QQ: Protection Plate Size
How wide should a protection plate be?
WWYD? IBC Proposal: Control Vestibules / Interlocks
BHMA has proposed a change to the 2021 IBC, to create some guidelines for interlocks - called "control vestibules" in the proposed code language. We need your help to get this right!
FF: Why I’m opposed.
Someone suggested to me recently that I might be opposed to classroom barricade devices because I work for a lock manufacturer. I'd like to clear that up right now.
WW: Fixed Forever
We've all seen the back-of-house doors in shopping malls...they're often good examples of what-not-to-do.
Special-Purpose Doors for Compartmentalization
What do you think about using a special-purpose door for security compartmentalization?
I-Team: Faulty Fire Doors Persist Even After Bronx Inferno Killed 13
This is what I've been saying all along. Why has it taken so many deaths and injuries to get people to pay attention?
FF: 172 Degrees
This is not the first time I've seen this problem, but this is a pretty labor-intensive solution. Hopefully this wall is not a fire barrier.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission
The first meeting of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission was held this week, and information was shared which will help us to understand the role played by physical security and design features of the building.
WW: Break Out
I think these Wordless Wednesday photos may permanently affect my ability to speak.
School Security – Compartmentalization
While working on an upcoming article, I realized that I knew much more about more recent school shootings than I did about what happened at Columbine...
Amsterdam Free Library
What's the problem with this door? Any ideas?
FF: Foolproof Dogging
Before someone else says it...at least this isn't a fire door.
QQ: Delayed-Action Closers on Fire Doors
Can a delayed action closer be installed on a fire door?
WW: Hay! Let’s have a party!
#Wordless, from the Champaign Illinois Fire Department's Facebook page...
News: Locking classrooms becomes latest safety measure in schools
Since the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, I have thought a lot about lock functions for classroom doors; the news reports and the testimony from Parkland teacher Stacey Lippel added some new perspective.
Short-Term Rentals
So let's say that I'm thinking about renting out my college-bound daughter's bedroom on Airbnb to help offset the cost of her books and fees. Does her bedroom door need to be a fire door? Is my house now a small hotel?
FF: Definitely Not an Exit
#Wordless Friday from Gregory Kelly of Allegion...
Fire department uses aftermath of recent fire as teaching tool for safety
This video from a recent fire in a dormitory at Idaho State University really shows the difference that a closed door can make.
WW: Electrical Room Pair
I'm not an expert on the electrical codes, but this just seems wrong to me.
WWYD? How should these doors be hung?
This is a good one! What would you use to hang these doors, and what type of door closer could be used?
Overtur: Our journey to simplify door hardware
This website exists in part because of the complexity of doors and hardware - if it was easy, it would be called "easyware," right?
FF: Threat Extinguisher
This product isn't door-related, but I'm curious what y'all think...
WWYD? Panic Hardware, No Closer?
Have you ever run across this application in the field or been asked to specify or install panic hardware on a door with no closer? What is your response to this request?
WW: Blocked Exit
A fire station? REALLY?? This reminds me of a fire station I visited a while back...
Classroom Security Considerations (May 2018)
I'm hoping this piece sums up the concerns associated with classroom barricade devices and can be used as reference material when discussing options for school security.
FF: Double Bolts
I recently ran across a Facebook page that could supply us with Fixed-it Friday photos until the end of time (or until I retire).
WW: HOW TO GET UNSTUCK!
Today's Wordless Wednesday photos came from Colin Watson of Allegion, who saw this sign in a coffee shop. I guess this is one way to address a non-code-compliant door.
Siberian Mall Fire
In an emergency, the ability to quickly evacuate can be key to survival. Life safety is everyone's responsibility. If you see something, say something.
SFM issues policy on school security
Here is one state fire marshal's answer to the school security question. What do you think?
FF: Repurposed
It is just me, or does it seem like antique stores often have creative ways of deterring egress?
WWYD? Handing for Communicating Doors
How do you "hand" a communicating door? Are the doors LH/RH? Or LHR/RHR?
WW: Is this panic hardware?? (no)
This type of lock is not panic hardware. We need to be aware of these claims and prepared to address them when questions arise.
Is your garage door self-closing or automatic-closing?
I don't have an attached garage, but if I did, I would make sure that the door is self-closing or automatic-closing. Is this something you have considered for your own home?
QQ: Panic Hardware and Mag-Locks
The 2018 edition of the IBC includes an important clarification regarding doors with panic hardware and electromagnetic locks.
FF: Zip It
Colin Watson of Allegion sent me this Fixed-it Friday photo of a surface bolt. Zip-tied for extra security. In a school. I guess they don't want anyone using that leaf.
QQ: Roof Doors
Is it acceptable to lock the roof access door on the roof side, to prevent access from the roof into the building?
WW: Ouverte (ou non)
Today's Wordless Wednesday photos are from a very large expo center. Although the creative slide bolt was unlocked when the photo was taken, it's scary to think about the potential for human error, or lack of egress for firefighters who might be in the building when it is otherwise unoccupied.
Legalities of Classroom Barricade Devices
There has been a lot of discussion about whether classroom barricade devices are "legal," whether they are a violation of the ADA, and whether their use increases liability for schools that use them.
WWYD? Fail Safe Access Control?
What are the considerations for an access control system in buildings that may continue to be occupied during a fire alarm?
FF: To exit, push the button…
Yes, there is an exit sign above this door.
WWYD? Joint Commission Policy Changes
I'm just going to admit it - I'm confused - and I'm hoping that someone who works more closely with the Joint Commission can help to clear this up. The Joint Commission recently distributed a document giving notice of 3 changes to their standards; 2 of the changes involve doors, and the effective date is March 11, 2018.
WW: Classroom Security
"He believes school officials could do more to prepare teachers for intruders, whether by investing in padlocks so they aren’t scrambling for ways to barricade doors..."
Diagnosing a Problem Opening 201 (video)
Last week I posted a new whiteboard animation video about diagnosing simple problems - here's a follow-up to that video which talks about more complex issues.
Decoded: Manually-Operated Sliding Doors
Manual sliders are not always allowed in a means of egress, since the model codes require side-hinged or pivoted swinging doors for most locations. The International Building Code (IBC) currently contains 9 exceptions where swinging doors are not required.
FF: Latch Retraction
Where have you seen this type of "fix"? What was the cause and what would have been a better solution (that didn't involve tape and cardboard)?
Diagnosing a Problem Opening 101 (video)
If I had a nickel for every time someone called to say their door wasn't working...
WW: 9 Years
I can hardly believe that iDigHardware is 9 YEARS OLD!
WWYD? School Security T.M.I.
I'm ready to create any documentation that you need to facilitate these conversations, but I need your help. What information should be included?
Restroom Kits for Automatic Operators
Questions continue to arise regarding how to properly specify/supply hardware for a single restroom door with an automatic operator. The challenge is that the outside actuator (push button) for the automatic operator has to be interfaced with the locking system; otherwise, the actuator could open the door even when the restroom is occupied.
FF: College Entrance
It's too bad someone at this facility didn't ask for help BEFORE coming up with these locking "solutions." :(