UNCC ‘One-Button’ Lockdown
When a shooting occurred at the University of North Carolina Charlotte last week, an electronic locking system was already in place that allowed the campus to be locked down in seconds.
FF: Sweet Spot
When classroom doors are kept locked all the time, it can be inconvenient for teachers and for students trying to enter the classroom when the door is closed. This is one school district's solution.
Thermal Bow
When an exterior metal door binds on sunny days but works just fine at night, it's likely that the problem is caused by thermal bow.
WW: DIY Power Transfer
Electric power transfers, thru-wire hinges, and door cords are used to transfer wires from the wall/frame to the door for electrified hardware. Or you can be creative and DIY.
ABC15: Hundreds of padlocks installed on prison cell doors
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this news story from ABC 15 in Arizona, about the fire and safety concerns associated with installing padlocks on prison cell doors.
Kitsap Sun: Lawsuit alleges Bremerton teacher confined alone in classroom with violent student
It's only a matter of time before we see the unintended consequences of non-code-compliant, untested, unregulated security devices.
FF: Why is this unacceptable?
I received this photo from Audrey Weiser of DHI - she was looking for some code language that would clearly state that this application is not allowed. Unfortunately, there isn't anything specific (that I can think of) in the model codes.
NFPA 3000 – Training Opportunity!
Is your facility or community prepared for an active shooter / hostile event? NFPA has a great training opportunity coming up in June - learn more about NFPA 3000.
WW: Convenient Storage Space
Yes, this is supposed to lead to an exit - an exterior stair from the second floor of a function space. #wordless
Decoded: Thresholds and Gasketing for Fire Doors and Smoke Doors
Thresholds and gasketing are simple in comparison to other types of hardware, but the code requirements can make them difficult to properly specify and supply.
School Security and Safety in the News
Twenty years ago, I had no idea how the shooting at Columbine High School would affect our industry and my career. It was impossible to imagine that it was more than an isolated event. But here we are.
FF: Nailed It!
What in the world? How long could this Fixed-it Friday repair possible last?? I just love Crap Locksmithing's Facebook page!
Virginia Tech: Remembering the Lessons Learned
This week marks 12 years since the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech. Considering the lessons learned during that incident, it's surprising that the use of classroom barricade devices would be considered by state lawmakers.
WW: Shark Tank
I thought everyone in the world of hardware had already seen this video, but last night I ran across someone who hadn't, so here it is. I do feel bad for Alex, but LOCKS ROCK!
The Doors of Notre Dame Cathedral
As the world mourns the fire damage to the Notre Dame Cathedral, it turns out that the doors of Notre Dame are not just ordinary doors; there is a legend that dates back hundreds of years, to the 13th century.
CBYD Myth Extinguishers
UL's Firefighter Safety Research Institute has created a number of videos to help dispel some of the myths about closed doors. Here are a few of my favorites...
FF: Mag-Holder / Mag-Lock Conflict
I've heard it said that there are a thousand ways to screw up a door, and I think it's probably true. Here's just one of the many conflicts to watch out for.
Barricade Devices – Three Perspectives
These 3 perspectives showed up in my Google Alerts today - a school district using barricade devices, a man working in a school who wanted to use barricading when he committed a shooting, and the legal perspective. Powerful.
WW: Wordless…
Jeff Rapp of Wilkus Architects sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos. I hope whatever this facility is trying to protect is worth the risk. :(
New York in the News
These news stories both happen to be from New York City, and both address topics that made me go hmmm... What do you think?
EVFPD demonstrates closed doors save lives
I've posted several photos and videos showing what happens when a bedroom door is kept closed during a fire. Check out this demonstration with the bedroom door open.
FF: Kick-Up Stop
This isn't the best practice from a security standpoint, and would be an even bigger problem if this was a fire door, but it does qualify as Fixed-it Friday ingenuity.
QQ: Painting/Refinishing Fire Doors
Does painting or refinishing a fire door in the field void the label? The answer to today's Quick Question seems obvious, but can you prove it?
WW: Let’s Book!
