Monthly Archives: June 2009

Hollow Metal Standards

I recently needed to refer to a copy of HMMA-850, the NAAMM/HMMA standard for fire rated doors and frames.  I was pleasantly surprised to find this standard on-line as a free download.  Upon further digging, I found that almost ALL of the HMMA and SDI publications can be downloaded for free from their websites.  There is a wealth of information there, including free downloadable specifications and ANSI standards.  If you're an architect or specwriter, you can even request a complimentary bound copy (or CD) of the SDI Fact File which includes all of their publications.  Click the links below to check out the list of standards available for download.

By |2016-07-20T10:57:31-04:00June 29th, 2009|Doors & Frames|3 Comments
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Doors Gone Wrong

After over 20 years in the hardware industry, my family has grown accustomed to me taking photos of doors.  They still think it's strange, but it's no longer surprising.  Last weekend we were on a Fathers Day outing and I saw this sad door on a gas station ladies' room.  I couldn't help but wonder...who would be this desperate to get into the ladies room?  I guess someone REALLY had to go. 

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00June 24th, 2009|Doors Gone Wrong|0 Comments
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Exit Enclosure

My last post referenced the term "exit enclosure", and I received a few questions about its meaning.  An exit enclosure is the enclosure around an exit.  For our purposes it usually refers to a stairwell.  According to the IBC, exit enclosures connecting 4 or more stories require a 2-hour fire resistance rating, and those connecting less than 4 stories require a 1-hour fire resistance rating (IBC-2009-1022.1).  Exit enclosures must lead directly to the exterior or to an exit passageway, which will typically have the same fire resistance rating as the exit enclosure.  The IBC includes some exceptions for exits which do not need to be enclosed, such as stairs in parking garages.

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00June 18th, 2009|Fire Doors, Means of Egress|0 Comments
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Temperature Rise Doors

A temperature rise door is a fire-rated door which limits the heat transfer through the door for a period of 30 minutes.  Temperature rise ratings indicate the maximum rise above ambient temperature on the non-fire side of the door, and will be either 250°, 450°, or 650° F.  The 250° door is the most restrictive because it limits the heat transfer to only 250° for a 30-minute period.  A typical hollow metal door would reach approximately 1400° F in the same time period.  By minimizing the transfer of heat, a temperature rise door could protect an exit enclosure, allowing people to pass below the floor of fire origin.

By |2022-07-05T13:47:05-04:00June 16th, 2009|Doors Gone Wrong, Fire Doors|6 Comments
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Temperature Rise Doors

My only hesitation in posting these photos is that they are probably the best photos of Doors Gone Wrong that I have ever seen, and any future photos will pale in comparison.  These are the holy grail of bad door photos, which I received from Eyal Bedrik of Entry Systems Ltd. in Israel.  According to Eyal, these are temperature rise doors, which you can learn more about in my next post.

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00June 15th, 2009|Doors Gone Wrong, FDAI, Fire Doors|0 Comments
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Small World

I started this website a few months ago as a way to connect with our customers and help them find answers to their code questions.  I have been amazed at the response to the site, from all over the United States and 18 other countries (and counting!).  It really is a small world.

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00June 11th, 2009|General Info|0 Comments
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ADAAG Manual

The ADAAG Manual was created by the Access Board of the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board as companion information to the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG).  It explains and clarifies many of the requirements of the ADAAG, and gives insight on the intent of the requirements.  I recently found a downloadable version available online.  You can download it here by clicking on the link at the top that says "ERIC Full Text".

By |2013-02-09T00:40:02-05:00June 9th, 2009|Accessibility|0 Comments
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Where's the Door?

I'll get back to the long, wordy posts about code questions soon, but in the meantime here's another cool door photo from Paul Goldense of Goldense Building Products. This opening is used by a water authority to access their pumps for maintenance. It's hung with continuous hinges on a channel iron frame.  As an extra challenge, the door is located at the top of a dam. Very cool!

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00June 9th, 2009|Funky Applications|0 Comments
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Electric Latch Retraction?

Well...the latch is retracted and it involves a wire!  As a follow-up to yesterday's post about retrofit dogging accomplished with a tie-wrap, here's a photo from Brendan Daley of Horner Commercial Sales that was taken in a new hospital.  I'm guessing they weren't happy with the lock function so they came up with this ingenious solution.  I especially love the tape on the lever.  Thanks Brendan!

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00June 4th, 2009|Electrified Hardware, Funky Applications|0 Comments
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Retrofit Dogging

I've spent several phone calls this week discussing "dogging" with one of my favorite clients.  I guess it is kind of hard to keep straight if you're not a hardware person.  The term "dogging" refers to holding the latch(es) of a panic device retracted to create a push/pull function.  When the panic device is dogged, it is unlocked/unlatched and you can just pull on the door to open it.  When the panic device is not dogged, it is latched and you need an active trim (like a lever) or a key to retract the latch(es) and open the door.  In either case, free egress is achieved at any time by pushing on the touchpad or crossbar of the panic device.

By |2012-01-27T22:10:03-05:00June 3rd, 2009|Fire Doors, Funky Applications, Panic Hardware, Reader Photos|1 Comment
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Combustible Floor Coverings

I love it when I'm able to solve one of life's great mysteries.  Today I was asked whether a 90-minute fire rated door required a threshold.  The short answer is "no" but my coworker Greg chimed in to ask about fire rated openings with combustible floor covering running through.  There's a paragraph in NFPA 80 that I've wondered about in the past (for about 5 seconds), which says that combustible floor coverings can extend under doors that are rated up to 90 minutes as long as the minimum critical radiant flux is .22 W/cm2.  What that means, I have no clue, although Zeke tried to put it in terms of a lightbulb for me one time.

By |2012-01-27T22:10:03-05:00June 2nd, 2009|Fire Doors|0 Comments
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Doors Gone Wrong

This is one of those openings that makes me cringe...yuck!  But I can't let a teachable moment go by.  Yesterday I got a call from an architect who asked whether it was acceptable to put a panic device on one leaf of a pair when only that leaf is required for egress width.  The codes aren't 100% clear on this, but I have had code officials require panics on both leaves of a pair even if only one leaf is required for egress.  You also need to consider the alternative to using panics on both leaves...a panic on one leaf and auto flush bolts on the other.  This application also requires a coordinator and overall it's a problematic application.

By |2012-01-27T22:10:03-05:00June 1st, 2009|Doors Gone Wrong, Panic Hardware|0 Comments
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