Security for Higher Ed
Imagine that you work for a university, you read iDigHardware, and you find out that I'm wandering around your campus. I'm guessing there were some mixed emotions...
WW: Exit Alarm
Today's my birthday and I've got a Wordless Wednesday present for you. Look closely at this grocery store exit...any theories about what is happening here, or how it operates in an emergency?
I’m stumped.
I don't get stumped very often, but I've never seen this before. What can you tell me about this mysterious contraption? How does it work?
Decoded: Deterring Elopement in Health Care Facilities
Elopement is a real concern for certain health care facilities, and there are more options than there were 10 years ago.
FF: KittyKorner
Creative, but I have a few concerns. How about you?
Oversized Jamb Depth
If I found this application in the field, I would contact the frame manufacturer and see if the application is allowed by their listing. I'm pretty sure the answer would be "no."
WW: Shhh…nobody will ever know!
Just because closer reinforcements are not visible doesn't mean they aren't necessary! Yes - this is a fire door.
Mystery of the King Eddy’s Fire Door
It's not often that I see a news story about a missing fire door that doesn't involve a tragic outcome or at least a code violation, so this one caught my eye.
Murals in Memory Care
Because of some photos and videos making the rounds on social media, I've received quite a few emails about the use of murals to disguise doors in memory care units.
FF: Jacked Up
I love this Fixed-it Friday photo - it reminds me of my husband's efforts to secure one of our doors.
Health/Life Safety Glossary
One of the difficulties faced by those of us advocating for code-compliant school security is the public perception that many states are allowing classroom barricade devices. This is not true...
WW: Hanging by a Thread
Jess Dey sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo...SCARY!
Elevator Hoistway Doors
I just saw these doors in a hotel, so it seems like a good time to write about the requirements for doors at an elevator hoistway.
WWYD? Auto Operator App
I recently came across an app that literally "opens doors" for people who have disabilities that make it difficult or impossible to initiate an automatic door by pushing an actuator.
FF: Louvers
One more photo from our time in Asheville...this is not how I would have handled the need for additional airflow at this church entrance.
QQ: Mag-Locks on Fire Doors
1) Are electromagnetic locks allowed to be used on fire door assemblies? 2) Do electromagnetic locks installed on fire door assemblies have to be labeled?
WW: Big Box
Jim Elder of Secured Design not only saw this situation and sent me these Wordless Wednesday photos, he alerted employees of the store about the problem. Kudos to Jim!
Doors of Asheville, NC
When I started iDigHardware, my oldest daughter was 7, and on this summer's road trip we're looking at colleges for her! EEEK!
Sharing is Caring
Many people have asked if they can share my content in their newsletters, on their blogs, or in hard copy. In my quest to become irrelevant before I reach retirement age, I say YES!
FF: Hospital Latch Extension
Is it just me, or does this seem questionable on several levels (encroachment, projection into the clear opening width, potential for damage)? Is this an actual product or a creative modification?
Advisory – School Emergency Planning and Door Locking
Over the past year I've been collecting school security information from various states, and adding links to the school security page of iDigHardware. Last week I received an advisory from Greg Thomson of Allegion, that made me so happy I got a little misty.
WW: Happy 4th!
Technically these classroom doors were probably decorated for Veterans Day but they're the most patriotic doors I could find. What do you think...code-compliant or not?
Mini Doors
What do you think about these mini doors? Any code issues?
WWYD? Tripping Hazard
Last week an architect asked whether there is guidance in the codes or standards regarding the mounting location/maximum height for floor-mounted door stops, to ensure that the stop is not a tripping hazard. WWYD?
FF: Surface-Mortise
I saw this photo posted by Stephen Connor on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page, and it left me Wordless even though it's Fixed-it Friday.
QQ: Manual Rearm for Delayed Egress
Does a delayed egress lock have to be rearmed manually after power failure and fire alarm release, or only when the 15-second timer is activated by an attempt to exit?
