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?
What’s that? Remote Chexit Module (RCM)
My recent posts about delayed egress locks have raised a question from a reader about the Remote Chexit Module (RCM). What is this component used for and when should it be specified?
QQ/WWYD? Delayed Egress on Electrical Rooms
Today's Quick Question is not specifically answered in the model codes as far as I can tell: Are delayed egress locks permitted on doors serving electrical rooms where panic hardware is required?
FF: The Doors
I love this Fixed-it Friday photo, sent by JB Ford of PSI Doors and Hardware. It was taken in a really cool entertainment venue in Natick, Massachusetts. Zoom in!
Decoded: Projections into the Clear Opening Height of Doors
I have updated this Decoded article to include the most recent code requirements, as the I-Codes now permit additional types of hardware to project into the clear opening height.
WW: Fire Door vs. HVAC
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photos from Ruth Neeman - they were taken in a public building in Massachusetts. Since when does HVAC take priority over fire protection??
Case Study: Care Center in the Park
In today's post, read about how Von Duprin panic hardware contributed to code compliance, ease of use, durability, and design flexibility for Altru Health System.
WWYD? Panic Hardware on Electrical Rooms
Today's question is whether one or both of the highlighted doors on this partial plan require panic hardware in order to comply with the IBC or NFPA 70. If you have info to share, please leave a comment!
FF: Hamilton, Bermuda
My old pal, John Linehan, sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo along with a note that cracked me up: "I found this in an alley in downtown Hamilton, Bermuda and thought of you." :D
WW: Wow!
Maybe I should start a series called "My Neighbors' Doors." I saw this beautiful door while walking home the other day, and I was wordless! I'd love to see your beautiful door photos!
PASS: NEW Digital School Safety and Security Checklist
As part of a collective effort to improve their safety and security guidelines, the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) has launched the highly anticipated digitized security checklist.
What’s that? Gang Bus Option
I was working on a presentation the other day about questions on delayed egress locks, and I came across the term "gang bus" related to the Von Duprin Chexit. When would you use it?
FF: Trimco Cool Touch Finish
We've all seen creative methods of protecting users from touching hardware that has been heated by the sun, but did you know that Trimco has an actual solution to this problem?!