NFPA Journal – Learn Something New: Special Amusement Buildings
This post links to valuable information from NFPA about life safety requirements for escape rooms and other special amusement buildings, along with proposed code changes.
FF: Italy Finale
Yesterday I posted a Fixed-it Friday photo even though it was Thursday, but don't worry! I saved up some FF photos during my trip to Italy, and I'm sharing them all today!
Today is the day!
I know...things look different, but everything should be in its usual place. If not, let me know and I'll do what I can to make this a painless change!
WW: Function Fix
Check out this Wordless Wednesday application from our hotel in Milan. This could end badly if there is ever a fire within this area which has a handful of hotel rooms.
Push Button to Retract Latch
Continuing on the theme of Italian hotels (spoiler alert - there's another one tomorrow), what do you think of this lock on our hotel room in Montecatini?
Flush-Mounted Doors
What do you think of doors and frames that are flush with the corridor wall on the push side? I like the clean look, but the door-operating part of my brain was not a fan.
Top-10 – FF: All-Time Fave (so far)
Here it is - my favorite Fixed-it Friday photo of all time (so far)! If you have any interesting door photos from your summer vacation, I'd love to see them!
Top 10 – Decoded: Calculating the Occupant Load
The most popular post on iDigHardware in the last 10 years is an article that isn't even about doors or hardware. That may be the reason for it's popularity.
Top 10 – WW: School Security and Safety
This is one of the most egregious examples of a non-code-compliant egress modification that I've ever seen, and yes, it was in a school.
Top 10 – Panic Hardware
I don't think it's a coincidence that panic hardware was one of the reasons I started learning about codes in the first place.
Top 10 – Decoded: Smoke Door Requirements of the IBC
Answers to questions about smoke door labels, closers, latches, and gasketing AND...in a labor of love, I have updated the references in the article to include the 2018 IBC. You're welcome. :D
Top 10 – FF: Communicating Door Closers
Many of my Fixed-it Friday posts show creative attempts at what-not-to-do, so as #6 in the Top-10 series I wanted to highlight another type of Fixed-it Friday post.
Top 10 – Fail Safe vs. Fail Secure
In this article, I covered not only how fail safe and fail secure electrified hardware products operate, but which type would commonly be used in various types of systems.
Top 10 – WW: Close the Door
This Wordless Wednesday photo is one of my favorites because it was part of the early inspiration for a topic that has become an important part of my work - the protection offered by a closed door.
Top 10 – Back-to-Basics: Hinge Types
For wide-throw hinges on a door that swings 180 degrees, where 2 inches of clearance is required behind the door to accommodate the trim, what is the required hinge width?
Top 10 – Flush Bottom Rail
If you're wondering whether you need to read this article, ask yourself this question: Are the doors in the photo compliant with the flush bottom rail requirement?
Arrivederci!
In honor of the 10th anniversary of this site (and to celebrate my oldest daughter's graduation), I have escaped to Italy. Do not panic...
FF: Gas Transfer Modification
This Fixed-it Friday modification must be against the law in the US, but just about anything goes in Mexico.
Allegion Code Reference Guide
The day has finally arrived. The updated Allegion Code Reference Guide is ready - 40 pages of code information that you can download for free!
WW: Temporary Locking Devices
Do you see what I see? THIS is why temporary locking devices should not be approved for doors serving a means of egress. They often become permanent locking devices!
Classroom Lockdown Modification
Will this screen door latch keep out a school shooter? Or maybe two would be sufficient? Hopefully we'll never have to find out.
Now Available – LifeDoor!
We know we should close the bedroom door before we go to sleep ("Close Before You Doze"), but it doesn't always happen.
July 4th – Independence Day
I'm off for the holiday weekend and I hope you are too! Next week I'll have a long-awaited gift for you all! Be safe, and Close Before You Doze!
WW: Fire Door Smoke Test
Much of the work to replace deficient fire doors in London residential blocks has not been completed, so one man decided to take matters into his own hands to prove a point. Don't do this.
