WW: Westminster Abbey
Bill Cushman of Genesis Door and Hardware sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos of the oldest door in Britain - estimated to be constructed in the 1050's!
11
11, 2026
10
11, 2026
Flexible, Future-Ready Designs: Practical Insights into Value-Driven Access Control Decisions
On November 19th, Ryne Rayburn and Grant Miller of Allegion will be conducting a webinar in conjunction with Building Design + Construction. Read more in today's post!
9
11, 2026
QQ: Locked Elevator Lobbies
Today's Quick Question: Do the new requirements for locked elevator lobbies apply when there is direct access from the lobby to an exit stairwell? Learn more on November 17th!
6
11, 2026
FF: Sliding Door Design Solutions for K-12 Educational Facilities
In today's Fixed-it Friday post, check out this video featuring Tysen Gannon of Allegion, discussing two school projects where sliding doors were incorporated into the design.
5
11, 2026
QQ: Classroom Security Part 2
At least 6 states have passed laws about locking classroom doors. If your state has a similar law, please share a link in the comments so we can add the information to the list.
4
11, 2026
WW: Parking Garage Exit
Bill Lawliss of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, taken in a parking garage. Yes - that appears to be panic hardware on the other side of the door.
3
11, 2026
QQ: Classroom Security Part 1
A school district has been advised that they should implement magnets to cover the strikes or other devices to prevent the classroom doors from latching. Is this permitted by code?
2
11, 2026
Live With Lori – November 17th
Our next live session on the code requirements for electrified hardware is coming up soon - November 17th! There is still time to register and submit your questions!
30
10, 2026
FF: Target Follow-Up
Last week I shared some photos of the beautiful brass/bronze doors of Chicago, and during one of my walks I noticed a Fixed-it Friday repair that made me cringe.
28
10, 2026
WW: Out of Commission
Frederic Horrell of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos of a church exit that has been taken out of commission...I can't help but wonder if the AHJ was involved.
27
10, 2026
2027 IFC Change – Fire Door Closing Cycle
If you conduct fire door inspections, what degree of opening do you use to test the closing and latching of fire door assemblies? A change to the 2027 IFC may affect this process.
26
10, 2026
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 30
In this episode of The Changing Face of School Security, Paul Timm talks with Dr. Bruno Dias, former DHS associate director and safety consultant with Key Operational Insights.
23
10, 2026
FF: Brass/Bronze Doors of Chicago
I just finished up a session at the DHI Connextions conference, and I could not believe how many brass/bronze doors we saw in Chicago! And the accessibility efforts that have been made!
21
10, 2026
WW: Just a Sliver
Kevin Whitney of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos, and I can't believe what I'm seeing. Even if this sliver of a door is not an exit, there had to be a better way. #wordless!
20
10, 2026
The new code books are here!
Just in time for the 2030 code development cycle to begin, the 2027 editions of the IBC and IFC are available, along with ICC A117.1-2026! Let me know what stands out to you, and we'll discuss!
19
10, 2026
Decoded: Where are fire door inspections required by code?
I have updated this Decoded article about fire door inspection with current code references. The enforcement of these requirements is growing!
16
10, 2026
FF: Mag-Holder Modification
Today's Fixed-it Friday photo came from Graem Kubin of DuPage Security Solutions, and shows an electromagnetic holder that has been modified in a way that voids its listing.
15
10, 2026
Next Week! DHI conNextions!
If you are headed to DHI conNextions in Chicago next week, I'll be there to do a workshop with five of my Allegion colleagues! We hope to see you there!
14
10, 2026
WW: Nothing to See Here
As I said in last Wednesday's post, Paul Timm of Allegion sees plenty of problems while visiting schools. The gate to the left concerns me - how about you?
13
10, 2026
What’s that? Open Back Strike
Last week I posted some photos of very old Von Duprin panic hardware, and someone asked me about the open back strike shown in the post. Here's a follow-up post!
12
10, 2026
Myth busting higher ed security: The power of real-time connected locks
This article by Jeff Koziol of Allegion, published in Campus ID News, addresses five common myths about locks for higher education.
9
10, 2026
FF: Panic Replacement
Check out these Fixed-it Friday photos of old Von Duprin panic hardware that were sent to me by Jack Young of Chown Hardware. Anyone have a guess on the age of these devices?
8
10, 2026
Rooftop Follow-Up
Last week I shared some photos of an occupied rooftop area, and I asked for ideas on how it could be secured to prevent access to the building from the exterior. The answer is in today's post.
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10, 2026
WW: Tiny Exit
Paul Timm of Allegion spends A LOT of time in schools, and when he sees a problem with a door opening, he sends a photo along. What do you think of this Wordless Wednesday exit?
5
10, 2026
Unicel: Timber Curtain Wall Systems for Institutional Buildings
I love the look of wood, so this article in Elements Magazine caught my eye. It features Unicel's Timber Curtain Wall system.
