Decoded: Securing Parking Garages
A question about this topic came up in the Live With Lori session on access control doors, so I've made some updates to this article, and the Live session recording is now available!
FF: Auxiliary Fire Pin
Ryan Krakowsky sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos of an improper installation of an auxiliary fire pin for less-bottom-rod fire exit hardware. Do you know the correct mounting location?
UPDATE!/QQ: Electric Latch Retraction & UL 294
Is the UL 294 listing required by the model codes for panic hardware with the electric latch retraction / electric dogging feature (EL/QEL)?
WW: Egress Fail
Andrew Haring of Frameless Hardware Company sent me a reel for today's Wordless Wednesday post, and there are several problems with the application featured in the video.
What’s that? NL Drive Screw
A recent question took me back to The Olden Days when I was a manufacturers rep for LCN and Von Duprin. I had a supply of parts in my desk, including a stash of NL drive screws...
Decoded: I-Code Requirements for Interlocks
This month's Decoded question is related to a new section of the I-Codes: In which use groups is an interlock permitted by the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Fire Code (IFC)?
FF: Through Bolts, Revisited
Last week I shared a post about the requirements for through bolts on fire exit hardware, and Ryan Krakowsky of Harvard University sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo.
Decoded: Access Control Update
This Decoded article addresses important code clarifications related to electrified hardware used in access control systems. I hope this article will help with more consistent interpretations of the requirements.
WW: Worst One Yet?
Michael Metzen of Walsh Door and Security sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos of a hotel fire door, and these might take the cake for the worst WW fire door ever!
QQ: Existing Fire Door Frames Without Labels
If an existing fire door assembly has a hollow metal frame in perfect condition, but the frame is missing the label, is this compliant with NFPA 80?
FF: UL Listed End Cap Protection
I can't count the number of times I've seen missing or damaged end caps on panic hardware and fire exit hardware - those carts and gurneys can be brutal! So what's the Fixed-it Friday "fix"?
QQ: IBC/BHMA “Power Assist” vs. LCN “Power Assist”
Today's Quick Question: I see that LCN offers a power assist feature on some of their operators, can these operators be used on doors serving accessible public entrances?
WW: Wordless…and Wonderful!
I recently received a forwarded email from a medical school's safety compliance officer to its faculty and staff, that made my little fire-door-loving heart skip a beat.
QQ: Through-bolts on Fire Exit Hardware
This question often arises when a fire door inspector is on-site or when the top latches have become detached: Is fire exit hardware required to be attached to a fire door with through-bolts?
Live With Lori – July 29th
Our live session on access control systems/normal locking arrangements and the requirements for UL 294/UL 1034 listings is next week...there is still time to register and submit your questions!
FF: Secondary Exits for Retail Spaces
A couple of weeks ago I posted some photos from a retail store with multiple blocked exits. The topic of today's Fixed-it Friday post...how do we know whether the second exit is needed or not?
Decoded: Small Assembly Occupancies
Questions about this topic have come up twice in the last two weeks, so I've updated this Decoded article about small assembly occupancies with current code references.
WW: “…and LATCHED!”
Adam Fisk of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo...it's kind of ironic that someone went to the effort to make a sign for this fire door, which is equipped with zip tie dogging.
Ethan Loves Automatic Doors
I love kids who love doors! I saw this story about Ethan's visit to Stanley Access Technologies and I knew I had to share it here on iDigHardware!
PASS ’26 Summer Camp!
The Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) is presenting their third annual Summer Camp Webinar Series: a three-part series for anyone involved in securing our schools.
FF: Wire Run
Bass Security was called out to this site because the electrified panic hardware was no longer working, and this Fixed-it Friday photo shows what they found. YIKES!
WW: What in the world?
I saw today's Wordless Wednesday photo posted by Robert Gaiter on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page...is this some new attachment method I don't know about?
UPDATED: Allegion Code Reference Guide
I usually have great ideas, but occasionally I have one that doesn't go over so well. I thought it might be time to retire the Allegion Code Reference Guide, but I was wrong.
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 28
This episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, features Mo Canady of NASRO and a panel of school resource officers.
Decoded: Dead Bolt Mounting Height
I've been talking about this month's Decoded question for a while now...maybe seeing it in print will help get some traction. What do you think about this issue?
