General Info
It still amazes me when I see visitors from countries who haven’t visited the site before, and the fact that we are now over 100 countries is so exciting! Here are the most recent countries, which pushed us over the 100-country mark: Armenia, Ghana, Qatar, Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belize, Malta, Dominican Republic, and… Nepal, [...]
I’m working on a post for tomorrow that will solve another hardware mystery (regarding closers on classroom doors), but in the meantime, a couple of housekeeping issues… You may have noticed that a “HELP” button was added in the header a while back. If you have a question, I’d really appreciate it if you could [...]
A penny won’t get you too far these days…I have to bribe my kids with at least a dollar to get them to do anything. So I’m going to up the ante. I’m offering a chance to win 10,000 PENNIES! It’s hard to believe, but almost 1,000 comments have been left on this blog. The [...]
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 [...]
I’m working on the next post about smoke but this has been an extremely busy week. Here’s something to entertain you while you wait: Apparently firefighters are being asked to deal with rogue bears more frequently these days. I’ll bet this bear woke up with a headache.
Last month I told you that I would be drawing 5 names from my list of connections and subscribers in honor of my 500th post, to win their choice of prizes (an LCN 4040XP closer, a Schlage CO lock, a Schlage residential keypad lock, or a $50 Amazon gift card). Yesterday was Kidzilla’s 5th birthday, [...]
Last week I said that as new countries came to visit this site, I’d post a door photo from that country. Sounds like fun, right? Well, it’s not as easy as it looks from where you’re sitting. The most recent new country to visit idighardware.com is Botswana. Believe it or not, I have been to [...]
There have been lots of changes around here in the last few months…we moved the site to a new server and a new URL, and things seem to be running smoothly. We’ve added an archive in the sidebar, and reformatted the search results pages and the category index pages to match. My coworker, Lindsey Weiss, [...]
I was pleasantly surprised to open my June issue of the Construction Specifier this morning, and find an article called “Architectural Hardware Specifications,” by Joseph D. Calvert, CSI, CDT, AHC of Calvert Independent Hardware Specifications. The article does a great job of explaining the value of an AHC. Joe describes the coordination that we manage [...]
Last week I conducted a 3-hour class for the New England Chapter of the Door & Hardware Institute. The class is available to any hardware suppliers, architects, or end users in New England who need to understand code requirements related to doors and hardware, including recent changes to the Massachusetts State Building Code, and the 2006 [...]
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.
I don’t know what I was thinking. This should have been the very first post!
Last weekend I opened the door to a sports facility where my son was attending a birthday party, and I saw an interesting (to me) application. My three friends scattered when they saw me whip out the camera…I still don’t know why it’s so embarrassing to be seen with someone taking a picture of a [...]
I’m not normally the type of person who would ask for fans…what if I didn’t have any?? That would stink. Well, Friday afternoon I was talking to a colleague about how Colonial Williamsburg found my post about the doors there and posted a link on their Facebook fan page. When I looked at my blog’s statistics, [...]
We had planned to get on the road early yesterday afternoon but we ended up leaving Williamsburg around 5 p.m., about the same time everyone else coming home from everywhere decided to leave. The traffic was terrible, and after 6 hours of driving we had gone as far as Elkton, Maryland and couldn’t stay in [...]
Have you ever had a few minutes to spare between meetings or while waiting for someone, and you wondered what was going on over at iDigHardware? Well, now you can find out! If you log into the site from your iPhone, Android, or iPad, you will be automatically directed to the new mobile version of [...]
I’ve been thinking about this post for 2 weeks, and I’m stumped. It’s my 500th post on this blog. It seems like 500 posts should warrant some sort of fanfare…maybe a cake?! (in our office we use any excuse to have cake). I’ve been trying to think of a tie-in to 500 somethings, a related [...]
One year ago today I wrote the first post on this blog, regarding panic hardware on electric rooms. I don’t remember why I chose that topic for my first post, but I tried to post answers to some of the most commonly asked questions before I introduced the site to anyone. Since then I have [...]
