How-To Guide

How to Read a Door Schedule

Decode door schedules to order the right doors with the right hardware

The door schedule is the central reference for all door information: sizes, materials, fire ratings, and hardware. It works alongside the door hardware guide to define every opening in the project. Understanding how to read it correctly prevents ordering errors and installation problems. Here's a column-by-column breakdown.

Step 1: Understand the Door Mark

The door mark connects the schedule to the floor plan:

Common Door Mark Formats

Room-based: 101, 102, 103 (door number matches room it opens into)

Room + Letter: 101A, 101B (multiple doors into same room)

Sequential: D-01, D-02 (doors numbered independently of rooms)

Always verify the door mark on the floor plan matches the schedule. Mismatches are a common source of errors.

Step 2: Read Door Dimensions

Door sizes are typically shown as Width x Height x Thickness:

3070
3'-0" wide x 7'-0" tall (standard)
3080
3'-0" wide x 8'-0" tall
3'-0" x 7'-0" x 1-3/4"
With thickness specified
PR 6070
Pair of doors, 6'-0" total width x 7'-0" tall

Step 3: Identify Door and Frame Types

Door and frame materials are specified separately:

Door Types

WD: Wood Door

HM: Hollow Metal

AL: Aluminum

GL: Glass

FRP: Fiberglass

Frame Types

HMF: Hollow Metal Frame

WDF: Wood Frame

ALF: Aluminum Frame

KD: Knock-Down Frame

WG: Welded Frame

Step 4: Check Fire Ratings

Fire-rated doors have specific requirements. See our fire rating guide for the full context on fire resistance ratings:

20 min
Corridor doors, smoke partitions
45 min
1-hour rated walls
60 min
1-hour rated walls (where required)
90 min
2-hour rated walls
3 hr
High-hazard separations
Important
Fire-rated doors require matching rated frames and specific hardware. The door, frame, and hardware are a rated assembly, so all components must be compatible.

Step 5: Decode the Hardware Set

Hardware is typically specified by set number that references a hardware schedule:

HW-1
Passage set (no lock)
HW-2
Privacy set (bathroom lock)
HW-3
Classroom lock (keyed outside)
HW-4
Storeroom lock (always locked)
HW-5+
Specialty functions, closers, etc.

Always check the full hardware schedule for complete set contents including hinges, closers, stops, and seals.

Step 6: Note Special Requirements

Look for additional columns or remarks indicating:

Vision panels (lite) size and location
Louvers for ventilation
Acoustic (STC) ratings
Lead lining for X-ray rooms
Weatherstripping for exterior doors
Thresholds and floor conditions
Automatic operators

Step 7: Verify Against Floor Plans

Cross-check the schedule against the architectural floor plans:

Every door tag on the plan should appear in the schedule
Every door in the schedule should appear on a plan
Door swing direction should match plan (in/out, left/right)
Door widths should fit the openings shown
Fire-rated doors should be in fire-rated walls

Related Resources

How to Read a Window Schedule
Understand window schedules for ordering and installation.
Door Hardware Guide
Complete reference for hardware sets and functions.
The Door Schedule Disaster
Why coordination errors happen and how to prevent them.
Fire Protection Drawing Review
Checking fire-rated assemblies including doors and frames.
AI Schedule Verification
Automatically verify door schedules against floor plans.
AI vs. Manual Drawing Review
Compare automated and manual approaches to schedule checking.

Catch Door Schedule Errors Automatically

Comparing door schedules to floor plans manually is tedious and error-prone. Articulate's AI can automatically verify that every door on your plans matches the schedule.

Try Automated Schedule Verification