What’s on tap for this week?
I can't believe how quickly time is flying by! 2021 is more than half over and so is summer. In two weeks I have a kid heading back to college and I'll finish my 54th year around the sun. And there's more...
FF: Hold the Line
Kevin Latimer of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, and while this hold-open method gets some points for creativity and cost-effectiveness, it will eventually have a negative impact on the panic hardware.
Dead End Follow-Up
Earlier this week I wrote about dead end corridors as requested by one of our specwriters. Joel Niemi left a comment that I think is worth sharing, as it's related to a pretty common situation.
WW: Somewhere in Iceland
Yes - Iceland! Robin Greenberg of Perkins Eastman sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, taken in a Christmas-themed store in Iceland. The egress door is so cleverly disguised, it looks like the exit sign is in the wrong place!
QQ: Dead-End Corridors
Sometimes a floor plan will show a corridor that ends with a wall or a locked door, creating a dead end. Today's Quick Question: What is the maximum length of a dead end corridor that is allowed by the model codes?
Choose Your Path
There are so many options for online training this week! Whether you're an architect, end user, distributor, locksmith, installer or security integrator, new to the industry or with years of experience, there's something for you to learn.
FF: No Spare Parts
These Fixed-it Friday photos were posted by Andrew Clark on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page. I'll give the installer points for creativity, and a bonus point for using all of the parts that came in the box with the deadbolt!
ICC Members: Shaping the safety of the world around us — Lori Greene
I couldn't come up with an answer to this tough question from the ICC: "If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title would be?" Any ideas?
WW: Less-Bottom-Rod (LBR) Single?
Given the added expense and maintenance issues that can come with vertical rod panic hardware, I can't think of a reason why someone would use a vertical rod device on a single door. Can you?
Virtual Vacation Week
This is one of my favorite work weeks of the year, when lots of people are on vacation, and I can catch up on a few things. I'm currently updating my ShortCodes classes - I'll let you know when they're ready!
FF: Vertical Actuation Bar
I know that many iDigHardware readers love Fixed-it Friday, but I especially love when I can use Fixed-it Friday to ask for help (there were so many helpful comments last week!). I have another question this week that I hope you will weigh in on.
QQ: ADA Requirements vs. State Accessibility Standards
When the ADA standards are more restrictive than an accessibility standard adopted by a state or local jurisdiction, do the more stringent requirements of the ADA standards apply?
WW: I need to vent!
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo, sent in by Rick Eldridge, is from the generator room of a hospital. We'll just assume (fingers crossed!) that it's not a fire door assembly.
WWYD? Fire Door Assembly Labels
Thank you for all of your comments and feedback on last week's Fixed-it Friday post - I really appreciate the help! I'd love to hear what you think about fire door assembly labels as an educational tool for building occupants.
Onward and Upward!
When I wrote the title of today's post, I wondered where the term "onward and upward" came from. I found that the original source was from a poem called "The Present Crisis" by James Russell Lowell (1819-1891)...
FF: Just Dropping In
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos come with some questions...is there a way to make this opening code-compliant? It's obviously not an egress door, but how can building occupants be protected from falling?
Antimicrobial copper: Slowing the spread of deadly infections in hospitals
Last year when I wrote a Decoded article and hosted a webinar addressing the code requirements related to touchless openings, many people asked me about the performance of copper. There's more in today's post...
WW: Here we go again.
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photo from Andy Buse of Allegion, and I can't think of anything witty or even educational to say. Why would someone think it's ok to block a marked exit with display shelving?
Decoded: Fire Door Assembly Inspections in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
My next Decoded article for Door Security + Safety magazine highlights the importance of fire door assembly inspections in multi-unit residential buildings. Enforcing the inspection requirements and repairing deficiencies will undoubtedly save lives.
Alphabet Soup! AIA, XP, AD-SUS, FDAI, GMK, ICC
There are so many online classes to choose from this week! Which one(s) will help you stay up to date on what's happening in the door and hardware industry?
FF: Green Door Closer (video)
Everyone and everything seems to be going green these days...check out this green door closer, sent to me by Eyal Bedrick of Entry Systems Ltd. (Watch the video.) And Happy Fixed-it Friday!
QQ: Panic Hardware Exception
Today's Quick Question: Does the 2021 IBC section addressing the locking of exterior spaces allow panic hardware to be omitted on doors serving exterior assembly spaces with an occupant load of 50 people or more?
WW: All Aboard!
I love reusing and repurposing...especially when something that has outlived its original purpose becomes an architectural element. This example is from Erich Roscher, who sent today's Wordless Wednesday photos of an old caboose...
Enforcement of Fire Door Assembly Inspections
What will happen when a fire occurs in the US, where an adopted fire code requires periodic fire door inspections and a state or local jurisdiction decides not to enforce the requirement? I'm afraid we'll find out before too long.
Coming Up! Door Drills and AIA CEUs
In the next two weeks, the Allegion training team is offering online education for architects, integrators, end users, installers, distributors, locksmiths - really anyone who has an interest in understanding doors and hardware - including a new series called Door Drills!