After I posted some pics of my kids during Chip Falcon’s Road Trip, many blog readers commented or emailed me about them. I finally finished our electronic “Happy New Year” card, so feel free to take a look if you want to. If not, come back tomorrow and I’ll post about something more door-like. Happy [...]
When my daughter was in preschool, she told her class that when she grew up she wanted to be a “hard work insultant”, just like her mom. After 20+ years of explaining to people what I do, I can’t blame her for being a little confused. In case you’ve been wondering why anyone would need a hardware [...]
I guess the blog’s subscriber system decided to go on vacation too, and I just realized that you weren’t receiving notification emails! There are a couple of posts waiting for you, and I’d also like to announce the winners of the “A Penny for Your Thoughts” contest! The 1,000th comment was left by CDA, a [...]
I don’t ask for much, right? But I need a little help. I’ve been posting on this blog for over 2 years and there are more than 400 posts. I know it can sometimes be hard to find the specific post or topic you’re looking for. You can search by typing something into the search [...]
Someone emailed me last week to ask if Ingersoll Rand was hiring. Good question – it’s been a really long time since I’ve perused the want ads. Back in 1987, I was laid off from my job as a draftsman for an aluminum storefront supplier and had to go on the hunt for a new [...]
I really appreciate all of the comments and suggestions that were left in response to my post called WWYD? Cross-Corridor Pair. I love the collaboration and I know we can all benefit from the experience of others as well as the different points of view. My coworker, Bill Lawliss, and I are creating a new [...]
This article was written by Carl Prinzler, one of the creators of the original exit device, at the end of the 1930′s. I think it’s an interesting insight into the development of the first exit device and the code requirements at that time. How It All Began A rambling story of the birth of Von [...]
Some of the more attentive ihatehardware readers may have noticed a few little changes with the site lately. For a long time I’ve been thinking about adding another domain name for my blog, indicating my true feelings about doors and hardware. The original domain name, www.iHATEhardware.com, was chosen because almost all of the architects I [...]
The blog has hit the big time! American Express wants to give Idig Hardware a gold card!
Some interesting stats…if your state isn’t in the Top 10, tell your friends to come visit iDigHardware!
I’ve added a new page to help you find what you’re looking for – the Index tab above. There are already 76 posts (!) and I’ll be adding two new features shortly. One will be a series called Industry Profiles – to help you get to know some of the great people who work in the [...]
It’s official – I have a new job (woohoo!). For the last 3 years while I’ve been getting to know all of you and putting as much code/application information on this site as possible, I have also been managing our specification team for New England. At times it has been a struggle to do both, [...]
It’s been a while since I’ve given anything away, but it’s a new year and I feel the need to celebrate the upcoming 1-year anniversary of this site and the approaching milestone of hosting visitors from 100 COUNTRIES! It still amazes me that hardware haters (and hardware lovers) worldwide are using this site as a [...]
At next month’s meeting of the Boston Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), I’ll be doing an update on the 7th edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code. The presentation should be about 45 minutes + time for questions, so relatively painless, and the food is GREAT! If you’d like to attend and you’re [...]
I’m on a mini-vacation with my family for the holidays, but I’ve already spotted some doors of interest for you so I will post those soon. I took a photo of a restaurant exit last night, and my friend’s son asked why. His father said that the next time they pass the restaurant it will [...]
I just got final confirmation that Zeke Wolfskehl and I will be teaching a code class for architects at the 36th annual DHI Conference in New York City! Prior to the adoption of the 2008 NYC Construction Code, the NYC Building Code was almost as old as me(!), so we’re thinking it’s a good time [...]
One of the Top 10 *issues* I’ve consistently had to deal with over the years is US10B – oil-rubbed bronze finish. This has been the finish of choice when the “antique” or “historic” look is desired, and whenever I’m asked to specify it I make sure that the architect knows what’s going to happen after the hardware [...]
The kids’ spring break begins tomorrow, so I’ve got my earplugs packed (literally) and we’re headed south on another road trip. We’re planning to stop in DC Sunday morning to burn some energy and so I can check on the United States Institute of Peace. I wrote the hardware spec quite a few years ago [...]
