Door Latch

A cold room door latch is a safety device as much as a closure. Anyone inside a room must be able to get out even if the door has been locked or latched from outside, which is why the standard cold room fitting is a cam-lift safety latch with an internal release rather than a simple handle.

The range covers six models. HS-1188 is the cam-lift safety latch in high density ABS, with an installation height of 45 to 55 mm, weighing 1.9 kg and packed ten sets to a carton. HS-4000, HS-4100, HS-4200 and HS-1193 are the plastic-bodied latches in descending sizes - 0.72, 0.35, 0.2 and 0.2 kg - used on light doors and reach-in cabinets. HS-1199 is the cam-lift safety latch with a lock, available with or without the lock cylinder, at 2.5 kg.

The distinction that matters on site is between a latch that only holds the door and one that has an internal release. HS-1188 and HS-1199 are the safety items and belong on walk-in doors; the smaller latches are cabinet hardware.

Material choice follows the room: high density ABS is adequate for dry stores and light doors, and it does not corrode, but a heavy insulated door needs the larger body and the stronger strike.

Installation: set the strike so the door compresses the gasket slightly without forcing the latch, and check the internal release from inside the room with the door closed - that check takes ten seconds and should be done on every installation, because a latch that cannot be opened from inside is a trapped person waiting to happen.