Brad Miller of Lowcountry Doors and Hardware sent me this Fixed-it Friday photo, and like so many of the other FF and WW photos, it tells a story. While I don’t know all of the details, I’ve seen this often enough to come up with a plausible theory or three.
Vertical rod panic hardware can be tough to keep working properly – especially on high-traffic doors. These doors look like exterior doors, and I would very rarely (almost never) use vertical rod panic hardware there. I would opt for removeable mullions and rim panics if possible; this is a much better application for security, durability, and maintenance.
It’s possible that the doors in the photo never had bottom rods and latches – I can’t really tell. I would not specify less-bottom-rod panic hardware on exterior doors – having latches only at the top of the door doesn’t provide sufficient security, in my opinion.
It’s also possible that the bottom rods and latches were omitted because someone realized that they conflict with the requirement for a flush smooth surface on the push side of the door – 10 inches up from the floor. Or maybe the rods and latches got banged up and someone decided the cane bolt was more secure without realizing that the “new and improved” security solution was not code compliant.
As for the yellow ribbons…I’m guessing they’re not there to remind people to retract the cane bolt before exiting. If you have a theory to add, leave it in the comment box!
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Door forensics IAIL would love to have you 🙂 best part your investigative class teacher would be me… http://aloa.org/iail/index.html
REALLY?? That would be FANTASTIC! 🙂
– Lori
I tell customers that all the time. I call myself a door Detective all the time tracing through the years how the failure of one part of the door led to a hack repair which in turn led to the next failure. It usually starts with something that could have been a simple repair such as a shim in the hinge but turns into a total door replacement by the time they call in someone who knows what they are doing.
I think the”yellow ribbon” is webbing and attached to something heavy or an anchor, maybe the watchman’s chair to wake him up
I couldn’t agree more Lori, I’ve been doing this work since key blanks came three dozen to a box and strongly agree that vertical rod panics are *always* problematic. Single point rim devices with a key removable mullion are the way to go whenever possible.
Never never never use VR Panic Devices either concealed or surface on high traffic doors . I see them fail all to often Lori I could not agree more. In my 42 years as a Locksmith and security hardware Consultant they are the worst and almost impossible to repair. Total replacement is required and the cost is astronomical. Like you my retro fit is a Removable mullion and conventional panic exit hardware. Most cu6when properly instructed love the extra security and will live with the minor inconvenience of removing the mullion.
Lori,
It is obvious the ribbons are the fusible hold open links.
Just tie them to a tree on the outside, when tree burns down, the doors close
HAHA – YES!! 😀
– Lori
As usual someone not a door and hardware expert say I know what to do and can save you money by doing a half job.
remember the commercials about oil filters, you can pay me now or pay me more later