FF/WWYD? Magnetic Holder
The story here is that the cross-corridor doors in this hospital were scheduled to be 8-foot doors, but the wrong (7-foot) assembly was installed. WWYD?
QQ: Electric Latch Retraction & UL 294
Is the UL 294 listing required by the model codes for panic hardware with the electric latch retraction / electric dogging feature (EL/QEL)?
WW: Children’s Museum
There are so many code issues with this "exit" in a children's museum that I'm just going to remain #wordless. Could you quickly operate this door in an emergency?
Two Kitchen Fires
Fire, panic, and other emergencies can strike anywhere, any time. To offer the highest level of protection, buildings must be code-compliant everywhere, all the time.
Six Locked Doors – Watch it.
This documentary should be required viewing - not just for those of us who are involved in codes, but for anyone who enters buildings (that means everyone).
FF: Another Electrified Hold-Open
Restaurants are notorious for creative hardware applications...next time you go out to eat, look around at the doors and send me some photos! :)
Paul Timm: How to Best Invest Your Security Dollars
The new year (and some rest over the holidays) has renewed my resolve to continue educating school districts and others about the dangers of some types of retrofit security devices...
WW: Chinese Restaurant Exit
This Chinese restaurant has 30 tables, which means that the occupant load is probably over 100 people - definitely over 50. What's wrong with this (WW) picture?
Actuator Follow-Up
Last week I posted some Fixed-it Friday photos showing auto-operator actuators, and I just received some interesting follow-up photos from Paul Stockert of EYP Architecture & Engineering. What do you think?
Safe Exit (video)
This video was made by Von Duprin in the 1940's...I'm very proud that I can continue to share the importance of life safety and free egress!
FF: Auto-Operator Actuators
There's no point in installing an automatic operator if the user can not reach the actuator. Do you know where to find the mounting recommendations for knowing-act switches?
Boat Frames
If you have supplied doors, frames, and hardware, you've probably had some projects that kept you awake at night. I know I have, but the end result can be so rewarding!
Happy Holidays!
I hope that you enjoy time with family and friends over the next week or so, and I'll see you all in 2020!
WWYD? Elevator Lobby – Water Intrusion
When trying to prevent water intrusion at the fire service elevator lobby doors, what type of door sweep or door bottom meets the intent of IBC Section 3007? WWYD?
FF: Permanently Dogged
Another Friday, another "fix." This fire door probably won't perform as designed and tested, should a fire occur. Why does convenience so often win out over safety??
The Foundation of Codes – 3 Fundamental Questions (February 2020)
When you're researching a code issue, how do you know which code to follow? Which one supersedes the others? And which AHJ has the final say?
WW: Smoke Break
When I was in high school, our school actually had a patio next to the cafeteria that was the authorized "smoking area" for the students. Times have changed.
Peebles High School: Hero teacher had to ‘batter down’ fire escape door to rescue pupils
News reports indicate during a serious fire that occurred last month in a Scotland high school, the lockdown system prevented immediate egress.
Door Security and Safety: Continuing the Conversation (video)
I recently shared an announcement about a webinar with 5 panelists who discussed school safety and classroom security. In case you missed it, today's post includes the recording of that webinar.
FF: Angled Opening
Check out this opening, installed on a ramp in a restaurant. The building was originally a warehouse for a grain mill and other materials shipped by train during the mid-1800s. Can you see the "fix"?
Decoded: Projections into the Clear Opening Height of Doors
Kicking off the 10th year of my Decoded column in Door Security + Safety Magazine...time flies!
WW: Library Egress
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo shows a non-code-compliant modification that occurred after project completion. What other examples of post-construction changes do you commonly see?
QQ: Door Bolts on Classrooms
Today's Quick Question: Are door bolts - like the surface bolts made by commercial hardware manufacturers - allowed to secure classroom doors during a lockdown?
The Story Behind Schlage (video)
We're kicking off Schlage's 100th anniversary with a new video that provides a fascinating look (really!) into the history of Walter Schlage and the Schlage Lock Company - check it out!
FF: Clamp Hold-Open
The creative solutions never end! RB Sontag of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, and if this is a fire door, we've got a problem.
WWYD? All-Glass Sliders
Originally, these doors did not need to lock, but that has changed, and the architect is looking for a way to add code-compliant locks to the doors which have already been installed. WWYD?
