Latch assembly for vertical door and method of operating

An apparatus comprising:

• a vertical door latch assembly comprising:
• a housing;
• a bolt movably attached to the housing, the bolt having a catch portion;
• a drive motor located within the housing configured to selectively move a lock assembly between a locked position preventing movement of the bolt and an unlocked position allowing movement of the bolt, wherein the drive motor comprises a rotational driving output that rotates about an axis that is parallel to the bolt;
• a controller in communication with the drive motor and configured to instruct the drive motor to move the lock assembly between the locked position and the unlocked position;
• and
• a force sensor in communication with the controller and configured to measure when a force applied to the bolt to determine that the force applied to the bolt exceeds a predetermined threshold of force, wherein the force sensor is located on a portion of the bolt;
• and
• further comprising a wireless communications device in communication with the controller and configured to transmit signals to a remote location when a force measured by the force sensor exceeds the predetermined threshold;
• wherein apparatus further comprises a handle and a screw attaching the handle to the bolt, and wherein the screw is configured to fail at or below the predetermined threshold of force.