Maybe I should go into door forensics in my retirement years (someday). I think it’s so interesting to look at a door opening and try to figure out what happened.
Comments: 0
Someone asked me recently why distributors are still ordering swinging fire doors with a neutral pressure fire rating. I don’t know the answer to that…do you?
Trevor Hauser posted today’s Wordless Wednesday photo on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page, and all I can say is…wow.
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This is a great training opportunity for people who are new to the architectural hardware industry or who want to fill in some gaps in their industry education. Please share this info!
Last week, Allegion sponsored a virtual screening of the documentary – 6 Locked Doors. There are still some tickets left, so I’m inviting iDigHardware readers to watch it until the tickets run out.
Comments: 3
What is it with museums? Other than antique stores, they have to be one of the most common sites for non-code-compliant exits.
Even after 20 years, the requirements for projections into the clear opening width continue to raise questions. I’d love to have your insight on this. WWYD?
Comments: 18
What would you call this Wordless Wednesday post? I’m befuddled by the giant arrow, the multiple exit signs, the numerous motions required to unlatch the door, and…the padlock and hasp.
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Today’s “Quick Question”: When is a room required to have more than one exit or exit access doorway? Do you know the answer?
I’m participating in three sessions at next week’s virtual DHI conNextions conference…I hope to “see” you there!
This door has an arched top so the standard closer mountings won’t work, but there is an alternative – a special template from LCN!
Actually, I’ve been here all along – writing a new post each weekday! If you haven’t been receiving your daily or weekly email notifications, here’s what you missed…
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Sometimes people have to get creative when security is on the line! Hopefully, this unit is uninhabitable. #wordless
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An interesting product came across my desk recently, which is designed to allow hands-free operation of restroom doors. Have any of you tried it yet? WWYD?
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Harry Porosky of Integrated Openings Solutions sent me today’s Fixed-it Friday photo. This looks like it’s going to be a pretty expensive fix.
A change to the 2021 edition of the IBC seems to allow egress doors in some health care units to have mechanical locks in the direction of egress, instead of fail safe electrified locks. WWYD?
Do you see any problems with today’s Wordless Wednesday photo? While this might seem like an easy way to secure these doors, I have some concerns.
Safe Schools Week is nearly here and we have a fantastic webinar coming up, along with 4 more sessions from our national trainers on Webinar Wednesday, and the next Security in 30!
Fire door assemblies with counterfeit labels – am I the only one who finds this an extremely disturbing idea? Who knows how these doors will perform if there is a fire???
I can’t say for sure that is a fire door assembly, but I’ve seen this Fixed-it Friday application on fire doors many times in school gymnasiums.
Here are the answers to Tuesday’s real-world questions about the egress requirements for this mosque in Dubai. Read the other post first if you want to give it a try.
One silver lining to the pandemic may be the increased focus on gatherings that in many cases include too many people – not only for social distancing but for egress and life safety.
It’s one thing to read an article or watch a video about code requirements for doors and hardware, but how about applying what you’ve learned using a real project?
The online training offered by our national trainers for the last 20(!) Webinar Wednesdays will continue into October. Here’s what’s scheduled for this week…
Jennifer Schaffer posted today’s Fixed-it Friday photo on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page, and it seems like an appropriate “fix” for a Friday…
I’ve recently had several people ask how multiple changes in level within a door opening are considered by the accessibility standards. WWYD?
At first glance, the problem with this Wordless Wednesday photo may not immediately be apparent…do you see what’s causing the egress concern?
Do you have some free time on Saturday? I’ll be participating in a (free) virtual trade show and I’d love to have you stop by my virtual booth and visit!
Ten years ago I wrote my very first Decoded article, and the column has run continuously since December of 2010. Who knew I’d have so much to write about??
Fire door assemblies aren’t just something you read about in NFPA 80 – they have an important role in the passive fire protection of a building. Here’s another fire door win!
NFPA Journal: Safety is created by an ecosystem made up of codes, skilled workers, regular enforcement, and public understanding.
Yet another restaurant exit that leaves me #wordless. Posted in the Fire and Life Safety Inspectors Facebook group by Nancy Naber-Van Voorhees.
Our national training team has 4 more webinars on the schedule for the next Webinar Wednesday online classes – happening tomorrow!
The 2021 editions of the model codes have been modified, separating the limitations on the force used to open the door from the force used to operate the hardware.
I’m curious about this “self-cleaning” wrap installed on a door pull at a restaurant entrance. Do any of you have experience with this technology?
The Steel Door Institute (SDI) just released a new video that covers the annual inspection requirements for fire door assemblies. Feel free to share it!
Do you remember back in July when I shared crazy Wordless Wednesday photos of how a flash flood affected some doors? Well, here’s a WW video of a similar incident!
I’m finishing up my presentation for the DHI conNextions conference – covering the changes to the 2021 model codes, and I need your help!!
Not too many people would be walking down a hospital corridor and notice the problem shown in today’s Fixed-it Friday photo. Can you see it?
Comments: 53
I know that most of us have seen projects with wonky door numbering…what would you do if you could start from scratch and number the openings the right way?
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Today’s Wordless Wednesday photo shows a university weight room, where students allegedly “modified” the hardware so that the door would not be lockable.
In case you missed Paul Timm’s webinar last week, the recording is now available. And…our national trainers will be conducting 4 live sessions tomorrow.
I have been asked so many times – hundreds – whether it’s ok to lock a door in the direction of egress, and unlock it only in an emergency…the answer is almost always “NO!”
It still amazes me that people with seemingly no understanding of the code requirements will make modifications to their doors that could result in injury or even death.
Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) is a UK-based organization dedicated to fire door safety. Sharing this information about US fire doors could improve building safety.
I just love imagining you guys and gals spotting a door with a problem and thinking, “I need to take a picture for Lori!” Keep them coming! 😀
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Confused about the various code sections that apply to electrified hardware? These questions will guide you in the right direction.
I think it’s safe to say that “back-to-school” looks different for everyone this year. This Thursday, Paul Timm will be presenting a webinar on adjustments to schoool security protocols.
This was the result of a school maintenance manager’s attempt to unlock a door that was not on the key system. I think I would have broken the glass, but whatever works.
In the 2018 edition of NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code, requirements for alcohol-based hand-rub dispensers for new and existing schools are found in Sections 14.4.4 and 15.4.4.
Michael Wallick of Kelley Brothers sent me today’s Wordless Wednesday photo of an “emergency exit” in what looks like a thrift store (I love thrift stores!). What can I say? #wordless
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Here’s what our national trainers have on the online training schedule for tomorrow, and an additional webinar for security integrators on Friday.
Is it acceptable for a locksmith who is not AAADM certified to perform work on automatic doors – if the work is not part of the automatic operating system? WWYD?
Comments: 14
If you see any situations like this, I’d love a photo to help share ideas for Fixed-it Friday “fixes” that ensure all safety requirements are met.