2
10, 2026
FF: What’s that?
John Danes of Allegion shared these Fixed-it Friday photos recently and I'm still wondering what the purpose of this hardware is. Any ideas?
1
10, 2026
Temple Square, Salt Lake City
During a break in the BHMA meetings, I took a walk over to Temple Square, a 35-acre historical and spiritual area, with some beautiful doors...
30
09, 2026
WW: Readily Distinguishable?
John Lozano of Allegion sent me these photos from a Greek restaurant where the food was so delicious, it must have distracted the AHJ from the Wordless Wednesday problem.
29
09, 2026
WWYD? Securing a Rooftop Area
I'm at the BHMA meetings this week in Salt Lake City, Utah, and my hotel room has a view of this nearby rooftop area, which gave me the idea for today's post.
28
09, 2026
Decoded: Thresholds and Gasketing for Fire Doors and Smoke Doors
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.
25
09, 2026
FF: Call in the reinforcements.
Today's Fixed-it Friday photo features some creative reinforcements/cover plates/drop plates on an opening that looks like it has seen more than its share of closer replacements.
24
09, 2026
WWYD? Why DO Fire Doors Matter?
As most of you know, my posts and articles tend to be on the (very) technical side...I need some help from all of you to help with an AHJ request about fire door assemblies. Please comment!
23
09, 2026
WW: Another Restaurant Exit
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photo from Paul Timm of Allegion, who spotted the open padlock dangling from this egress door in a restaurant.
22
09, 2026
Update: Repairing Holes and Dents in Fire Doors
A very common repair includes installing steel fasteners in unused holes, grinding off the fastener heads, and concealing the repair with Bondo, but this is not specifically mentioned in NFPA 80...
21
09, 2026
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 29
In this episode of The Changing Face of School Security, Paul Timm talks with Brian Gard from National Heritage Academies about effectively managing safety across more than 100 charter schools.
18
09, 2026
FF: Center Pivoting Gates
I saw this interesting Fixed-it Friday application in Mexico City - center pivoting gates leading to a large shopping area. It seems pretty safe to me...what do you think?
17
09, 2026
REPLAY: Live With Lori, Session 2
Session 2 of my Live with Lori series was held earlier this week, and the topic was Sensor Release and Door Hardware Release of Electrically Locked Egress Doors. Check out the replay in today's post!
16
09, 2026
WW: Handled
I saw these photos posted by Steven Josue Quintana on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page, and I asked if I could share them here. I'm wordless!
15
09, 2026
WWYD? I need some insight from the field.
I need some insight from the field - especially if you work in health care, and if anyone has the ability to ask the Joint Commission for their opinion on this, I'd really appreciate it!
14
09, 2026
Code Requirements for Electromagnetic Locks (video)
Tomorrow is the next Live with Lori session, covering sensor release and door hardware release of electrified locks. The video in today's post gives a preview of these requirements.
10
09, 2026
Decoded: Code Considerations for Nightclubs
Despite changes to the code requirements related to nightclubs, tragedies continue to occur. This Decoded article covers some of the door-related considerations.
9
09, 2026
WW: Door Hardware? Or Art?
Here's another door that left me wordless during my trip to Mexico City last month...I love it when someone invests time and effort in their doors.
8
09, 2026
4,000 Posts on iDigHardware!
Today is a big milestone, and I have to say...I'm pretty proud of it. In the last 17 years, I have thought of something to share about door openings and the applicable codes - 4,000 times!
4
09, 2026
FF: Another Dogging Retrofit
A retired fire marshal sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos, which show yet another retrofit dogging method for panic hardware. At least this one is probably not a fire door!
2
09, 2026
WW: CDMX Brass Gate
Last month I spent a couple of days in Mexico City celebrating my birthday...check out these beautiful brass gates that I saw on a jewelry store in Polanco!
1
09, 2026
TGP: Understanding Code Requirements for Fire-Rated Transoms & Sidelites
In recent weeks I have shared a couple of posts about fire-resistance-rated vs. fire-protection-rated assemblies - it's important to know the difference! There's more in today's guest post.
31
08, 2026
QQ: Elevator Lobby
My Fixed-it Friday post from last week raised a Quick Question: Why would an elevator lobby door have delayed egress hardware?
28
08, 2026
FF: Delayed Egress “Fix”
Apparently delayed egress leading through the maternity area of a hospital was not a popular choice - today's Fixed-it Friday photos are a great example of security vs. egress.
27
08, 2026
Live With Lori – September 15th
Our next live session on the code requirements for electrified hardware is coming up soon - September 15th! There is still time to register and submit your questions!
26
08, 2026
WW: Closed and Locked
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo was posted by Ben Turner on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page, and he (enthusiastically!) gave me permission to share it here.