FF: Path of Least Resistance
I guess I don't need to ask why, but I'm still scratching my head. Thank you to Rich Engel of Highland Hospital for today's Fixed-it Friday photo, taken at a post office (not at the hospital!).
History Facts: Why are historical doors so large?
Andy Lindenberg of King + King Architects sent me an article that answers a question I've pondered on occasion...why are there so many giant old doors?
WW: Hairy Situation
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo was taken in a hair salon, and clearly demonstrates the need for continued education of employees on the egress requirements.
Fire Doors – Everything you always wanted to know (but were afraid to ask)
I'm in the process of archiving some older articles and updating the ones that are still applicable...this one was due for an update - it's an oldie but a goodie!
FF: Can you help me out?
Tim Chow sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo of a pair of doors with access control, and I can't figure out what those little wires are for. Any ideas?
TBT: LCN
If you have been reading iDigHardware for a long time, this 1943 LCN ad from Architectural Record might remind you of a story that one of my own kids wrote back in 2010 - she's now 23 years old!
WW: Two halves make a whole.
An AHJ sent me this photo from a fire door in a health care facility, and as you can see, a portion of the fire door label is missing. Check out what makes this a great Wordless Wednesday example...
UL: Locking Configurations for Access and Egress Control
UL has recently updated an article that will be helpful when conducting a search for product listings in UL Product IQ. Check out today's post for an example of how to use this directory.
BHMA Codes in Context: NFPA 101-2024
In past posts I've mentioned a valuable resource offered by BHMA, called Codes in Context. Today's post highlights an update to the 2024 edition of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code.
FF: Irish Ingenuity
Dave Cox sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos from his trip to Ireland - I love to see everyone's vacation photos, so send them along!
WWYD? Standby Power for Automatic Operators
I need help with this question: When is a low energy automatic operator required by a code or standard to have standby power, to allow it to operate automatically during a power failure?
WW: “Before”
Jim McDonald of TCH Co., Inc. sent me today's Wordless Wednesday "before" photo, of an existing opening that was replaced with a code-compliant door, frame, and hardware. How many problems do you see?
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 18
In the next episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, he talks with the Jason Stoddard, Director of School Safety and Security for the Charles County Public Schools.
FF: Hide-N-Seek
Hal Kelton of DOORDATA Solutions sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos, taken in a school. After a detailed analysis, the main problem I can see is one of my pet peeves!
Decoded: Locking Stairway Doors in Schools
In this month's Decoded column for the School Security + Safety edition of Door Security + Safety Magazine, I address several considerations for securing stairwell doors.
WW: If you know, you know.
Joe Phillips of Allegion sent me this Wordless Wednesday photo of a fire door assembly in a school, that has been equipped with brackets for the installation of a barricade device. #wordless
QQ/WWYD? Hold-Open Devices on Health Care Corridor Doors
This Quick Question came up last week, and it's a good one! According to the model codes, is it acceptable to install hold-open devices on corridor doors in a health care facility?
Campus Safety: Functional Locks or Security Illusions?
I recently updated an article for Campus Safety Magazine, and I am sharing a few of the statistics and sources with you in today's post. You might find some of them surprising.
FF: Iglesia del Carmen, Tlalpujahua
The church in today's Fixed-it Friday photos had a rustic but effective "fix" for locking the front doors, and some less fantastic fixes in the interior. It's a spectacular building!
iDigHardware: Sweet 16!
Sixteen years ago this week, iDigHardware was born. I'm feeling a little nostalgic, so today's post is a bit of a look back along with a note of thanks - to YOU!
WW+WWYD? Arena Security
Lee Frazier of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos, taken while attending a hockey game at an arena with a capacity of more than 20,000 people. WWYD?
Locksmith Ledger: Codes in Context
If you're a frequent reader of iDigHardware, you've heard me mention the work of the BHMA CGIA. Check out this article published in Locksmith Ledger for more on this important industry organization.
Decoded: Calculating the Egress Width of Door Openings
I can't believe I first wrote this article 10 years ago! An AHJ recently asked me about calculating the egress width of a door, so I've updated this article with current code references.
Code Adoption – Skipping Editions
Last week, someone asked me about information addressing the changes for door openings between the 2018 and 2024 editions of the IBC. Thanks to BHMA, the answer was easy!