Hand sanitizer is not normally within my area of expertise, but I’ve been receiving questions about it so I checked to see what NFPA had to say.
These WW photos illustrate a creative attempt at meeting the requirements for stairwell reentry, while inadvertently voiding the fire door label.
Last week I asked if you knew of any podcasts on codes, doors, or anything related to iDigHardware, and Facebook sent me a list!
I’ll bet this is happening even more often now, due to concerns about the transmission of germs. Yet another reason to go to touchless actuators.
If your fire exit hardware shows up on the job-site without the dogging feature, there’s a good reason for that. Homemade dogging is not a valid fix!
Today’s Quick Question: Do the requirements of NFPA 80 “trump” the ADA requirements? Is fire protection more important than accessibility?
Someone really went to a lot of trouble to turn this door from “exit” to “no exit”, but they missed a few things. Like checking in with the local fire marshal.
I think online learning is here to stay. Which doesn’t mean that we’ll never see each other in person again, but there’s a lot we can learn in the meantime.
Last week I posted about the 30th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), and I realized how many people were unaware of the history of the law.
Leave it to NFPA to come up with a new type of dogging that is guaranteed to keep a door with panic hardware unlocked indefinitely.
I have an opportunity to do a Q&A with a company offering field relabeling/recertification of fire door assemblies, and I want to make sure that I don’t miss any questions you may have.
These are some of the most wordless Wordless Wednesday photos ever; I’ve never seen anything like this. The force of water is amazing.
Yes, it’s Week 23. So if you’re feeling a little webinar-ed out, that’s probably why. I get it – I’ve been in the house for 133 days with only brief trips out for errands…
It must have been around 30 years ago when my boss sent me to a seminar held at a local hotel – the topic was a new federal law called the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Coming in just after duct tape and WD-40 in the lineup for must-have tools to fix door-related problems…the Sharpie!
Several questions were prompted by my recent webinar on touchless hardware, about the requirements addressing automatic operators and non-latching hardware on fire doors.
Today’s Wordless Wednesday photo shows an after-hours repair on a door that would not lock, as reported by the security department at a large university. Scary.
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As many of you already know, my oldest daughter is starting her second year at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, an early-adopter of mobile credentials.
There are SO MANY great opportunities to learn something new this week! Please share this list with any of your colleagues who might be interested!
Speaking from experience, this repair method – which apparently spans across multiple industries – does not last long.
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On top of the threat of fires and active shooters, crowds themselves can be deadly. New technology for crowd monitoring is the topic of this episode of Learn Something New™ by NFPA Journal.
I hope whoever thought today’s Wordless Wednesday application was a good solution for preventing unauthorized egress also thought about checking with the AHJ.
Many facility managers are exploring ways to reduce the transmission of germs in their buildings, but don’t forget about the code requirements!
Brian Coulombe: “Door hardware is a tough subject: limitless part numbers, an evolving technology landscape, and a library of jargon unto itself…”
Sometimes it’s painful to see what people will do to their doors and hardware. Trying to solve one problem can lead to another…
Today’s Quick Question is a very common one…Can cladding materials be applied to the face of a fire door assembly?
Today’s Wordless Wednesday photo makes me wonder what other interesting things have been found inside of these enclosures…
Don’t miss this week’s line-up of online classes…automatic operators, electrified hardware, hollow metal doors and frames, and school security.
Now that you’ve memorized the applications that require doors with panic hardware, a change to the 2021 IBC will add a new location that requires panics.
I have had quite a few questions about terminated stops on fire door assemblies, so this change to the 2021 IBC should help to clarify what is allowed by code.
What I love about a post like this is that someone will see it – and GET IT. During the fire shown in today’s Wordless Wednesday photos, a child was rescued from behind the closed door.
My next Decoded column for Door Security + Safety Magazine addresses an approved code change related to locking roof terraces and courtyards.
This is one of my favorite weeks of the year, but maybe for a different reason than you might expect. 🙂
Hardware sets in a specification look like a different language to most people, so sometimes there are surprises when the doors and hardware are installed.
Is it acceptable by code to provide battery back-up for an electromagnetic lock? What about other types of electrified hardware?
Whether this Wordless Wednesday “exit” is serving a black-box theater or the church that is renting space to hold their services, it’s extremely disturbing!
Our national trainers are continuing with their Webinar Wednesday series – classes are currently scheduled into August. Feel free to share this information with your colleagues.
How have you been specifying/supplying the hardware for hotel rooms that are sometimes used as a suite – with door closers on the individual doors, or without?
Where there’s a will (and the AHJ is flexible), there’s a way. It’s clear that a lot of thought went into this opening, but I have a few unanswered questions…
The 2021 IBC will specifically address the acceptable means of locking egress doors that serve exterior spaces – like balconies and roof decks – where the path of egress goes through the interior of the building.
Sometimes Wordless Wednesday photos need a little context. Most of us have seen hotel meeting rooms with exits concealed by curtains…but during a class for code officials??
One thing I have found during my 35 years in the door and hardware industry is that there is always more to learn. Check out the online classes available this week!
Many of you already know this (900 of you have already signed up), but this Thursday I will be presenting another webinar. If you’re on the fence about whether to attend, this post might help.
Yesterday morning, Luna and I saw a security gate/screen door that made me think of y’all…check out the vertical stiles and jambs. This is some serious custom work!
In case you missed this short paragraph in the NFPA Journal article I shared on Monday, I wanted to bring it to your attention since several iDigHardware readers emailed me about it…
Maintaining an established means of egress is important, but sometimes there’s a hazard that requires a modification of the exit route.
Here is a list of the webinars that our national training team is presenting tomorrow. There’s still time to sign up!
For any jurisdictions that have adopted NFPA codes and standards, this month’s NFPA Journal has a great summary of some of the major changes coming in the 2021 editions.
This is a feat of engineering and might even be compliant with the code requirement for one operation to unlatch the door. If only I had a video…
NFPA has compiled more than a dozen new resources including videos, fact sheets, and news releases, which can all be found at nfpa.org/coronavirus.
Jim Elder of Secured Design LLC sent me today’s Wordless Wednesday photo, and I am indeed wordless! This is a first for me!
My next Decoded column for Door Security + Safety Magazine addresses the code considerations for facilities where changes are being made in order to limit the spread of germs.
This week we have 5 different webinars available, so you can continue your training online. Check out the options – there’s something for everyone!
In the never-ending battle of convenience vs. security…convenience wins again! Why bother investing in access control?
Comments: 12
Today’s Quick Question: Are actuators for automatic operators required to have the International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA)?
Most of you know how important this message is to me: Close Before You Doze. Check out this video from the Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Fire Department.
Whether you are in your office or at home with your cat (or kids!), you can keep learning. Our national trainers are offering 2 webinars tomorrow.
This is the first time I’ve ever received a Fixed-it Friday STORY…not just one FF photo, but 13 photos and Logan Piburn’s narration of the whole situation. Thanks Logan!
