Inactive door leaf
The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers publication Glossary of architectural hardware terms defines an inactive door leaf as 'The door leaf, in a pair of doors which is stationary and to which the strike plate of the locking mechanism is fitted. The other door in the pair is known as the active door leaf and secures the door.'
Effectively this is also called a slave door which is defined as 'an inactive door leaf, which opens second in comparision to an active door leave which is 'the door leaf, in a pair of doors, which opens first, and the one to which the locking mechanism is fitted'.
An active door leaf being 'the door leaf, in a pair of doors, which opens first, and the one to which the locking mechanism is fitted. The other door in the pair is known as the slave door leaf or inactive door leaf.' See also slave door leaf.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
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