TM 7-0814(draft)

Cycle-Slam Test
Test Method for Determining
the Physical Endurance of
Wood Doors & Associated
Hardware Connections under
Accelerated Operating
Conditions

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 WINDOW & DOOR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATON
WDMA T.M. 7-20082014(draft)
TEST METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE PHYSICAL ENDURANCE
OF WOOD DOORS & ASSOCIATED HARDWARE CONNECTIONS
UNDER ACCELERATED OPERATING CONDITIONS

Published By

Window and Door Manufacturers Association

330 N. Wabash Avenue, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60611
2025 M Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036 ® Copyright 20082014
Editorial edits September 2009

No part of this publication shall be reproduced in any form, in an electronic retrieval system or otherwise,
without the prior written permission of the publisher.

1. SCOPE

The purpose of this test method is to test the performance of a wood door as it swings in its
opening. The test is designed to accelerate the actual operating conditions.

2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

2.1. ANSI/BHMA A156.l-20062013, American National Standard for Butts & Hinges

2.2. ANSI/BHMA A156.4-20002013, American National Standard for Door Controls –

Closers

2.3. DHI-WDHS-3, Recommended Hardware Locations for Architectural Hardware for

Wood Flush Doors (19961993)

3. SIGNIFICANCE AND USE

This test method will not determine the useful life of doors in service as a result of the data
obtained during this test. It will however, indicate what the effects of hard impacts upon closing
(slamming) and cycling will be on the door and door hardware connections. It will provide useful
data for designers, specifiers, and manufacturers in making judgments on the ability of the door
assembly to maintain serviceability under actual operating conditions.

4. APPARATUS

4.1. The main testing apparatus shall be constructed as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The test
frame or buck must be constructed of steel I beams or steel channel or material of
comparable rigidity. The test frame must be welded to the base and supported by two
(2) or more steel members welded at the base and at the frame. The apparatus shall
conform to the parts shown in Figures 1 and 2, except that the opening height and
width may vary to allow the testing of various door sizes. The base shall be heavy

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 enough to insure the stability of the testing structure. The apparatus shall be
sufficiently rigid to prevent frame deflection during cycling

4.2. A steel crossbar fitted with end brackets that attach with through bolts within 4
inches [102 mm] of the door edges shall be mounted on the test door. The height of
the crossbar shall be 40 inches ± 2 inches [1016 mm ± 51 mm] from the bottom of the
door.

4.3. Operating Hardware: A door opener, such as an air cylinder with push rod, shall be
positioned to apply pressure on the crossbar mounted on the door at a 65 degree angle
to the plane of the door in a closed position. The actual contact point shall be within
the middle third of the crossbar and shall be set to push the door open to a 45 ± 5
degree angle, then retract to allow the closer to bring the door back to its original
closed position.

4.4. The door closer shall be a regular commercial grade device conforming to Grade 1 of
the latest revision of Section 2.2, of a size recommended by the closer manufacturer
for the size of the test door. The closer shall be applied to the door and frame with the
fasteners normally used in the field and in the location recommended by the closer
manufacturer. The operating hardware shall be capable of achieving 24 ± 3 cycles per
minute when testing the door leaf. The latching speed mode of the closer shall be
disengaged prior to testing to ensure an uncushioned impact.

4.5. The door stop shall be 0.625”± 0.125” [15.9 mm ± 3.2 mm] high and extend the full
height of the frame along the strike leg. The stop shall be constructed of steel and
attached so that it is flush with (and parallel to) the entire length of the door and
leading door edge (lock stile). See Figure 2.

5. TEST SPECIMEN

5.1. The tests shall be conducted on a nominal 3'0" x 7'0" pre-fit door (35.75” x 83.375”
[908 mm x 2118 mm] with 0.125” +0”/-0.0625” [3.2 mm +0 mm/ -1.6 mm] clearance
of vertical edge and top edge), and shall be described completely in Section 9.
Hardware locations shall be used in accordance to Section 2.3.