I receive a lot of questions about the code requirements for fire door assembly inspections, so when the Steel Door Institute asked me to write an article on the subject, I was more than willing!
These photos perfectly illustrate the age-old struggle between security and convenience. The semi-permanent nature of the “fix” leaves me wordless.
Because our team of national trainers is not on the road these days, they have begun offering multiple webinars every Wednesday! Check today’s post for tomorrow’s line-up!
More opportunities for online training – some offering continuing education credits. Check here for upcoming live webinars and access to on-demand recordings.
It’s Fixed-it Friday, AND…last call for the iDigHardware Yeti mug! Share your insight today on my post about school security design trends, and I’ll pick a winner!
With the current focus on how to limit the spread of germs, many facility managers are considering the addition of automatic operators so doors can be operated “hands-free.”
At first glance, this might look like an LCN 4040 closer that has suffered an extreme failure, but it is actually a knockoff. Make sure you’re getting the real deal!
Today’s Quick Question: Can an existing fire door be labeled in the field for a higher rating than what it was originally listed for?
The recording of Paul Timm’s webinar on access control best practices for schools is now available!
Today’s Fixed-it Friday photo shows someone’s attempt at solving the problem of a non-ADA-compliant thumbturn in a veterans’ home. Fortunately, the locks have since been replaced.
Please share any trends you have seen on new school projects or existing buildings…the safety of all students will benefit from shared best practices (and there’s an iDigHardware Yeti travel mug up for grabs!).
Raise your hand if you’ve seen a fire door like this. Now wave a virtual hello! 😀 A fire barrier can’t do its job with a big hole in it!
Anyone know what “loiding” is? How about a “mute”? To find out, click here to download the DHI Glossary of Architectural Hardware Terms.
This Friday, May 8th, Allegion will be presenting the second in a series of six 30-minute webinars designed with integrators in mind. If you are an access control integrator, please join us!
I received today’s Fixed-it Friday photo from Ken Sako of Lazzaro Companies, and I’m wordless. Maybe y’all can think of something to say.
Comments: 10
My next Decoded column for Door Security + Safety magazine addresses the requirements for vestibules mandated by the IECC.
Just a friendly reminder to go one step further and ensure that the egress requirements are met while exits are being modified or other construction projects are in progress.
Are AHJs allowing retail stores to make temporary changes in their egress routes to help slow the spread of COVID-19? If yes, are there some guidelines to help ensure safe egress?
While COVID-19 restrictions are a form of forced access control to school facilities, timeless issues must be addressed. Join DHI and the Door Security & Safety Foundation for this webinar…
I don’t know about y’all, but I needed a laugh today (I know – odd things make me laugh). Happy Fixed-it Friday – I hope you are all staying safe and well.
Thank you to those who attended the live webinar last week! The webinars page has been updated with the recording, a list of resources, a short survey, and information about Webinar 3!
Craig Gaevert sent me today’s Wordless Wednesday photo…there must be a rule against this, right? There’s even a sign! :\
Someone asked me last week whether a door pull operated by the user’s foot would be considered accessible. The answer seems obvious, right? Read on…
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This Friday, April 24th, Allegion will be presenting the first in a series of six 30-minute webinars designed with integrators in mind. If you are an access control integrator, please join us!
I know that some architects would rather not see thru-bolts for closers, but I think they should be standard for every school specification. Do you agree?
Comments: 32
I’d like to compile some information about how hardware for an isolation room is currently being specified/supplied. What are the current recommendations or requirements?
Remember last week’s Wordless Wednesday photos of warehouse exits? Well, I received some more from Johnson Controls. #wordless
In case you can’t read the sign on the door, it says, “Push the red button and the bar on the door at the same time to exit.” THIS IS NOT OK!
Many of you probably know a lot about panic hardware already, but maybe you have colleagues who could benefit from Webinar 2 which I’ll be presenting this Thursday. Please share!
Today’s Fixed-it Friday photos show a situation found at a state college. I’m curious whether any of you can come up with examples of when this “fix” would be acceptable.
I find information and a solid plan helpful to me in uncertain times, and I hope that NFPA’s guidance is useful to you. Stay safe!
One of the side-effects of staying at home is that we’re not out-and-about to run across Wordless Wednesday and Fixed-it Friday applications. Can you help save my streaks?
This is a beautiful residential door with a problem caused by the brick reveal combined with the arched top. Can you help? WWYD?
Today’s Quick Question: Is sealant required around a fire door frame – where it meets the sheetrock?
Facility managers need to carefully consider changes made to prevent virus transmission, which could affect egress, fire protection, and accessibility.
Here’s another training opportunity – this time from TGP University. Learn about fire-rated glazing and how the model codes affect the design options. April 14th!
I’ve been trying to put myself in the shoes of the person who made the modifications to these exits, and I just can’t imagine any conditions that would make this seem like a good idea.
My next webinar is coming up on Thursday, April 16th. The topic will be panic hardware – where it is required and the related code requirements – including the electrified options.
Today’s Quick Question: Can door hardware with an antimicrobial coating prevent the spread of COVID-19 or other viruses?
Covid-19 has inspired new “inventions” to help people avoid touching door hardware with their hands, to limit the spread of the virus. How can the hardware industry help?
If it looks like a door and swings like a door, building occupants (and the code official) will probably think it’s a door, and it should operate like doors are supposed to.
It’s Wordless Wednesday and my 10th day of staying inside the house. I hope you are all safe and healthy – and code-compliant!
Next up in NFPA’s series of short videos…Are 3D-printed buildings safe and code-compliant? What do you think? Would you live in a 3D-printed house?
Today’s Quick Question: Is an astragal required for double-egress cross-corridor pairs in health care smoke barriers? The answer surprised me.
Seriously…how does anyone justify this Fixed-it Friday “fix”? If someone tells you this was approved by the fire marshal, I wouldn’t believe it.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve had a little trouble staying focused in recent days. I’d love to come up with some ways to use this time wisely. Any ideas?
Thank you to Chad Jenkins of the National Locksmith Institute for today’s Wordless Wednesday photos. And yes, the restaurant was open for business.
Several people have asked me lately about the standard mounting height for two products – deadbolts and hospital latches. WWYD?
If NFPA 80 requires 1/8-inch or 3/16-inch maximum perimeter clearance for fire door assemblies, is it acceptable to add the manufacturing tolerance to that dimension?
You may have to zoom in and look around to see exactly what’s happening in this Fixed-it Friday photo. All I have to say is…there are better ways to transfer power.
Three recent news stories – two illustrating the benefits of closed residential doors, and one from Kristin Bigda at NFPA regarding fire door operation and the Coronavirus.
This Wordless Wednesday photo is an unbelievable example of the abusive conditions a door might face in a school. What do you think happened here?
