Coming up this week…
Can a wave-to-open switch be used to actuate an automatic operator? Does the IBC allow any stairwell doors to be locked mechanically? What's new in codes for health care facilities? Find out in this week's classes!
FF: DPS “Fix”
For many exterior doors, a door position switch (DPS) is an important part of the security system; the switch can alert a security station that a door has been opened. I wonder how long this creative fix will continue functioning.
Fire Door Clearance Follow-Up
Last week I answered a Quick Question about whether a listed threshold could be used to reduce excessive clearance at the bottom of a fire door. I always appreciate the heads-ups when I make a typo, but this time I didn't! :-)
WW: Exit if you can find it
Stuart Hurwitz shared today's Wordless Wednesday photo with me...yet another retail store where the manager has no idea that egress doors need to be visible and the means of egress must be clear.
Choosing Doors for Safer Classrooms and School Facilities
I have written dozens of articles and blog posts on school safety and security, but it's extra-exciting when someone else writes about this topic and is in alignment with the safety requirements mandated by the model codes.
Take the quiz…
How much do you know about the model code requirements for doors with delayed egress locks or controlled egress locks? Here's a short quiz to help you find out.
FF: Privacy (License) Plate
For years, I have loved the locks on the restroom stall doors in one of my favorite restaurants, but I don't think I've shared them here before. (I know...it's a weird thing to love.)
Queens Fire Follow-Up (video)
Last week I wrote about a fire in a Queens apartment building, where an open door allowed a fire to spread. FDNY shared a video that shows some of the interior of the building after the fire that left more than 200 people homeless.
WW: Do you see what I see?
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photos from an AHJ, who will remain anonymous. During an inspection, he found this water heater enclosure. But what's that thing sitting on the pipe behind the vent?
QQ: Fire Door Bottom Clearance
Today's Quick Question: Can a threshold be used to address oversized clearance at the bottom of a fire door? What do you think?
This week there’s something for everyone…
We've got you covered! Up this week...Security in 30 for integrators, a webinar on the ABCs of Access Control that offers AIA CEUs, Allegion 101 for newcomers, and 4 Webinar Wednesday classes.
FF: DIY Gate Lock
The Fixed-it Friday fun never ends! I received today's photos from Paul Linder of Hill's Bros. Lock & Safe, Inc., who had nothing to do with the original installation but was called in to fix the problem.
How many more will it take?
I like to think that I'm pretty even-tempered...I don't get mad very often (and when I do - RUN). But every time I see an apartment fire where the door was left open as the apartment residents escaped, I feel even more frustrated and angry.
WW: “Exit” Mash-Up
Debbie White of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, which she received from a friend. I love it when my friends send me door photos...hopefully I'll be getting more as we can safely start to travel again! Hint, hint. :)
QQ: Use Groups Requiring Auto Operators
Following up on last week's post about the new requirement for auto operators in certain locations, today's quick question: What types of buildings fall into the use groups where automatic operators are required for public entrances?
So much to learn!
The next series of Allegion 101 begins tomorrow, Webinar Wednesday continues with 4 classes available this week, and next week there's a live presentation on the ABCs of Access Control that offers AIA credit.
FF: Restroom Egress
Following up on Wednesday's restroom post...any theories on the situation in this restroom? It's Fixed-it Friday but I'm not sure what they were fixing with this application. Thanks to Charles Anderson for the photos!
Code Update: Automatic Operators on Public Entrances
I wrote about this change during the 2021 code development cycle, but this post includes the new excerpt from the IBC that requires automatic operators at public entrances. This would be an expensive miss on a project, so just a heads-up.
WW: I don’t think I could rest easy in this restroom.
This Wordless Wednesday photo brings back bad memories of my brothers locking me in closets and other dark and scary places. I'd love to know why this door is lockable from the outside...any ideas?
FDAI – Here’s why.
In my opinion, removing the fire door assembly inspection requirements through a state modification of the model codes is detrimental to the safety of building occupants. What do you think?
Access Control for Stairwells
Stairwell doors can be one of the more complicated applications in an access control system, because of the code requirements that apply to these doors. Learn more about access control systems on stair doors this Wednesday!
FF: What can I say?
Take a look at these Fixed-it Friday photos, sent to me by Eyal Bedrik of Entry Systems Ltd. I think I've hit the wall, because I just keep shaking my head at the photos arriving in my inbox and I can't think of any more ways to say, "Don't do this, people."
Update: WWYD? Single-User Restrooms
This is an important update to an earlier post about the code changes related to "occupied" indicators on privacy sets. The IBC change applies to family and assisted-use restrooms, but not to all single-user restrooms.
WW: Down at the Shooting Range
Ben Gorton posted this photo on the page of the Facebook group called "There's no crying in hollow metal", and I just knew I had to share it (with permission) for Wordless Wednesday. This door is an emergency exit for a shooting range, and I'm #wordless.
Decoded: Safe and Secure Schools
My next Decoded article focuses on safety requirements to consider while addressing school security. And while we're on the subject, Safe and Sound Schools is conducting their 4th survey on the National State of School Safety, and I invite you to participate.
