In commercial construction, access control wiring doesn’t fit neatly into a single division. That’s exactly why it gets dropped. Overlooked, deferred, or assumed to be someone else’s job, the wiring pathway inside the frame becomes a problem no one claims until it becomes everyone’s headache.
The Coordination Gap No One Owns
Wiring for access-controlled openings lives in the void between two divisions. Division 8 covers doors, frames, and hardware. Division 28 handles access control and security systems. But the conduit routing through the frame? That often falls into a gray area nobody clearly owns.
- Architects usually assume the low-voltage integrator will deal with it.
- Integrators expect the electrician to provide a path.
- Electricians assume the door frame comes prepped.
- Frame suppliers typically don’t include conduit unless it’s explicitly called out.
So the pathway, the literal space needed to get power and signal through the opening, is left uncoordinated. No one budgets for it. No one scopes it. And no one flags it until it’s time to pull wire and the wall’s already closed.
At that point, you’re not coordinating anymore. You’re reacting. And the question isn’t “who’s got it?” It’s “how do we fix this fast?”
The Real-World Cost of “Not My Job”
When no one owns the pathway, the result is usually improvisation. Installers end up fishing wires through narrow frame cavities after finishes are complete. They drill holes. They cut access points. They do whatever it takes to get the wire through, but those decisions come at a cost.
Not only does this slow down the job, but it also puts fire ratings at risk and introduces long-term maintenance headaches. What looks like a small patch today might be the source of a failed inspection—or a service call—tomorrow. Field improvisation also means no two frames are alike, which makes troubleshooting nearly impossible down the line.
Facility teams inherit these inconsistencies. They’re left with unclear routing, inaccessible wires, and no documentation. Adding a single new device years later can require cutting into finished walls because there’s no reliable infrastructure to build on. What began as a small coordination gap becomes a long-term operational liability.
Frame Frog Creates Ownership Through Structure
Frame Frog offers a different approach, one that brings structure to the very thing that usually gets left undefined. It standardizes the wiring pathway so that everyone involved knows exactly what to expect.
At the core of the system is a port configuration designed to support clean, efficient installs. Short ports route wiring internally within the frame; long ports connect to external conduit. Because installers already know where their wire needs to land, whether that’s a power supply, access panel, or monitoring system, they can choose the right path immediately.
With Frame Frog in place, roles become clearer. Electricians have a dedicated path to work with. Integrators don’t need to fish blindly or retrofit last-minute. Frame installers have the option to weld in the system at the shop, or use wing tabs in the field if the decision comes later in the process.
Trade coordination improves, install times drop, and inspection outcomes become more predictable. And long after the job is complete, facility teams still benefit from a consistent, documented wiring infrastructure.
Don’t Wait to Find Out Whose Problem It Is
When the pathway isn’t planned, the whole project becomes more fragile. Misalignment grows, trades point fingers, and costs rise. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Choosing Frame Frog early gives project teams something rare: a clear, code-compliant plan that closes the coordination gap before it opens. Everyone benefits…architects, GCs, integrators, electricians, and especially the people who’ll be maintaining the system long after it’s installed. This isn’t about shifting blame. It’s about assigning a solution. If your team doesn’t define the wiring pathway, you’re leaving a critical part of the opening up to chance. And that’s a gamble no one wants to make under pressure. Frame Frog solves the accountability problem before it ever starts.