Comments: 73
For aesthetic purposes, a change is being considered to the configuration of this swinging pair of doors – each leaf would be increased from 36 inches wide to 62 inches wide. WWYD?
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One side of this device is attached to the door with double-sided tape, and the other side is magnetic. It is used in a memory care facility to indicate whether a resident’s room is vacant or occupied. WWYD?
Matthew Stonebraker of Allegion just sent me this Fixed-it Friday photo of a glass door at the Mexico City National Museum of Art, and it’s so cool! Have you seen a modification like this before?
Thank you to those who attended the live webinar last week! The webinars page has been updated with the recording, a list of resources, a short survey, and information about Webinar 2!
It’s Wordless Wednesday, and I don’t know which contributes more to my wordlessness…the impeded egress, or the compromised security.
People often ask whether occupancy indicators are required by code on single-user restrooms. I finally have an answer – and a question that I would love to hear your thoughts on…
Comments: 42
My recent article in Security Sales & Integration addresses panic hardware from an access control perspective.
The intent of the application in today’s Fixed-it Friday photos is obviously to deter the use of the doors – do you think this is code-compliant? Have you ever seen any documentation on these plastic loops?
Remember when Ohio’s state codes were changed in order to allow classroom barricade devices? Almost 5 years later, questions are being raised about safety.
Reminder: I will be presenting Webinar 1 – Code Changes Affecting Classroom Security tomorrow at 11 AM and 2 PM Eastern! And…today’s Wordless Wednesday! 😀
The new fire door inspection cards have been updated, and they will be printed and laminated soon! Thank you for your patience! (I also have a label question for you.)
Comments: 37
When a child with autism or an adult with dementia is living at home, it’s crucial for their family to be able to deter elopement while still providing safe egress. WWYD?
It’s fire exit hardware, so it has to latch!
I think that a traveling door is a great way to teach people about the fire-protection benefits of a closed bedroom door – what do you think of the idea??
When you complain about U.S. code requirements just remember, this WW door is typical in many countries that don’t have strong life safety codes or people to enforce them.
I created a new page on the Topics menu which addresses the accessibility requirements for operable hardware, and that got me thinking…are there other common issues that should have their own pages?
If a labeled fire door is installed in a location where a fire door is not required, must the assembly be maintained and inspected according to the requirements of NFPA 80?
Comments: 22
We’ve all seen closers installed incorrectly…the question is how will the control of this door be affected by the installation in this Fixed-it Friday photo?
If you’re looking to learn more about school safety and security, there are some upcoming opportunities for training and networking – from Safe and Sound Schools, PASS, Allegion, and me!
Some of the life safety features that we’ve come to expect in the US are not so common in other countries. This makes awareness of your surroundings even more critical.
Some new resources on school safety and security are available, including documents from BHMA and NASFM, a story from NPR, and two federal websites.
Should the mounting location for a round light be at 43 inches above the floor? Or lower to allow more viewing area? WWYD?
I know these doors aren’t actually secured with licorice, and I HOPE this building is under construction and unoccupied. Thank you to Keith Zettler for today’s Fixed-it Friday photo.
Webinars…they’re the next best thing to being there, right? Since I can’t be with each of you in person, I hope you will join me on some of my upcoming (and free) webinars.
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OSHA requires emergency exits to be kept clear, to allow workers to exit quickly in an emergency. Failure to comply can result in seriously large fines. #wordless
Do you use our laminated fire door assembly inspection cards? I could really use your help!
Comments: 38
I have to admit, it was kind of cool to have someone send in a photo of a door they had seen, when it turned out that the door was on a project that I wrote the hardware spec for!
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The extreme weather we’re experiencing may open up new opportunities for hardware design…today’s Fixed-it Friday photos could be a prototype for a future product. 🙂
Today’s Quick Question: Are the vision lights in double-acting traffic doors / impact doors required to comply with the accessibility standards?
Have you watched the Six Locked Doors documentary yet? And yes, this door has an exit sign. And a “no exit” sign. And an “emergency exit” sign. 🙁
Anybody know what this is? It’s probably not door hardware, but I’m curious, and many of you seem to have a knack for identifying old stuff. I don’t remember ever seeing anything like it.
Are the doors on these temporary vestibules required to meet the requirements of the codes and standards? If not, why not? And if yes…why are most of them non-compliant?
Keith Nelsen of Lindquist Security Technologies sent me today’s Fixed-it Friday video. I’m guessing it wasn’t an intentional “fix”, but it’s interesting nonetheless.
My next Decoded article explains why it is important for the ADA and all adopted codes and standards to be considered when choosing security products. Let me know if I missed anything!
I can not for the life of me think of any circumstances that would make me consider locking egress doors in a school using this method. Just no. Never. #wordless
This news makes me really happy – there’s a new standard thumb turn for the Schlage L9000 mortise lock! Don’t worry – the “old” standard thumb turn and the EZ Turn are still available.
Yesterday, FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro spoke with Bill Ritter on the show Up Close about recent fires that occurred in NYC, where open doors had a negative impact on safety.
The story here is that the cross-corridor doors in this hospital were scheduled to be 8-foot doors, but the wrong (7-foot) assembly was installed. WWYD?
Comments: 31
Is the UL 294 listing required by the model codes for panic hardware with the electric latch retraction / electric dogging feature (EL/QEL)?
There are so many code issues with this “exit” in a children’s museum that I’m just going to remain #wordless. Could you quickly operate this door in an emergency?
Fire, panic, and other emergencies can strike anywhere, any time. To offer the highest level of protection, buildings must be code-compliant everywhere, all the time.
This documentary should be required viewing – not just for those of us who are involved in codes, but for anyone who enters buildings (that means everyone).
Restaurants are notorious for creative hardware applications…next time you go out to eat, look around at the doors and send me some photos! 🙂
The new year (and some rest over the holidays) has renewed my resolve to continue educating school districts and others about the dangers of some types of retrofit security devices…
This Chinese restaurant has 30 tables, which means that the occupant load is probably over 100 people – definitely over 50. What’s wrong with this (WW) picture?
Last week I posted some Fixed-it Friday photos showing auto-operator actuators, and I just received some interesting follow-up photos from Paul Stockert of EYP Architecture & Engineering. What do you think?
This video was made by Von Duprin in the 1940’s…I’m very proud that I can continue to share the importance of life safety and free egress!
There’s no point in installing an automatic operator if the user can not reach the actuator. Do you know where to find the mounting recommendations for knowing-act switches?
If you have supplied doors, frames, and hardware, you’ve probably had some projects that kept you awake at night. I know I have, but the end result can be so rewarding!
I hope that you enjoy time with family and friends over the next week or so, and I’ll see you all in 2020!
When trying to prevent water intrusion at the fire service elevator lobby doors, what type of door sweep or door bottom meets the intent of IBC Section 3007? WWYD?
Another Friday, another “fix.” This fire door probably won’t perform as designed and tested, should a fire occur. Why does convenience so often win out over safety??
