ANSI/SDI A250.

6-2024
Revision of ANSI/SDI A250.6-2020

Recommended Practice for

Hardware Reinforcing
on Standard Steel Doors and Frames
ANSI/SDI A250.6-2024

SPONSOR
Steel Door Institute
Approved October 17, 2024
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 ANSI/SDI
A250.6-2024
Revision of ANSI/SDI A250.6-2020

American National Standard

Recommended Practice
for Hardware Reinforcing
on Standard Steel Doors and Frames

Secretariat
Steel Door Institute

Approved October 17, 2024

American National Standards Institute, Inc.
This page left intentionally blank.
American Approval of an American National Standard requires verification by ANSl
that the requirements for due process, consensus, and other criteria for
National approval have been met by the standards developer.

Standard Consensus is established when, in the judgement of the ANSl Board of

Standards Review, substantial agreement has been reached by directly
and materially affected interests. Substantial agreement means much more
than a simple majority, but not necessarily unanimity. Consensus requires
that all views and objections be considered, and that a concerted effort be
made toward their resolution.
The use of American National Standards is completely voluntary; their
existence does not in any respect preclude anyone, whether they have ap-
proved the standards or not, from manufacturing, marketing, purchasing, or
using products, processes, or procedures not conforming to the standards.
The American National Standards Institute does not develop standards and
will in no circumstances give any interpretation of any American National
Standard. Moreover, no person shall have the right or authority to issue
an interpretation of an American National Standard in the name of the
American National Standards Institute. Requests for interpretations should
be addressed to the secretariat or sponsor whose name appears on the
title page of this standard.
CAUTION NOTICE: This American National Standard may be revised or
withdrawn at any time. The procedures of the American National Standards
Institute require that action be taken periodically to reaffirm, revise, or
withdraw this standard. Purchasers of American National Standards may
receive current information on all standards by calling or writing the Ameri-
can National Standards Institute.

Published by

Steel Door Institute

30200 Detroit Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44145-1967

Copyright © 2024 by Steel Door Institute

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any

form, in an electronic retrieval system or otherwise,
without prior written permission of the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America

ANSI/SDI A250.6-2024
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Contents
Page
Foreword.. ............................................................................................ ii
1 
G eneral........................................................................................1
1.1 
Purpose. . ......................................................................................1
1.2 
S cope. . .........................................................................................1
1.3 
Reinforcing Methods.....................................................................1
2 
Reference Documents. . .................................................................1
3 
Recommended Reinforcing Thickness...........................................1
4 Recommended Application of Hardware........................................3
4.1 Mortised Hardware.......................................................................3
4.2 
Field Drilling and Tapping.............................................................3
4.3 Thru-Bolting. . ................................................................................3
4.4 Sheet Metal Screws......................................................................4
5 
Continuous Hinges.. ......................................................................4

Tables
1 Minimum Hardware Reinforcing Thickness. . ...................................2
2 #10-24 thread...............................................................................4
3 #12-24 thread...............................................................................4
4 Tap drills and clearance drills for machine screws
with American National Thread form.............................................5

Figures
1 Examples of equivalent reinforcing methods. . ................................1
2 Full #12-24 threads. . .....................................................................2
3 Extrusion to create (3) full threads of #12-24................................2
4 Maintain a minimum of 65% of full thread.....................................3
5 Full thread shall not fall below 65%..............................................3
6 Proper thru-bolting........................................................................4
7 Improper thru-bolting....................................................................4

Appendices
A Conclusion.. ..................................................................................6
B Bibliography. . ................................................................................7

i
Foreword (This Foreword is not part of American National Standard A250.6-2024)

