WW: Secure the Door
Sometimes people have to get creative when security is on the line! Hopefully, this unit is uninhabitable. #wordless
Looking Forward & Looking Back
I'm participating in three sessions at next week's virtual DHI conNextions conference...I hope to "see" you there!
WWYD? Restroom UP LoK
An interesting product came across my desk recently, which is designed to allow hands-free operation of restroom doors. Have any of you tried it yet? WWYD?
FF: Strikeout
Harry Porosky of Integrated Openings Solutions sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo. This looks like it's going to be a pretty expensive fix.
WWYD? Mechanical Controlled Egress
A change to the 2021 edition of the IBC seems to allow egress doors in some health care units to have mechanical locks in the direction of egress, instead of fail safe electrified locks. WWYD?
WW: Exit with panic hardware and barricade devices
Do you see any problems with today's Wordless Wednesday photo? While this might seem like an easy way to secure these doors, I have some concerns.
School Safety: Preparing for a post-pandemic world
Safe Schools Week is nearly here and we have a fantastic webinar coming up, along with 4 more sessions from our national trainers on Webinar Wednesday, and the next Security in 30!
Counterfeit UL Labels
Fire door assemblies with counterfeit labels - am I the only one who finds this an extremely disturbing idea? Who knows how these doors will perform if there is a fire???
FF: Go to the Mat
I can't say for sure that is a fire door assembly, but I've seen this Fixed-it Friday application on fire doors many times in school gymnasiums.
Apply It: Mosque Exits – Answers
Here are the answers to Tuesday's real-world questions about the egress requirements for this mosque in Dubai. Read the other post first if you want to give it a try.
WW: NYC Officers Break Up Indoor Wedding
One silver lining to the pandemic may be the increased focus on gatherings that in many cases include too many people - not only for social distancing but for egress and life safety.
Apply It: Mosque Exits
It's one thing to read an article or watch a video about code requirements for doors and hardware, but how about applying what you've learned using a real project?
Online training continues into October
The online training offered by our national trainers for the last 20(!) Webinar Wednesdays will continue into October. Here's what's scheduled for this week...
FF: It’s 5 o’clock on Friday somewhere.
Jennifer Schaffer posted today's Fixed-it Friday photo on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page, and it seems like an appropriate "fix" for a Friday...
WWYD? Multiple Changes in Level
I've recently had several people ask how multiple changes in level within a door opening are considered by the accessibility standards. WWYD?
WW: No Break-Away
At first glance, the problem with this Wordless Wednesday photo may not immediately be apparent...do you see what's causing the egress concern?
Stop by and “see” me this Saturday!
Do you have some free time on Saturday? I'll be participating in a (free) virtual trade show and I'd love to have you stop by my virtual booth and visit!
Decoded: Opening Force vs. Operable Force
Ten years ago I wrote my very first Decoded article, and the column has run continuously since December of 2010. Who knew I'd have so much to write about??
FF: Exterior Fire Protection
Fire door assemblies aren't just something you read about in NFPA 80 - they have an important role in the passive fire protection of a building. Here's another fire door win!
Ecosystem of Safety
NFPA Journal: Safety is created by an ecosystem made up of codes, skilled workers, regular enforcement, and public understanding.
WW: Eat and Run
Yet another restaurant exit that leaves me #wordless. Posted in the Fire and Life Safety Inspectors Facebook group by Nancy Naber-Van Voorhees.
Tomorrow is Webinar Wednesday
Our national training team has 4 more webinars on the schedule for the next Webinar Wednesday online classes - happening tomorrow!
Code Update: Opening Force vs. Operable Force
The 2021 editions of the model codes have been modified, separating the limitations on the force used to open the door from the force used to operate the hardware.
FF: Continuously Self-Cleaning Surfaces
I'm curious about this "self-cleaning" wrap installed on a door pull at a restaurant entrance. Do any of you have experience with this technology?
SDI: Fire Door Inspection Checklist (video)
The Steel Door Institute (SDI) just released a new video that covers the annual inspection requirements for fire door assemblies. Feel free to share it!
