Frequently Asked Questions

ROFU International Security Inc. delivers more than 45 years of proven expertise in reliable, high-quality electrified locking solutions.

ROFU International Security Inc. has a US office and warehouse in Kent Washington. ROFU is a CDVI Company, with a regional office for the Americas located in Montreal, Canada, and an international headquarters in Paris, France.

Together, ROFU and CDVI are able to provide complete door opening solutions—from electrified locks, electric strikes and activation devices to advanced access control systems.

ROFU door-locking, activation and control products are available through authorized security, locksmith and door-hardware distributors across North America. Contact ROFU or CDVI Americas to locate the distributor nearest you.

ROFU is able to support installers and system specifiers with experienced technical assistance, product-selection guidance, cross-reference tools and help with retrofit and new-construction applications.

ROFU Customer Service and Technical Support are available 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. Call (253) 922-1828, or email [email protected].

A strike throw is the distance the latch or bolt extends into the electric strike when the door is closed. Selecting a door strike with the correct throw capacity helps ensure proper fit, secure locking , and reliable door operation.

Electric strikes can be monitored using built-in sensors that report the status of the door, latch, or lock. Depending on the model, monitoring features may indicate whether the door is open or closed, the latch is engaged, or the door strike is locked or unlocked.

Preload is the pressure placed on an electric strike by the door latch or bolt before it is released. Door strikes designed to handle preload can unlock reliably even when pressure is caused by door seals, misalignment, or people pushing against the door.

The current draw of an electric strike is important because, at the same operating voltage, lower current draw generally produces less heat, helping extend the life of the solenoid coil. It also allows longer wire runs with less voltage drop and reduces the required power supply capacity. A low-current strike may also be powered by an access control panel’s auxiliary output or a compatible Power over Ethernet (PoE) system, provided the voltage and available power meets the strike’s requirements.

Horizontal adjustment allows the installer to align the electric strike with the door latch after installation. This helps accommodate minor frame or door misalignment, improves latch engagement, and reduces the need for additional cutting or modification.

Yes. ETL and UL are independent, nationally recognized testing laboratories that certify products to the same applicable safety standards. The different marks identify which organization performed the testing and certification. There is no difference in product quality or compliance.

Yes! ROFU offers a complete range of electric strikes, including ANSI strikes for cylindrical locksets, Mortise strikes, and RIM strikes that are compatible with Pullman latches and exit devices. ROFU also offers a range of outdoor/gate strikes, and residential strikes needed for legacy applications.

Selecting the right strike for your application will require you to identity the lockset type, latch bolt dimensions, door and frame construction, strike preparation, voltage, handing, required holding strength, monitoring options and applicable fire or security listings. ROFU Customer Service staff are happy to assist you.

We publish cross-reference charts to match a competitor strike to a ROFU model. In addition, ROFU Customer Service is available to assist you at any time.

Otherwise known as ‘Latch Projection’, is the length of the latch that extends from the face of the lockset into the cavity of the strike. Most interior cylindrical locksets have a ½” throw while gate strike have up to 1” throw.

A fail-safe strike unlocks when power is removed. A fail-secure strike remains locked when power is removed. In most cases, strikes are installed in Fail Secure mode. It is important to note that fire rated strikes must be installed a Fail Secure to maintain their certification.

Only a strike specifically listed for fire-door applications may be used. The complete opening must comply with applicable building, fire and life-safety codes. You can easily identity a fire rated door by a plate or stamp on the door frame.

Electric strikes connected to access control systems are commonly monitored to ensure door security. Monitoring can include an internal mechanical switch to confirm the lockset latch is positioned in the strike cavity, a strike monitor that confirms the strike’s locked status, and a door position monitor to confirm the door is fully closed.

Maglocks are commonly installed on glass doors when a surface-mounted locking solution is required and the door cannot accommodate a traditional strike or lockset . The correct mounting bracket and hardware must be selected for the glass type, door configuration, and frame.

Choosing the best maglock depends on the door type , required holding force , available voltage , mounting conditions , and monitoring needs . Always select a model that fits the application and complies with applicable fire, life-safety, and building code requirements.

A maglock is made up of two key components: the electromagnet, which is usually attached to the frame, and the armature plate, fixed to the door. When power energises the magnet, a strong magnetic field pulls the armature plate towards it, keeping the door firmly closed until the power is removed.

ROFU magnetic locks are available in a range of one and two door models, with holding force ranging from small 300lbs. mortise locks used for cabinets, to 600 lbs. maglocks used for inside doors and 1200lbs. locks used on perimeter doors.

ROFU electromechanical Shear Locks have up to 2,200lbs of holding force.

Electromagnetic locks are inherently fail safe, as they rely on continuous power to stay magnetized. If electricity is cut, the magnetic field drops instantly and the door releases.

Although electric strikes are generally preferred, magnetic locks are ideal for a wide range of applications:
– Glass doors where cutting the frame for an electric strike is difficult or undesirable.
– Double doors that require straightforward locking without modifying both door edges.
– Gates and oversized openings requiring high holding force and suitable weather-rated hardware.
– Doors without a compatible lockset or latch bolt, since a maglock does not depend on mechanical latching.
– Retrofit applications where modifying the door frame for a strike would be difficult or expensive.

Electromagnetic locks can be installed in one of two ways:

Surface-Mounted: These units sit on top of the existing frame and door structure. Installation differs depending on whether the door is pushed or pulled:
Pull doors: A Z&L bracket positions the magnet on the frame and the armature on the door so the two meet correctly.
Push doors: The magnet is typically fixed beneath the frame head, with the armature directly on the closing face of the door.

Mortice Mounted: Mortice units are recessed into the door and frame, keeping the hardware hidden from view. A cavity matching the size of the magnet is cut into the frame, and the armature is similarly embedded in the door leaf. These are often fitted at the top of the door but can also be integrated into the floor and bottom edge.

Magnetic Locks connected to electronic access control systems are monitored to ensure the integrity of a locked door. The two most common monitoring features are:
Bond sensor: Confirms that the magnet and armature plate have achieved proper holding force—not merely that the door is closed.
Door-position switch: Reports whether the door is physically open or closed.

ROFU warranties our products to be free of manufacturing defects for minimum of 3-years, with a 5-year warranty on electric strikes, and a 10-year warranty on magnetic locks. Please see our product catalog for applicable terms and conditions.

Warranty products are to be returned to the authorized distributor they were purchased from.

Authorized distributors are instructed to contact ROFU Customer Service for a Return Material Authorization number before returning product for warranty.