Karp

Karp Associates is a manufacturer of access doors, access panels, floor doors, and roof hatches for commercial and residential construction applications. Karp Associates was established in 1956 with roots in Karp Metal Products, founded in Brooklyn, New York in 1925. The company is now headquartered in Melville, New York, where it operates a 150,000 square foot manufacturing facility. Karp Associates is the leading manufacturer and distributor of access doors in the world. Karp fire-rated access doors are certified to UL standards for 1.5-hour B-label ratings in wall applications and to Warnock Hersey for 3-hour ratings in ceiling applications, and are compliant with NFPA 80. Plumbing contractors, mechanical contractors, building owners, and architects specify Karp access doors where concealed mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems require access points that integrate with the surrounding wall and ceiling finishes.

Karp Associates Product Lines

Standard Access Doors

Karp standard access doors are the general-purpose access door product line for wall and ceiling applications in commercial and residential construction. Karp standard access doors are available with hidden, exposed, plaster, and bead-in flange options to match the wall or ceiling finish at the installation point. Hidden flange doors provide a flush, trimless appearance in drywall and plaster walls where the door is concealed within the wall plane. Exposed flange doors are the standard access door configuration for gypsum board and similar finishes where a visible frame is acceptable. Karp standard access doors provide access to concealed plumbing, mechanical, and electrical systems behind walls and above ceilings without requiring permanent opening of the finish surface.

Fire-Rated Access Doors

Karp fire-rated access doors are certified for use in fire-rated wall and ceiling assemblies where a code-required access point must maintain the fire rating of the surrounding construction. Karp fire-rated access doors carry a UL 1.5-hour B-label certification for wall applications and a Warnock Hersey 3-hour rating for ceiling applications. Karp fire-rated access doors are NFPA 80 compliant with self-closing and self-latching mechanisms that restore the fire separation automatically after the door is opened and closed during service. Fire-rated access doors from Karp are required in fire-rated wall and ceiling assemblies where a standard access door would compromise the required fire separation rating. These doors are specified by architects and contractors in occupancies where UL-certified fire-rated penetrations are required by the building code.

Security Access Doors

Karp security access doors are constructed from heavy-gauge steel with heavy-duty, tamper-resistant hinges for medium and high-security access applications. Security access doors from Karp are specified in institutional facilities, correctional environments, and other applications where unauthorized access to concealed mechanical or utility systems must be prevented. The heavy-gauge steel construction and tamper-resistant hardware on Karp security access doors provide resistance to forced access that standard access doors do not offer. Where standard Karp access doors provide convenient maintenance access, security access doors restrict that access to authorized personnel only.

Floor Doors, Roof Hatches, and Specialty Products

Karp floor doors provide access to below-slab and sub-floor mechanical systems in commercial and industrial construction. Floor door products from Karp are designed to meet load requirements in occupied floor areas while maintaining access to the systems below. Karp roof hatches provide safe roof access for maintenance of rooftop mechanical equipment. The Karp KAD Aluminum Drywall Access Door is a specialty product for upscale interiors, with all hardware concealed behind a gypsum board inlay that blends into the surrounding wall surface. The MX exterior access door provides improved acoustical and thermal performance and reduced air leakage and water penetration for exterior wall access points. Where standard access doors serve interior wall and ceiling applications, Karp floor, roof, exterior, and specialty products address the full range of access needs in a construction project.

Why Contractors Specify Karp Associates

Plumbing and mechanical contractors specify Karp access doors because the company has manufactured access doors since 1925 and is the recognized leading manufacturer in the access door category, providing product continuity and parts availability across a long installed base. Karp fire-rated access doors are certified to UL standards for wall applications and to Warnock Hersey for ceiling applications, providing the third-party certified fire ratings required by architects and building inspectors without a shop drawing review. NFPA 80 compliance on the Karp fire-rated line satisfies the self-closing and self-latching requirements of the fire door standard without additional hardware. Karp offers a complete access door product line from standard to fire-rated to security-grade, allowing a single manufacturer to cover all access door requirements on a project. Karp access doors are available through SupplyHouse for plumbing and mechanical contractors.

How to Choose a Karp Associates Product

The primary selection variable for a Karp access door is fire-rating requirement. If the access door is installed in a fire-rated wall or ceiling assembly, a Karp fire-rated access door with the appropriate UL or Warnock Hersey certification is required. If the wall or ceiling is non-rated, a Karp standard access door is appropriate. Confirm the fire rating requirement of the wall or ceiling assembly with the project architect or the authority having jurisdiction before selecting the Karp door model.

The second variable is flange type for standard access doors. The Karp flange type must match the wall or ceiling finish at the installation point. Hidden flange doors suit flush drywall or plaster applications where a trimless appearance is required. Exposed flange doors are appropriate for standard gypsum board construction where a visible frame is acceptable. Plaster and bead-in flange options suit specific finish systems; confirm the finish type before selecting the Karp flange configuration.

The third variable is security level. For applications in institutional or high-security facilities where unauthorized access must be prevented, the Karp security access door with heavy-gauge steel and tamper-resistant hardware is the appropriate selection. For standard maintenance access without security requirements, a Karp standard or fire-rated access door is appropriate. Confirm the security level required for the installation with the building owner or security consultant before specifying.

FAQs

When was Karp Associates founded and where is it located?

Karp Associates, Inc. was established in 1956, with roots in Karp Metal Products, founded in Brooklyn, New York in 1925. The company is now headquartered in Melville, New York, where it operates a 150,000 square foot manufacturing facility.

What warranty does Karp offer on its access doors?

Karp Associates warranty terms are available at karpinc.com. Confirm the warranty applicable to a specific Karp access door model with your Karp distributor at the time of purchase.

What is the difference between Karp standard and fire-rated access doors?

The difference between Karp standard and fire-rated access doors is the fire-resistance certification and required application. Standard Karp access doors are appropriate for non-rated wall and ceiling assemblies where concealed system access is needed without a fire rating. Karp fire-rated access doors carry UL certification for 1.5-hour B-label wall ratings and Warnock Hersey 3-hour ceiling ratings, with NFPA 80 self-closing and self-latching features required in fire-rated assemblies.

What fire rating do Karp fire-rated access doors carry?

Karp fire-rated access doors are certified as a 1.5-hour B-label in walls by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and for 3 hours in ceilings by Warnock Hersey. Karp fire-rated access doors are NFPA 80 compliant with self-closing and self-latching mechanisms. The applicable fire rating depends on whether the access door is installed in a wall or ceiling assembly; confirm the required rating with the project architect or authority having jurisdiction.

What is the Karp KAD Aluminum Drywall Access Door?

The Karp KAD Aluminum Drywall Access Door is a specialty access door designed for upscale interior applications where a standard visible-frame access door is not acceptable. The KAD features all hardware concealed behind a gypsum board inlay that blends into the surrounding wall surface, providing maintenance access without a visible door frame or gap in the wall finish. The KAD is specified in high-end residential and commercial interiors where concealed system access is required without interrupting the wall appearance.

Are Karp security access doors appropriate for correctional or institutional facilities?

Karp security access doors are constructed from heavy-gauge steel with tamper-resistant hinges and hardware, making them appropriate for medium and high-security access applications including institutional and correctional facilities where unauthorized access to concealed systems must be prevented. Confirm the specific security hardware and certification requirements of the facility with the security consultant before specifying a Karp security access door model.