WW: At the Vatican
Back in 2019 I visited the Vatican, but I didn't come across the door in today's Wordless Wednesday photo. Luckily, Greg Muir saw it and Deputy Jeff Tock of Allegion sent me Greg's photo.
QQ: Fire Exit Hardware Mounting Height
Today's Quick Question: If the permitted mounting height for operable hardware is between 34 inches and 48 inches above the floor, does this range also apply to fire exit hardware?
Atrium Doors
I recently shared some photos of aluminum doors with magnetic holders, and some eagle-eyed iDigHardware readers asked why the doors were automatic-closing doors...
FF: Mullion Mag-Holder
The focus of yesterday's "What's that?" post was the electric power transfer (EPT), but several of you noted the magnetic holder, hence today's Fixed-it Friday post.
What’s that? Electric Power Transfer (EPT)
The idea for today's post actually came from a question I received about the standard mounting location for an EPT. Do you know where to find answers to questions like this?
WW: Can you help?
An iDigHardware reader needs some help identifying the panic hardware in today's Wordless Wednesday photos. If he can find the parts he needs, the doors won't have to be secured with chains!
Decoded: Fire Door Inspections vs. Egress Door Inspections for Swinging Doors
In this month's Decoded column for Door Security + Safety Magazine, I answered a question about the differences between fire door inspections and egress door inspections.
FF: More Doors of Querétaro
Yesterday I posted some photos of the wicket doors I saw during a recent visit to Querétaro, Mexico, and here are a few Fixed-it Friday photos from the same trip. Enjoy the long weekend!
Querétaro Wicket Doors
Back in 2011, I wrote a post about wicket doors; basically a door within a door. Last weekend I saw SO MANY wicket doors in the city of Querétaro, Mexico. Enjoy!
WW: Clear Opening Height
Lee Frazier of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo taken in a health care facility, and I immediately thought, "Yes...this is a teachable moment."
Childhood Safety Act
A new state law has passed that will affect the safety of Ohio's schools, and could raise awareness of life safety requirements in other states as well. Read about it in today's post.
Decoded: Annual Inspection of Egress Doors
Egress door inspections are getting more attention these days (read tomorrow's post to learn why), so I have updated this Decoded article to include current code requirements.
FF: Temporary Locking Device
I see a few "fixes" here. Of course, the spoon/temporary locking device, the bottom strike adapter, and I can't help but wonder whether there's an exit sign behind that painting.
Decoded: Thresholds
I am working on a new series of Decoded posts, which will be compiled into a reference library addressing each of the code requirements related to door openings. What do you think?
WW: Big Box(es)
Big boxes (and some other stuff) blocking the means of egress...that is. Tim Weller of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos, which require no explanation.
TGP: Fireframes TimberLine Series
Someone asked me yesterday whether fire rated wood frames are available. I have only specified a few projects in my career that had fire rated frames with the look of wood...
What’s that? Ball Bearing Hinges
When Mark Kuhn and I visited a school with the members of Allegion's Early Careers Program, I noticed some heavy weight hinges on a pair of doors. And then things got a little weird.
FF: Sabarmati Ashram Museum
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos were sent by Manjupriya T M of Allegion-India. They were taken at the Sabarmati Ashram Museum in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. Pretty cool, right??
Security and Safety of Door Openings: 7 Steps to Code Compliance
Building occupants' feelings of insecurity may lead to the use of security measures that can negatively impact safety. Following the guidelines in today's post will help to ensure a balance of safety and security.
WW: Keep Pushing
When I saw this photo posted by Orin Alford on the Access Control Professionals Facebook page, I knew I had to share it for Wordless Wednesday, with permission of course.
Security Journal Americas: Safety, security, and convenience
Do you know the 4 D's of physical security? An article in Security Journal Americas written by Karen Keating of Allegion addresses these key considerations - deter, detect, delay, and deny.
QQ: Delayed Egress Signage
My Fixed-it Friday photos from last week raised a great "Quick Question"...Is braille signage required for doors that are equipped with delayed egress locks?
FF: Push/Pull to Release
One of my favorite retired AHJs sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos, taken in a new grocery store. Can you spot the problem? (Hint: This is delayed egress panic hardware.)
WW: Door Buzzard
Take a look at today's Wordless Wednesday photos from Colin Watson of Allegion, and tell me (in the comments) what's wrong with this installation.
Barricade Devices – Unintended Consequences
Last week I wrote about comments left by a barricade device manufacturer here on iDigHardware, and I was reminded of a tragic example of the misuse of non-code-compliant security.