5.2. Hinges used on the test specimen shall meet or exceed Grade 1 of the latest revision
of Section 2.1. Hinges shall be mortised properly into door edge and attached with
appropriate

6. CONDITIONING

The test specimen shall be conditioned to equilibrium moisture content at 75 degrees ± 10

degrees F [24 degrees ± 6 degrees C] and 50% ± 5% RH.

7. PROCEDURE

7.1. The specimen shall be securely mounted to the test frame in strict accordance with the
door manufacturer’s installation instructions.

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 7.2. The specimen shall be tested until failure occurs (as defined in Section 8) or to a pre-
determined number of cycles. A cycle consists of one opening and closing of the door
with associated dwell times (see Figure 2).

7.2.1. The test door shall be inspected at least every 25,000 cycles in the first 100,000
cycles and then checked at regular intervals, as required.

7.2.2. A record of the condition of the door and associated cycle count shall be made at
each inspection (see Section 8).

7.2.3. Perform necessary maintenance on the door operator and associated hardware.
 Tighten and lubricate hinges as necessary.
 Replace broken screws which have failed for reasons other than door
construction (See Section 8).

7.3. The specimen shall be tested at a rate of 24 ± 3 cycles per minute when testing the
door leaf. The speed used to open and close the door shall be equal and dwell times
kept to a minimum (see Figure 2).

8. TEST RESULT

Test specimen failure occurs if one of the following conditions has been noted:
 The door becomes inoperable.
 The test specimen is unable to continue cycling.
 The door/hardware connections fail. This mode of failure must be a direct result of the
door construction and not the result of a hardware failure. Door/hardware connections
refer to screws, through-bolts or other connectors used to attach the hardware to the door.
 Any structural integrity failure of the door.

9. TEST REPORT

Report results on test report form attached. The test report shall include the following:
 Full description of sample.
 Full description of hinges, closer, attachment screws, and other hardware used during the
test, including any deviations from the apparatus and equipment described in Section 3.
 Comments and statements as to the condition of the door and hardware, including the
conditions of:
oThe hinges, closer and attachment hardware.
oThe stiles, rails, and face panels and core material of the door.
 The condition of the adhesive bond in the door construction.
 Hinge to door attachment.
 Number of cycles completed and reason for stopping the test.
 A complete description of the door failure with photograph(s) optional.
 Date(s) of test.
 Name and identification of testing organization.
 Photograph of test device with the specimen installed.

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 4” [102
1” x mm]
5” [25CHANNEL
mm x 127FRAME
mm] LONG
AND
HEADROLLER
-- APPLIED STOP AT STRIKING
JAMB ONLY

WDMA TM-7 CYCLE SLAM TEST

WDMA TM-7 CYCLE SLAM TEST REPORT

DETAIL "A"
TYPICAL PUSHER APPARATUS
Name & Identification of
Testing Organization:
Reported by:
(SIDE VIEW)
Test Start Date:
Test End Date:
Cycles Completed w/o CYLINDER
Failure:

1. Door Construction
SHOWN AS 1-1/2" x 5"
NYLON ROLLER

Door dimensions
Hinge edge
Stile edge FIGURE 1
Top rail TYPICAL APPARATUS
Bottom rail
Core
Blocking
Facing
Special Features

CLOSURE (TOP VIEW) DETAIL "B"

2. Hardware
LATCH EDGE DETAIL
Hinge (size , quantity,
screws) 45°
FRAME
PUSHBAR
Closure (model and
method of attachment)
OPEN POSITION
0.63"±0.13"
Lites (quantity, size, [15.8mm±3.2mm]
HIGH STOP
glazing, method of
installation)
Other
0.13” +0.00 / -0.06”
[3.2mm +0.0mm / -1.6mm]
FIGURE 2 CLEARANCE
DOOR
NOMINAL CYCLE (see attached form)
3. Observations (SHOWN BEVELED AND
IN CLOSED POSITION)

4. Results
1 CYCLE
Cycles completed
Reason the test was stopped
DWELL

DWELL

DWELL

DWELL

DOOR of failures
Description DOOR DOOR DOOR
OPENING CLOSING OPENING CLOSING

0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0

TIME (SEC)
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 WDMA TM-7 CYCLE SLAM TEST REPORT

CYCLE REPORTED
DATE OBSERVATIONS
COUNT BY

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