I have had requests for help specifying doors like this, but not on a marked exit! This door is serving a business occupancy. What do you think - OK, or NO WAY?
WWYD? ‘Small Town at War Over Active-Shooter Barricades’
This is INSANITY! This is yet another example of seeking to remove the safety protocols of the adopted codes, in order to prioritize security at a perceived lower cost.
AP News: ‘It doesn’t open’
Fifty people died in the shootings at the two mosques in Christchurch. How many could have survived if the egress door had allowed immediate evacuation?
FF: Richland Two Institute of Innovation
If our industry is so complex that the students' research didn't turn up existing products or a hardware advisor, we need to get more user-friendly.
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Tragedy
This week marks the anniversary of a tragic fire that heavily impacted life safety codes and requirements for worker safety. It's important to understand these tragedies, to avoid repeating them.
WW: Cold as Ice
It's been a long cold winter in many parts of the US, but I think spring is on its way!
North Tunica County Fire Department
Someone recently asked me...if residential bedroom doors do such a great job of keeping the fire out, why bother with fire doors? What's the difference?
Decoded: Why Barricade Devices? (May 2019)
Why would a school district consider using unregulated security devices, given the associated risk and liability? The answer may surprise you.
FF: Out of Alignment
I've seen a lot of fix-it attempts. But I don't think I have ever seen one quite like this.
QQ: Panic Hardware on Residential Occupancies
This question keeps coming up...Is panic hardware required for the residential floors of hotels and apartment buildings?
WW: Please use other door.
When my coworker mentioned this door to two different employees, they said they have brought it up with the manager, but the decision was "above their pay grade"...
Wicked Local: School’s Locks Violate Codes
A news report hit my inbox a few days ago, which discussed a security situation in a Massachusetts elementary school; some classroom barricade devices had been installed in 2014...
Johnson Security Lock
I need some help tracking down this lock (if it's still available) for a current project. Have you run across anything like this before?
FF: Hard-Wired Exit
Take a look at these egress doors serving a large arena. The struggle for security is real, but we can't forget about life-safety in the process!
Training Alert: Taming Tornado Alley
On Tuesday, March 19th, there will be two opportunities to earn AIA continuing education credits and learn about an important code-related topic.
WW: Solve for Tomorrow Competition
I love the idea of putting our heads together to search for solutions, but inventors need to consider authorized access, free egress, and accessibility, in addition to security.
QQ/WWYD?: Old Fire Doors With 2 Hinges
Is an existing fire door assembly with 2 hinges acceptable, or should it be noted as a deficiency during a fire door inspection?
University of Tennessee – Knoxville
Do you know what this is a picture of? The Schlage AD lock on my oldest daughter's dorm for next year, at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville!
FF: Screwy Armatures
As the saying goes..."'A chain is only as strong as its weakest link," and this applies to mag-lock installations as well. I've seen some creative mounting efforts, but these have me shaking my head.
PASS Whitepaper on Classroom Security
If you are looking for one document that explains the concerns associated with classroom security methods, the recently-updated PASS white paper is a great tool!
WW: Trampoline Park
I get it. The trampoline park needs to keep kids from eloping. What would you propose as a solution?
Alert: Clear Opening Height Conflict
When you have a project with 6'-8" doors, it's important to think about the clear opening height and the hardware that projects down from the frame head.
Locksmith Ledger: Electromagnetic Locks – 7 Applications and the Codes That Apply
How do you choose which code section to use?
FF: Corn Cob Core
Bill Cushman of Genesis Door and Hardware sent me this link to a door with an unusual core...I was Wordless even though it's Fixed-it Friday!
WWYD? Arched Brick Opening
The fire marshal wants these stairwell doors to close more reliably than they do with the original system. Note the arched brick "frames" and the swing-clear strap hinges (cool, right??). WWYD?
WW: Ladder Lock
Sometimes when Wordless Wednesday rolls around, I really am Wordless. Today is one of those Wordless Wednesdays.
Guy Grace on Classroom Barricade Devices
Guy Grace is the Director of Security & Emergency Planning for Littleton, Colorado - the school district where Columbine High School is located. Here is his stance on classroom barricade devices.