FF: Convenience vs. Security
The struggle is real! I took today's Fixed-it Friday photos at our hotel near DFW. Typically a credential would be needed - at least at night, but this "fix" allows free access 24/7.
14
11, 2025
13
11, 2025
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 24
In this episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, he talks with three of my favorite safe schools crusaders - Michele Gay, Missy Dodds, and Molly Hudgens.
12
11, 2025
WW: The Stockyards
The more I look at today's Wordless Wednesday photos, the more deja vu I'm feeling. Do these doors at the Stockyards look familiar to anyone else?
11
11, 2025
Fort Worth INPACT!
I spent last week in Fort Worth, Texas, at the DHI ConNextions conference. The schedule was jam-packed, but there's always time to check out the hardware!
10
11, 2025
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 5
In today's guest blog post, Tim Murfin, Manager, Commercial Product Support for Allegion, discusses how our tech support team can help keep fire doors code-compliant.
7
11, 2025
FF: Holes
My daughter spotted this Fixed-it Friday door modification on the streets of Fort Worth - and check out the door closer - an old LCN potbelly on a corner bracket!
5
11, 2025
WW: Obstacle Course
Paul Timm of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, taken in a school. This door is clearly marked as an exit, but egress will definitely be a challenge!
4
11, 2025
Bill Elliott, Mentor and Friend
I am sad to say that Bill Elliott, mentor to many in the industry and beyond, has passed away. For those of who knew him as a teacher, coach, colleague, and friend, we're all "lucky guys."
3
11, 2025
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 4
In today's guest blog post, Jason Allen, product support representative for Allegion, discusses the importance of maintaining fire doors in proper working order.
31
10, 2025
FF: Fire Exit Hardware
John Danes of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo...I'm sure someone thought they were solving a problem with this "fix", but they've created a big problem!
30
10, 2025
AD Systems: Care Center in the Park
A recent case study by AD Systems highlights some of the many considerations for modern health care facilities, and has me reflecting on my own hospital experience a few months ago.
29
10, 2025
WW: Elopement Prevention
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photo from an AHJ - the photo was taken in a school, where the mag-lock was added to deter elopement. Note the height of the push button!
28
10, 2025
In-Person Code Updates – Next Week!
I'll be heading to DHI ConNextions in Fort Worth next week, where Mark Kuhn and I will be conducting two training sessions with some help from our Allegion teammates.
27
10, 2025
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 3
In today's guest blog post, Devin Bowman, General Manager of Technical Glass Products (TGP) and AD Systems, shares information about glazing in fire door assemblies.
24
10, 2025
FF: What would you specify?
The added surface bolts in today's Fixed-it Friday photo are a common (and non-compliant!) "fix" for vertical rod panic problems. What would you have specified instead, and why?
23
10, 2025
PASS: Why School Administrators Should Avoid Using Barricades for Emergencies
The topic of school security and safety has been mentioned several times at this week's BHMA conference, and coincidentally, this is America's Safe Schools Week!
22
10, 2025
WW: Nothing to see here
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photo from Thomas Reinhardt, an AHJ. In addition to the obviously blocked exit, he also noted a few other issues with this "exit."
21
10, 2025
BHMA: Unlocking the Past
It's finally here! I'm in Lake Tahoe for the BHMA 100th anniversary celebration - 100 YEARS! I've completed my series for the BHMA Challenge, but I wanted to share one more post...
20
10, 2025
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 2
In today's guest blog post, Marilyn Latham, senior engineer for hollow metal at Steelcraft and Republic, shares information about how to address holes in fire door assemblies.
17
10, 2025
FF: Another Gate
At least they tried…finding panic hardware with an actuating portion that measures half the width of the gate in today's Fixed-it Friday photo would be quite the challenge!
16
10, 2025
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 23
In the next episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, he talks with Dr. Michael Lubelfeld, superintendent of North Shore School District 112 in Illinois.
15
10, 2025
WW/WWYD? Golf Entertainment Center
The question is - is this gate required for egress? The panic hardware tells me yes, so the bike lock is a problem. But could this space be considered a safe dispersal area? What do you think?
14
10, 2025
QQ: Gasketing Requirements of NFPA 101
Which door openings are required to have gasketing, according to NFPA 101 - The Life Safety Code? The answer is not easy, but you can follow the bread crumbs.
13
10, 2025
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 1
Continuing the FDAI series, Marilyn Latham, senior engineer for hollow metal at Steelcraft and Republic, shares information about fire door assembly labels in today's guest blog post.
10
10, 2025
FF/WWYD? Unauthorized Use Prohibited
I know at least one AHJ who doesn't like signs like this which deter use of the exit, but as far as I know, the codes do not prohibit them. Should a code change proposal be made? WWYD?
