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?
Application of the PASS Guidelines (and more!)
There's more virtual training available this week, and an early notification of a session being hosted next week by DHI and DSSF. This webinar covers application of the 5th edition of the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools Guidelines.
FF: One Way In
I can see some of you looking at today's Fixed-it Friday photo and shaking your head. I guess this is one way in when you get locked out. Thanks to Rob Greathouse of Superior Lock & Safe for sending the photo!
Decoded: Control Vestibules in a Means of Egress
Although control vestibules are not currently addressed in the model codes, my next Decoded article covers some of the considerations for the design of these systems, before submission to the AHJ for approval.
WW: My work here is done.
There were plenty of times over the years when my kids reluctantly tolerated my "teachable moments" about life safety. I'm so happy to know that some of it stuck! I hope you are talking to your family and friends about doors! :-)
Apply It: Swimming Pool – Answers
Last week I posted an exercise to help you apply some of your code knowledge by answering questions about swimming pool egress. Cheers to the few brave readers who gave it a shot!
Security in 30 – Encore!
Security in 30 is BACK, and I'm so excited that one of the requested topics is...CODES! If you are an access control integrator, please join me next Friday, February 19th at 12:30 EST, for Security in 30: Live with Allegion.
FF: F-F-F-Freezing
When I saw this photo, I had flashbacks to all of the times architects asked me to specify doors with other materials attached to them - wood planks, decorative plates, even brick (that was a hard no). What do you think about this application?
Apply It: Swimming Pool
After Tuesday's post about a code change, several people asked me how to tell when panic hardware was required for doors serving a swimming pool enclosure. I decided to create another "Apply It" post and let you work it out.
WW: At the Drive-Thru
This may not be the kind of Wordless Wednesday photo that leaves YOU wordless but keep in mind that I am currently in Mexico where panic hardware is rare enough to be exciting...
Code Update: Pool Doors and Gates
You may not spend a lot of time perusing the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), but the 2021 edition includes changes that help to clarify the requirements for the mounting height of operable hardware.
Online Training: Clear Width & Maneuvering Clearance (and more!)
How much clear opening width is required for a door opening, and what are the required dimensions for maneuvering clearance? What are possible solutions when existing conditions don't comply with current requirements?
FF: New Closer Mounting Option
This is a creative closer mounting that you won't find in the catalog. The closer is installed on an exterior door of an apartment building...I wonder how well it's controlling the door.
Does your garage have a fire door?
If you have a garage attached to your home, it is very likely that the swinging door between the garage and the house is required by code to be a 20-minute fire door assembly or the equivalent. Here's why...
WW: How high is too high?
The lever handle in today's Wordless Wednesday photo posted by Richard Howard on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page is outside of the allowable mounting height range - by a long shot!
QQ: Self-Closing Toilet Stall Doors
Today's Quick Question: Are doors serving toilet stalls required to be self-closing? Do you know where to find this information in the ADA Standards for Accessible Design and ICC A117.1?
On the Schedule This Week
It's hard to believe that it has been so many months since we've been able to gather in a classroom together, but during that time Allegion has provided more than 150 online classes. Here's what's coming up this week...
FF: Hard Cider Brewery
Beautiful doors and hard cider...two of my favorite things. But being who I am, I wondered whether the doors were code-compliant, since the model codes allow sliding doors to be used in a means of egress when the occupant load is 10 people or less.
WWYD? I need an electrical expert.
I'm having a hard time making the connection between the NEC classifications for hazardous locations and the requirements for access control used in those areas. Are you an electrical expert?? I'd love some help with this!
WW: Fire Door Field Modification
At first glance this may look like just another creative Fixed-it Friday alteration, but upon deeper investigation it's a cringe-worthy Wordless Wednesday application. How will this opening protective perform during a fire? Who knows??
Decoded: SCIF Security and Egress Requirements
I have written specs for several projects with SCIF doors, but I learned more about the federal specifications and design requirements while writing my next Decoded article for Door Security + Safety's military and government issue...
e-Learning This Week
Even if e-learning is not your preferred training method, there is valuable information offered in online classes and they allow much greater access and convenience. Here's what's on the schedule for this week...
