Minimum Egress Width
What do you think about the width of the aisle leading to this restaurant exit - is it sufficient? And can you spot the other code issue with this door?
Fire Risk in Schools
Between 2013 and 2017, an average of 4,859 structure fires occurred in educational facilities each year, and only 39% of the schools where fires occurred had sprinkler systems. Read more...
FF: Auditorium Exit
How quickly we forget the lessons learned in tragic events such as the fires at the Iroquois Theatre and the Cocoanut Grove Nightclub. If you see something, say something!
Live Rescue: “You can come out now.”
I know that many of us notice funky hardware applications on TV and in movies...here's one that we can actually learn a few things from.
WW: Another Retail Exit
Charles Anderson sent me the photos below, of a "secondary" exit from a retail store. I know it's Wordless Wednesday, but here's something you should know...
Classroom Lock Functions
This new infographic aims to help clear some of the confusion about the various lock functions used on classroom doors. Feel free to share it!
Washington Post: School shootings are extraordinarily rare.
The statistical likelihood of a public school student being killed in a school shooting on any given day since 1999 was 1 in 614,000,000. Read more in the Washington Post...
FF: Wordless
I'm Wordless about today's Fixed-it Friday photo. Considering that this is a retail store, I'm not even sure how/why this happened. Any theories?
Classroom Door Magnets
I don't think there is a one-size-fits-all answer for classroom security, but as we consider each new problem, it's important to remember the progression of the security methods used over past decades.
WW: Extra Patient Room
During a flu epidemic in 1974, hospital staff was desperate to accommodate the patients needing treatment. Luckily, someone was watching out for the life safety of all of the hospital's occupants.
WWYD? Performance-Based Option
Do you know of any facility that is using the performance-based option for fire door assembly inspection? I asked the Joint Commission about it...
Time’s Up!
Last call! And in addition to the randomly-selected winners of the 10th anniversary contest, I have a gift for someone who has been a loyal reader since the very beginning.
FF: Church Exit
Looking past the Fixed-it Friday "fix" and the non-code-compliant hardware, what do you think about the design of this opening? Are these exit doors easily identifiable?
SDI: Fire Door Assembly Video
Have you ever wished for a short video that gives an overview of fire door assemblies? The Steel Door Institute (SDI) recently released a 2-minute video that covers the basics.
WW: Assisted Living Fire Doors
Imagine that you are moving your mom into an assisted living facility, and you notice that the door closer on every fire-rated apartment entrance door has been disconnected...
Double-Cylinder Deadbolts Revisited
Can a double-cylinder deadbolt be installed on a multi-stall restroom door in an office building? Of course not! But wait...are you sure about that?
Timeline: 10 Years of iDigHardware
This is the last week of the 10th anniversary celebration, but there's still time for you to register to win - AND to learn more about the resources available on iDigHardware!
FF: Trashed Exit
Chris Stokes of Precision Doors and Hardware sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos, taken in a gas station/convenience store. At first, this looks like careless placement of a trash can...
WWYD? Unidentified Pivots
How do you replace existing pivots when you don't know the manufacturer or model number? Is there a reliable way to identify existing pivots? Are replacements for old pivots readily available? WWYD?
WW: Hole-y Moly!
Bryce King of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo...I guess this is one way to deal with a lockout! Send me your WW/FF photos to register to win some Yeti merch from iDH!
Decoded: Thresholds and Changes in Level
My next Decoded column addresses the accessibility requirements for thresholds and changes in level at doorways. If there is anything I should add, let me know before it goes to print!
Decoded: Celebrating 10 Years of Codes…and Beyond! (October 2019)
My Decoded column in the October issue of Door Security + Safety Magazine covers the history of iDigHardware, with some code development and a little of my life story thrown in. :D
FF: Lever Return Spring
I'm sure you have some photos hiding in your phone that could be suitable for Wordless Wednesday, Fixed-it Friday, or to illustrate a question or problem. Submit them and you might be a winner!
Assembly Bill AB 44
Much of the testimony given at a recent hearing clearly outlines the reasons that barricade devices are not the optimal method of securing classroom doors.
WW: Danger – Construction Zone
We need to always be on the lookout for situations like these - our attention to these problems can affect the safety of building occupants. #seesomethingsaysomething
Close Before You Doze – Vote Now!
