Archive for February, 2009
If you don’t have a current copy of our handy code booklet, drop me an email and let me know how many you need. It lists a summary of door-related code requirements for the IBC, NFPA 80, NFPA 101, NFPA 5000, ICC/ANSI A117.1, the ADAAG, BOCA, SBCCI, UBC, and the National Building Code of Canada. [...]
News from the Access Board regarding the updated ADA Accessibility Guidelines which were originally published in 2004, revised in 2005, and published for public comment in 2007: The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has delayed publication of updated final regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) due to the presidential transition. DOJ, which had [...]
The 2007 edition of ANSI/BHMA A156.19 – American National Standard for Power Assist and Low Energy Power Operated Doors requires that low energy operators are initiated by a “knowing act” rather than a motion sensor. According to A156.19, a knowing act is defined as “consciously initiating the powered opening of a low-energy door using acceptable [...]
Door opening force is the measurement of how many pounds of force are required to open a door. The requirements for door opening force are found in the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG), ICC/ANSI A117.1 Standard on Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, and the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board requirements (521 CMR). In [...]
In addition to the DHI courses that our local chapter offers, there are classes held twice annually on a national level. Here’s where to find more information: New England Chapter DHI National If you would like to join DHI, click here.
One of our customers sent me this photo last week. It was found on a psychiatric facility and to operate it, a staff member must be present and holding the bolt projected via the lever. I did my best to track down a manufacturer with no luck. It’s possible that it was made in a [...]
Tactile warning is an abrasive or knurled strip on a lever handle to indicate that the door leads to a hazardous area such as a boiler room, mechanical room, or loading dock. This requirement is no longer included in the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) or in ICC/ANSI A117.1, but it is a [...]
An EPT is an electrical power transfer, which is used to transfer wires from the door frame to the edge of the door. It is used when there is a door-mounted piece of electrified hardware which requires power and/or sends a signal to a remote location. The security consultants that I have worked with all prefer [...]
The instructors in my Fire Door Assembly Inspector (FDAI) class showed us a really handy gauge to measure clearances around fire rated doors, and since I’m going to do my first *official* inspection tomorrow I tracked one down. It can easily and accurately measure 1/16″, 1/8″, 3/16″, 1/4″, and 3/8″ gaps, and a 3/4″ undercut. For [...]
The 7th edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR) was released on September 1st 2008, and must be used for all projects with permit dates of March 1st 2009 or later. Here’s where to get your copy ($50 + shipping for hard copy in binder + CD): Order from the State Bookstore online: [...]
I have worked long and hard to achieve certifications within the hardware industry, so you can bet your booty they’re printed on my business card. People often ask what they all mean, so here’s a quick run-down. (BTW…I’m still working on some of these, and others require more time and effort than I’m planning to [...]
Beginning with the 2002 edition, the National Electric Code (NFPA 70) requires that certain types of electric rooms have doors that open in the direction of egress and are “equipped with panic bars, pressure plates, or other devices that are normally latched but open under simple pressure.” According to an engineer I spoke with at [...]
