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.
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?