FF: Oopsie Daisy
It's a good thing that the problem with this frame prep was noticed before the frame was installed...can you tell what's wrong with today's Fixed-it Friday photo?
TBT: “Safe exit is a universal demand.”
Ron Cramer of Security Door & Hardware sent me something even more exciting than the 1887 door handing info I shared recently - a Von Duprin Catalog from way back in the day!
WW: Oh dear.
I had the hardest time deciding whether this should be a Wordless Wednesday or Fixed-it Friday post...what do you think? Thank you to Steven James Rone for sharing this classic!
WWYD? Escape Rooms
I'm working on a presentation for an escape room conference (cool, right?!), and I'm wondering what y'all are seeing out in the real world with regard to the required means of egress.
DOORCHECK: K–12 Exterior Door Labeling Guide
I recently received a very clear and concise guide for door numbering from DOORCHECK, and I'm sharing it here with their permission. Take a look, and let us know what you think!
FF: Rain Drip
The beautiful colors in these photos from Scott Foley of Advanced Door Solutions might draw your eye (ok, mine too), but check out that rain drip! :D
What’s that? Detention Hardware
I will admit, I have not had a lot of experience with detention hardware. An iDigHardware reader is looking for help in identifying this product. Any ideas?
WW: Screwy Hinge
Randy Dial of the Door Safety & Security Group sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, and I HAVE NO WORDS! Seen any good ones lately?
Feedback Please! Egress Capacity Estimator
Please check out the new IBC and NFPA Egress Capacity Estimator and let me know what you think. I can make modifications so that it is easier to use and/or understand.
Decoded: Calculating the Occupant Load
In preparation for a new estimator that I'll be sharing tomorrow, I've updated the very popular IBC Occupant Load Estimator, and the accompanying Decoded article.
FF: This is not an exit.
If you have a door that looks a lot like an egress door, but for whatever reason you don't want it to be code-compliant, how do you prove that the door is not provided for egress purposes?
TBT: Door Handing
Ron Cramer of Security Door & Hardware sent me these door handing instructions from Orr & Lockett Hardware Company, dated 1887! Pretty cool, right?!
WW: Well…that’s one way to ‘handle’ it.
I looked at this Wordless Wednesday photo sent by Shannon Ballard of Allegion and thought, "hmmm...another door that requires two releasing motions for egress." Shannon dug deeper.
Decoded: Code Update on Flush Bolts
In this month's Decoded column for Door Security + Safety Magazine, I covered a code update that should be helpful in avoiding misinterpretations related to flush bolts.
TGP: More on Scaife Hall
When Jonathan Edly was asked about a recent project that was memorable to him, he talked about Scaife Hall. As a former specwriter who still has a mental list of favorite projects, I can relate!
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).