FF: Card Readers Coming Soon
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos remind me of a problem that I had on a project years ago, and a good question to ask during a project meeting...when will the access control system go live?
13
02, 2026
12
02, 2026
Campus Security Today: Electrified Latch Retraction Locks
Mark Kuhn's next guest blog post is an article that he wrote for Campus Security Today about using electric latch retraction locksets in new and retrofit applications.
11
02, 2026
WW: Mag(Lock) Holder
I have occasionally seen mag-locks used to hold doors open, but not typically on the floor where they become a major tripping hazard!
10
02, 2026
Decoded: Smoke Door Requirements of the International Building Code
By request, I have updated this article on smoke doors to include the requirements of the 2024 IBC. When you have a question about a smoke door, just decide which of the 5 types it is and refer to the section for that type.
9
02, 2026
DoorCheck: Safe & Sound at Maplewood Elementary
DoorCheck recently created a children's book about school safety and security, and they allowed me to share it here. Read more from JB de la Garza, one of DoorCheck's founders...
6
02, 2026
FF/WWYD? Stop for an Arched Door
Jim Hooker of DH Pace sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, looking for advice on how to add stops to these existing chapel doors. WWYD? Any ideas?
5
02, 2026
BHMA A156.42 – Acoustic Performance Rating for Operational Noise of Architectural Hardware
In 2025, BHMA published a new standard to establish methods for defining levels of acoustic performance of door hardware. The article linked in today's post goes into more detail...
4
02, 2026
WW: Dead End?
If one set of doors was lockable and the other was always unlocked (not lockable), I think this could be considered a dead end corridor. How would you have specified the hardware for these doors?
3
02, 2026
Decoded: Fire Protection System Requirements for Special Locking Arrangements
In this Decoded article, I took a closer look at the requirements related to fire protection systems for doors with electrified hardware.
2
02, 2026
TGP: Eric Hamber Secondary School
I was recently reading a case study from TGP about a new secondary school project in Vancouver, BC, and it got me thinking about the buildings where I attended junior high and high school.
30
01, 2026
FF: BRRR
I spent this week in Indianapolis, where I felt temperatures unlike any that I can remember experiencing in at least 25 years. Check out some of the doors I found on my trip in today's post.
29
01, 2026
Coming in 2027: Two Releasing Motions for Bedroom Doors
Here's Part 2 of my post from Tuesday, addressing changes to the 2027 edition of the IBC permitting a second releasing motion for egress in certain types of rooms.
28
01, 2026
WW: That’s one way to handle it.
While today's Wordless Wednesday modification solved a fire door issue, it created a tripping hazard. I would have specified this a little differently...how about you?
27
01, 2026
Coming in 2027: Two Releasing Motions for Individual Restroom Doors
While this upcoming change does not apply until the 2027 edition of the International Building Code (IBC) is adopted in a project's jurisdiction, it's a good one to be aware of.
26
01, 2026
FDAI: Fire Door Assembly Inspection
Today's post is the final wrap-up for our series on the fire door assembly inspection criteria. If you missed any posts or you want to learn more, here's where you'll find that info!
23
01, 2026
FF: Spoons
I saw these creative Fixed-it Friday "door pulls" recently on a door in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Sometimes you just have to work with what you've got on hand!
22
01, 2026
STC Doors In the Wild
In today's guest blog post, Mark Kuhn shares some sound doors that he saw recently during an appointment with his wife for some testing.
21
01, 2026
WW: At the Mall
Even though this room (likely a storage or mechanical room) may not normally be occupied, this locking method would not comply with the US model codes. #wordless
20
01, 2026
Decoded: Signage Limitations on Fire Door Assemblies
In today’s Decoded article and 13th fire door inspection criteria post, I addressed some recent changes to the NFPA 80 requirements applicable to signage mounted on fire door assemblies.
16
01, 2026
FF: Museo Nacional
I saw today's Fixed-it Friday example on the main entrance of a museum in Mexico City. The band goes around both pulls when the museum is closed. Effective?
15
01, 2026
Le Constellation, Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Most of you have probably already read about the nightclub fire that occurred recently in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Early investigations show similarities with other past tragedies.
14
01, 2026
WW: Wrong Way
I saw today's Wordless Wednesday photos posted by Barret Baker on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page, and I knew I had to share them here!
13
01, 2026
Decoded: Which doors need panic hardware?
In this Decoded article for the next issue of Door Security + Safety Magazine, I answered some frequently asked questions about which doors require panic hardware.
12
01, 2026
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 12
In today's post in the series on fire door assembly inspection criteria, I addressed a product that's very simple, but still causes confusion - meeting stile and perimeter gasketing.