WW: Another Flood
Do you remember back in July when I shared crazy Wordless Wednesday photos of how a flash flood affected some doors? Well, here's a WW video of a similar incident!
Upcoming Training / Code Update
I'm finishing up my presentation for the DHI conNextions conference - covering the changes to the 2021 model codes, and I need your help!!
FF: What’s wrong with this picture?
Not too many people would be walking down a hospital corridor and notice the problem shown in today's Fixed-it Friday photo. Can you see it?
WWYD? Door Numbering in a Perfect World
I know that most of us have seen projects with wonky door numbering...what would you do if you could start from scratch and number the openings the right way?
WW: Weight-ing to Exit
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo shows a university weight room, where students allegedly "modified" the hardware so that the door would not be lockable.
This Week’s Training Opportunities
In case you missed Paul Timm's webinar last week, the recording is now available. And...our national trainers will be conducting 4 live sessions tomorrow.
NFPA: “How did one fire over 100 years ago change life safety forever?”
I have been asked so many times - hundreds - whether it's ok to lock a door in the direction of egress, and unlock it only in an emergency...the answer is almost always "NO!"
FF: Veterinary Office Security Fix
It still amazes me that people with seemingly no understanding of the code requirements will make modifications to their doors that could result in injury or even death.
FDIS finds three quarters of fire doors failed inspections in 2019
Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) is a UK-based organization dedicated to fire door safety. Sharing this information about US fire doors could improve building safety.
WW: Shocking Exit
I just love imagining you guys and gals spotting a door with a problem and thinking, "I need to take a picture for Lori!" Keep them coming! :D
Decoded: Electrified Locking Systems – Which code sections apply where?
Confused about the various code sections that apply to electrified hardware? These questions will guide you in the right direction.
Learn More: Back to School
I think it's safe to say that "back-to-school" looks different for everyone this year. This Thursday, Paul Timm will be presenting a webinar on adjustments to schoool security protocols.
FF: Alternative to Lock Picking
This was the result of a school maintenance manager’s attempt to unlock a door that was not on the key system. I think I would have broken the glass, but whatever works.
Hand Sanitizer Follow-Up – Schools
In the 2018 edition of NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code, requirements for alcohol-based hand-rub dispensers for new and existing schools are found in Sections 14.4.4 and 15.4.4.
WW: Thrifty Emergency Exit
Michael Wallick of Kelley Brothers sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo of an "emergency exit" in what looks like a thrift store (I love thrift stores!). What can I say? #wordless
Online Training This Week
Here's what our national trainers have on the online training schedule for tomorrow, and an additional webinar for security integrators on Friday.
WWYD? AAADM Requirements for Automatic Doors
Is it acceptable for a locksmith who is not AAADM certified to perform work on automatic doors - if the work is not part of the automatic operating system? WWYD?
FF: Covid-19 Precautions
If you see any situations like this, I'd love a photo to help share ideas for Fixed-it Friday "fixes" that ensure all safety requirements are met.
NFPA: Fire Safety Considerations for Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is not normally within my area of expertise, but I've been receiving questions about it so I checked to see what NFPA had to say.
WW: Stairwell Reentry
These WW photos illustrate a creative attempt at meeting the requirements for stairwell reentry, while inadvertently voiding the fire door label.
Listen, Learn, Grow
Last week I asked if you knew of any podcasts on codes, doors, or anything related to iDigHardware, and Facebook sent me a list!
PSA: “Please don’t kick automatic door buttons.”
I'll bet this is happening even more often now, due to concerns about the transmission of germs. Yet another reason to go to touchless actuators.
FF: Auditorium Fire Exit Hardware
If your fire exit hardware shows up on the job-site without the dogging feature, there's a good reason for that. Homemade dogging is not a valid fix!
QQ: Does NFPA 80 “trump” the ADA?
Today's Quick Question: Do the requirements of NFPA 80 "trump" the ADA requirements? Is fire protection more important than accessibility?
WW: E for Effort
Someone really went to a lot of trouble to turn this door from "exit" to "no exit", but they missed a few things. Like checking in with the local fire marshal.