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.
QQ/WWYD? Auto Door Bottoms
Would a surface mounted automatic door bottom with a sloped top be permitted by the accessibility standards? Could this application be allowed by the AHJ as an equivalency?
FF: A Day at the Zoo
Last week I realized that a zoo is one of the few types of projects that I have never written a hardware specification for, which is kind of a shame because zoos have some cool applications!
Recessed Doors Revisited
The other day I posted some photos I took in an office building on a recent training trip, and asked if anyone could identify the code issue - or maybe I was just seeing things?
WW: Quick! What’s the combo?!
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photo from Tom Reinhardt, an AHJ. You might have to zoom in a little to see the problem in its entirety. This looks like "special knowledge and effort" to me!
WWYD? Alcoves
Last week I spent some time doing training in an office building, where I noticed these doors in the corridor leading to the office suites. Does anyone see a code issue here? WWYD?
Decoded: Key-Operated Locking Devices
In this Decoded article for the next issue of Door Security + Safety Magazine, I covered a code change that will finally clear up the requirements for double-cylinder deadbolts.
FF: Electric Strike Prep
Just yesterday I was talking with a class about prepping existing frames for electric strikes. I'm not an installer, but something seems off here. What do you think?
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 20
In the next episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, Bill Bryson and John Connolly, school technology leaders, share insights on school safety.
WW: State Office Building
Steve Wertman of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, and I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Just kidding...I'm crying. The photo was taken in a state office building.
Life Safety Digest: Controlled Egress Locking Systems in Health Care Facilities
I have an article in the Summer issue of Life Safety Digest, that covers the code requirements for controlled egress locks in health care units where patients require containment.
FF: Cruising
I received today's Fixed-it Friday photo from John Fuentes of Treanor Design, and we have a question for iDigHardware readers. What's the reason for the atypical hinge locations on this cruise ship door?
Von Duprin Outdoor Defense Option (OUT)
Specifying panic hardware for gates and doors where it would be exposed to the weather has always been a challenge, but now there is a new option - Von Duprin Outdoor Defense!
WW: All Around the World
I've done a fair amount of traveling, and I've seen a lot of door problems worldwide. Tim Weller of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos from a recent stop in Amsterdam.
PASS: School Safety and Security Summer Camp
Join the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools’ (PASS) third annual School Safety Summer Camp: a three-part webinar series presented by experienced speakers in school safety. The sessions are free!
Decoded: Accessibility Requirements for Automatic Doors
In this Decoded article for the accessibility issue of Door Security + Safety Magazine, I covered the accessibility requirements for automatic doors.
WW: Family Restroom
The memories of the 3rd grade joke came flooding back when my kids and I were at the airport in Santa Marta, Colombia. And at least I got some Wordless Wednesday photos! :D
US Glass: Proposal G88-25, Part II
Today's post is a follow-up to the previous article from US Glass Magazine, regarding IBC proposal G88-25. What are your thoughts on adding forced entry resistance requirements for schools?
Decoded: Egress From Exterior Spaces
In preparation for an upcoming session on this topic, I have updated this Decoded article with current code references. If you're not familiar with this recent code change, check it out!
FF: At the Dollar Store
Last month, Mark Kuhn and I happened upon an unusual Fixed-it Friday "fix" in Savannah...it wasn't very effective since Mark had the door open in a couple of minutes.
FBI: Active Shooter Incidents in the United States, 2024
A few years ago, I shared a document from the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools which cautioned against the use of classroom barricade devices. In today's post I have some updated statistics.
WW: Hospital “Egress”
Today's Wordless Wednesday post is definitely not wordless, it includes an explanation of why these hospital doors would not be compliant with the US model codes (the hospital is in Mexico).
QQ: Parking Garage Panics
Today's Quick Question has come up many times in different forms: On a multi-level parking garage with a capacity of 600 cars, do the stair doors and exit discharge doors require panic hardware?
Unplanned Hiatus – Sorry!
I've been receiving messages asking if iDigHardware is down because there was no post from yesterday. It's not the website that's broken - it's me.
FF: Cali Minimarket
During my travels in other countries, I definitely notice a difference in how accessible routes are handled...this ramp in Cali, Colombia was an attempt to improve accessibility. See the problem?
WW: Down at the Pizzeria
I know we have seen MANY of these blocked egress photos, but this one is pretty egregious. What I'm wondering is...are there no AHJs who eat here?
QQ: Dwelling Units – Motions to Unlatch
On a residential dwelling unit or sleeping unit, is there a limit to the number of security devices (night latches, dead bolts, security chains, etc.) that can be installed along with the latchset/lockset?
US Glass: Proposal G88-25
Proposal G88-25 is intended to add a new standard - ASTM F3561 - to the International Building Code (IBC) requirements for schools. What are your thoughts on resistance to forced entry?
FF: Drop Plate Alternative
Allen Huguley of Wagstaff Taylor & Associates, Inc. sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo...he's not responsible for detailing this "fix"! (Although I'm kind of impressed with the workmanship!)
WW: Another Day, Another Airport
A few weeks ago I shared some information about the delayed egress locks I spotted in the Bogotá airport...I guess this is another way to "delay" egress. (Not recommended!)
WWYD? Restricting Lead in Keys
Through my involvement against legislation that would allow barricade devices in schools, I have seen many cases where good intentions lead to unintended consequences.
FF: Door Looooop
I saw this Fixed-it Friday door down at the home improvement store. What do you think? Is this extended door loop a legit way to transfer the power to the hardware?
WW: Bradley Lock & Key
Mark Kuhn and I are in Savannah this week to attend the BHMA meetings. Yesterday we happened upon a locksmith shop near the hotel, and after reading about the shop's history - I was wordless!
NFPA 80 on Fire Exit Hardware
I recently wrote a post about a change to NFPA 80 related to field-installed glazing in wood fire doors, and Hal Kelton of DOORDATA Solutions pointed out another change to the standard.
FF: Another Hotel Fix
Today's Fixed-it Friday photo shows an epic(ly terrible) "fix" on a fire door assembly in a hotel corridor - at least I'm assuming it's rated based on the fire exit hardware and what looks like the outline of a label.
QQ: Glazing in Wood Fire Doors
This Quick Question just came up yesterday and I did a little research: Can glazing be field-installed in wood fire doors, or does NFPA 80 require the glass to be installed at the factory?
WW: This “fix” left me wordless!
Today's Wordless Wednesday photos are for iDigHardware readers who also take an interest in structural issues (like me!). Can you see what's happening here?
Observations on Delayed Egress Locks
I recently saw some delayed egress locks "in the wild" at the Aeropuerto El Dorado in Bogotá, Colombia, and I had a few thoughts on the applications and in particular, the signage.
FF: Let me out (again)!
The door in today's Fixed-it Friday photos is another example from my trip to Colombia, this time in Cali. This door would not comply with the US model codes for egress...can you see why?
WW: Let me out!
Today's Wordless Wednesday photos were taken in the lobby of an apartment building, where the ONLY way to exit was for someone at the security desk to press the release button. Yikes!
Openings in Floor or Ground Surfaces
Although the photos in this post are not related to door hardware, there are some hardware products that require an opening in the floor - typically a hole in a strike plate. WWYD?
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 19
In the next episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, he talks with Lieutenant Kelly Martin, of the Seminole County Sheriff's Office.
FF: NOOOOO!!!
Robert Lucius of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos, taken in a high school. My heart sank when I saw this "fix." Think it's a fire door? WWYD?
Join my team!?
I don't usually post job openings (maybe I should?), but for this one I think there may be some iDigHardware readers who are uniquely qualified for the role. Check it out!