ASHE Webinar – Open to All
A few weeks ago I posted a recorded class on delayed egress and controlled egress locking systems. If you'd prefer to listen to that presentation live, I will be conducting the class for the American Society for Health Care Engineering on April 22nd.
FF: Hotel Security
These doors would be nearly impossible to open in an emergency...they require special knowledge and effort, coordination and dexterity, and the hardware is far above the allowable range. #wordless
FDAI – Why?
As I talk to people about fire door assembly inspection, two sides of the discussion have emerged. Many understand the increased life safety and fire protection provided by code-compliant fire doors - others think the deficiencies are too overwhelming to address.
WW: Is this becoming a trend?
The power of water is incredible. I think we will continue to see the changing weather patterns impacting the model codes and standards - code changes are already occurring with regard to hurricane/tornado protection and storm shelters.
UL: Proper Application of UL Standards – UL 294 & 1034
Great News! UL has published an article to clarify the different UL listings that apply to electrified hardware. This should help with the confusion caused by the model code requirements for the UL 294 listing on certain types of systems.
MIFARE DESFire Encryption Key Options (and more!)
Allegion is offering 5 more online training opportunities this week - Friday's Security in 30 session on encryption key options for smart credentials, plus Webinar Wednesday's classes on masterkeying, stairwell doors, K-12 layered security, and hollow metal.
FF: Just a few washers
Jason Albert posted this classic Fixed-it Friday fix on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page. Seems pretty secure, no? I'm wondering why the installer didn't just mount the new device closer to the lock edge.
Decoded: Corridor Doors in Health Care Occupancies
Past fires in hospitals and nursing homes - and the resulting fatalities - have shaped the codes that we use today. Although today’s codes do not typically require patient room doors to be fire door assemblies, these doors provide a critical layer of protection for patients.
WW: Green Bay MFD Incident Release
I know this is kind of a personal question, but be honest...did you close your bedroom door when you went to sleep last night? It could save your life, and today's Wordless Wednesday photos are proof of that.
Decoded: Double-Egress Pairs in a Health Care Occupancy
Questions about double-egress cross-corridor pairs in health care facilities arise frequently, so I have updated this article to reflect the current requirements of the model codes.
Critical Requirements for Clear Width and Maneuvering Clearances
Do you know...The minimum required clear opening width for a single door? How to measure the clear opening width for a pair? The formula for calculating the actual clear opening width of a doorway?
FF: Classroom “Exit”
Do you see what I see in these Fixed-it Friday photos? It's hard to know whether this was done to secure these doors against intruders or to prevent elopement of young students, but either way it's a problem.
Decoded: Delayed Egress and Controlled Egress Locking Systems
Do you know the difference between these two types of systems - where they're allowed, what purposes they serve, and all of the code requirements that apply? This presentation covers these systems in detail.
WW: Covid Vaccination Site Exits
I'm sure there's some sort of explanation for this, right? Today's Wordless Wednesday photo was taken at a convention center that is currently being used as a Covid vaccination site.
iDigHardware Housekeeping
About 10 years ago, a wise man (the company president at the time) told me that someday I would not be able to handle the network I was creating. He was right. iDigHardware just turned 12 years old, and we're making a few changes.
Master Class: Delayed Egress and Controlled Egress Locking Systems
Some of you have been anxiously awaiting my master class on the codes that apply to delayed egress and controlled egress locking systems, which was postponed when my computer died. Your wait is almost over!
FF: Hold onto those hold opens.
This elementary school fire door "fix" is one way to keep the wedges from disappearing but might be tough to explain when the fire marshal shows up for an inspection.
WWYD? Tough Closer Mounting
I'm sure you can all see the problem with this apartment entrance...how would you mount a door closer on this side of the door?
WW: Lawmakers seal Roundhouse, violate fire code
This report illustrates why I don't like to see key-operated locks allowed in most locations. When a double-cylinder deadbolt is installed and there is a need to lock the doors to prevent access, there is no code-compliant way to facilitate egress.
Remembering the Station Nightclub Fire
Eighteen years ago this week, I sat stunned as I watched the news reports on the fire that had occurred the night before in the nearby city of West Warwick, Rhode Island. 100 fatalities, more than 200 injured...
Distance Learning this Week
The opportunities for distance learning continue, and here's what's on the docket for this week. The recording of my fire door session from last Friday is available on-demand, along with the Q&A from the session.
WW: What’s the big deal??
Have you ever pointed out a door problem to someone and had them respond with a shrug and some form of "so what"? A fire door is held open improperly...so what - chances are slim that the building will catch on fire today. Right??
Bazaar Doors
I'll get back to writing about the codes soon, but I think we could all use a virtual road trip to see some beautiful doors. Check out the variety of doors I found at a local bazaar last weekend!
WW: Retirement home removes door handles, traps residents with COVID-19
I received links to these news reports from several iDigHardware readers as far away as Dubai. As I have said before, sometimes the immediate response to a threat does not take all factors into consideration.
QQ: Remoteness of Exit Access Doorways
Today's Quick Question: If an area requires two or more exit access doors because of the calculated occupant load, how far apart do those egress doors need to be?