9
01, 2026
FF: Frankenstein Fix
I have worked on so many projects as a specwriter where the main concern seemed to be aesthetics...after the construction phase is over you never know what will happen!
7
01, 2026
WW: Special Knowledge and (Gentle) Effort
Catrinia Molitor sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos, taken in two different gas stations. One is the ladies' restroom and the other is the main entrance. #wordless!
6
01, 2026
DOIT: Upcoming Training
DOIT - The Door Opening Industry Training Group has announced the return of Webinar Wednesday in 2026! Check out the upcoming sessions on fire doors, presented live next Wednesday!
5
01, 2026
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 11
In this guest post, Marilyn Latham of Allegion discusses the process for performing a job site preparation or field modification on a fire door assembly.
19
12, 2025
Happy Holidays!
Am I the only one who feels like 2025 just flew right by??? It was a super-busy year, with lots of training, code development work, and of course...writing posts for iDigHardware.
18
12, 2025
QQ: Auto Operator Coordination
When a door that is secured to prevent unauthorized access from the outside is equipped with an automatic operator, how does the interface between security and accessibility function?
17
12, 2025
WW: Just Eyeball It
I saw these doors last week in Mexico City and I'm wordless over the lack of coordination between these amazing vintage locks and the trim on the doors. :(
16
12, 2025
What’s That? Overtur
In yesterday's post about specification writing, Overtur was mentioned, so I asked my coworker Rachael Blondin to tell us more about the program for the next post in my "What's that?" series.
15
12, 2025
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 10
In this guest post, Allison Messer and Bill Lawliss of Allegion discuss specifying the right hardware from the beginning, to avoid non-code-compliant retrofits.
12
12, 2025
FF: Foot Push
For me, one of the wonderful and challenging things about Mexico is that the options for custom work of any kind are virtually limitless. Have you ever seen a "foot push"?
11
12, 2025
QQ: Automatic Operators on School Entrances
According to the 2024 IBC, would an accessible public entrance serving a school auditorium with an occupant load of 400 people require doors with automatic operators?
10
12, 2025
WW: En El Mercado
I've said it before and I'll say it again, in the U.S. we are very fortunate to have such strong codes and enforcement. Check out this electrical room door I saw in Mexico City. #wordless
9
12, 2025
Catching up…what has changed in the I-Codes?
With the new year comes the adoption of new codes in many states, and given the length of time between state adoptions, it can be difficult to keep up with what’s new. Here's a summary!
8
12, 2025
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 9
In this guest post, Sarah Finley Gilman of Allegion shares some important considerations for the hardware that provides positive latching for fire door assemblies.
5
12, 2025
FF: Dramatic Exit
Chris Clark sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, taken in a cafe in Canada. I'm curious...what makes this a dramatic exit? Any theories?
4
12, 2025
What’s that? Drop Plates
I remember learning about drop plates for door closers because of my failure to detail them on a project back in the late 80's. Today's post takes a closer look at these accessories.
3
12, 2025
WW: 4-Inch Head (or Jamb?)
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo got me thinking...what do you think about a new series on iDigHardware about the mistakes we've made and the lessons we've learned in the process?
2
12, 2025
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 25
In this episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, he talks with Devin Bowman of TGP about the important role that glass plays in school security.
1
12, 2025
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 8
This guest post by Ian Heckman of Allegion covers the basics of coordinators - the function, available types, and other considerations for pairs of fire doors.
26
11, 2025
WW: En El Circo
Last week at a circus in Central Mexico, my daughter asked: "Are you concerned about that heater under the exit sign?" Happy Wordless Wednesday and Happy Thanksgiving!
25
11, 2025
Decoded: Fusible Links and Smoke-Activated Hold-Opens
I've updated this Decoded article with the current code references from NFPA 80, the International Building Code (IBC), NFPA 101, and NFPA 72.
24
11, 2025
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 7
This guest post by Adam Fisk of Allegion helps to sort through some of the available options for LCN products that may be installed on fire door assemblies.
21
11, 2025
FF: Movie Theater Panics
I saw today's Fixed-it Friday photo posted by Jason Stayton on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page, and I asked if I could share it here. What I want to know is...WHY?
20
11, 2025
WWYD? Stockyards Follow-Up
Last week I posted some photos that I took during my recent trip to Fort Worth for the DHI ConNextions conference, and in today's post I want to follow up on a question I received.
19
11, 2025
WW: Central Whidbey Island Fire & Rescue
If you and your family are not yet following UL's Close Before You Doze public safety campaign, I hope today's Wordless Wednesday post motivates you to sleep with your bedroom doors closed.
18
11, 2025
Can an automatic operator solve the problem of seasonal adjustments?
In today's guest blog post from Adam Fisk of Allegion, Adam addresses an operational issue that many end users struggle with - seasonal adjustments.