FF: Auto Operator Fix
When the automatic operator stops working, today's Fixed-it Friday photo illustrates one way to fix it without bringing in an auto operator expert or waiting for replacement components.
QQ: Door Coordinators
Today's Quick Question: When does a door opening need a coordinator - and what IS a coordinator, anyway?? Can you help with some images or video to help illustrate this tough-to-explain concept?
WW: Fire Door – Do Not Block
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo is shared with permission from Vince Davis, who posted it on the Fire and Life Safety Inspectors Facebook page. If this is a fire door it's got some other issues, but the egress problem is clear.
2020 Top 20
In 2020, iDigHardware readers visited the site more than half a million times and spent thousands of hours reading my posts and articles. These are the most popular posts of 2020...did you miss any?
New Year, New Opportunities
It's a new year, and the online training opportunities continue! Here's what's available this week in both the Allegion 101 series and the Webinar Wednesday series. Feel free to share this information with others in your office.
FF: SUBSTITUTION!
Sometimes when you have a change in level of more than 1/4-inch, you just have to wing it and solve the problem using what you've got on hand! I wonder how long this gasketing extrusion could survive as a threshold substitution.
WWYD? Sound-Activated Automatic-Closing Devices
I have not commonly seen automatic-closing devices on fire door assemblies released by the sound of the fire alarm system vs. the detection of smoke, but maybe it's a viable option for the US market? WWYD?
WW: I’m at a loss for words.
I received these photos from a code official. This pair of doors serves a large assembly space, and as you can see, the doors get a fair amount of use. The original "fix" on the LHR leaf is not all that unusual, but the extension has me scratching my head.
Door Closers are Life Savers
Blaming fire victims for leaving the door open as they escape is not the answer. And why wait for a tragedy to occur before enacting laws that require existing apartment doors to be self-closing?
WWYD? Time for Change(s)
We are now beginning a new code development cycle for the International Building Code, and NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code will follow soon. This gives us an opportunity to propose changes to the codes that affect door openings the most...
Door Security + Safety: Best of 2020
A digital "Best of 2020" edition of Door Security + Safety has just been published, and it includes one of my feature articles as well as one of my Decoded columns, along with other informative articles, columns, and videos. I'll be back on January 4th!
WW: SMH
What problems can you see in today's Wordless Wednesday photo? I've been posting these photos weekly for almost 10 YEARS and they just keep coming!
Feedback Needed: Foot-Operated Lever
Is a foot-operated lever release something the door hardware industry needs? How can a retrofittable pedal be made compliant with the 10-inch flush bottom requirement? What are your thoughts on this application?
WWYD? ASME A17.1
I have a question about elevator emergency access doors and I could use some help from an elevator expert. Do you have experience with ASME A17.1 and the requirements for blind hoistways?
FF: Pneumatic Transfer
Normally, a pneumatic power transfer would be used to supply air to the pneumatic auto operator. This would have been concealed in the edge of the door and the frame rabbet, protecting it from damage. Unfortunately, the installer had other ideas...
WW: What in the World?
There are plenty of issues with the restroom shown in today's Wordless Wednesday photo, so I'll just leave this right here and let y'all check it out while I sit here SMH. Thanks to Mark Kuhn of Allegion!
QQ: Revolving Doors
Today's Quick Question: Do revolving doors require the breakaway feature and/or adjacent swinging doors in order to facilitate egress? I don't do much with revolving doors, but I looked up the answer and learned a few things.
One More Allegion 101
If you are new to the hardware industry (or you know someone who is), the Allegion 101 series offers an introduction to our products and their applications. Feel free to share these sessions with anyone who could benefit!
FF: Hmmm…
I saw this video posted on the BANG Forcible Entry Facebook page and I thought of y'all. I'm sure you'll quickly spot the problem with this training video on how to defeat a door with panic hardware. :D
BHMA A156.41 – Standard for Door Hardware Single Motion to Egress
BHMA A156.41 is the Standard for Door Hardware Single Motion to Egress. It describes the requirements for doors and door hardware to comply with building code and fire code requirements that mandate a single releasing motion...
WW: Unsuccessful Access Attempt
This lock was installed on a retail store, protecting an area with high-value merchandise. YES, those are bullet holes, and NO, the wanna-be robbers did not defeat the lock and/or gain access. #stopemwithaSCHLAGE