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.
WW: Hospital Fire Door Win! (video)
Mark Kuhn just reminded me that I had not yet posted one of my favorite videos on iDigHardware. It's a video of a fire door in a hospital that did its job during an electrical fire.
FF: Break the Chain
I've posted about this in the past, but I still don't know of a code requirement that specifically prohibits or permits the application shown in today's Fixed-it Friday photo. Thoughts?
WW: Special Knowledge?
Kelly Reese of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos...what do you think? Does this door require special knowledge for egress?
Nursing Room
Ten - YES 10! - years ago, I wrote a post asking what lock function readers recommended for a lactation room or nursing room. What do you think of this application I saw in an airport?
FF: Swing-Clear Hinges
I walked into my hotel room the other night and was surprised to see swing-clear hinges on the bathroom door. Check out the photos in today's Fixed-it Friday post for more info on this application.
QQ: Flush Bottom Rail on Gates
Are manually-operated swinging gates on accessible routes subject to the requirement for a flush, smooth surface on the push side, measured 10 inches up from the floor or ground?
WW: Airport Exits
By the time this week is over I will have visited five airports - these are just two of the many doors I've seen so far. What problems do you notice in these Wordless Wednesday photos?
What’s that? Von Duprin Safety Glow (SG)
I updated yesterday's post so I could answer a question about the Von Duprin Safety Glow (SG) option. When would you specify this "glow-in-the-dark" coating on the touchpad?
Decoded: Luminous Egress Path Markings
This article was published in the first year of my Decoded column...15 years ago! It was due for an update, and I'm guessing there are still people who are not aware of these requirements.
FF: Dogging Device
I love receiving Fixed-it Friday photos, but I ESPECIALLY love receiving them from my own kids! My oldest daughter sent me today's photo from New York City..."Hey Mom - What's this thing do?"
TBT: Von Duprin Magazine 1932
Kelly Reese of Allegion sent me this really cool piece of Von Duprin marketing memorabilia from 1932. Thank you to Lyman Door & Hardware for keeping it around for all these years!
WW: What’s that?
I might have to do a "What's that?" post to explain what we're looking at in today's Wordless Wednesday photo sent in by Paul Hawley of P.H. Hawley Associates. Any guesses?
What’s that? Remote Chexit Module (RCM)
My recent posts about delayed egress locks have raised a question from a reader about the Remote Chexit Module (RCM). What is this component used for and when should it be specified?
QQ/WWYD? Delayed Egress on Electrical Rooms
Today's Quick Question is not specifically answered in the model codes as far as I can tell: Are delayed egress locks permitted on doors serving electrical rooms where panic hardware is required?
FF: The Doors
I love this Fixed-it Friday photo, sent by JB Ford of PSI Doors and Hardware. It was taken in a really cool entertainment venue in Natick, Massachusetts. Zoom in!
Decoded: Projections into the Clear Opening Height of Doors
I have updated this Decoded article to include the most recent code requirements, as the I-Codes now permit additional types of hardware to project into the clear opening height.
WW: Fire Door vs. HVAC
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photos from Ruth Neeman - they were taken in a public building in Massachusetts. Since when does HVAC take priority over fire protection??
Case Study: Care Center in the Park
In today's post, read about how Von Duprin panic hardware contributed to code compliance, ease of use, durability, and design flexibility for Altru Health System.
WWYD? Panic Hardware on Electrical Rooms
Today's question is whether one or both of the highlighted doors on this partial plan require panic hardware in order to comply with the IBC or NFPA 70. If you have info to share, please leave a comment!
FF: Hamilton, Bermuda
My old pal, John Linehan, sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo along with a note that cracked me up: "I found this in an alley in downtown Hamilton, Bermuda and thought of you." :D
WW: Wow!
Maybe I should start a series called "My Neighbors' Doors." I saw this beautiful door while walking home the other day, and I was wordless! I'd love to see your beautiful door photos!
PASS: NEW Digital School Safety and Security Checklist
As part of a collective effort to improve their safety and security guidelines, the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) has launched the highly anticipated digitized security checklist.
What’s that? Gang Bus Option
I was working on a presentation the other day about questions on delayed egress locks, and I came across the term "gang bus" related to the Von Duprin Chexit. When would you use it?
FF: Trimco Cool Touch Finish
We've all seen creative methods of protecting users from touching hardware that has been heated by the sun, but did you know that Trimco has an actual solution to this problem?!