BGSU: Active-Shooter Response
This video from Bowling Green State University gives some good background on the ALICE program and on the university's emergency response protocols. Check it out and let me know what you think.
UHO (Unidentified Hardware Object)
'Enquiring' minds want to know...what was this used for? It's in the closet of an apartment building built in 1919, in St. Paul, Minnesota.
FF: Lift Bar to Exit
This is an egress door serving a stadium. Someone "fixed-it" from a security standpoint, but what about egress? This requires a key AND special knowledge and effort!
QQ: Fire Test Standard for Sliding Doors
An architect is interested in specifying a sliding fire door assembly for a project, but I see that the product is listed to UL 10B. I thought fire doors were required to be listed to UL 10C?
WW: House Bill H3871
This is not a typical Wordless Wednesday post. In fact, there are a lot of words, but this is an important topic. If this can happen in Massachusetts, it can happen anywhere.
WWYD? Is a 15-second delay too long?
Should the model codes be modified to require immediate egress through doors with delayed egress locks during emergencies other than fires?
Decoded: Update on Roof Doors
A change to the 2018 edition of the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Fire Code (IFC) helps to establish the intent of these codes with regard to roof doors.
FF: Make it Work
Today's Fixed-it Friday photo is from Nolan Thrope of Allegion. What's the old saying..."necessity is the mother of invention"?
WWYD? Standby Power for Auto Operators
How do you provide the required standby power for an automatic operator if there isn't building-wide backup power? WWYD?
WW: WOW!
This is a different kind of Wordless Wednesday photo - what a cool door! WOW!
PBS New Hour: Securing the Classroom
If a school is equipped with security cameras and access control on the main entrance, it's just one more step to allow law enforcement to remotely unlock the doors for emergency response.
PASS Guidelines Recognized by State, Federal School Safety Commissions
In recent months, the PASS guidelines have been recognized by several state and federal organizations aiming to improve school safety and security. Read more about it in today's post.
FF: Panic Privacy
This door - yes, with panic hardware - is on a restroom in Italy. The non-code-compliant hook modification solves the privacy problem. :|
Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Chaaaanges
My man-behind-the-curtain (web guy - Robert Drake from Creekside) told me recently that iDigHardware is the "old lady" among his clients. It's time for the old lady to get a facelift!
WW: The pen is not mightier than the wedge.
I guess someone needs to get out their Sharpie and add another note prohibiting wood wedges. Happy Wordless Wednesday!
Wireless access control on university campuses
I graduated from college more than 30 years ago, and based on my experience with my soon-to-be college freshman, times have changed!
QQ: Closer Covers on Fire Doors
If a door closer on a fire door is missing the cover, is that a deficiency that should be noted on a fire door inspection report?
FF: Just wrench it open.
Got any old locksets, deadbolts, panic hardware or electrified hardware laying around? It would be a great help for firefighter training! Oh - and it's also Fixed-it Friday!
Key Boxes – Crucial Life Safety and Security Equipment
Media outlets have reported that locked electronic doors hindered law enforcement response in the recent Virginia Beach shooting. Authorized access should be addressed in each facility's emergency plan.
WW: Push Button to Exit
Warning: Today's Wordless Wednesday post is not wordless. Check out the video and scroll down for the words.
Construction Specifier: Smoke Doors vs. Fire Doors – What’s the Difference?
I receive so many questions about fire doors vs. smoke doors; my article from the June issue of Construction Specifier answers many of them.
Sprinklers in Schools
In the almost-5,000 schools that experience structure fires each year, what percentage of the buildings are equipped with sprinkler systems?
FF: Why ask why?
This is the door hardware equivalent of whodunnit...maybe I should start calling these "whydunnit."
WWYD? Indicating the Active Leaf
Calling all architects...we need your help with this one! Do you indicate on the drawings which leaf of a pair should be active and which is inactive?
WW: (Very) Temporary Door
I wonder how long this temporary door will last. Any wagers?
Door Security + Safety – May Issue
The May issue of Door Security + Safety Magazine is available for members and non-members to read online! Will you become a Lock Don't Block Ambassador?