The first edition of this standard was developed under the auspices of the
Technical Committee of the Steel Door Institute and published in 1978 as
SDI-107 Hardware on Steel Doors (Reinforcement – Application). In 1994,
the word “standard” was added to the document’s title and the decision was
made to promulgate SDI-107 as an American National Standard. A250.6
was officially approved by the American National Standards Institute on Oc-
tober 22, 1997. Substantive changes between SDI-107 and the revised and
redesignated A250.6-1997 Hardware on Standard Steel Doors (Reinforce-
ment – Application) include the addition of metric equivalents, revised tap
and drill sizes to eliminate those that are not recommended, and a better
definition for “factory mortise.”
In 2001, the TC-1 Committee of the Accredited Standards Committee A250
initiated the 5-year review process, and changed the title of A250.6 to
Recommended Practice for Hardware Reinforcing on Standard Steel Doors
and Frames to more accurately define the content of the standard. In ad-
dition, this revision includes the following substantive changes: Addition of
Appendices A and B, both informative; discontinuation of the use of “gauge”
in favor of decimal equivalents; addition of information relating to continu-
ous hinges; redefinition of the scope to exclude “architecturally specified
or specialized conditions.”
In 2015, A250.6 was revised due to the following updates: Figure 1 – title
changed from “Rigidity of angle or channel versus plate” to “Examples of
equivalent reinforcing methods”; Figure 6 – Sex-bolted changed to “proper
thru-bolting. Description changed from sex nut full door thickness” to
“Grommet nut of sex bolt or barrel nut spans full door thickness”; Figure
7 – “Grommet nut does not span full door thickness changed to “Grommet
nut of sex bolt or barrel nut does not span full door thickness”; Section
1.3.1 – “equal strength” was changed to “equal strength, pull-out strength”
In 2020 the standard was balloted and approved as a revision, due to up-
dates in the “Reference documents” section.
In 2024 the standard was balloted and approved as a revision, due to
updates in the “Reference documents” section and the removal of metric/
metric equivalents throughout.
Suggestions for improvement gained in the use of this standard will be
welcome, and should be sent to the Steel Door Institute, 30200 Detroit
Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44145-1967.

ii
The organizations of the Accredited Standards Committee A250 that have
approved this standard are as follows:
Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association
Canadian Steel Door Manufacturers Association
Rosa D. Cheney AIA
D.H. Pace
Door and Hardware Institute
Door Control Services
ESTM Services, LLC
GCI Consultants, LLC
HMMA/Division of NAAMM
Intertek
MasterSpec
Steel Door Institute
UL Solutions
Vetrotech / Saint Gobain

The Accredited Standards Committee A250 TC-1 developed this standard

had the following personnel at the time of approval:

David Bill, Chairman

Claus Heide, Vice Chairman
J. Jeffery Wherry, Secretary
Organization Represented Name of Representative
Ceco............................................................................................ Kurt Roeper
Curries......................................................................................... David Bill
D.H. Pace Company.................................................................... Jerry Rice
DCI.............................................................................................. Henry Ray
De La Fontaine Industries, Inc. ................................................... René Bouchard
Deansteel Manufacturing Company............................................ Claus Heide
Hollow Metal Xpress.................................................................... Adam Matusz
Mesker Door, Inc......................................................................... Mike Mehaffy
MPI.............................................................................................. David McConnell
Pioneer........................................................................................ Kamal Sheikh
Premier........................................................................................ Jason Lisewski
Republic...................................................................................... Marilyn Latham
Steelcraft..................................................................................... Tim Weller
Stiles............................................................................................ Terry Fittje

iii
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AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD ANSI/SDI A250.6-2024