When you’re researching a code issue, how do you know which code to follow? Which one supersedes the others? And which AHJ has the final say?
When I was in high school, our school actually had a patio next to the cafeteria that was the authorized “smoking area” for the students. Times have changed.
News reports indicate during a serious fire that occurred last month in a Scotland high school, the lockdown system prevented immediate egress.
I recently shared an announcement about a webinar with 5 panelists who discussed school safety and classroom security. In case you missed it, today’s post includes the recording of that webinar.
Check out this opening, installed on a ramp in a restaurant. The building was originally a warehouse for a grain mill and other materials shipped by train during the mid-1800s. Can you see the “fix”?
Comments: 20
Kicking off the 10th year of my Decoded column in Door Security + Safety Magazine…time flies!
Today’s Wordless Wednesday photo shows a non-code-compliant modification that occurred after project completion. What other examples of post-construction changes do you commonly see?
Today’s Quick Question: Are door bolts – like the surface bolts made by commercial hardware manufacturers – allowed to secure classroom doors during a lockdown?
We’re kicking off Schlage’s 100th anniversary with a new video that provides a fascinating look (really!) into the history of Walter Schlage and the Schlage Lock Company – check it out!
The creative solutions never end! RB Sontag of Allegion sent me today’s Fixed-it Friday photo, and if this is a fire door, we’ve got a problem.
Originally, these doors did not need to lock, but that has changed, and the architect is looking for a way to add code-compliant locks to the doors which have already been installed. WWYD?
Comments: 27
I have seen some questionable workmanship in my career, but this has to be one of the least effective strike installations I’ve ever come across. Can you top it? You can submit photos using the option on the Tools menu.
What are the required opening speed, closing speed, and hold-open time for a low-energy automatic operator? What about a vestibule situation with sequential operation?
This is going to be a great webinar! There is a fabulous line-up of presenters with an incredible depth of experience and insight to share.
Billy Rogers of Rogers Installations sent me today’s Wordless Wednesday photo, and I’m feeling a little ill. This pair of doors serves a 9,000 seat auditorium, and the man on the right appears to be from the fire department. 🙁
What do you think about this change that has been approved for the 2021 International Building Code? Does it clear things up nicely, or does it cause concerns regarding accessibility?
This week marks 77 years since the fire at the Cocoanut Grove Nightclub in Boston, and the fire is the topic of this month’s Learn Something New video from NFPA.
Kelly Reese of Allegion sent me today’s Fixed-it Friday photo, and I have to admit, it’s pretty creative. Unfortunately, if this is a fire door the purpose of the fire door assembly has been completely defeated.
I need some help from any wood door experts out there…any theories on what might have caused the horizontal lines on these wood doors? They weren’t visible until the doors were field stained.
Comments: 25
It’s chilling to consider what will happen when someone needs to use this exit in an emergency. The other exterior doors have the same security measure in place. 🙁
Here are the answers to yesterday’s real-world questions about the egress requirements for this high school music classroom. Read the other post first if you want to give it a try.
Try applying your knowledge of the International Building Code to a real-world example…can you answer these 4 questions about the egress requirements for this high school music classroom?
There’s more than one way to hold open a door for convenience, and if it’s a fire door, the method needs to be code-compliant. Here’s a great Fixed-it Friday example.
If a door or frame has a label indicating that is is fire rated, is the assembly required to be maintained and inspected as required by NFPA 80 and NFPA 101? A proposed code change offers a clarification.
It’s Wordless Wednesday again…can you believe that I’ve been posting WW photos every week since January of 2011?? And there’s no end in sight! Keep the WW and FF photos coming!
This article was published in the October 2019 issue of Locksmith Ledger, and includes some questions that you can use to determine whether your code knowledge is up-to-date.
Do all fire exit doors have fire exit hardware? Even if you already know the answer to this question, today’s blog post might help you explain it to someone who disagrees.
Ahhh…that feeling you get when you overhear someone telling their coworker that they think they’ve spotted a code violation – and they took a photo of it!
What will the future of exit signs look like? Do they need an upgrade using new technology?
It took me a second to see what was happening here, and now I’m #wordless. Thank you to Kim Murkette of Isenhour Door for the photo!
Are you headed to Cleveland this week for the DHI ConNextions conference? I hope to see you there!
Shared restrooms that are not segregated based on gender are becoming more common in schools, universities, and other types of facilities. What’s the ideal hardware solution for these doors?
Kick-down holders (prohibited in most commercial locations) are meant to flip down and hold the door open. This one is being used for a different purpose. Any ideas?
My next Decoded article covers the tentative interim amendment – TIA 1436, which revised NFPA 101 in order to allow 2 releasing operations to unlatch existing classroom doors.
End users MUST understand the applicable code requirements before purchasing security products, and it’s our job to educate them. We can’t focus solely on security at the expense of life safety.
UL FSRI: Nearly half of Americans believe it’s safer to sleep with the door closed in the event of a fire, yet only 26% always sleep with their bedroom door completely shut.
If you’re anywhere near Cleveland, Ohio, I just found out about a great opportunity on Thursday, November 7th for you to attend our Code Update Roundtable!
It can sometimes be difficult to determine whether a particular type of hardware requires special knowledge or effort to operate since this is left up to each AHJ to interpret. Not this time…
Any idea what is corroding or oxidizing inside of this door – and to this extent?? I’ve never seen anything like it! What’s the solution? WWYD?
Comments: 41
I can almost understand how trash cans get placed in front of exit doors, but the (semi-permanent) use of zip-ties is hard to take.
People ask me all the time…Do ALL doors have to meet the requirements of the IBC? How do you differentiate between an egress door and a non-egress door?
If you are looking for some continuing education credit, or just want to learn more about collaborating on a door hardware specification, here’s your chance!
It warms my heart that in the last 10 years, the number of people who actually notice these problems (and often do something to resolve them) has increased significantly.
Remember the photo I posted Tuesday – of the exit door from the fast-food restaurant? If you’ve been wondering what the other code issue was, here’s the answer.
Maybe rules really are made to be broken? Which code requirements are being violated with this creative Wordless Wednesday installation?
What do you think about the width of the aisle leading to this restaurant exit – is it sufficient? And can you spot the other code issue with this door?
Between 2013 and 2017, an average of 4,859 structure fires occurred in educational facilities each year, and only 39% of the schools where fires occurred had sprinkler systems. Read more…
How quickly we forget the lessons learned in tragic events such as the fires at the Iroquois Theatre and the Cocoanut Grove Nightclub. If you see something, say something!
I know that many of us notice funky hardware applications on TV and in movies…here’s one that we can actually learn a few things from.
Charles Anderson sent me the photos below, of a “secondary” exit from a retail store. I know it’s Wordless Wednesday, but here’s something you should know…
This new infographic aims to help clear some of the confusion about the various lock functions used on classroom doors. Feel free to share it!
