More (and More) e-Learning
I think online learning is here to stay. Which doesn't mean that we'll never see each other in person again, but there's a lot we can learn in the meantime.
30 Years of the ADA – Part 2
Last week I posted about the 30th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), and I realized how many people were unaware of the history of the law.
FF: NFPA Dogging
Leave it to NFPA to come up with a new type of dogging that is guaranteed to keep a door with panic hardware unlocked indefinitely.
WWYD? Questions about Relabeling?
I have an opportunity to do a Q&A with a company offering field relabeling/recertification of fire door assemblies, and I want to make sure that I don't miss any questions you may have.
WW: Flash Flood
These are some of the most wordless Wordless Wednesday photos ever; I've never seen anything like this. The force of water is amazing.
Online Learning – Week 23
Yes, it's Week 23. So if you're feeling a little webinar-ed out, that's probably why. I get it - I've been in the house for 133 days with only brief trips out for errands...
The ADA Turns 30!
It must have been around 30 years ago when my boss sent me to a seminar held at a local hotel - the topic was a new federal law called the Americans With Disabilities Act.
FF: Sharpie Fix
Coming in just after duct tape and WD-40 in the lineup for must-have tools to fix door-related problems...the Sharpie!
Touchless Fire Doors
Several questions were prompted by my recent webinar on touchless hardware, about the requirements addressing automatic operators and non-latching hardware on fire doors.
WW: Chain Reaction
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo shows an after-hours repair on a door that would not lock, as reported by the security department at a large university. Scary.
Mobile Credentials: The key to a seamless student experience
As many of you already know, my oldest daughter is starting her second year at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, an early-adopter of mobile credentials.
Last Call!
There are SO MANY great opportunities to learn something new this week! Please share this list with any of your colleagues who might be interested!
FF: Duct Tape Can Fix Anything
Speaking from experience, this repair method - which apparently spans across multiple industries - does not last long.
NFPA: The Future of Crowd Monitoring
On top of the threat of fires and active shooters, crowds themselves can be deadly. New technology for crowd monitoring is the topic of this episode of Learn Something New™ by NFPA Journal.
WW: Unauthorized Egress Problem “Solved”
I hope whoever thought today's Wordless Wednesday application was a good solution for preventing unauthorized egress also thought about checking with the AHJ.
Touchless Openings (and more!)
Many facility managers are exploring ways to reduce the transmission of germs in their buildings, but don't forget about the code requirements!
Tech Trends: The Door Hardware Dilemma
Brian Coulombe: "Door hardware is a tough subject: limitless part numbers, an evolving technology landscape, and a library of jargon unto itself..."
FF: Foamy Fix
Sometimes it's painful to see what people will do to their doors and hardware. Trying to solve one problem can lead to another...
QQ: Cladding on a Fire Door Assembly
Today's Quick Question is a very common one...Can cladding materials be applied to the face of a fire door assembly?
WW: Sweet Surprise
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo makes me wonder what other interesting things have been found inside of these enclosures...
Distance Learning
Don't miss this week's line-up of online classes...automatic operators, electrified hardware, hollow metal doors and frames, and school security.
Code Update: Refrigeration Machinery Rooms
Now that you've memorized the applications that require doors with panic hardware, a change to the 2021 IBC will add a new location that requires panics.
Code Update: Terminated Stops on Fire Door Assemblies
I have had quite a few questions about terminated stops on fire door assemblies, so this change to the 2021 IBC should help to clarify what is allowed by code.
WW: Bolingbrook F.D.
What I love about a post like this is that someone will see it - and GET IT. During the fire shown in today's Wordless Wednesday photos, a child was rescued from behind the closed door.
Decoded: Egress From Exterior Spaces
My next Decoded column for Door Security + Safety Magazine addresses an approved code change related to locking roof terraces and courtyards.
Distance Learning this Week
This is one of my favorite weeks of the year, but maybe for a different reason than you might expect. :-)
FF: Room With A View
Hardware sets in a specification look like a different language to most people, so sometimes there are surprises when the doors and hardware are installed.
QQ: Battery Back-up
Is it acceptable by code to provide battery back-up for an electromagnetic lock? What about other types of electrified hardware?
WW: Black-Out
Whether this Wordless Wednesday "exit" is serving a black-box theater or the church that is renting space to hold their services, it's extremely disturbing!
Tomorrow is Webinar Wednesday
Our national trainers are continuing with their Webinar Wednesday series - classes are currently scheduled into August. Feel free to share this information with your colleagues.
WWYD? Hotel Suite
How have you been specifying/supplying the hardware for hotel rooms that are sometimes used as a suite - with door closers on the individual doors, or without?
FF: Bleacher Seats
Where there's a will (and the AHJ is flexible), there's a way. It's clear that a lot of thought went into this opening, but I have a few unanswered questions...
Code Update: Egress from Exterior Spaces
The 2021 IBC will specifically address the acceptable means of locking egress doors that serve exterior spaces - like balconies and roof decks - where the path of egress goes through the interior of the building.
WW: AHJ Meeting Room
Sometimes Wordless Wednesday photos need a little context. Most of us have seen hotel meeting rooms with exits concealed by curtains...but during a class for code officials??
There’s always more to learn.
One thing I have found during my 35 years in the door and hardware industry is that there is always more to learn. Check out the online classes available this week!
Introduction to the Code Requirements for Electrified Hardware
Many of you already know this (900 of you have already signed up), but this Thursday I will be presenting another webinar. If you're on the fence about whether to attend, this post might help.
FF: Custom Security Gate
Yesterday morning, Luna and I saw a security gate/screen door that made me think of y'all...check out the vertical stiles and jambs. This is some serious custom work!
Don’t take my word for it.
In case you missed this short paragraph in the NFPA Journal article I shared on Monday, I wanted to bring it to your attention since several iDigHardware readers emailed me about it...
WW: Beware – Attack Goose!
Maintaining an established means of egress is important, but sometimes there's a hazard that requires a modification of the exit route.
Tomorrow’s Webinar Lineup
Here is a list of the webinars that our national training team is presenting tomorrow. There's still time to sign up!
2021 Code Revision Roundup
For any jurisdictions that have adopted NFPA codes and standards, this month's NFPA Journal has a great summary of some of the major changes coming in the 2021 editions.
FF: 4-Point Lock
This is a feat of engineering and might even be compliant with the code requirement for one operation to unlatch the door. If only I had a video...
NFPA: Fire and Life Safety Insights for Reopening Buildings
NFPA has compiled more than a dozen new resources including videos, fact sheets, and news releases, which can all be found at nfpa.org/coronavirus.
WW: Junction Box
Jim Elder of Secured Design LLC sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, and I am indeed wordless! This is a first for me!
Decoded: Touchless Solutions for Healthy Environments
My next Decoded column for Door Security + Safety Magazine addresses the code considerations for facilities where changes are being made in order to limit the spread of germs.
This Week’s Webinars
This week we have 5 different webinars available, so you can continue your training online. Check out the options - there's something for everyone!
FF: Why Bother?
In the never-ending battle of convenience vs. security...convenience wins again! Why bother investing in access control?
QQ: ISA on Actuators
Today's Quick Question: Are actuators for automatic operators required to have the International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA)?
WW: Close Before You Doze
Most of you know how important this message is to me: Close Before You Doze. Check out this video from the Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Fire Department.
Tomorrow is Webinar Wednesday!
Whether you are in your office or at home with your cat (or kids!), you can keep learning. Our national trainers are offering 2 webinars tomorrow.