American National Standard

Recommended Practice for Hardware Reinforcing

on Standard Steel Doors and Frames

1 General of threads may be rendered in a lighter gauge

part with a pierced and dimpled (“extruded”)
1.1 Purpose
hole as compared to a heavier gauge part
It is the intention of this publication to furnish manufactured with conventional processes. For
users and prospective users of standard steel example, equal thread depth can be achieved
doors and frames with practical information on a piece of 0.067″ metal and on a flat plate
regarding accepted design methods for reinforc- of 0.123″ metal (see figures 2 and 3). The
ing and recommended practices for proper field extrusion process results in equal strength,
preparation for builders’ hardware. pull-out strength, equivalent number of threads
and a lighter weight than the parent metal or
1.2 Scope
equivalent flat reinforcing plate.
The information contained herein pertains to
2 Reference Documents
doors and frames manufactured in accordance
with ANSI/SDI A250.8 Specifications for Stan- ANSI/SDI A250.4-2024 Test Procedure and
dard Steel Doors and Frames published by Acceptance Criteria for – Physical Endurance
the Steel Door Institute. It is not intended to for Steel Doors, Frames and Frame Anchors
reference architecturally specified or specialized
ANSI/SDI A250.8-2023 Specifications for Stan-
situations beyond the scope of this document
dard Steel Doors and Frames
or documents herein.
Machinery's Handbook
1.3 Reinforcing Methods
This standard recognizes as equal a variety 3 Recommended Reinforcing Thick-
of reinforcing methods produced by unique ness
manufacturing processes. These processes in-
The Manufacturer, based on individual con-
clude forming options (see figure 1) or integral
struction methods and tooling capabilities, shall
gussets or fillets on lighter gauge members
reinforce their product to ensure performance
to achieve strength and performance equal to
in accordance with ANSI/SDI A250.4. This
heavier gauge members.
reinforcing shall include (unless noted other-
1.3.1 Where reinforcements require tapping for wise) reinforcing and tapped mounting holes
machine screw threads, an equivalent number for template hinges and ANSI defined locks

Figure 1 – Examples of equivalent reinforcing methods

1
ANSI/SDI A250.6-2024

Hole to be pierced and

dimpled (extruded) through
parent steel before tapping.
(3) Full Threads 0.123 0.067

Figure 2 – Full #12-24 threads Figure 3 – Extrusion to create (3) full threads
of #12-24

Table 1 – Minimum Hardware Reinforcing Thickness

Door Frame
Hardware Item
inches MSG No. (6)
inches MSG No. (6)
Mortise Hinge 1-3/8″ Door (1) 0.093 12 0.093 12
Mortise Hinge 1-3/4″ Door (1) (2) 0.123 10 0.123 10
Mortise Lock or Deadbolt (1) 0.067 14 0.067 14
Bored Lock or Deadbolt (1) 0.067 14 0.067 14
Flush Bolt Front (1)
0.067 14 0.067 14
Surface Bolt (3)
0.067 14 0.067 14
Surface Applied Closer (4)
0.067 14 0.067 14
Hold Open Arm (3)
0.067 14 0.067 14
Pull Plates and Bar (3)
0.053 16 0.053 16
Surface Exit Device (3)
0.067 14 0.067 14
Floor Checking Hinge 0.167 7 0.167 7
Pivot Hinge 0.167 7 0.167 7
Continuous Hinges (5) Per Specification Per Specification
Kick / Push Plate Per Specification Per Specification

Note: The minimum steel thickness for each specific gauge is derived from the published
figures of UL Solutions. Thickness listed is in addition to door/frame specified thickness.
(1)
Thinner steel may be employed as long as tapped holes used for mounting the hardware
are extruded to produce an equivalent number of threads.
(2)
If reinforcing is angular or channel shaped, 0.093″ is permitted.
(3)
When reinforcing is omitted, thru-bolting via the use of spacers or sex-bolts is required.
(4)
Reinforcement shall occur on both sides.
(5)
Refer to section 6.
(6)
MSG No. to be used for reference purposes only.

