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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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
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!
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!
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?
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.
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"?
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.
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.
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?
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!
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.
WW: “It’s curtains for you…”
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photos from a retired AHJ, and they got me thinking. Is it permissible for a means of egress to pass through curtains en route to the exit door?
BHMA: New and Updated Standards
Six BHMA standards have recently been revised, and a new standard on acoustic performance of operable hardware has been published. The article linked in today's post gives a great overview.
FF: What’s missing here?
I received this Fixed-it Friday photo from someone asking whether this application was code-compliant. The short answer...no. Can you see the problem?
WW: Nailed It
When an additional egress door is not needed, shouldn't the exit sign be removed? I wonder if there is a code requirement stating that if there is an exit sign, there also has to be an exit?!
Elevator Lobby Egress Doors in Massachusetts
I don't claim to cover all state code requirements related to doors (I leave that to our ACE Network) but every so often a code modification catches my eye. Here's an update on Massachusetts.
Building Safer Communities: Code Compliance in Multifamily
I recently appeared as a guest on Allegion's Solving for Multifamily Podcast, with Robert Gaulden. Today's post includes links to both of my episodes, as well as resources pages with additional information.
FF: Balboa Park
Along with the beautiful art in the galleries at the Spanish Village Art Center, I was fixated on the doors (big surprise, right?!), which had SO MANY Fixed-it Friday fixes.
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 21
In the next episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, he talks with Dr. Dewey Cornell, a professor of education and forensic clinical psychologist.
WW: College Dorm Fire Doors
I took today's Wordless Wednesday photos on Move-In Day at college, where two of my kids live in the dorms. The corridor fire doors stopped me in my tracks!
DOIT Skill Building Fall Training Event
People ask me all the time where they can get more training, and the Door Opening Industry Training Group (DOIT) has a great line-up for their upcoming fall program. Check it out here!
Code Update: Escape Rooms
Over the weekend I had the privilege of presenting on egress, fire protection, and accessibility for escape rooms, and during my preparation I noticed an important code change.
FF: DIY Dogging
Considering the number of panics I've seen with velcro straps, zip ties, pins, clamps, and even more creative dogging methods, maybe there's a new product idea here?
CCPIA Podcast: Building Your Business
Rob Claus of the Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association (CCPIA) has just released episode 24 of his podcast, Building Your Business, and I was his guest!
WW: Supermarket Deterrent
Sometimes when I'm working on a code question/problem with someone, I use the phrase "it won't keep me up at night." That's kind of how I feel about this situation...what do you think?
Decoded: Update on Roof Doors
I've received some questions on roof doors lately, so I've updated this Decoded article with current code references that address doors serving both occupied and unoccupied roofs.
PASS Guidelines 7th Edition
The Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) publishes the most comprehensive recommendations for addressing school security and safety challenges, and the 7th edition is now available!
FF: Another Indicator in the Wild
I took today's Fixed-it Friday photos at a children's hospital in California, where locks with visual indicators have been installed to help staff ensure the lock status during a lockdown.
Lock Indicators: Special Knowledge or Common Knowledge?
This is an important post, and I would appreciate your comments to help ensure that indicators for locks and panic hardware continue to be an option for classrooms, restrooms, and other spaces.
WW: All Aboard! (if you can get out)
William Rudd sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos, taken in a train station. As shown in the first photo, both doors are marked as exits, but it looks like one has been taken out of service.
Decoded: Applications for Electromagnetic Locks
In this Decoded article for the next issue of Door Security + Safety Magazine, I answered several frequently asked questions that apply to electromagnetic locks.
FF: “Mid-Rail”
Michael Nicasio sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos and I have to say...I have never seen a mid-rail constructed this way. How about you?
I need some help. (And you could win!)
What are the options when a fire door assembly is too difficult for an assisted living resident to open? I'd love to hear your ideas, but I'm also looking for some help with one particular application.
WW: Lift in Case of Emergency
I always recommend rim panics and a removable mullion for exterior doors with panic hardware, to avoid situations like the one show in today's Wordless Wednesday photos.
FS65-24: Fire Doors Without Closers
When I wrote a post about fire doors without closers last year, I really didn't think that the code change proposal would be approved. Unfortunately, a new exception will be included in the 2027 IBC.