The structural member above the elevator door opening that supports the door track, hangers, and operating mechanism.
Full Definition
The door header is a horizontal structural assembly mounted above the elevator door opening on both the car and landing sides. It carries the door hanger track, guide channel, and the door operator assembly on the car side. The header must be rigid enough to prevent deflection under door weight and operational forces, and must maintain correct door alignment throughout the life of the installation. On the landing side, the header supports the landing door panels and the interlock mechanism. Header design affects door opening width, sill gap, and the accessibility of maintenance components.