WW: “You must be this thin to exit.”
Remember when you were a kid and couldn't go on the roller coaster because you weren't as tall as the line on the sign? Well, here's the egress version...
QQ: Dormitory Suites
Today's Quick Question: Can a bedroom door within a suite in a dormitory have a separate deadbolt in addition to the latching hardware? What do you think?
This week’s learning opportunities
My coworkers and I have provided dozens of remote learning opportunities this year, and we have many more sessions planned. Next up on the schedule of online classes...
FF: Gravity Slider
The facility's request was to automate this 4-foot x 9-foot sliding door, but I think that's a "fix" that may not be feasible. What do you think?
WWYD? (Very) Unequal Pair
Hal Kelton of DOORDATA Solutions sent me this photo of a pair of doors in health care facility, and it made me wonder...how would you handle the hardware for this pair?
WW: Where To?
Imagine that you're in an antique store, shopping for the perfect Christmas gift. You're on the second floor when the fire alarm sounds...
Minneapolis High Rise Fire – Lessons Learned
We MUST continue to educate people on the importance of keeping their fire door assemblies performing properly. An annual fire door inspection could have saved lives in this fire.
Online Options
What do you want to learn about? Whether you're new to the industry or you want to get into the nitty-gritty of delayed egress and controlled egress locks, you have options!
FF: Bottom Bolt
Maybe I should go into door forensics in my retirement years (someday). I think it's so interesting to look at a door opening and try to figure out what happened.
REEB: Understanding Fire Door Ratings
Someone asked me recently why distributors are still ordering swinging fire doors with a neutral pressure fire rating. I don't know the answer to that...do you?
WW: Extended Lip Strike
Trevor Hauser posted today's Wordless Wednesday photo on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page, and all I can say is...wow.
New! Allegion 101 Webinar Series
This is a great training opportunity for people who are new to the architectural hardware industry or who want to fill in some gaps in their industry education. Please share this info!
6 Locked Doors – Watch it now!
Last week, Allegion sponsored a virtual screening of the documentary - 6 Locked Doors. There are still some tickets left, so I'm inviting iDigHardware readers to watch it until the tickets run out.
Another Museum Exit
What is it with museums? Other than antique stores, they have to be one of the most common sites for non-code-compliant exits.
WWYD? Full Height Pulls
Even after 20 years, the requirements for projections into the clear opening width continue to raise questions. I'd love to have your insight on this. WWYD?
WW: I’m out of words.
What would you call this Wordless Wednesday post? I'm befuddled by the giant arrow, the multiple exit signs, the numerous motions required to unlatch the door, and...the padlock and hasp.
QQ: Number of Exits
Today's "Quick Question": When is a room required to have more than one exit or exit access doorway? Do you know the answer?
6 Locked Doors & More
I'm participating in three sessions at next week's virtual DHI conNextions conference...I hope to "see" you there!
FF: Floor Closer
This door has an arched top so the standard closer mountings won't work, but there is an alternative - a special template from LCN!
I’m back!
Actually, I've been here all along - writing a new post each weekday! If you haven't been receiving your daily or weekly email notifications, here's what you missed...
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.