Update: Allowing Barricade Devices by Law
Today's post is an update about a set of bills in the Massachusetts State Legislature that would have allowed temporary door locking devices, AKA barricade devices.
FF: Unequal Pair?
Take a closer look at these Fixed-it Friday photos sent by Robin Greenberg of Perkins Eastman...I'm interested to hear your theories about the thought process behind this "fix."
Yes…I’m offended, but I’ll be OK.
Today is my birthday and I'm going to take this opportunity to say a few words about a topic that is extremely important to me...my integrity.
WW: Push to Lock!
Now that my kids are adults, they are sick and tired of my "teachable moments," but I can't let an opportunity pass! Today's post is another lesson in turn buttons...
BHMA Codes in Context: 2024 I-Codes
I love this resource from BHMA and I'm excited to share the news that the 2024 edition of Codes in Context for the IBC and IFC is now available on BHMA's website!
What’s that? Thick Hub Shoe
Continuing with my posts on "unidentified hardware objects," the hub on this closer shoe is much thicker than on a typical arm, AND...the arm has an extra bend in it. But why?
FF: I’m wordless.
When I saw today's Fixed-it Friday photo posted by Darren Nash on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page, I knew I had to ask if I could share it here. Yikes!
High School Secure Entry Vestibule
On a recent field trip with the members of Allegion's Early Careers Program, I saw a fantastic example of a secure entry vestibule in a high school. Check it out in today's post!
WW: Going Nowhere
Last week, I got stuck in the great software debacle that affected most airlines and had me "sleeping" on a cot in the airport, next to a lady traveling with her very unhappy cat...
Hold-Open Application
There's (almost) nothing I love more than seeing our Early Careers cohort checking out doors! What do you think about this hold-open application we saw on our field trip last week?
What’s that? Rachet Release Assembly
Have you ever seen a piece of hardware "in the wild" and wondered about its purpose? I think this happens a lot, so I'm starting a new type of post on iDigHardware to answer these questions.
FF: Wheelies
I'm sure someone thought this was an ingenious Fixed-it Friday "fix" to prevent the use of these doors, but blocking the egress route is never acceptable.
Plan Your Escape: High-Rise Apartment Fire (video)
This week I'm in Denver with the current members of Allegion's Early Careers Program, and I found a fantastic video from the Fire Safety Research Institute to share with them. Check it out!
WW: Missing Mullion
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo was sent to me by Daryl Benish of TMP Architecture. This is a great reminder that no matter how hard we try, it's impossible to control what happens in the field.
Legends of the Lock Industry – 2024
I recently found out that I had received a Legends of the Lock Industry Award, in memory of the late editor-in-chief of Locksmith Ledger, Gale Johnson. What an honor!
FF: Iglesia del Santo Niño de Portezuelo
Last week I visited this church that has been under construction for more than 20 years. The doors aren't in yet, but I'm sharing it anyway because they don't build them like this any more!
Are you (still) a subscriber?
Several people have recently mentioned to me that they have not been receiving their email notifications of new posts on iDigHardware. The good news is...it's an easy fix!
WW: Iglesia de San Cristóbal, Cardonal Hidalgo
Last week on a family trip we saw THE MOST AMAZING gigantic church, which was enough to leave me #wordless since it's located in a town with less than 400 residents...but THE DOORS!!!
Accessible Storeroom Function Lockset
A traditional storeroom function lockset may be difficult for some users to operate, and could be prohibited by local codes. Today's post explains the operation of a new accessible storeroom function.
WW: Snowed In
I know it's July and probably not snowing where you are, but Deviant Ollam recently sent me these photos taken by Harrison Sobczyk, and I'm Wordless!
Decoded: Accessibility Standards – Keys and Credentials
How do the accessibility standards affect the use of keys and electronic credentials? Find out in this month's Decoded column for Door Security + Safety Magazine.
Life Safety Digest: Health Care Corridor Doors and Smoke Barrier Doors – What’s the difference?
Check out my article in the Summer issue of Life Safety Digest, which answers the common questions about corridor doors and smoke barrier doors in health care facilities.
FF: Las Puertas Pintadas
I recently walked by some of my favorite doors in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, just as they were getting a new coat of paint. I'm sharing these doors in today's Fixed-it Friday post.
Allowing Barricade Devices by Law
Urgent: A set of bills that will allow temporary door locking devices is successfully moving through the Massachusetts Legislature. How will this law affect life safety and accessibility?
WW: Unstaffed Facilities
Today's Wordless Wednesday photos show the main entrance of a gym that is open 24 hours/day, where there is no staff present. The question is...how do members exit after their workout?