The statistical likelihood of a public school student being killed in a school shooting on any given day since 1999 was 1 in 614,000,000. Read more in the Washington Post…
I’m Wordless about today’s Fixed-it Friday photo. Considering that this is a retail store, I’m not even sure how/why this happened. Any theories?
I don’t think there is a one-size-fits-all answer for classroom security, but as we consider each new problem, it’s important to remember the progression of the security methods used over past decades.
During a flu epidemic in 1974, hospital staff was desperate to accommodate the patients needing treatment. Luckily, someone was watching out for the life safety of all of the hospital’s occupants.
Do you know of any facility that is using the performance-based option for fire door assembly inspection? I asked the Joint Commission about it…
Last call! And in addition to the randomly-selected winners of the 10th anniversary contest, I have a gift for someone who has been a loyal reader since the very beginning.
Looking past the Fixed-it Friday “fix” and the non-code-compliant hardware, what do you think about the design of this opening? Are these exit doors easily identifiable?
Have you ever wished for a short video that gives an overview of fire door assemblies? The Steel Door Institute (SDI) recently released a 2-minute video that covers the basics.
Imagine that you are moving your mom into an assisted living facility, and you notice that the door closer on every fire-rated apartment entrance door has been disconnected…
Can a double-cylinder deadbolt be installed on a multi-stall restroom door in an office building? Of course not! But wait…are you sure about that?
This is the last week of the 10th anniversary celebration, but there’s still time for you to register to win – AND to learn more about the resources available on iDigHardware!
Chris Stokes of Precision Doors and Hardware sent me today’s Fixed-it Friday photos, taken in a gas station/convenience store. At first, this looks like careless placement of a trash can…
How do you replace existing pivots when you don’t know the manufacturer or model number? Is there a reliable way to identify existing pivots? Are replacements for old pivots readily available? WWYD?
Bryce King of Allegion sent me today’s Wordless Wednesday photo…I guess this is one way to deal with a lockout! Send me your WW/FF photos to register to win some Yeti merch from iDH!
My next Decoded column addresses the accessibility requirements for thresholds and changes in level at doorways. If there is anything I should add, let me know before it goes to print!
My Decoded column in the October issue of Door Security + Safety Magazine covers the history of iDigHardware, with some code development and a little of my life story thrown in. 😀
I’m sure you have some photos hiding in your phone that could be suitable for Wordless Wednesday, Fixed-it Friday, or to illustrate a question or problem. Submit them and you might be a winner!
Much of the testimony given at a recent hearing clearly outlines the reasons that barricade devices are not the optimal method of securing classroom doors.
We need to always be on the lookout for situations like these – our attention to these problems can affect the safety of building occupants. #seesomethingsaysomething
I love using creative ways of getting a message out – especially when the message will likely save lives. Check out these videos and VOTE!
You asked for an improved search feature to help you find what you’re searching for in iDigHardware’s library of 2,300+ posts…here it is!
I love these Fixed-it Friday photos from Richard de Campo of Poss Architecture + Planning and Interior Design. This door leads from the showroom area to the welding shop at The Iron Gallery in Rifle, Colorado.
Comments: 23
Is the door serving a walk-in closet in an apartment or condominium required to comply with the means of egress requirements of the IBC? WWYD?
Comments: 19
Remember when I went to Italy in July and I took hundreds of photos of doors and then hardly shared any of them with y’all because some of the photos were going to be published in Door Security + Safety Magazine?
iDigHardware has been celebrating our 10-year anniversary for several months, and the party will continue through September, with your chance to win one of the daily or weekly prizes!
The door in these photos is at the top of the stairs in a bar, exiting from a non-sprinkled basement assembly room that is used for weddings and parties. What do you think? OK or NO WAY?
If an existing lockset on a classroom door requires a teacher to open the door when locking it (potentially exposing the teacher to danger), there is a way to change the lock function at a reasonable price.
This sign – and the fire door it’s attached to – are definitely left over from the Olden Days. There was a time when fire doors were closed manually to protect the building when it was unoccupied.
The pre-recorded Decoded classes do not offer AIA credit, but the live webinars do! There’s one coming up in a few weeks…
This is a “pod” in an airport, to be used by nursing moms. I’ve seen them myself, but the one I looked at only had the keypad lock and did not have the separate deadbolt.
John Bianco uploaded these photos to the “There’s no crying in Hollow Metal” Facebook page, and he said I could share them here for Fixed-it Friday. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen this fix. How about you?
This is an important post about a change that has been made to NFPA 101-2018, regarding the allowable number of operations to unlatch a classroom door.
This is the only door leading to a small auditorium located in the children’s section of the local library. I don’t have a problem with the castle theme, since this is the outside of the door. Anyone see the issue?
This presentation – WN@TL – School Safety in America: Rhetoric vs Reality – David Perrodin – is well worth a listen. It supports the concerns about classroom barricade devices and school security decision-making.
Why are the security measures in these two school districts so different? In your opinion, what are the most important physical security measures for schools to implement?
Today’s Fixed-it Friday photos were sent in by Colin Watson of Allegion. I’m sure some of you must have theories on why this storage closet opening was detailed this way. I can’t wait to hear them!
The first step in improving fire door safety is identifying the problems that are consistently seen in the field. How can the industry help improve the durability and performance of opening protectives?
Steve Griffis of Federal Lock and Safe sent me today’s Wordless Wednesday photos. There’s not much else I can say. How about you? #wordless
I know there is someone out there reading this who can tell me more about this type of cylinder. How does it work? What’s the purpose? WWYD?
Here’s a heads-up going out to all of the detailers, architects, and door manufacturers out there…double-check the vision light locations for classroom doors.
Pat Filholm of All Secure Inc. sent me today’s Fixed-it Friday photos. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” I always say, but luckily in this case Pat will be upgrading their security.
Wilson County Schools: “We don’t use barricaded door hardware,” Wilson County Director of Safety Steve Spencer said. “The reason is…
What is this exit sign in a convention center trying to tell us? Which way is the exit? I’d love to hear your theories, because I don’t have any.
Regarding an existing fire door assembly – the door has a fire label but the frame does not. Is the frame required to have a label?
This post links to valuable information from NFPA about life safety requirements for escape rooms and other special amusement buildings, along with proposed code changes.
Yesterday I posted a Fixed-it Friday photo even though it was Thursday, but don’t worry! I saved up some FF photos during my trip to Italy, and I’m sharing them all today!
I know…things look different, but everything should be in its usual place. If not, let me know and I’ll do what I can to make this a painless change!
Check out this Wordless Wednesday application from our hotel in Milan. This could end badly if there is ever a fire within this area which has a handful of hotel rooms.
Continuing on the theme of Italian hotels (spoiler alert – there’s another one tomorrow), what do you think of this lock on our hotel room in Montecatini?