9
10, 2025
Fire Door Latching
In order for a fire door assembly to perform as designed and tested, it's critical for the door to be closed and latched if/when a fire occurs. Today's post looks at latching considerations for fire doors.
8
10, 2025
WW: Dinner Deterrents?
Check out the restaurant exits in today's post and let me know what you think. One is a definite "no" but the other I'm not sure about. It looks like an exit to me - how about you?
7
10, 2025
BHMA Challenge: Built for Impact
For the 5th and final week, the topic of the BHMA Challenge is Built for Impact - how our company's work supports healthier, safer, and more connected communities.
6
10, 2025
NFPA: Charge Into Fire Safety!
To mark Fire Prevention Week, I've updated Allegion's fire door inspection checklist, a laminated card that includes important information from NFPA 80. The request link is in today's post.
3
10, 2025
FF: Frankenstein Door
Tim Weller of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo and I'm not sure what to think, between the sensor bar on an inswinging door and the deadbolt that overrides the electrified hardware.
2
10, 2025
BHMA Challenge: Built for Innovation
This is Week 4 of BHMA's 100th Anniversary Challenge, and the topic this week is innovation - from new designs and features to process improvements and standards leadership.
1
10, 2025
WW: Repetitive Retrofit
Sara Klapheke of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos of a residential application...I know there are fans of symmetry but this is too much!
30
09, 2025
Decoded: Electric Strikes on Fire Doors
I'm working on updating some past Decoded articles for a project that I'm working on...this one addresses the requirements for electric strikes installed on fire door assemblies.
29
09, 2025
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 22
In the next episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, he talks with Amy Grosso, Ph.D., a behavioral health professional.
26
09, 2025
FF: Von Duprin Paddle
Evan Ballard of Allegion saw this super cool OLD Von Duprin product on an exit serving one of the oldest restaurants in America - open since 1826!
25
09, 2025
BHMA Challenge: Built to Last
This is Week 3 of BHMA's 100th Anniversary Challenge, and the topic this week is durability - the performance of our industry's products, even in the toughest real-world conditions.
24
09, 2025
WW: No words.
Today's Wordless Wednesday photos were posted on LinkedIn by Christian Michel of Energy Systems Group, and I asked for permission to share them here. I'm wordless!
23
09, 2025
Decoded: Tactile Warning
Some questions about tactile warning have come up recently, so I've updated this Decoded article. When is tactile warning required by code on door hardware? Almost never!
22
09, 2025
Enforcement of Fire Door Inspections
I'm working on a presentation for an upcoming conference, and I'd like to get a feel for what's happening in the field regarding the enforcement of fire door inspections. I'm hoping that some of you can help.
19
09, 2025
FF: Do Not Push
Paul Laseter of Niles Bolton sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, taken in a maternity suite. Do you think this was an intentional double entendre? :D
18
09, 2025
BHMA Challenge: Built for Access
This week's topic for the BHMA 100th Anniversary Challenge is Built for Access, focusing on how door hardware helps people move through the world. My submission is in today's post!
17
09, 2025
WW: “Can I fix this fire door?”
I can't count how many times I've heard this question about whether a particular fire door could be repaired. In this case the answer is a definite NO! Time for a new door!
16
09, 2025
WWYD? UL 294 & UL 1034
Are access control systems as safe as they were before, if only the electrified locks are required by code to have the UL 294 (or UL 1034) listing? What would you do?
15
09, 2025
What is an exit passageway?
Last week I wrote a post about a louvers, and I asked who could give me an example of an exit passageway. I received the image in today's post from Jeff Van Every of HealthTrust Performance Group.
12
09, 2025
FF: Emergency Exit
I received today's Fixed-it Friday photos from a retired AHJ, who I know has an intense dislike of emergency exit signs as a deterrent. What do you think of this "fix"?
11
09, 2025
PASS: Compartmentalization for Life Safety
The Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) has released a new whitepaper written by Laura Frye Weaver and Mark Williams, addressing the role of fire doors and other life safety features.
10
09, 2025
WW: Fire Door Louver
I'm sure the person who installed the louvers in the ice machine room doors in this hotel thought they were solving a problem, but they created a new one and voided the label.
9
09, 2025
BHMA Challenge: Built for Safety
BHMA is currently celebrating the 100th anniversary of the organization, and one of the events is a 5-week challenge for BHMA members. I figured...why not share the information here as well?
8
09, 2025
Escape Room Safety (video)
I feel so grateful to be able to positively affect the safety of escape rooms worldwide, and to help AHJs who have escape rooms in their jurisdictions. Learn more in today's post!
5
09, 2025
FF: Tied Up
Today's Fixed-it Friday photo, taken by Michelle Atkinson, CFDAI, of Atkinson Door, shows a "security solution" (not recommended!) employed by a church that has had trouble with unauthorized entry.