Faq

I am having problems viewing drawings on the website. What should I do?
Review the drawing help page.
How do I determine what type of floor access door is right for my application?

U.S.F. Fabrication manufactures different styles of floor access hatches for all types of applications. The Design Wizard on this website can help you determine which type door is required for your application. Also, under the Products tab you can go to the floor access door section of our website for detailed descriptions, drawings, specifications and brochures for all types of doors. Please e-mail us or call 1-800-258-6873 if you don’t see the type of door that you require.

What is the meaning of the phrase defining occasional traffic H20-44 doors -- "intended for off-street locations that may occasionally receive AASHTO H20-44 wheel loads (16,000 lbs. over 10" x 20" area + 30% impact factor") in your catalog?

All our aluminum H20 floor doors are capable of supporting an AASHTO H20-44 wheel load under “occasional traffic” conditions. However, aluminum H20 doors cannot withstand the stress of continuous traffic or the impact of direct traffic common to roadways. Call 1-800-258-6873 if you require a door for these type of applications.

What features are standard on USF Fabrication floor access doors?

The below features are standard on all steel & aluminum floor access doors:

  • 316 stainless steel hinges
  • 316 stainless steel tamperproof nuts & bolts
  • 316 stainless steel automatic hold-open arm w/ secondary latch
  • A lifting handle that lays flush with the top of the door
  • A protective plastic covering on aluminum cast-in doors

Aluminum trough frame doors (Types: TPS, TPD, THS, THD) include an odor reduction gasket. All steel & aluminum pedestrian doors (Types: APS, APD, TPS, TPD, BPS, BPC, FPS and APS & APD RETROFIT) include a staple for a padlock. All “occasional traffic” steel & aluminum H20 doors (Types: AHS, AHD, THS, THD) include a watertight 316 stainless steel slamlock. Note: Optional features for steel & aluminum doors can include: spring lift assist, recessed padlock staple, bituminous coating on outside of frame, slip resistant surface bonded to cover plate, frame skirts, keyed cylinder lock, security bolt, safety chains, Hatch Safety Nets, Hatch Safety Grates, insulation, frame cushion, nut rail and special lettering. These features are available for an additional cost.

Why doesn't USF Fabrication supply all doors with slamlocks and spring assist like some other manufacturers do?

U.S.F. Fabrication, Inc. manufactures all floor access doors to meet our customers’ specific requirements. Many times a door is very light and does not require springs for lift assist. On small doors the cost can increase by as much as 1/3 by adding these features.

What optional features does USF Fabrication offer to secure doors from unauthorized entry?

The following security alternatives are available: Slamlock with Tamper Resistant Hex-Head Security Plug, Recessed Padlock Box (standard and oversized), Keyed Cylinder Lock, Penta-head Tamper Resistant Bolt, McGard Tamper Resistant Bolt, Carriage Bolts (used to fasten hinges), Safety Grate with Padlock Staple, and Concealed Bolting (on retro-fit door frames). Also, customers can provide other security devices (i.e., 2-Position Limit Switch) to be installed on doors and covers.

How long will it take to get a USF Fabrication aluminum floor access door?
We stock many standard sizes that can ship in one day. Usually, special aluminum doors will ship in 1-2 weeks. However, if you need a door in a rush, please tell us. We will do everything we can to build and ship your door so that you receive it when you need it.
How long is USF Fabrication's warranty on floor access doors?
All aluminum doors have a ten year warranty against defects in material and workmanship. All steel doors have a five year warranty against defects in material and workmanship.
What is the largest floor access door that USF Fabrication can manufacture?
We can manufacture doors almost any size depending on the material, the loading requirements, environmental conditions and the number door leaves. Please e-mail us or call us at 1-800-258-6873 if you have any questions or comments.
What do I do about faulty or damaged items?
All products are fully inspected prior to shipment from our manufacturing facility. If you discover the product you received is not what you ordered, contact your distributor or call our Customer Service Department. If the item arrives damaged at the delivery address, decide whether to refuse delivery or accept it with exceptions. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU NOTE YOUR EXCEPTIONS ON THE BILL OF LADING. Then, contact your distributor or call our Customer Service Department.
Does USF Fabrication, Inc. offer a price discount when doors are purchased in large quantities?
There is a 5% price discount on the purchase of 6 or more standard size aluminum doors.
Why are slamlocks recommended for doors with lift assist devices (springs or torsion bars)?
Lift assist devices put an upward force on hatch covers to facilitate opening them. In some cases, this force is so strong that the cover does not remain flush with the frame when closed–thereby, creating a tripping hazard. Since U.S.F. Fabrication includes slamlocks on all its “occasional traffic” H20 doors, this is not an issue. However, all pedestrian load doors are latched with a staple for a padlock which already protrudes above the cover’s surface. If a customer chooses lift assist devices, we recommend deleting the staple for a padlock and adding a slamlock so the door will remain flush with its frame whenever it is closed.
What is the safety load of the USF Fabrication Hatch Safety Net?
USF Fabrication’s Hatch Safety Net complies with U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) standard 1926.502(c)(4)(i): Except as provided in paragraph (c)(4)(ii) of this section, safety nets…shall be drop-tested…before being used as a fall protection system…. The drop-test shall consist of a 400 pound (180 kg) bag of sand 30 + or -2 inches (76 + or -5 cm) in diameter dropped into the net from the highest walking/working surface at which employees are exposed to fall hazards, but not from less than 42 inches (1.1 m) above that level. USF Fabrication’s Hatch Safety Nets have been drop-tested for two applications: (1) where the net is attached to anchors which are welded to the frames of our hatches; and (2) where the net is attached to anchors which are fixed to concrete by anchor bolts in concrete. Our nets have not been drop-tested for applications where the anchors are bolted to sundry metal frames.