What do you think of doors and frames that are flush with the corridor wall on the push side? I like the clean look, but the door-operating part of my brain was not a fan.
Comments: 17
Here it is – my favorite Fixed-it Friday photo of all time (so far)! If you have any interesting door photos from your summer vacation, I’d love to see them!
The most popular post on iDigHardware in the last 10 years is an article that isn’t even about doors or hardware. That may be the reason for it’s popularity.
This is one of the most egregious examples of a non-code-compliant egress modification that I’ve ever seen, and yes, it was in a school.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that panic hardware was one of the reasons I started learning about codes in the first place.
Answers to questions about smoke door labels, closers, latches, and gasketing AND…in a labor of love, I have updated the references in the article to include the 2018 IBC. You’re welcome. 😀
Many of my Fixed-it Friday posts show creative attempts at what-not-to-do, so as #6 in the Top-10 series I wanted to highlight another type of Fixed-it Friday post.
In this article, I covered not only how fail safe and fail secure electrified hardware products operate, but which type would commonly be used in various types of systems.
This Wordless Wednesday photo is one of my favorites because it was part of the early inspiration for a topic that has become an important part of my work – the protection offered by a closed door.
For wide-throw hinges on a door that swings 180 degrees, where 2 inches of clearance is required behind the door to accommodate the trim, what is the required hinge width?
If you’re wondering whether you need to read this article, ask yourself this question: Are the doors in the photo compliant with the flush bottom rail requirement?
In honor of the 10th anniversary of this site (and to celebrate my oldest daughter’s graduation), I have escaped to Italy. Do not panic…
This Fixed-it Friday modification must be against the law in the US, but just about anything goes in Mexico.
The day has finally arrived. The updated Allegion Code Reference Guide is ready – 40 pages of code information that you can download for free!
Do you see what I see? THIS is why temporary locking devices should not be approved for doors serving a means of egress. They often become permanent locking devices!
Will this screen door latch keep out a school shooter? Or maybe two would be sufficient? Hopefully we’ll never have to find out.
We know we should close the bedroom door before we go to sleep (“Close Before You Doze”), but it doesn’t always happen.
I’m off for the holiday weekend and I hope you are too! Next week I’ll have a long-awaited gift for you all! Be safe, and Close Before You Doze!
Much of the work to replace deficient fire doors in London residential blocks has not been completed, so one man decided to take matters into his own hands to prove a point. Don’t do this.
This video from Bowling Green State University gives some good background on the ALICE program and on the university’s emergency response protocols. Check it out and let me know what you think.
‘Enquiring’ minds want to know…what was this used for? It’s in the closet of an apartment building built in 1919, in St. Paul, Minnesota.
This is an egress door serving a stadium. Someone “fixed-it” from a security standpoint, but what about egress? This requires a key AND special knowledge and effort!
An architect is interested in specifying a sliding fire door assembly for a project, but I see that the product is listed to UL 10B. I thought fire doors were required to be listed to UL 10C?
This is not a typical Wordless Wednesday post. In fact, there are a lot of words, but this is an important topic. If this can happen in Massachusetts, it can happen anywhere.
Should the model codes be modified to require immediate egress through doors with delayed egress locks during emergencies other than fires?
A change to the 2018 edition of the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Fire Code (IFC) helps to establish the intent of these codes with regard to roof doors.
Today’s Fixed-it Friday photo is from Nolan Thrope of Allegion. What’s the old saying…”necessity is the mother of invention”?
How do you provide the required standby power for an automatic operator if there isn’t building-wide backup power? WWYD?
This is a different kind of Wordless Wednesday photo – what a cool door! WOW!
If a school is equipped with security cameras and access control on the main entrance, it’s just one more step to allow law enforcement to remotely unlock the doors for emergency response.
In recent months, the PASS guidelines have been recognized by several state and federal organizations aiming to improve school safety and security. Read more about it in today’s post.
This door – yes, with panic hardware – is on a restroom in Italy. The non-code-compliant hook modification solves the privacy problem. 😐
My man-behind-the-curtain (web guy – Robert Drake from Creekside) told me recently that iDigHardware is the “old lady” among his clients. It’s time for the old lady to get a facelift!
I guess someone needs to get out their Sharpie and add another note prohibiting wood wedges. Happy Wordless Wednesday!
I graduated from college more than 30 years ago, and based on my experience with my soon-to-be college freshman, times have changed!
If a door closer on a fire door is missing the cover, is that a deficiency that should be noted on a fire door inspection report?
Got any old locksets, deadbolts, panic hardware or electrified hardware laying around? It would be a great help for firefighter training! Oh – and it’s also Fixed-it Friday!
Media outlets have reported that locked electronic doors hindered law enforcement response in the recent Virginia Beach shooting. Authorized access should be addressed in each facility’s emergency plan.
Warning: Today’s Wordless Wednesday post is not wordless. Check out the video and scroll down for the words.
I receive so many questions about fire doors vs. smoke doors; my article from the June issue of Construction Specifier answers many of them.
In the almost-5,000 schools that experience structure fires each year, what percentage of the buildings are equipped with sprinkler systems?
This is the door hardware equivalent of whodunnit…maybe I should start calling these “whydunnit.”
Comments: 26
Calling all architects…we need your help with this one! Do you indicate on the drawings which leaf of a pair should be active and which is inactive?
I wonder how long this temporary door will last. Any wagers?
I wonder how long this temporary door will last.
Any wagers?
The May issue of Door Security + Safety Magazine is available for members and non-members to read online! Will you become a Lock Don’t Block Ambassador?
I’ll be out of the office for the Memorial Day holiday. See you tomorrow!
Any theories about what happened in today’s Fixed-it Friday photo?
I can definitely see how a lock that is only controlled by a phone could be a problem, and the court agreed – the tenants now have keys. WWYD?
Back in 1993, Bill Elliott told me to always specify rim panic hardware with a removable mullion on exterior pairs that require panics. It was good advice.
When a pair of fire doors has manual flush bolts and no closer on the inactive leaf, is a coordinator required?
Does the vision light height requirement apply to automatic doors as well as manually-operated doors?
There are Fixed-it Friday applications everywhere…you just have to be on the lookout.
Have you visited your state capitol building to check out the doors and hardware? I’m adding locations to my bucket list!
Where do people get these ideas? #wordless
One of the things that I love most about iDigHardware is the readers’ willingness to help each other. I hope you have some insight to share on these two questions.
This application was found in an airport, and requires building occupants to use a pull station to initiate a delayed egress lock. Is it code-compliant?
I have a theory about what happened here…what’s yours? This “fix” shows the importance of making sure the correct hardware is specified from the get-go.
The IBC exempts locks used only for security purposes from the mounting height requirement. The accessibility standards exempt locks operated only by security personnel. What’s the difference?
When I mentioned that people must be getting tired of hearing me talk about school safety, the response was, “If people can die without our voices, we kind of need to keep talking…”
Quick Question: Is it a code requirement for non-fire-rated exterior doors to have door closers? The answer may surprise you.