2
 ANSI/SDI A250.6-2024

as specified. Additional reinforcing for surface or to provide adjustment that can only be pro-
applied hardware shall be built into the door vided at time of installation. The installer shall
at the factory when specified. use a template provided with the device or the
device itself to locate hole spacing.
As a guide to specification writers, table 1
shows the minimum thickness of steel to be 4.2.1 A suitably sized punch shall be used
used for hardware reinforcing as endorsed by to locate the drilling for pilot holes to prevent
ANSI/SDI A250.8. drill creeping, off-center holes and improper
screw alignment.
4 Recommended Application of Hard-
IMPORTANT NOTE: Use only the correct size
ware
drill for pilot holes, as recommended by Ma-
The hardware installer shall carefully follow the chinery’s Handbook (see table 4). Larger holes
hinge manufacturer’s instructions for fastener will decrease screw holding power causing the
preparations. screw to be pulled from the reinforcing under
normal stresses (see figures 4 and 5).
4.1 Mortised Hardware
Tables 2 and 3 illustrate the effect of variances
Standardized and ANSI defined preparations
in pilot hole sizes on thread holding power.
are made at the factory to allow installation of
mortise hardware such as hinges and locks. 4.2.2 The installer shall assure that tapped
Holes shall be made to precise diameters and holes have 75% of full thread (considered a
accurately tapped to ensure maximum thread normal condition). This percentage shall not fall
engagement and holding strength. Cutouts shall below 65% to be considered adequate for proper
be pierced to surround the mortised hardware hardware fastenings. Drills shall be positioned
item to close tolerances on three or all four so the bit enters the reinforced area in perpen-
sides. The hardware shall be installed using dicular position as holes formed at angles will
only the proper screws as furnished with or not permit proper seating of the screw head.
specifically recommended for each device. After the proper pilot holes are drilled, proceed
with the tapping operation. The tap shall match
NOTE: The installer must exercise caution upon
initial insertion of screws to prevent cross thread- the thread size of the screws provided and the
ing, especially with the smaller diameter screws. tap shall be held perpendicular to the surface.
4.2 Field Drilling and Tapping 4.3 Thru-Bolting
Doors and frames shall be prepared by the in- Where reinforcing has not been specified or
staller in the field for surface applied hardware, provided for other than mortised hardware, at-
such as surface closers or holders, track type tachment shall be accomplished by thru-bolting.
concealed closers or holders, pulls, exit device The hardware manufacturer’s instruction sheets
cases, or vertical rod latches. In addition, some shall be closely followed for recommended
hardware such as anchor hinges, thrust pivots, procedures. Where thru-bolting is required on
pivot reinforced hinges or floor mounted pivots hollow metal doors, spacers or sex-bolts shall
must be field prepared due to design variations

Correct drill size Incorrect drill size

for pilot hole for pilot hole

Figure 4 – Maintain a minimum of 65% of full Figure 5 – Full thread shall not fall below 65%
thread

3
ANSI/SDI A250.6-2024

Table 2 – #10-24 thread Table 3 – #12-24 thread

Drill Size Drill Diameter % Full Thread Drill Size Drill Diameter % Full Thread
#23 0.154″ 66% #15 0.180″ 66%
#24 0.152″ 70% #16 0.177″ 70%
#25 0.149″ 75% #17 0.173″ 75%
#26 0.147″ 79% Machinery’s Handbook recommendation in BOLD
#27 0.144″ 85%

Machinery’s Handbook recommendation in BOLD

be used to prevent collapsing of face sheets 5 Continuous Hinges

as illustrated in figures 6 and 7.
5.1 Standard preparation for continuous gear
NOTE: The most popular thru-bolting applica- type or barrel type hinges shall not include any
tions are door closers, exit devices, overhead
factory reinforcing, drilling and/or tapping in
holders, pulls and bar sets.
doors or frames. All mounting shall be prepared
4.4 Sheet Metal Screws in the field by the hardware installer.
Sheet metal screws are normally used to attach 5.2 For continuous hinges that require rein-
accessory hardware such as kickplates, mail forcing (either for fasteners, door weight, door
slots, room numbers, identification signs, and size or frequency of use situations) reinforcing
in many instances, push or pull plates. These shall be indicated at the time of order.
areas are not reinforced beyond the thickness
of the face sheets. Properly sized holes and 5.2.1 Standard reinforcing shall be a 0.067″
correct sheet metal screws as provided with steel strip no less than 1-1/4″ in width securely
the hardware item or as specified in the mount- welded inside the hinge edge of doors and
ing instructions shall be used for hardware hinge jamb door rabbet of frames.
attachment. 5.2.2 Optional reinforcing shall be a 0.067″
4.4.1 The best performance is achieved when steel strip no less than 1-1/4″ in width securely
the space between the threads is equal to or welded inside the hinge jamb door side face
greater than the thickness of the face sheets. of frames.

Grommet nut of sex bolt Grommet nut of sex bolt

or barrel nut spans full or barrel nut does not
door thickness span full door thickness

Figure 6 – Proper thru-bolting Figure 7 – Improper thru-bolting

4
 ANSI/SDI A250.6-2024

Table 4 – Tap drills and clearance drills for machine screws

with American National Thread form

Size of Screw Tap Drills Clearance Hole Drills

No. of
No. Threads Close Fit Free Fit
Decimal per Drill Decimal
or Drill Decimal Drill Decimal
Equiv. Inch Size Equiv.
Diam. Size Equiv. Size Equiv.