WW: Hotel Round-Up
I'd be surprised if I could go into a hotel and NOT find an egress, accessibility, or fire door problem, but this one had several. Have you seen any Wordless Wednesday doors lately?
WWYD? Apps, Sites, Software
iDigHardware Readers - I need your help! Someone recently asked me about options for software to do fire door inspections, but I've decided to expand the question.
FF: Mexican Dutch Doors
Technically the doors in today's Fixed-it Friday photos are probably wicket doors, but they serve the same purpose as a Dutch door. What do you think?
Decoded: Listings for Electrified Hardware
My next Decoded article covers one of the more confusing topics related to electrified hardware - are these products required to be listed to UL 294, UL 1034, neither, or both???
WW: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
I just finished writing a super technical Decoded article and my brain is tired, so enjoy today's beautiful Wordless Wednesday photos from San Miguel, city of amazing doors. :)
TGP: Improving Health Care Design with Specialty Glass
Requirements for openings in X-Ray rooms and PET scan facilities have always been a bit mysterious for me, especially when combined with my other Achilles heel - glazing.
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 17
In the next episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, he talks with the Tall Cop, Jermaine Galloway, about substance abuse in schools.
FF: ATTENZIONE
When I search my camera roll for the word "door", 4,879 photos show up. Today's Fixed-it Friday photos are from the Milan-Malpensa Airport, where using an alarmed exit will get you in big trouble.
Looking Ahead to the 2027 I-Codes
In the January/February issue of Door Security + Safety magazine, I have an article giving a preview of two important changes that have been approved for the 2027 I-Codes.
WW: Secret Doors
I'm getting all kinds of ideas for secret doors in my own house! Check out this Wordless Wednesday reel, and if you have seen any secret doors, send them along!
Elevator Machine Rooms
I have updated this 10-year-old post about locks on elevator equipment rooms with info from the current codes and standards, because Mark Kuhn refers to it in his next post (look for that tomorrow).
FF: Creative Drop Plate
Chuck Gulla of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, which has inspired me to put drop plates on the list for the next "What's that?" post. Stay tuned, and happy Friday!
What’s that? Glass Bead Shim Kit
I saw a question posted on Facebook about how to address panic hardware that runs across the vision light...which reminded me that I should write a "What's that?" post on the topic.
WW: Close Before You Doze
It has been a while since I've written about sleeping with your bedroom door closed...in today's Wordless Wednesday post, check out a video from the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department.
Name those pulls…
These photos hit my inbox at exactly the moment I needed some happy news...who knows what animal is represented here? Thanks to Curtis Meskus, Town of Charlton CBO!
WWYD? UL 294 / UL 1034
I'm preparing to do some training on this topic, so I'd love to get some feedback from readers. Please share your insight/experience in the comments!
WW: Tlalpujahua, Michoacán
The inability to maintain clear egress routes in retail occupancies crosses international borders. I saw this example in Tlalpujahua, a Pueblo Mágico in Mexico that is known for its hand-painted Christmas ornaments.
QQ: Locked Doors on Elevator Lobbies
Today's Quick Question relates to a change to the 2024 IBC: What type of lock may be used to secure an egress door leading from an elevator lobby to an exit access corridor?
FF: Another Wicket Door
Tim Weller of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, and I've been pondering the reason for this design as well as the function and code compliance. What do you think?
Decoded: SCIF Security and Egress Requirements
I received a question on SCIF doors this week, so I have updated this Decoded article to include the links to the current federal standards and specifications.
WW: Shaft Surprise
This door was in an AirBNB that I recently booked in Mexico City. At this point it's kind of hard to actually leave me wordless, but this one was a real shocker.
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 16
In the next episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, he talks with Kevin Wren, school safety advocate with the Cook and Boardman Group.
QQ: Interlock Types
The increased focus on interlocks (due to an upcoming code change) prompted today's Quick Question: What is the difference between a safety interlock and a security interlock?
FF: Kungfu Noodle
Being from the Northeast, I didn't immediately recognize the reason for this type of Fixed-It Friday ingenuity when I first saw something similar at the Hoover Dam years ago.
WWYD? Extension Rod Flush Bolts
I would love some input on this question, because I know that many of you have experience with this issue...what type of flush bolts do you prefer for a wood fire door?
WW: Hostile Architecture
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo illustrates a measure taken by a high rise hotel to deter houseless people from accessing the alcoves at the secondary entrances. WWYD?