I love using creative ways of getting a message out - especially when the message will likely save lives. Check out these videos and VOTE!
What are you searching for?
You asked for an improved search feature to help you find what you're searching for in iDigHardware's library of 2,300+ posts...here it is!
FF: Sound Horn for Service
I love these Fixed-it Friday photos from Richard de Campo of Poss Architecture + Planning and Interior Design. This door leads from the showroom area to the welding shop at The Iron Gallery in Rifle, Colorado.
WWYD? Walk-In Closet
Is the door serving a walk-in closet in an apartment or condominium required to comply with the means of egress requirements of the IBC? WWYD?
WW: NUMBER 100?? (September 2019)
Remember when I went to Italy in July and I took hundreds of photos of doors and then hardly shared any of them with y'all because some of the photos were going to be published in Door Security + Safety Magazine?
Celebrating 10 YEARS of iDigHardware!
iDigHardware has been celebrating our 10-year anniversary for several months, and the party will continue through September, with your chance to win one of the daily or weekly prizes!
FF: Please Shut Door
The door in these photos is at the top of the stairs in a bar, exiting from a non-sprinkled basement assembly room that is used for weddings and parties. What do you think? OK or NO WAY?
Lock Function Conversion Kits
If an existing lockset on a classroom door requires a teacher to open the door when locking it (potentially exposing the teacher to danger), there is a way to change the lock function at a reasonable price.
WW: Close Fire Doors
This sign - and the fire door it's attached to - are definitely left over from the Olden Days. There was a time when fire doors were closed manually to protect the building when it was unoccupied.
Training Alert: Decoded Series – Egress and Life Safety
The pre-recorded Decoded classes do not offer AIA credit, but the live webinars do! There's one coming up in a few weeks...
Indicator Deadbolt Modification
This is a "pod" in an airport, to be used by nursing moms. I've seen them myself, but the one I looked at only had the keypad lock and did not have the separate deadbolt.
FF: Any End-Cap Wood Do
John Bianco uploaded these photos to the "There's no crying in Hollow Metal" Facebook page, and he said I could share them here for Fixed-it Friday. I'm not sure I've ever seen this fix. How about you?
NFPA 101 – TIA 1436
This is an important post about a change that has been made to NFPA 101-2018, regarding the allowable number of operations to unlatch a classroom door.
WW: Library Theater
This is the only door leading to a small auditorium located in the children's section of the local library. I don't have a problem with the castle theme, since this is the outside of the door. Anyone see the issue?
Back to School – Part 2
This presentation - WN@TL - School Safety in America: Rhetoric vs Reality - David Perrodin - is well worth a listen. It supports the concerns about classroom barricade devices and school security decision-making.
Back to School
Why are the security measures in these two school districts so different? In your opinion, what are the most important physical security measures for schools to implement?
FF: Classroom Storage
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos were sent in by Colin Watson of Allegion. I'm sure some of you must have theories on why this storage closet opening was detailed this way. I can't wait to hear them!
ASHE on Fire Door Inspections
The first step in improving fire door safety is identifying the problems that are consistently seen in the field. How can the industry help improve the durability and performance of opening protectives?
WW: Wowza.
Steve Griffis of Federal Lock and Safe sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos. There's not much else I can say. How about you? #wordless
WWYD? Double-Core Cylinder
I know there is someone out there reading this who can tell me more about this type of cylinder. How does it work? What's the purpose? WWYD?
Vision Panel Alert
Here's a heads-up going out to all of the detailers, architects, and door manufacturers out there...double-check the vision light locations for classroom doors.
FF: EO Retrofit
Pat Filholm of All Secure Inc. sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," I always say, but luckily in this case Pat will be upgrading their security.
Two Schools of Thought
Wilson County Schools: “We don’t use barricaded door hardware,” Wilson County Director of Safety Steve Spencer said. “The reason is...
WW: Huh?
What is this exit sign in a convention center trying to tell us? Which way is the exit? I'd love to hear your theories, because I don't have any.
QQ: Existing Frame, No Fire Label
Regarding an existing fire door assembly - the door has a fire label but the frame does not. Is the frame required to have a label?