FF: Electric Power Transfer
Gary Huizen of Huizen's Locksmith Service sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo. When life gives you lemons - or a rusted-out hollow metal frame - you know what to do.
QQ: Automatic Door Bottoms
Today's Quick Question is one that I had thought about before but this time I finally access the US Access Board: Is a surface-mounted automatic door bottom compliant with the accessibility standards?
WW: “A closed door made all the difference.”
A 4-month old baby is alive today because someone pulled the door closed and gave the firefighters time to rescue him. So...did you sleep with your bedroom door closed last night? If not, why not?
WWYD? Delayed Egress
I received this photo of a bank of doors with delayed egress panic hardware from Jim Elder of Secured Design LLC, and we got to chatting about some delayed egress questions. I'd love to hear what you think. WWYD?
Bridging the Gap – Divisions 08 & 28
Next week's Security in 30 session covers a topic that is near and dear to my heart - coordinating the Division 08 specification section that covers door hardware with the Division 28 section addressing access control.
FF: Matching Finishes
Sometimes it can be tough to get hardware finishes to match correctly, given the varying base materials and finish processes. Tim Weller of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos, showing a "fix" where someone was obviously paying attention to detail.
QQ: Auxiliary Push Button
Today's Quick Question keeps coming up: On which types of access-control doors do the model codes require the installation of an auxiliary push button to release the electrified lock?
WW: Beyond the Door
I know that many of us are door-focused, but sometimes other portions of the egress route leave me wordless. How is it possible that problems like this - very obvious problems - remain unresolved for years (decades?)?
One More Allegion 101 (and 4 other classes)!
I know last week I said it was the conclusion of Allegion 101 (that's what the schedule said!) but there's one more session on the calendar for this week, and there are 4 classes available on Webinar Wednesday!
FF: 4 Little Problems
Steve Budde of Greenwood Care sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, taken in an apartment building he was visiting. Although I'm a big fan of instructional signage, does anyone see the 4 little problems here?
QQ: Hinge Types – Swing-Clear
Last week's Fixed-it Friday post prompted a Quick Question from one of iDigHardware's newer readers: "What is a swing-clear hinge and how would I know when to choose this type of hinge over other hinge types?"
WW: Cuchillo de Mesa
This dogging method was found in a Mexican restaurant, hence the post title which sounds fancy but means "table knife." :) Thanks to Dave Toloday of Allegion for sharing today's Wordless Wednesday photo!
Residential Dwelling Units and Sleeping Units
Have you ever been SO SURE about something that when you search unsuccessfully for confirmation you start to question what else you might have missed? This one took me by surprise.
See you soon(ish)??
You know what this is a picture of? It's ME - teaching in person! I don't know about you, but I'm MORE THAN READY to get out and see people. I received my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine last week, and I'm feeling optimistic.
FF: Jamb Protection
Fabricating this protector and welding it to a rated frame to protect the door edge from cart/bed traffic would not be allowed by the frame manufacturer's listings - at least not any listings that I've ever seen. WWYD?
Six Flags Haunted Castle Disaster (video)
While doing some research about special amusements and the applicable code requirements, I was reminded that the 37th anniversary of a special amusements tragedy recently passed; 8 teenagers lost their lives in this fire.
WW: Strike-Out
I know it's Wordless Wednesday, but sometimes a Fixed-it Friday "fix" leaves me wordless - like this one. If you see any interesting installations, code violations, hardware fails, or beautiful doors...you know what to do!
Give me a “break” this week (please).
You know me...when I go somewhere new, I never pass up the chance to share photos of the interesting doors I encounter. Unfortunately, my latest trip was a 3-night stay in the local hospital. It's always something.
Take your pick! They’re free!!
Coming up this week...our next Security in 30 session, an Allegion 101 class on LCN closers, and 4 Webinar Wednesday classes including one on clear width and maneuvering clearance. Which class(es) will you be attending?
FF: Top Jamb Special
Geometry wasn't my favorite subject in high school, but I learned enough to know that this closer mounting is not optimal for reliable operation of the door. Thank you to Chuck Gulla of Allegion for today's Fixed-it Friday photo!
WWYD? Stairwell Pair with Access Control (video)
I'm wondering what you think about this door opening...it's kind of an interesting one as door openings go. I have never thought about using a combination of panic hardware and a lockset with an electric strike. WWYD?
WW: Hotel Fire Door
Fire doors in hotels are critical for helping to deter the spread of smoke and flames during a fire. To perform as designed and tested, the fire door needs to be closed and latched if a fire occurs. This is why we need annual inspections of fire door assemblies!
Pair with a Coordinator (video)
I've been on the lookout for a pair of doors with automatic flush bolts and a coordinator that was installed, adjusted, and functioning properly, and I finally found one last week at UTK. Here's a quick video showing how a coordinator works.
The Essentials of Fire Door Inspection (and more!)
Fire door inspection is a hot topic these days, and one of this week's Webinar Wednesday classes covers The Essentials of Fire Door Inspection. You can also learn more about fire door assemblies on iDigHardware's fire door page.
FF: Overhead Stop Application (video)
Some hardware applications are tough to explain with photos, and a video can be really helpful. In case any of you ever need to explain how overhead stops work, I made you a video! :-)