When a shooting occurred at the University of North Carolina Charlotte last week, an electronic locking system was already in place that allowed the campus to be locked down in seconds.
When classroom doors are kept locked all the time, it can be inconvenient for teachers and for students trying to enter the classroom when the door is closed. This is one school district’s solution.
When an exterior metal door binds on sunny days but works just fine at night, it’s likely that the problem is caused by thermal bow.
Electric power transfers, thru-wire hinges, and door cords are used to transfer wires from the wall/frame to the door for electrified hardware. Or you can be creative and DIY.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this news story from ABC 15 in Arizona, about the fire and safety concerns associated with installing padlocks on prison cell doors.
It’s only a matter of time before we see the unintended consequences of non-code-compliant, untested, unregulated security devices.
I received this photo from Audrey Weiser of DHI – she was looking for some code language that would clearly state that this application is not allowed. Unfortunately, there isn’t anything specific (that I can think of) in the model codes.
Is your facility or community prepared for an active shooter / hostile event? NFPA has a great training opportunity coming up in June – learn more about NFPA 3000.
Yes, this is supposed to lead to an exit – an exterior stair from the second floor of a function space. #wordless
Thresholds and gasketing are simple in comparison to other types of hardware, but the code requirements can make them difficult to properly specify and supply.
Twenty years ago, I had no idea how the shooting at Columbine High School would affect our industry and my career. It was impossible to imagine that it was more than an isolated event. But here we are.
What in the world? How long could this Fixed-it Friday repair possible last?? I just love Crap Locksmithing’s Facebook page!
This week marks 12 years since the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech. Considering the lessons learned during that incident, it’s surprising that the use of classroom barricade devices would be considered by state lawmakers.
I thought everyone in the world of hardware had already seen this video, but last night I ran across someone who hadn’t, so here it is. I do feel bad for Alex, but LOCKS ROCK!
As the world mourns the fire damage to the Notre Dame Cathedral, it turns out that the doors of Notre Dame are not just ordinary doors; there is a legend that dates back hundreds of years, to the 13th century.
UL’s Firefighter Safety Research Institute has created a number of videos to help dispel some of the myths about closed doors. Here are a few of my favorites…
I’ve heard it said that there are a thousand ways to screw up a door, and I think it’s probably true. Here’s just one of the many conflicts to watch out for.
These 3 perspectives showed up in my Google Alerts today – a school district using barricade devices, a man working in a school who wanted to use barricading when he committed a shooting, and the legal perspective. Powerful.
Jeff Rapp of Wilkus Architects sent me today’s Wordless Wednesday photos. I hope whatever this facility is trying to protect is worth the risk. 🙁
These news stories both happen to be from New York City, and both address topics that made me go hmmm… What do you think?
I’ve posted several photos and videos showing what happens when a bedroom door is kept closed during a fire. Check out this demonstration with the bedroom door open.
This isn’t the best practice from a security standpoint, and would be an even bigger problem if this was a fire door, but it does qualify as Fixed-it Friday ingenuity.
Does painting or refinishing a fire door in the field void the label? The answer to today’s Quick Question seems obvious, but can you prove it?
I have had requests for help specifying doors like this, but not on a marked exit! This door is serving a business occupancy. What do you think – OK, or NO WAY?
This is INSANITY! This is yet another example of seeking to remove the safety protocols of the adopted codes, in order to prioritize security at a perceived lower cost.
Fifty people died in the shootings at the two mosques in Christchurch. How many could have survived if the egress door had allowed immediate evacuation?
If our industry is so complex that the students’ research didn’t turn up existing products or a hardware advisor, we need to get more user-friendly.
This week marks the anniversary of a tragic fire that heavily impacted life safety codes and requirements for worker safety. It’s important to understand these tragedies, to avoid repeating them.
It’s been a long cold winter in many parts of the US, but I think spring is on its way!
Someone recently asked me…if residential bedroom doors do such a great job of keeping the fire out, why bother with fire doors? What’s the difference?
Why would a school district consider using unregulated security devices, given the associated risk and liability? The answer may surprise you.
I’ve seen a lot of fix-it attempts. But I don’t think I have ever seen one quite like this.
This question keeps coming up…Is panic hardware required for the residential floors of hotels and apartment buildings?
When my coworker mentioned this door to two different employees, they said they have brought it up with the manager, but the decision was “above their pay grade”…
A news report hit my inbox a few days ago, which discussed a security situation in a Massachusetts elementary school; some classroom barricade devices had been installed in 2014…
I need some help tracking down this lock (if it’s still available) for a current project. Have you run across anything like this before?
Take a look at these egress doors serving a large arena. The struggle for security is real, but we can’t forget about life-safety in the process!
On Tuesday, March 19th, there will be two opportunities to earn AIA continuing education credits and learn about an important code-related topic.
I love the idea of putting our heads together to search for solutions, but inventors need to consider authorized access, free egress, and accessibility, in addition to security.
Is an existing fire door assembly with 2 hinges acceptable, or should it be noted as a deficiency during a fire door inspection?
Do you know what this is a picture of? The Schlage AD lock on my oldest daughter’s dorm for next year, at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville!
As the saying goes…”‘A chain is only as strong as its weakest link,” and this applies to mag-lock installations as well. I’ve seen some creative mounting efforts, but these have me shaking my head.
If you are looking for one document that explains the concerns associated with classroom security methods, the recently-updated PASS white paper is a great tool!
I get it. The trampoline park needs to keep kids from eloping. What would you propose as a solution?
When you have a project with 6′-8″ doors, it’s important to think about the clear opening height and the hardware that projects down from the frame head.
How do you choose which code section to use?
Bill Cushman of Genesis Door and Hardware sent me this link to a door with an unusual core…I was Wordless even though it’s Fixed-it Friday!
The fire marshal wants these stairwell doors to close more reliably than they do with the original system. Note the arched brick “frames” and the swing-clear strap hinges (cool, right??). WWYD?
Sometimes when Wordless Wednesday rolls around, I really am Wordless. Today is one of those Wordless Wednesdays.
Guy Grace is the Director of Security & Emergency Planning for Littleton, Colorado – the school district where Columbine High School is located. Here is his stance on classroom barricade devices.
Quick Question: Are steel, ball-bearing, butt hinges for fire door assemblies required to be UL listed?
I saw this last night at a local hang-out called Mama Mia, and I thought of y’all. Happy Fixed-it Friday!
My next article for Door Security + Safety Magazine addresses the signage required for automatic doors. It will appear in the April edition.
The horizontal bars on this “emergency exit” are padlocked to hasps welded to the door – likely to prevent theft – AND EGRESS!
As long as there are still people who haven’t heard this message, I’m going to keep sharing it.
Is it code-compliant to add a deadbolt to a door with a mag-lock, that can be used to lock the door during a power failure?