0 .060 80 3/64 .0469 52 .0635 50 .0700

64 53 .0595
1 .073 48 .0760 46 .0810
72 53 .0595
56 50 .0700
2 .086 43 .0890 41 .0960
64 50 .0700
48 47 .0785
3 .099 37 .1040 35 .1100
56 45 .0820
36* 44 .0860
4 .112 40 43 .0890 32 .1160 30 .1285
48 42 .0935
40 38 .1015
5 .125 30 .1285 29 .1360
44 37 .1040
32 36 .1065
6 .138 27 .1440 25 .1495
40 33 .1130
32 29 .1360
8 .164 18 .1695 16 .1770
36 29 .1360
24 25 .1495
10 .190 9 .1960 7 .2010
32 21 .1590
24 16 .1770
12 .216 2 .2210 1 .2280
28 14 .1820
20* 10 .1935
14 .242 D .2460 F .2570
24* 7 .2010
20 7 .2010
1/4 .250 F .2570 H .2660
28 3 .2130
18 F .2570
5/16 .3125 P .3230 Q .3320
24 I .2720
16 5/16 .3125
3/8 .375 W .3860 X .3970
24 Q .3320
14 U .3680
7/16 .4375 29/64 .4531 15/32 .4687
20 25/64 .3906
13 27/64 .4219
1/2 .500 33/64 .5156 17/32 .5312
20 29/64 .4531
* Screws marked with asterisk (*) are not in the American Standard but are from
the former ASME Standard.

5
ANSI/SDI A250.6-2024

Appendix A
(informative)

Conclusion

It has been the experience of the Steel Door Institute that most failures of hardware attachments
have been caused by improper field installation rather than insufficient reinforcement. It is quite
obvious that it is easier to tap an oversize pilot hole than to tap one of correct size necessary for
maximum strength. Oversized holes will not ensure adequate product performance.
Manufacturing tolerances and dimensions may not always be consistent on machine and sheet
metal screws when compared with different sources of supply.
The material used for the manufacture of screws is also a factor in the overall performance of
the attachment. Stainless steel, for example, is a stronger fastener than aluminum or plain carbon
steel. On installations where vibration or unusual frequency of operation is a factor, the use of
thread locking inserts, liquids on threads, or binding heads should be considered.
Standard steel doors and builders hardware are made to provide many years of service and are
very compatible. The specification writer and construction superintendent must be aware, however,
that proper installation methods must be considered on an equal basis with door and hardware
construction requirements to achieve this compatibility on the job.

6
 ANSI/SDI A250.6-2024

Appendix B
(informative)

Bibliography

— HMMA 803 Steel Tables

— HMMA 830 Hardware Selection for Hollow Metal Doors and Frames
— HMMA 840 Guide Specification for Installation and Storage of Hollow Metal Doors and Frames
— SDI-117 Manufacturing Tolerances for Standard Steel Doors and Frames
— SDI-122 Installation Troubleshooting Guide for Standard Steel Doors and Frames
— SDI-134 Glossary of Terms for Hollow Metal Doors and Frames

