WW: Back-2-Basics
Sometimes it's important to go back to the basics, because there are always new people finding iDigHardware for the first time. And clearly, not everyone has gotten the message.
Sometimes it's important to go back to the basics, because there are always new people finding iDigHardware for the first time. And clearly, not everyone has gotten the message.
I can't count the number of times iDigHardware readers have asked me to send them some "proof" to support the intent of a code requirement. Have you seen this resource from BHMA?
A reader recently asked me where to find the BHMA comparison of the IBC requirements from 2012 to 2024. The document has been revised, and the new links are in today's post!
Do you have questions about bullet-resistant glass? A recent article by David Vermeulen, North America Sales Director, TGP addresses some of the considerations for these applications.
Last week I asked for ideas about what could have been done differently with the hardware on a stage door. Today's post is a follow-up with the solution that I would specify.
I've seen this application hundreds of times, gymnasium fire doors with applied padding. But is applied padding allowed when the doors are fire rated? WWYD?
Are you familiar with the annual inspection criteria for fire door assemblies? Join us on Thursday, March 14th, for an AIA-approved webinar presented by Jeff Batick of Allegion.
This month’s Decoded question is a common one related to classroom doors in educational facilities: Are classroom barricade devices allowed by the model codes and accessibility standards?
Today's Quick Question was prompted by a recent post about a continuous hinge retrofit on a fire door: If a UL Listed product is modified in the field, does this void the listing?
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos are a great "before and after" example from a high school gymnasium. If you have photos you'd like to share, there's an upload link in today's post.
A recent article from David Vermeulen, North America Sales Director for Technical Glass Products (TGP) does some myth busting about fire-rated glass...check it out in today's post!
When a stairwell door unlocks (or is always unlocked) to allow building occupants to leave the stairwell if it becomes compromised during a fire, what happens next? WWYD?
Today's Quick Question: On a fire door assembly where adhesive smoke gasketing is installed, is it acceptable to have open silencer holes under the gasketing?
Normally I'm extremely focused on door-related problems, but this one left me Wordless because the photo was taken in a fire department training facility.
Today's Quick Question: When a continuous hinge is installed on an existing fire door assembly, the labels on the fire door and frame are often covered by the hinge. How should this be handled?
Today's Quick Question came up recently with regard to the materials of components used on fire door assemblies: Are all products installed as components of a fire door assembly required to be made of steel?
Assuming that the screws in this fire door assembly are steel, and considering that NFPA 80 doesn't limit the number of holes or screws, do you think this repair is compliant with the standard?
I don't know what's on the other side of this door (is this a required exit from the area under construction?), but the idea of someone using this type of temporary hasp - possibly without evaluating the egress path, makes me nervous. How about you?
Happy New Year! Throughout 2024 I will continue to update my library of Decoded articles, in preparation for some upcoming changes. Let me know if you have suggested topics for my Decoded Q&A series, published monthly.
Mark Kuhn's latest post is a great reminder about holiday decorating and the considerations for fire doors and other doors in a means of egress. Happy Holidays!
The next article in my Decoded series addresses clarifications to the 2024 model codes related to stairwell reentry. These requirements ensure that building occupants can leave a stairwell if it becomes compromised during a fire.
In the past, some of my colleagues have compared me to Navin Johnson, Steve Martin's character in The Jerk. I will admit, Navin's excitement over the arrival of the new phone book does share some similarities to my reaction to the publication of the new codes.
This Quick Question has come up quite often over the years - I was shocked to find that I had not yet answered it here: Is XYZ product certified as compliant with NFPA 101 (or any other model code)?
I recently taught an interactive code update class for an enthusiastic and competitive group of conference attendees, and I'm sharing some of the information from that session in this article, so everyone can benefit from what was covered in the presentation.
BHMA recently posted another edition of Codes in Context - this time focusing on changes to NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code. The summary report and the supporting focus documents can be downloaded from the site’s Codes in Context page.
A couple of weeks ago I posted Wordless Wednesday and Fixed-it Friday photos from recent airport visits. This time it's our senior hollow metal engineer, Marilyn Latham of Allegion, who is sending me airport photos.
As a former specwriter, I can see a potential for problems if a plate that is required to be installed with screws is specified for a fire door that requires installation with adhesive. Is this an issue that arises in the field? WWYD?