WW: What’s wrong with this picture?
See anything odd in these Wordless Wednesday photos from Scott Straton of Allegion?
QQ: Elevator Lobby Egress
Can elevator lobby doors be locked, and only allow egress through the tenant space when there is a fire alarm?
State Funding for School Security
In the last year or so, much more funding has become available for school security upgrades - millions of dollars. But how should the money be spent?
FF: Pool Access
I'm curious about what age children are prevented access by the 54-inch mounting height, and whether that jives with the age of children who can read the sign and enter the code.
Decoded: NFPA 3000 (August 2018)
Given that NFPA 3000 is a standard for preparation and response to an active shooting, how does that affect the door and hardware industry?
WW: “Bulletproof” Backpacks
"The concept of bullet-resistant shields is unsettling to school stakeholders, because esoteric products such as this make no real contribution to a safe learning environment."
School Superintendents Association Shares Information on Barricade Devices
The School Superintendents Association (AASA) is sharing safety concerns about classroom barricade devices with their 13,000+ members. Visit iDigHardware to get a copy of the document that is being distributed.
WWYD? Key-Operated Surface Bolt
These doors are serving a church, and currently have key-operated deadbolts at the bottom of each leaf. The deadbolts are too low for the reverends to reach comfortably.
FF: Don’t let the door hit ya…
While this may seem like a great idea at first glance - a wireless actuator mounted on the door to open the door automatically - this does not meet the recommended guidelines for actuator location.
WWYD? Impact-Resistant Glazing/Film
The glazing goes hand-in-hand with the door hardware - even the most secure hardware can be overcome by breaking the glass.
WW: Safety vs. Security
I'm confused about this conflict between newly-adopted code requirements and what the media is reporting. Can anyone share some insight?
QQ: Dwelling Unit Doors
On a multi-family building, are the dwelling unit doors required to have a 10-inch bottom rail?
LifeDoor
Several months ago I posted about a new product that was getting a lot of attention; the product is called LifeDoor, and it is designed to close a door in response to the sound of a smoke detector.
FF: Falling Off
What do you think the wood strapping is for?
Maximum Door Width
Ann Timme of Allegion sent me this photo the other day and it reminded me to tell you about a potential change to the International Building Code (IBC).
WW: Why Bother?
These Wordless Wednesday photos, from Geno Markette of Yates and Felts, are not just your run-of-the-mill padlocked-gate photos.
Decoded: Accessibility – Training Opportunity (with AIA credits!)
This live version of Decoded Class 1 - Introduction to Codes & Accessibility offers AIA continuing education credits!
Consistency is Key
Why would state legislators consider removing a requirement that ensures free egress and the option of evacuating, and replacing it with language that allows just about anything?
FF: Teacher Ingenuity
Let's do a better job of planning. Teachers should not have to resort to this.
Ceasefire Hinge
Some of you may remember that I posted about the Ceasefire hinge back in 2014 - the firefighters who created this product even invited me to visit them in NYC (here's a post about that). Since then, this hinge has gone through testing, design changes, and more testing, and the company is taking pre-orders on their website now.
WW: Old Fire Hose
As a last resort, I support using whatever is on hand to secure/barricade the door. But if we have time to look at the school's current situation and plan the response - is this REALLY the best we can do?
Locksmith Ledger: What’s a fire door for?
When I first started working in the door and hardware industry, I learned all about the rules that apply to fire doors, but I didn’t fully appreciate the value of a closed door during a fire.
FF: Fail Safe Failure
There is a lesson behind today's Fixed-it Friday photo. Upon first glance you see an exterior door locked with padlocks and a chain attached to the lever on an adjacent door. But why?
Decoded: Model Code Changes for Delayed Egress Locking Systems
The code requirements addressing delayed egress have evolved since they were first introduced in the 1981 edition of NFPA 101 – The Life Safety Code, and that evolution continues with the 2018 editions of both NFPA 101 and the International Building Code (IBC).