WW: Strike Out
I have seen some questionable workmanship in my career, but this has to be one of the least effective strike installations I've ever come across. Can you top it? You can submit photos using the option on the Tools menu.
QQ: Auto Operator Timing
What are the required opening speed, closing speed, and hold-open time for a low-energy automatic operator? What about a vestibule situation with sequential operation?
Free Webinar – Door Security And Safety: Continuing the Conversation
This is going to be a great webinar! There is a fabulous line-up of presenters with an incredible depth of experience and insight to share.
WW: Sticks in Strikes
Billy Rogers of Rogers Installations sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, and I'm feeling a little ill. This pair of doors serves a 9,000 seat auditorium, and the man on the right appears to be from the fire department. :(
Update: Projections Into the Clear Opening Height
What do you think about this change that has been approved for the 2021 International Building Code? Does it clear things up nicely, or does it cause concerns regarding accessibility?
NFPA Learn Something New: Cocoanut Grove
This week marks 77 years since the fire at the Cocoanut Grove Nightclub in Boston, and the fire is the topic of this month's Learn Something New video from NFPA.
FF: Another Creative Hold-Open
Kelly Reese of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, and I have to admit, it's pretty creative. Unfortunately, if this is a fire door the purpose of the fire door assembly has been completely defeated.
WWYD? Wood Door Damage
I need some help from any wood door experts out there...any theories on what might have caused the horizontal lines on these wood doors? They weren't visible until the doors were field stained.
WW: Pipes
It's chilling to consider what will happen when someone needs to use this exit in an emergency. The other exterior doors have the same security measure in place. :(
Apply It: High School Music Classroom – Answers
Here are the answers to yesterday's real-world questions about the egress requirements for this high school music classroom. Read the other post first if you want to give it a try.
Apply It: High School Music Classroom
Try applying your knowledge of the International Building Code to a real-world example...can you answer these 4 questions about the egress requirements for this high school music classroom?
FF: Wood Wedge Problem Solvers
There's more than one way to hold open a door for convenience, and if it's a fire door, the method needs to be code-compliant. Here's a great Fixed-it Friday example.
Extraneous Fire Door Assembly Labels
If a door or frame has a label indicating that is is fire rated, is the assembly required to be maintained and inspected as required by NFPA 80 and NFPA 101? A proposed code change offers a clarification.
WW: Do Not Block
It's Wordless Wednesday again...can you believe that I've been posting WW photos every week since January of 2011?? And there's no end in sight! Keep the WW and FF photos coming!
Locksmith Ledger: Codes Matter – For the Safety of Building Occupants, AND Your Bottom Line
This article was published in the October 2019 issue of Locksmith Ledger, and includes some questions that you can use to determine whether your code knowledge is up-to-date.
QQ: Do all fire exits have fire exit hardware?
Do all fire exit doors have fire exit hardware? Even if you already know the answer to this question, today's blog post might help you explain it to someone who disagrees.
FF: Camo Panic
Ahhh...that feeling you get when you overhear someone telling their coworker that they think they've spotted a code violation - and they took a photo of it!
NFPA Journal – Learn Something New: Dynamic Exit Signs
What will the future of exit signs look like? Do they need an upgrade using new technology?
WW: Rebar
It took me a second to see what was happening here, and now I'm #wordless. Thank you to Kim Murkette of Isenhour Door for the photo!
I’m off to Cleveland!
Are you headed to Cleveland this week for the DHI ConNextions conference? I hope to see you there!
WWYD? Gender-Inclusive Restrooms
Shared restrooms that are not segregated based on gender are becoming more common in schools, universities, and other types of facilities. What's the ideal hardware solution for these doors?
FF: Whatever Works
Kick-down holders (prohibited in most commercial locations) are meant to flip down and hold the door open. This one is being used for a different purpose. Any ideas?
Decoded: Two Releasing Motions for Egress
My next Decoded article covers the tentative interim amendment - TIA 1436, which revised NFPA 101 in order to allow 2 releasing operations to unlatch existing classroom doors.
WW: Seen on Odditymall
End users MUST understand the applicable code requirements before purchasing security products, and it's our job to educate them. We can't focus solely on security at the expense of life safety.