It's hard to believe that it has been 6 YEARS since I last updated this post on zombie-resistant door openings, and 9 YEARS sine I wrote the original version. With the new model codes coming out soon it's time for another update, and what better day to post it than on Halloween??
While traveling to and from Tanzania and Zanzibar, we visited 8 airports in 5 countries, and saw a few interesting airport applications. Check them out and let me know what you think!
Next week I will be back in my old stomping ground to do some training on recent and upcoming changes to the I-Codes, NFPA Codes, and referenced standards related to swinging door openings. It's not too late to register!
Questions about door closers on classroom doors have been coming up frequently, so I have updated this Decoded article to reflect the current code requirements. What are you seeing in the field? Closers, or no closers?
Because of some changes made in the 2024 editions of the I-Codes, I have updated this Decoded article addressing when to use fail secure vs. fail safe electrified hardware.
I will be teaching two classes during the DHI conNextions conference next month in Boston, and I hope to see a lot of familiar faces there! The classes are both code updates, but the focus is slightly different. Which one will you register for?
If you are responsible for inspecting fire door assemblies or keeping them code-compliant, you already know that one of the most common challenges is related to perimeter clearance. Do you have a few minutes to share your insight?
I'm continuing to revise my Decoded articles to maintain them as an up-to-date resource for the industry...familiarity with use groups and occupancy classifications is crucial to understanding and applying the codes.
Most of the codes and standards are updated every 3-5 years, but there may be a period of time when a new product is available that is not specifically addressed until the next edition is published. How is this handled by the AHJ?
Wednesday, July 12th, Door Openings Industry Training (DOIT) is offering a webinar by Rich Walke of Creative Technologies. Learn how to use UL's Product iQ Online Directory, and receive one hour of continuing education credit!
If you are an AHJ or a fire door inspector, or have used listed plates to cover holes in fire doors, please share your insight. Are there limitations on hole size, door material, or fire rating? Is permission from the door manufacturer required?
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photo from Joel Niemi Architect. Who can tell me a section from any code that prohibits the situation shown here? This is a fire rated exit enclosure (stairwell) in a hotel.
Drywall anchors, that is! This is a 90-minute wood fire door, and someone tried to install the door closer (twice) with drywall screws and plastic anchors. I'm wordless! Happy Fixed-it Friday!
I'm wordless about today's Fixed-it Friday photo, which I saw posted on the "There's no crying in hollow metal" Facebook page. I asked Scott Foley of P&M Doors for permission to share it with all of you. Enjoy!
Today's Quick Question has come up several times lately with regard to the code requirements for hospitals, nursing homes, and similar types of facilities: What is the difference between a "corridor door" and a "smoke barrier door" in a health care occupancy?
During a 1:00 a.m. fire alarm, Denise Gorski took note of the damaged latchset on a hotel's stairwell fire door. If the door wasn't propped open with a wedge, the missing lever may have prevented hotel guests from exiting. Which is worse? The open door or the potential lack of egress??
When testing a fire door to determine whether it is closing and latching properly, from what open position should the door be tested? I have updated this Decoded article about the closing cycle of fire doors for positive latching, to reflect the current codes.
Last week I posted about some upcoming code training that I'll be conducting in the Southeast, and it turns out that there is some availability in my class at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville on May 16th. There's more info in today's post.
This was not the first (nor the last) time that I have seen a conflict between a chute door and a swinging fire door that provides a convenient way to hold the doors open. This has now been addressed in the International Building Code (IBC).
In a couple of weeks I will be conducting some code training in the Carolinas and Tennessee. There are a few spots available in the class in Clemson, South Carolina on Tuesday, May 9th, so if you are within driving distance, check out the training invitation here.
As I mentioned last month, my Decoded column has a new question-and-answer format. This month's question: "Are communicating doors between adjoining hotel rooms required to be self-closing, self-latching fire door assemblies?"
TGPs Street Talk series is an on-demand video channel where the team goes on location to see how architectural glazing products solved design challenges. Check out this video about a fire-rated stairwell that was added to a historic building in Seattle.
A recent article in the International Code Council's Building Safety Journal addresses the critical role that the International Building Code (IBC), International Fire Code (IFC), and International Residential Code (IRC) play in how architects design buildings.