WW: Retail Secondary Exits
Whenever I post photos of a blocked retail exit, someone says, "It's not a required exit...it's just an extra door." So this is my question for you...when does a mercantile space require a second exit?
STUDY: The Role of Locked Doors and Access Control in School-Based Active Shooter Events
In today's post, more on the school security study conducted by the ALERRT Center at Texas State University in partnership with the Security Industry Association (SIA).
STUDY: An old school solution saves lives (video)
This is a fantastic news story on school security from ABC 7 News - WJLA. In tomorrow's post I'll share more information from the study conducted by the ALERRT Center at Texas State University.
FF: Unintended Consequences of Creativity
When I shared this week's Wordless Wednesday photos and videos, I said I'd come back and explain some of the code issues that I can see. That info is in today's post!
Ask Me Anything – July 29th
I decided to try something new, a series of live sessions where I do a short presentation followed by Q&A, to address the codes that apply to electrified hardware. All are welcome!
WW: Creative, but not compliant
The photos and video for today's Wordless Wednesday post came from Zachary Bass, Deputy Fire Marshal with the Asheville NC Fire Marshal’s Office. What problems can you spot?
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 27
In this episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, he talks with Dr. Kathy Martinez-Prather, the director of the Texas School Safety Center.
QQ: Closing Speed & Delayed Action
Today's Quick Question still comes up on occasion: Is a delayed-action door closer required by the accessibility standards?
FF: Made it Work
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos were sent by Keith Krienke of the University of Calgary (his team was not responsible!). At some point I think it's a better idea to replace the door!
Latching of Corridor Doors in Health Care
Today's question has two parts - one is important for anyone who works in health care to keep in mind. The second gets into the weeds but is a good opportunity for a code change proposal.
WW: THIS IS NUTS!
Steve Swertfeger of Isenhour Door sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos of a loading dock door they were called to work on, and this is truly one of the worst panic hardware installations I've seen.
QQ: Storeroom Function Locks on Classroom Doors
Today's Quick Question is related to an upcoming IBC change: Is a storeroom function lock acceptable for use on a classroom door that must be lockable from inside the room?
FF: “Overhead” Holder
These "overhead" fixes are trending! Today's Fixed-it Friday photo from John Danes of Allegion reminds me of a recent Wordless Wednesday submission.
Decoded: Mounting Heights for Door Hardware
I made some quick updates to this Decoded article on required mounting heights for hardware, with current code references.
WW: Ballroom Egress
I understand that this is a historic (and beautiful!) property, but it's surprising to me that an update to the egress doors has not been required at some point since 1933. What do you think?
Decoded: Delayed Egress Locks
My next Decoded article looks at the delayed egress requirements of both sets of model codes - there are some important variations to be aware of.
WW: “Overhead” Stop
I received today's Fixed-it Friday photo from Paul Hawley of P.H. Hawley Associates - he saw this door on a cruise ship. Although this is a stop and it's "overhead", it's not what we would typically call an overhead stop!
WW: Another Hotel Problem
Lloyd Raforth of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, from a hotel in Texas. I don't think it needs any explanation. #wordless
Decoded: Actuators for Low Energy Operators
Last week I posted a photo of an actuator in the wild, and I received several questions about the required actuator location. Time to update this past Decoded article!
QQ: Opposite-Swinging Doors
Today's Quick Question is answered in a 2027 model code change: On a double-egress pair, does each leaf have to provide the required clear opening width of 32 inches?
FF: What seems to be the problem here?
Kurt Stoll of WPI sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, which has been waiting in my giant pile of future posts for a good long while. Can you spot the problem?
Decoded: Egress Terminology
Where does the time go?? I'm continuing my project of updating the Decoded articles that I've referenced in training or other resources, to make sure the information is current.
WW: Excessive Undercut
A retired AHJ sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos showing one of several exterior doors in this space with a VERY large undercut...can anyone think of a functional reason for this?
WWYD?/FF: Auto Operator Actuators
Curtis Meskus, Town of Charlton CBO sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos of a vertical actuator he spotted in the wild. What do you think about the actuator location?
Fire Door Inspection – Top 10 Deficiencies
BIG NEWS - I just updated the Allegion Code Reference Guide and it will be ready for print and download soon! In the process I updated this article, which is included in the guide.