Code Update: Signage on Fire Doors
The 2022 edition of NFPA 80 includes some important changes related to the size and attachment methods for signage on fire doors. Can you spot what's new in the updated standard?
School Security & Safety in 2022
I hope 2022 will be the year that the experts are heard and their advice followed, with decision-makers choosing proven security products rather than untested methods that don't comply with the codes established over 100+ years.
Holiday Countdown…1!!!
I have written about the benefits of sleeping with your bedroom door closed many times, but there are still people out there who have not adopted the practice of Close Before You Doze. What are you waiting for??
Holiday Countdown…2!
My kids are getting excited to see what Santa has left under the tree, even though they are now 20, 17, and 15. This photo was taken with Santa at Pasek Corp., way back in 2011. I sure do miss my old pal. :(
Holiday Countdown…3!
Next up in the countdown...it's Wordless Wednesday! I know that many of you LOVE the Wordless Wednesday posts, which I have been publishing weekly since January 25th, 2011. Time flies when you're having fun!
Holiday Countdown…4!
This week I'm counting down the days until my holiday break - yesterday I wrote about the ACE Network, which is a fantastic resource! Today I want to make sure you all know where to find my Decoded articles, which address specific code-related topics in detail.
Holiday Countdown…5!
It's that time of year again, when I finish up my last big projects (like my new class: Crash Course in Codes!), look back on what I accomplished, and get ready to start fresh after the holidays.
FF: Shimming 101
Most of you will remember that NFPA 80 allows the use of STEEL shims when shimming a fire door so the assembly complies with the clearance requirements of the standard. It looks like this installer wasn't aware of the requirements of NFPA 80...
History: Hartford Hospital Fire
Sixty years ago, 16 people were killed in a fire at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut. This fire, which began when someone dumped smoldering cigarette ashes down a trash chute, resulted in many code changes related to health care facilities.
WW: Privacy Plus
I keep finding "just one more" photo to share from my October road trip - the world is full of Wordless Wednesday and Fixed-it Friday applications! This storefront gives me cringey vibes...what do you think?
Code Update: Elevator Lobby Exit Access Doors
Have you ever struggled with securing an elevator lobby door to prevent access to a tenant space, while complying with the need for a means of egress from the elevator lobby? An approved change to the 2024 IBC should help!
Last chance for training in 2021!
It has been a long year (a long two years?), and I'm more than ready for a bit of a holiday break. But first! Our national trainers have their last 2 classes of the year this Webinar Wednesday, and our final Security in 30 session of 2021 is this Friday!
FF: Double Trouble
Tim Edwards of The Flying Locksmiths sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, after seeing this door at at a mall in Illinois. My question is...why would this happen? Most people don't want to pay for one panic device, let alone two! Any ideas?
History: Winecoff Hotel Fire
This week marks the 75th anniversary of the deadliest hotel fire in US history, which occurred at the Winecoff Hotel in Atlanta, on December 7th, 1946. This fire resulted in the deaths of 119 people, and injured at least 90 others.
WW: “Extra” Exits
I took today's Wordless Wednesday photo in a restaurant during my October road trip...the booth was partially blocking one exit, and a couch, piano, and other random items were blocking another. I guess they were just extra exits. :|
2021 Code Changes on DoorTalk – Part 2
On this episode of DoorTalk with Austin Watson of Warren Doors & Access Control, I covered the 2021 code updates on egress from exterior spaces and extraneous labels on fire door assemblies. What other topics would you like to see addressed in this type of format?
Good Point.
I love it when people contact me with suggestions for iDigHardware, even when (or especially when?) their idea is something I should have come up with long ago. Here are the upcoming classes for the next 2 WEEKS!
FF: An Off-the-Shelf Fix
Today's Fixed-it Friday photo was sent by a retired fire marshal, who seems to be finding a lot more photos to share now that he's got plenty of leisure time and isn't responsible for the problems he sees. :)
Code Update: Emergency Release Methods for Stairwell Reentry
Two approved changes to the 2024 IBC will affect the locking of stairwell doors; ICC Proposals E47-21 and G61-21 were approved as modified by floor modifications during the committee action hearings.
WW: Zip It
Barry Dean of IML Security Supply sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos, and I have no words. Really. None. #wordless Check the related post links for more creative zip tie applications!
2021 Code Changes on DoorTalk – Part 1
I recently posted an episode of DoorTalk, where Austin Watson of Warren Doors & Access Control and I were talking about how iDigHardware came about. We also recorded a couple of episodes about changes to the 2021 model codes. Here's Part 1!
On deck for this week…
We've got a boatload of classes coming up...on health care, electrified hardware, masterkeying, accessories, and hollow metal - and the Thursday class offers continuing education credit for AIA!
WW: Bus Stop
Jen Boggs of Mulhaupt's sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, taken in a small toy store. I know that egress problems in retail stores are not uncommon, but this one has me shaking my head. #wordless
QQ: Tactile Warning
I have one last photo from my time in New Orleans, that relates to today's Quick Question: When are tactile warnings required for the hardware on rooms housing hazardous equipment, like electrical rooms?
Coming Up! AIA Continuing Ed Webinar
This is a quiet week for training because of the holiday, but there is a very informative webinar coming up next week, presented by Melany Whalin and Connie Alexander of Allegion. The webinar offers continuing education credit for AIA, and registration is open!