QQ/WWYD? Roof Doors
For a roof door that allows access to mechanical equipment on the roof, what are your preferred locking methods or functions - both electrical and mechanical? What would you do?
WW: Oak Hinge Reinforcement
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo was taken by Justin Lambert of Goldense Building Products, who arrived to check out a "sagging door" and was left wordless by the previous repair.
QQ: Push Plates and Door Pulls
A post from last month has raised another Quick Question: Why would a push plate or door pull require a UL 10C listing, when fire doors need to having latching hardware?
Large Language Models in AEC: Transforming Workflows, Not Replacing Expertise
I've been doing some research into the use of AI - I find it fascinating! But will it eventually replace us??? Check out this article from Unicel Architectural, an Allegion company.
FF: Arched Door Potbelly
In 2012, I shared some photos from a trip to Universal Studios, and this week, Todd Bushmaker of Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction, Inc. sent me some photos of a door that I missed.
Decoded: Locks on Dwelling Units and Sleeping Units
Are the electromechanical locks typically used for individual residential entry doors required to be listed to UL 294 or UL 1034 in order to comply with the model codes?
WW: Bergen, Norway
Tim Weller of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo of a door he saw on his recent trip to Europe. I need to put Norway on my list!
WWYD? Rearming a Delayed Egress Lock
The model codes are not very specific about this topic, so my question for you is this: What's your take on the manual rearming of a delayed egress lock? WWYD?
FF: Buffalo Bill’s Wild West
I saw this door in the Theater District in Denver, with an art project preventing the door from opening. I'm assuming the door is no longer used...I wonder what it looks like from the inside.
Decoded: Encroachment Into the Egress Path
This is Part 2 of an updated Decoded article covering door swing and encroachment, along with some new photos illustrating how a door might encroach into an egress path.
WW: Invisible Latch
Imagine walking up to a pair of fire doors that are not closing and latching properly. You climb the ladder to check the closer, look down into the latch case cover and see...nothing.
Crossbar Panic Hardware
For many of my final projects as a hardware specwriter, I specified crossbar style panic hardware because most architects find it more aesthetically pleasing. Do you agree?
QQ/WWYD? Institutional Function Lockset
Today's Quick Question: Would an institutional function lockset (always locked on both sides) be permitted on a door between two single restrooms?
FF: Iron Pull
I took today's Fixed-it Friday photo of my neighbor's door, where they have repurposed an old iron and also modified the masonry for the lock. I love the functional creativity!
Decoded: Door Swing
As part of an ongoing project, I'm updating my Decoded articles - the previous version of this one, addressing the requirements for door swing, was first written in 2012! Here's the updated version.
WW: Still Scratching My Head
I saw today's Wordless Wednesday photo on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page, and I'm still wondering what is happening here. Any ideas?
BHMA Blog: Advancing Sustainability Through PCRs
Last month I shared an article on sustainability, and it's definitely a topic that we need to learn more about. This week I'm sharing more info on PCRs and EPDs. What are PCRs and EPDs? Read on!
FF: Screwed Up
Well, this is one way to solve the problem of an incorrect lock function (not recommended!). Thanks to Tim Weller of Allegion for today's Fixed-it Friday photo!
QQ: Door Guards and Privacy Latches
Today's Quick Question is a common one related to entry doors serving hotel rooms and apartments: Is a UL listing required for auxiliary items mounted on a 20-minute-rated fire door?
WW: Observations?
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo reminds me of the time that I wrote a specification for a hotel and the architect told me that the entry doors did not have to be lockable - ever.
Ohio State Modernization
I like to share case studies as a way to understand how certain products can help to fulfill design concepts, code requirements, or functional needs. Here's another great example.
Decoded: Separate Deadbolts on Classroom Doors
This month's Decoded article answers a common question: Is it acceptable by code to install a separate dead bolt along with a lockset or latchset on a classroom door?
FF: Full (and Half) Length Pulls
You just never know what's going to happen when a door is modified in the field. Today's Fixed-it Friday photo has an obvious "fix" but also...what's up with the old push plates?
Fire Door Inspections: What NFPA 80 Requires (video)
In this video from NFPA, Shawn Mahoney, P.E., Senior Technical Services Engineer at NFPA, provides a detailed overview of inspecting swinging fire doors with builders hardware.