Imperial GH-197 Flush Bolt

The Imperial GH-197 is a manual flush bolt designed for the inactive leaf of commercial double doors. Extruded aluminum body with a spring-loaded lever, 5/8" throw with 7/8" vertical adjustment, 12" rod cut to ANSI frame prep, and 1/2" diameter solid brass bolts for long-term wear resistance. Non-handed (installed on left or right leaf without reconfiguration). Three finishes available: US3 Bright Brass (605), US26 Bright Chrome (625), and US26D Satin Chrome (626). 

What Is the GH-197 Flush Bolt

A flush bolt is the vertical locking rod that secures the inactive leaf of a pair of double doors into the frame head (top bolt) and floor or threshold (bottom bolt). When someone needs to open both leaves for moving furniture, equipment, or high-volume traffic, the flush bolts retract manually and the inactive leaf swings free. The GH-197 is Imperial USA's standard manual flush bolt, meaning an operator has to physically flip the lever to extend or retract the rod. This is different from an automatic flush bolt, which retracts automatically when the active leaf opens and engages automatically when the active leaf closes. Manual flush bolts are specified when the inactive leaf stays closed 95%+ of the time (storage rooms, mechanical rooms, rarely-used secondary egress doors), which is the most common double-door configuration in commercial buildings. The GH-197 is typically installed as a pair: one GH-197 at the top (head bolt) and one at the bottom (threshold bolt), both mortised into the edge of the inactive leaf.

GH-197 Specifications

• Material: extruded aluminum body with 1/2" diameter solid brass bolt

• Function: manual flush bolt for inactive leaf of double doors

• Throw: 5/8" bolt projection when engaged

• Vertical adjustment: 7/8" adjustment range to accommodate slight frame or floor variation

• Rod length: 12" standard (fits ANSI A115 Series door prep)

• Operation: spring-loaded lever (flip up to engage, flip down to retract)

• Handing: non-handed (works on left or right inactive leaf, no field modification)

• Face plate: 1" × 6-3/4" standard (from model designation)

• Finishes available: US3 Bright Brass (BHMA 605), US26 Bright Chrome (BHMA 625), US26D Satin Chrome (BHMA 626)

• SKU format: GH-197-US3 (bright brass), GH-197-US26 (bright chrome), GH-197-US26D (satin chrome)

• Model reference: TA197 (US26 variant designation)

Manual vs Automatic vs Constant Latching Flush Bolts

Flush bolt selection drives function, so here's the decode:

Manual flush bolts like the Imperial GH-197 require a person to operate the lever each time. Correct for doors where the inactive leaf is rarely opened. Budget-friendly because the mechanism is simple.

Automatic flush bolts like the Ives FB31P for metal doors at $175.87, or Ives FB41P for wood doors retract automatically when the active leaf opens, so the inactive leaf can be pulled open without a separate step. Correct when the inactive leaf is opened multiple times per day. Specify when user convenience is critical or when the door meets a labeled fire opening that requires positive latching.

Constant latching flush bolts (like the Ives FB51P Constant Latching for metal doors are a hybrid. Both bolts stay engaged until released by closing the active leaf firmly, then automatically re-engage when the inactive leaf is pushed closed. Correct for fire-rated double door openings.

Fire-rated applications require special attention. Any double door opening with a 20-minute or higher fire label needs positive latching, which usually means automatic or constant-latching flush bolts paired with a fire pin (like the Ives FB32 Auto Flush Bolt with Fire Latch. Manual flush bolts like the GH-197 are typically not code-compliant for fire-rated openings unless paired with an AHJ-approved labeled kit. Verify code requirements with your Authority Having Jurisdiction before specifying GH-197 on any fire-labeled opening.

When to Specify the Imperial GH-197

The GH-197 is the right choice when all three of these are true: inactive leaf is rarely opened, the opening is not fire-rated, and budget pressure is real. Common applications include residential double doors (closets, French doors), light commercial storage rooms, mechanical rooms, janitor closets, utility room secondary egress doors, garage access doors, and warehouse secondary personnel doors. The GH-197 is notably more budget-friendly than the Ives FB-series, which matters on door schedules with 10 to 40 openings where the spec'd flush bolt hardware adds up quickly. For same-application automatic flush bolts (top bolt only, metal doors), the Ives FB31T or the wood-door Ives FB41T or FB41B are the functional step-up options.