OSFM Letter on Classroom Security
Thank you to everyone who forwarded this letter from the Office of the State Fire Marshal. I appreciate your help keeping track of what is happening in each state.
WWYD? Push-to-Exit Switch
Are pneumatic switches required as the auxiliary release devices for sensor-release electrified locking systems? Or are other types of switches acceptable? Please share your insight and experience!
FF: There, I fixed it.
Most people don't realize how much force the components of a door closer have to withstand. I don't think this repair is going to handle the pressure for long.
WW: Movie Theater – No Exit
Someone obviously knew that they were rendering the exit unusable...I just wonder if anyone confirmed that this egress door was no longer required.
QQ: Turn-Buttons vs. Push-Buttons
Are turn-buttons on cylindrical locks compliant with the accessibility standards? The answer to this question is really up to the AHJ, but here are a few things to consider...
WWYD? Sensors for Electrified Hardware
What's the best/most reliable/most secure technology for a request-to-exit sensor in an access control system? If you have a preference, tell me why in the reply box (please).
FF: Double Closer – Bamburg, Germany
According to Bob Larson of Builders Hardware & Supply Company, these double closers are doing a good job of controlling this 7-foot x 12-foot pair of doors at the Bamburg Cathedral...
The Popular Mechanics Guide to Safer Schools
At this point I've probably read hundreds of articles on school safety and security, and written dozens of blog posts and articles on the topic myself. This one was a pleasant surprise.
WW: Water Feature
I have never seen anything like these Wordless Wednesday videos that were sent to me by Mary Hinton of Mulhaupt's, Inc. This may be more than a rain drip can handle.
QQ: Break-Glass Switches
I've received this question many times over the years...Can a break-glass switch be used to unlock a door in the means of egress?
Spam and a UHP
What's a UHP? An Unidentified Hardware Product that I need your help to identify. But first, a note about spam - and not the canned ham-like version.
FF: It ain’t pretty…
Although this is not one of the most beautiful solutions I've seen, I couldn't think of a code issue as long as the hold-opens are above the minimum clear headroom of 80 inches. What do you think?
‘Bulletproof’ Classroom Doors
I agree that these doors are "an extremely discreet solution," but the last time I checked on the feasibility of using bullet-resistant doors on classrooms, there were several common objections.
WW: College Dorm Exit Stair
This summer I visited quite a few colleges, and this dorm left me Wordless. :( Can you find all of the code-related issues with these fire doors and egress doors?
Who’s at fault?
Could a locksmith be held liable for installing non-code-compliant hardware or will a facility manager face liability for failing to maintain openings in code-compliant condition?
FF: Pair Power Transfer
This pair of doors had one of my least favorite applications to begin with, and then access control was added. It's a challenging modification, and something is missing here.
My heart just stopped
Clothesline to tie the hardware? Duct tape to prevent smoke from coming in around the door? Solutions to address these risks have been available for decades. Why are we substituting duct tape?
WW: Retail at the Beach
When some people go to the beach, they take photos of sunsets and sea creatures. I take photos of doors, panic hardware, and non code-compliant attempts to mitigate water infiltration. Enjoy! :)
WWYD? Library Entrance
Do these doors on a college library meet the requirements of the International Building Code (IBC)? Why or why not? WWYD if you were the AHJ?
FF: Switched/Sensor Bar
Although electromagnetic locks are easier than some other electrified hardware to retrofit, I try to avoid using them in schools whenever possible. How about you?
The stories behind NFPA 3000
As I have mentioned before, it's one thing to look at a code or standard and see a book. It's another thing to look at a code or standard and understand the driving force behind it.
WW: Rest Area Hardware Modification
I'm guessing this was not what the architect had in mind when he or she designed this rest area lobby with pairs of all-glass doors. Why have a vestibule at all?
Texas State Capitol Building – Austin
I could tell by reading the first paragraph of the article that David and I shared some of the same feelings when asked to work on these "special" projects...the struggle is real!
WWYD? Frame Elevations
Someone just asked me about software for creating shop drawings, elevations, and details. It's been a really long time since I've done submittals, so I told him that I'd ask the experts - YOU!
FF: Mag-Lock TJ Mount
Top jamb brackets for mag-locks are not the most aesthetically-pleasing application, and this installation has some extra modifications that will definitely affect the strength and durability.
Dwelling Unit Clarifications
While most dwelling units and sleeping units are allowed to have hardware on the entrance door that requires two operations to unlatch, there are a couple of important considerations.
WW: Mortised Parallel Arm Shoe
I've never seen this particular closer mounting before...how about you? I wonder about the strength of anchoring the shoe to the top of the door, and the critical tolerances of the mortise.
Sill vs. Threshold
During the discussions about yesterday's post someone mentioned the "sill" of the fire door assembly, which reminded me of a clarification that has been made in NFPA 80 in the 2016 edition.
QQ/WWYD? Door Bottom Clearance
When inspecting a fire door assembly, how do you measure the clearance at the bottom of the door when the clearance varies between the push side and the pull side?
FF: WWYD?
The director of maintenance for some nursing homes in NYC sent me this photo and asked how to avoid this problem in future installations. Any constructive suggestions?
What is NFPA’s stance on barricade devices?
During a segment of NFPA Live, Robert Solomon, Division Director of NFPA, was asked about barricade devices on egress doors.
WW: Seem legit to you?
This door with a mangled fire door label on the latch side was seen in a nursing home. Any theories about what happened here?
QQ: Gasketing Continuity
During a fire door assembly inspection, should a flashlight be used to verify whether the gasketing is continuous?
Pocket Pivot Follow-Up
After last Friday's post about pocket doors, several people asked for more information about this application. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions...
FF: Pocket Pivots
If you can prove to me that you were the detailer for this project (or otherwise responsible for the details), I'll send you something from the iDigHardware prize vault!
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.