In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a new photo gallery tab at the top of the page. The gallery includes thumbnails of some of the photos I’ve used in previous posts, and when you click on the thumbnail it will take you to the applicable post. (If any of them take you to the wrong [...]
I readily admit that I get excited about things that wouldn’t excite the average U.S. citizen but that’s part of my charm. I think this product is very cool. It’s the PLS Frame Set, and it’s a quick and accurate way to verify the alignment of door frames. When a door isn’t functioning properly, [...]
This feels like some sort of milestone – I have published 365 posts on this blog. 365!!! That means if I stopped posting today, someone could read one post per day for the next year and hardly miss me. It’s hard to believe that I’ve been able to find 365 things to talk about related [...]
There’s a great resource for code information on the Reed Construction Data site. It includes information for all 50 states, major cities, and some counties, and lists contact information for many of the AHJs in each jurisdiction. Check it out!
Update: Relay for Life is tomorrow, so if you would like to make a donation, today’s the day! Luminarias in honor, memory, or support of a loved one are available for $10 by following the link below. I’m a little over $100 away from my goal. I appreciate your help! Last week I was grumbling [...]
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. I received an [...]
Over the last year, I’ve really started to understand the valuable communication tool that social media has become. Every time I write a blog post, a notification of the post is immediately seen by at least 1500 people. If any of those connections comments, tweets, or “likes” the post, it is then shared with their [...]
Here are some links to recent door-related social media activity. Enjoy! Check out Ginny Powell‘s blog post about attending an electrified hardware class and putting the information to good use on A Cracked Door. Life Safety Services tweeted this news story about fire door problems and other code violations at Campus Habitat. David Stutzman has [...]
As I’ve said before, I often look at my stats and see how people arrived at my blog. I see a lot of people searching for information about fire door inspection and other information about fire doors, when to use panic hardware and various egress questions, and plenty of accessibility questions. Sometimes people arrive searching [...]
For my subscribers on the west coast…check out the rise of the Supermoon tonight! The rest of you can enjoy the beautiful full moon too, but moonrise in Boston was at 7:16. It was amazing! Yes, I do occasionally take photos of something besides doors.
It’s been a slow week for posts and I apologize for that, but I’ve got a good excuse. For the 5th straight year, my coworkers, family and friends have provided Christmas gifts for the local family shelter – 48 kids and their parents this year! We also provided some new items for the shelter’s rewards [...]
By now I’m sure some of you are wondering if I’m lying in a ditch somewhere, but I’m not! Our website host has had some problems on the server side which left me unable to log in since last Thursday. It looks like things are back up and running so I’ll finally be able to [...]
It’s almost impossible to imagine a fire of this magnitude, which began on November 9th, 1872. More than 770 buildings burned in less than 20 hours, most of them commercial buildings that were previously thought to be fire-proof. Several problems contributed to fighting the fire – the flu that had stricken most of the horses [...]
1008.1.8.6 Delayed egress locks. Approved, listed, delayed egress locks shall be permitted to be installed on doors serving any occupancy except Group A, E and H occupancies in buildings that are equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or an approved automatic smoke or heat detection system installed in accordance [...]
Anyone who knows me personally, knows that I’m a helper. I like to help. I’m always organizing collection efforts for one thing or another, donating items for our local schools, pitching in when I can. There are so many people in need, and if we all help a little, the world will be a better [...]
According to NFPA 101 – the Life Safety Code, a building is considered occupied when it is open for general occupancy, open to the public, or occupied by more than 10 people. I couldn’t find a similar definition in the International Building Code, so I called the ICC (membership has it’s privileges), and the consultant [...]
Earlier this week with the 8th anniversary of 9/11 approaching, I wondered what was happening at Ground Zero. I checked in with the Metro-NY office of Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies, and learned that their specification department had written the hardware specs for the four new World Trade Center towers, and the retail space that connects [...]
I guess it’s a sign of the times. In the old days, if you were lucky enough to get your name in the newspaper, that was a very big event (unless you were in the police blotter). One time I was on TV and I had my whole family standing by to press *record* on [...]
