAN REVEAL PROBLEMS THAT MAKE A FIXTURE INOPERABLE. IN MOST CASES, A QUICK BUT CAREFUL CHECK WILL TELL YOU ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW.
QUICK ACTING DOORS
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WORK THE HANDLE THROUGH ITS FULL CYCLE. THERE ARE A FEW POSSIBLE CAUSES OF BINDING IN THE MECHANISM. CHECK THE HANDLE NUTS; IF THEY ARE TOO TIGHT THE HANDLE WILL NOT OPERATE FREELY. ALSO CHECK TO SEE THAT ALL THE DOGS ARE PROPERLY ADJUSTED.
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IF A QUICK ACTING DOOR HANDLE MUST BE RAISED IN ORDER TO CLOSE THE DOOR, EITHER THE HINGE PINS ARE WORN OR THE HOLES IN THE HINGE PAD HAVE BECOME ENLARGED.
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IF A DOOR WILL NOT OPERATE FROM THE INSIDE, IT IS LIKELY THAT THE HANDLE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE IS SLIPPING ON ITS SPINDLE OR HAS FALLEN. SLIPPAGE INDICATES EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE FLATS OR SPLINES OF THE SPINDLE WHERE THEY ENGAGE THE HOLE IN THE HANDLE.
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THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE HANDLES SHOULD LINE UP. IF THEY DO NOT, THEY CAN OBSTRUCT THE FREE MOVEMENT OF THE DOOR AND THEY MUST BE REPAIRED.
INDIVIDUALLY DOGGED DOORS
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WORK EACH HANDLE THROUGH ITS FULL CYCLE. IF A HANDLE DOES NOT MOVE FREELY, DISASSEMBLE IT AND LUBRICATE IT.
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PAY ATTENTION TO THE TYPE OF BUSHING USED ON THE DOGGING MECHANISM. SOME MECHANISMS REQUIRE STRING AND STICK PACKING WHILE OTHERS ARE SELF-LUBRICATING.
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