HES 5300 Series Low-Profile Fire-Rated Electric Strike

Overview

The HES 5300 Series Electric Strike is a Grade 1 (ANSI/BHMA A156.31) heavy-duty electric door strike designed for fire-rated openings with tight-fitting frames. This compact strike is designed for low-profile applications with limited space behind the door jamb. It works with cylindrical locksets up to a 5/8″ (15.9 mm) latchbolt throw, and has been tested to exceed the extreme holding forces that would cause a failure to the frame, door and locking hardware with its proprietary keeper pin locking design. The 5300 Series features field-selectable operation as a fail-safe (power to lock) or fail-secure (power to unlock) functionality. This feature set gives facilities flexibility when balancing security needs with safety requirements. Whether installed in metal or wood door frames, the 5300 Series is UL 10C 3-hour fire rated, for use on fire door assemblies. High performance electric strikes are ideally used in commercial, institutional and industrial applications that demand the highest degree of safety and code compliance.

Performance and Security

Built to ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 standards, the HES 5300 Series strike delivers 1,500 lbs. of static holding strength and resists 70 ft-lbs. of dynamic impact, ensuring reliable security even under heavy abuse. It has been tested to endure 1,000,000 cycles without failure, reflecting outstanding durability for high-traffic entrances. The all-metal construction and tamper-resistant design guard against pry attacks and manipulation, while the internally mounted solenoid and robust keeper mechanism ensure consistent operation under varied conditions. This electric strike is fully tested and certified (UL 1034 burglary-resistant, UL 294 for access control, NFPA-252, CAN/ULC-S104, etc.) to meet stringent security and fire/life-safety standards, so buyers can trust it will perform in critical environments. In short, the 5300 Series offers high-strength, fail-safe security that outperforms many other strikes in its class, yet in a sleeker form factor.

Installation and Compatibility

The HES 5300 is designed for quick, hassle-free installation and retrofit. Its slim 1-1/16″ (27 mm) deep body fits into shallow backboxes and tight door frames, and an included trim enhancer helps cover any rough cuts, providing a clean, professional appearance. The strike is non-handed, enabling installation on left- or right-hand doors without modifications. A plug-in connector is provided for easy wiring hookup to 12 V or 24 V power supplies (dual-voltage), and the unit supports DC continuous duty and AC intermittent duty operation. Field-selectable fail-safe/fail-secure mode means the installer can configure the strike’s power failure mode on-site to suit the application.

For versatility, the 5300 Series uses interchangeable faceplate kits (sold separately or in Complete Pac kits) to adapt the strike for various frame types and lock sizes. Faceplate options like the 501, 501A, 502, 503, and 504 series allow the 5300 strike to easily fit standard ANSI metal frames, aluminum frames, or wood frames as needed. (For example, the 501/501A plates cover 4-7/8″ ANSI prep for metal or aluminum frames, while the 504 plate is for 10″ wood frame prep.) The 5300 can be ordered as a complete one-box solution (5300C) which includes the two most common faceplates (501 and 501A) for convenience, or as the strike body alone (5300) with faceplates chosen separately. An optional latchbolt monitor (LBM) is available to detect whether the door’s latch is engaged in the strike, useful for access control systems that require door status feedback. Overall, the 5300’s flexible installation features ensure it can be integrated into new or retrofit projects with minimal effort, making it a favorite of contractors and locksmiths who need a high-performance strike that’s easy to fit.

Comparison to HES 5000 Series and Others

The 5300 Series builds upon the success of the HES 5000 Series, adding important capabilities for code-compliant openings. Compared to the HES 5000 (Grade 1 low-profile strike), the 5300 Series is fully fire-rated (UL 10C, 3 hrs), whereas the 5000 is for non-fire-rated applications. This means the 5300 can be used on fire barrier doors (in fail-secure mode) to maintain safety during a fire, a critical upgrade for facilities aiming to meet fire code. The 5300 also doubles the endurance rating of the 5000—tested to 1,000,000 cycles versus 500,000 on the 5000 Series—indicating enhanced durability for high-frequency use areas. Importantly, HES kept the same slim form factor and faceplate system in the 5300, so it shares the exact footprint and faceplate options as the 5000/5200 Series strikes. This allows a straightforward retrofit: an existing HES 5000 installation can be upgraded to a 5300 for fire safety or higher endurance simply by swapping the strike body and using the same frame prep and faceplates.

In comparison to the related HES 5200 Series (another low-profile strike), the 5300 prioritizes fire-rating and maximum strength, while the 5200 features an adjustable horizontal alignment mechanism for easier fitting in the frame. For higher-end needs, the HES 1500 Series offers a larger, more adjustable strike that can accommodate mortise locks and includes a 10-year warranty, whereas the 5300 is focused on cylindrical locksets and offers a 5-year standard warranty. In short, the HES 5300 Series strikes an excellent balance for most commercial applications by combining the compact convenience of the 5000/5200 series with the fire-rated strength and longevity usually found in higher-tier models.