Over the weekend I will be in southern Italy…the Gulf of Naples, the Amalfi coast, the Isle of Capri…this is the life!
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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.
The photos in this post – FF: Communicating Door Closers, were sent to me by David Barbaree, who worked for a school district at the time. David wrote about the problem he had been trying to solve, and sent multiple photos to illustrate a terrific solution.
What I really love about this is that readers are willing to take the time to help others who may be struggling with the same situation, or to answer questions about a particular issue. This has grown into periodic posts where I ask you all for help – and you respond! I have been posting these “WWYD?” questions since 2011! What an amazing community we have created!
Here are some examples:
WWYD? Connecting Classroom Doors
And the post about communicating door closers is here: FF: Communicating Door Closers
Thanks to all who are willing to share their insight and experience!
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What is the purpose of communicating doors in this application?
Hi Zac –
The doors aren’t actually communicating doors like you would find between two hotel rooms – they are a screen door and a solid door mounted in the same frame. They were the exterior doors for a school kitchen.
– Lori
Lori,
In the 1960’s and 70’s, (and maybe later) Mass. required a communicating door for a classroom to get the occupants past a fire door and fire wall. Often there would be four or five consecutive classrooms in a corridor. (four may have been max. It’s been a long time) The primary egress from the room would put the occupant into the corridor, and the communicating door(s) would put the occupants beyond the fire door/fire wall in the same corridor. Since in my state, a building must comply with the code in effect WHEN IT WAS BUILT, we enforced this communicating door matter well into the 1980’s.I continue to look for it. Admittedly, many new schools do not have this feature. I recall some schools built in the 60’s and 70’s where to get around the communicating door, the architects added a second classroom door directly to the outside. Any old school with a communicating door set up should definitely be maintained in accordance with the way it was designed and built. Or, in the alternative, have the sanction (and stamp) of a registered design professional.)
Stay cool,
Paul DeBaggis
Certified Building Official
Thanks Paul!!
– Lori