FF: Flush Bottom Rail
Joe Cross of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos, which are a great reminder about one of the accessibility requirements related to doors. I'll bet nobody involved with this "fix" forgets about this requirement any time soon!
It’s ME – on DoorTalk!
I just got an email from a coworker in Korea, who said that it had been a long time since he had seen me, but that he was listening to one of my webinars so it was like I was right there with him. :) If you're feeling like you haven't seen me lately, check out this episode of DoorTalk!
WW: Museum Exit
These doors are serving an assembly occupancy - a museum that receives more than 1 million visitors per year. What do you think? Would you consider these doors "readily distinguishable" and "easily recognizable"? Ok, or No Way?
QQ: Special Purpose Doors
Today's Quick Question: What is considered a "special purpose" door? Which sliding doors have to comply with the requirements detailed in this section of the code?
Security in 30 and a whole lot more!
Coming up this week: The next Security in 30 session for integrators, two more Webinar Wednesday classes covering electrified hardware, Door Drills on access control and the Von Duprin 98/99 series, and Allegion 101 on LCN - take your pick!
FF: Road Trip Part 3
I've been home from my road trip for a few weeks now, and I finally found time to go through all of the photos I took and put together this final Fixed-it Friday post. Don't forget to send me some photos from your holiday road trips!
QQ: Astragal vs. Egress Conflict
I have a 3-hour pair of hollow metal doors that requires an overlapping astragal in order to comply with the manufacturer's listings. Both leafs have vertical rod fire exit hardware. How do I avoid an egress conflict?
WW: NOLA
Today's Wordless Wednesday photos may look familiar to a few of you. Note the exit sign over the door to the small room, the swing of the doors, and the egress situation once in that room.
WWYD? Barricade Button
I don't think I've written about this particular application before, but I do think it's a valid option for classroom doors. I'd like to know what you think, and if there are potential problems or concerns.
Knowledge Empowers You (K.E.Y.)
I truly believe this...knowledge empowers each of us. I often find when I'm teaching about codes, that people believe something to be true that they learned 20 years ago. But things change, and it's crucial that we keep up with what's new in the industry.
FF: Día de Muertos
San Miguel de Allende, in Guanajuato, Mexico, is known for it's amazing doors - some are hundreds of years old. During the holidays, the doorways of San Miguel are beautifully decorated, "Fixed-up" you might say.
WWYD? ESE Classroom
One common difficulty regarding ESE classrooms and classrooms for very young children, is the possibility that a student will leave the classroom through an exterior door and end up in a dangerous situation. WWYD?
WW: Dirty Laundry
Today's Wordless Wednesday photos, taken in a laundromat, require some explanation. Take a look and see what you notice. Thank you to Joe Cross of Allegion for sending the photos!
Manufacturing Day 2021
If you're not familiar with Manufacturing Day, it's an annual series of events aimed at helping to fill 4 million high-skill, high-tech and high-paying manufacturing jobs over the next decade. Check out our US facilities in this video!
Never Stop Learning!
"The key to pursuing excellence is to embrace an organic, long-term learning process, and not to live in a shell of static, safe mediocrity. Usually, growth comes at the expense of previous comfort or safety." ~ Josh Waitzkin
FF: Bare Bones Exit
It's almost time for Halloween and Dia de los Muertos, so today's Fixed-it Friday photo taken at the rear exit of a Mexican restaurant is particularly fitting. Thank you to Randy Shurr of Architectural Materials, Inc., for sending it in!
48 Hours – The Station Nightclub Fire: Who’s Responsible?
Last Saturday, our family movie night included a viewing of an episode of the TV show 48 hours, where the Station Nightclub fire was discussed in depth. If you have not seen it yet, I encourage you to watch the show.
WW: Wordless “Fix”
This could have been a Fixed-it Friday contender, but the "fix" left me Wordless. Thank you to Eyal Bedrik of Entry Systems Ltd for today's Wordless Wednesday photos and video!
Key-Operated Locks: Risky Business
I was recently contacted by a specwriter who had specified double-cylinder deadbolts for the main entrance to an assembly occupancy. Although the AHJ had originally approved the plan, he changed his mind after the doors and hardware were installed.
Virtual 1 vs. 100?
Phew! I finally made it home after my loooong trip combining the BHMA and DHI conferences with some training and other meetings - it was great to see some of you in person!
FF: Road Trip Part 2
Here are a few more applications that I saw on my road trip - I'm finally heading home on Sunday! I stayed at a total of 8 different hotels on my trip, so you can imagine how many problems I saw...
Locksmith Ledger: Model Code Comparison – Delayed Egress Locking Systems
This article on the delayed egress requirements was published in Locksmith Ledger, and a follow-up article will compare the requirements of the model codes for controlled egress applications.
WW: Trends
Today I visited a third location of the same retail chain, and again, the restroom doors had padlocks and hasps like the second location, and a saggy door (no foot pull) like the first one. I'm seeing a trend.
WWYD? Egress Doors Serving Exterior Spaces
The balcony in these photos is located in a conference center. It's not too high above grade, so yes - you could jump off, but generally that's not how the egress requirements work. What would you do?
See you in New Orleans!
I'm heading south today after teaching a class in Knoxville, and tomorrow I'll be arriving at the DHI conNextions conference in New Orleans. I'm teaching my brand new 1 vs. 100 class on Thursday, October 21st at 8 a.m. I hope to see you there!