7
 MEMBERS OF THE
AVAILABLE PUBLICATIONS STEEL DOOR INSTITUTE
CECO
Specifications AN ASSA ABLOY DOOR GROUP COMPANY
9159 Telecom Drive
ANSI/SDI A250.6 Recommended Practice for Hardware Reinforcing on Standard Steel Milan, TN 38358-3425
Doors and Frames (731) 686-8345
www.cecodoor.com
ANSI/SDI A250.8 Specifications for Standard Steel Doors and Frames (SDI-100)
CURRIES
ANSI/SDI A250.14 Hardware Preparation in Steel Doors and Steel Frames AN ASSA ABLOY DOOR GROUP COMPANY
1502 12th Street, P.O. Box 1648
SDI-108 Recommended Selection & Usage Guide for Standard Steel Doors Mason City, IA 50402-1648
(641) 423-1334
SDI-118 Basic Fire Door, Fire Door Frame, Transom/Sidelight Frame, and www.curries.com
Window Frame Requirements
DEANSTEEL MANUFACTURING CO.
SDI-128 Guidelines for Acoustical Performance of Standard Steel Doors and 931 S. Flores Street
Frames San Antonio, TX 78204-1406
(210) 226-8271
SDI-129 Hinge and Strike Spacing www.deansteel.com
SDI-133 Guideline for Specifying Steel Doors & Frames for Blast Resistance DE LA FONTAINE INDUSTRIES, INC.
3 Normac Road
SDI-136 Guideline for Specifying Windstorm Products Woburn, MA 01801
(781) 932-8663
Test Procedures www.delafontaine.com

ANSI/SDI A250.3 Test Procedure & Acceptance Criteria for Factory Applied Finish DCI
7980 Redwood Avenue
Coatings for Steel Doors and Frames Fontana, CA 92336-1638
ANSI/SDI A250.4 Test Procedure & Acceptance Criteria for Physical Endurance for (909) 770-5700
www.dcihollowmetal.com
Steel Doors, Frames and Frame Anchors
HOLLOW METAL XPRESS (HMX)
ANSI/SDI A250.10 Test Procedure & Acceptance Criteria for Prime Painted Steel 3440 Stanwood Boulevard
Surfaces for Steel Doors and Frames Huntsville, AL 35811-9021
(256) 851-6670
ANSI/SDI A250.13 Testing and Rating of Severe Windstorm Resistant Components for
www.HMXpress.com
Swinging Door Assemblies for Protection of Building Envelopes
(Not applicable for FEMA 320/361 or ICC-500 Shelters) MESKER DOOR
3440 Stanwood Boulevard
SDI-113 Standard Practice for Determining the Steady-State Thermal Huntsville, AL 35811-9021
Transmittance of Steel Door and Frame Assemblies (256) 851-6670
www.meskerdoor.com
SDI-131 Accelerated Physical Endurance Test Procedure for Steel Doors
MPI
319 North Hills Road
Construction Details Corbin, KY 40701
(606) 523-0173
ANSI/SDI A250.11 Recommended Erection Instructions for Steel Frames www.metalproductsinc.com
SDI-110 Standard Steel Doors & Frames for Modular Masonry Construction PIONEER INDUSTRIES, INC.
AN ASSA ABLOY DOOR GROUP COMPANY
SDI-111 Recommended Details for Standard Steel Doors, Frames, 111 Kero Road
Accessories and Related Components Carlstadt, NJ 07072
(201) 933-1900
SDI-122 Installation Troubleshooting Guide for Standard Steel Doors & Frames
www.pioneerindustries.com

Miscellaneous Documents PREMIER STEEL DOORS & FRAMES

AN ASSA ABLOY DOOR GROUP COMPANY
SDI-112 Zinc-Coated (Galvanized/Galvannealed) Standard Steel Doors and 2840 Sterlington Road
Frames Monroe, LA 71203
(318) 361-0796
SDI-117 Manufacturing Tolerances for Standard Steel Doors and Frames www.trustpremier.com
SDI-124 Maintenance of Standard Steel Doors & Frames REPUBLIC DOORS & FRAMES
155 Republic Drive
SDI-127 Industry Alert Series (A-L) McKenzie, TN 38201-0580
(731) 352-3383
SDI-134 Glossary of Terms for Hollow Metal Doors and Frames www.republicdoor.com
SDI-135 Guidelines to Measure for Replacement Doors in Existing Frame STEELCRAFT
Openings 9017 Blue Ash Road
Cincinnati, OH 45242
(513) 745-6400
www.steelcraft.com
STEEL DOOR INSTITUTE STILES
AN ASSA ABLOY DOOR GROUP COMPANY
1885 Kinser Road
Ceres, CA 95307
30200 DETROIT ROAD • CLEVELAND, OHIO 44145
(209) 538-3667
440.899.0010 • www.steeldoor.org www.stilesdoors.com
5/2/2025