Classroom Security Risk Transfer – Paul Timm, PSP
On a fairly regular basis, someone sends me a video clip or a link to a news story, asking, “Have you seen this classroom lockdown device?”
FF: Rebar
The application in these Fixed-it Friday photos looks like a result of poor planning to me. Thank you to Mark Kuhn of Allegion for sending them!
WW Follow-Up
Last week I posted a photo and asked if the signage made the door code-compliant. As many people commented, the short answer is "no." It's hard for me to resist a "teachable moment"...
WW: Screwed
This Wordless Wednesday photo is from the newly-deputized Joe Cross of Allegion. I have no words...at least no words that would be allowed on a corporate website...
Decoded: Accessibility Requirements for Door Openings (video)
Here it is! The next whiteboard animation video we created to introduce (or refresh) the basics of opening accessibility...
QQ: Required Swing of Double-Egress Pairs
I could have sworn that I had already answered this question on iDigHardware, but there are almost 2,000 posts and I can't find one that specifically addresses this...Is there a required "hand" for a double-egress pair?
FF: Convenience vs. Security
After a lockdown system was installed at this elementary school, a piece of pipe insulation was glued to the entrance door leading to the day care center. Why?
Fire Destroys School in Mesquite Texas
Following up on my earlier post about school security and safety, here's a report from Fox 4 News about a school fire that occurred just yesterday...
Classroom Security AND Classroom Safety – Why Compromise? (June 2017)
The graphic that will appear with this article in Doors & Hardware illustrates a potential application for existing classroom doors if the 2-operation language is approved...
WW: This door to remain unlocked…
Austin Bammann of Central Indiana Hardware sent me this Wordless Wednesday photo. You may notice that there is signage above the door stating, "This door needs to remain unlocked during business hours." Does this signage make the opening code-compliant? Why, or why not?
Violent crimes in public schools: Why parents aren’t being notified
With these conditions in so many schools, I don't understand why any district would take on the potential liability associated with failure to meet their duties of care...
NFPA Video: Barrier Walls and Fire Doors
I will definitely attend at least one of Ron's classes, but if you are unable to be there, you can still get the answers to some of your questions about doors in health care facilities by watching Ron in this video...
FF: Light Duty Hold-Open
This problem-solving application was found in a school, but at least the door is not fire-rated...
I need you.
Let's not look back on this moment in history and think, "If only we had done something..."
WW: Brussels Hotel
This is not the first time I've thought to myself...I hope everyone knows how lucky we are to have (mostly) code-compliant exits in the US...
QQ: Does the Joint Commission require fire door inspectors to be certified?
I have received several calls from people who are interested in becoming fire door inspectors or who are wondering if an inspection by their in-house staff is acceptable to the Joint Commission...
QQ: Can fire exit hardware be installed on a non-fire-rated door?
What if a facility locksmith has fire exit hardware on the shelf and considers installing it on a non-fire-rated door? Or maybe a fire door is no longer needed...
FF: Do Not “Prop” This Door Open
Rick Jermain of Allegion sent me this Fixed-it Friday photo. Very cute. :D
2-Operation Follow-Up
When a proposal was made to add a reference in Chapter 7 to the exceptions for 2 operations, the Technical Committee on Means of Egress almost unanimously opposed this change...
WW: Exit Bolt
My husband: "Do other people cry on Wednesdays or is it just you?"
Fire Door Inspection Checklist
A long, long time ago, I created a fire door inspection checklist; it was even published in a book. Given the new requirements for health care facilities...
Amazing Lock From The 1600s
I'm having a "staycation" this week so I probably won't add any new (old) locks to my collection, but I saw this AMAZING lock...
Another Fire Door Win!
Readers often ask me to share photos of fire door assemblies that have helped to prevent a fire from spreading. I just received the photos below...
WW: BLOCKED Exits
These are truly some of the best Wordless Wednesday photos I've ever seen, and I even got the backstory...
Decoded: Panic Hardware Refresher (May 2017)
It has been a while (6 years!) since I have written about the code requirements that apply to panic hardware in my Decoded column, so it’s time for an update...
Cross-Corridor Pair Follow-Up
So far, there are 20 comments on the Fixed-it Friday post from last week, so I think a follow-up is in order...
FF: Cross-Corridor Pair
Today's Fixed-it Friday photo came from Revelation Door Inspections. This is a pair of fire doors in a university education building. See any problems?
Just close the door!
It has taken a looooong time to get the general public to listen, but people are finally talking about the importance of closed doors...
WW: Convention Center
I need to make an avatar of me crying, to include with these posts.
WWYD? 1 Operation, or 2?
I need your help. The topic of today's post could affect life safety for decades, and I hope you will read it and leave some feedback...
Do you have a smart home?
It made me wonder...with all of the hardware lovers and tech-savvy people who read iDigHardware, how many of you live in a "smart home"?
FF: Ax Handle
This photo showedup in my Google Alerts 3 times this week, so I had to share it. It's from a blog post called "Fire Station 4's cool front door"...
UL 294 Follow-Up
The access control hardware on your project is up and running (phew!), and then you are asked to provide evidence that every piece of electrified hardware on the job is listed to UL 294...
WW: Army/Navy Store
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photo from Charles Anderson, and yes - he contacted the fire marshal...
Looking Back: Nickel Mines PA School Incident
From the moment a gunman began shooting 10 girls in an Amish schoolhouse last year, 2½ agonizing minutes ticked by before state police were able to force their way into the barricaded building...
QQ: Panic Hardware – Touchpad Length
This question has been raised a few times over the years, and it looks like we will have a clarification soon - What is the required length of the touchpad or crossbar for panic hardware and fire exit hardware?
FF: Instructions for Operation
I have to agree with Behrnt Aaberg of Aptus Group, who sent me this Fixed-it Friday photo...signage like this is a sure indication of a Norman Door.
Decoded: Egress Requirements for Door Openings (video)
Our next group of whiteboard animation videos is ready!
WW: Blinds
A fire marshal sent me this photo, and I'm Wordless (again). How does anyone think this is acceptable???
Training Alert: Codes & Door Hardware for Accessible Openings
On Thursday, March 30th, there will be two opportunities to earn AIA continuing education credits and learn about an important code-related topic...
QQ: Accessible Mounting Height
Most of you know that operable hardware must be mounted between 34 inches and 48 inches AFF, but does the ENTIRE piece of hardware have to be mounted within that area?
FF: Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Happy Fixed-it Friday, and Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Tower of Babel – Sheldon Wolfe
On further thought, I realized I really don't know much about the countless codes and regulations that govern construction...
WW: Beer Run
How is it possible that NOBODY else seems to notice stuff like this??
Decoded: Recent and Upcoming Changes to the Model Codes (April 2017)
When I started increasing my focus on the code requirements that affect our industry, I looked forward to receiving the new editions of the model codes and standards, so I could page through them and find out what was new...
New York Times: Girls Killed in Guatemala Fire May Have Been Locked In
The idea of locking 52 girls in a classroom measuring 4 meters x 4 meters is something I hope would never happen in the US...
FF: Wobbly Door (video)
Today's "shoulda" Fixed-it Friday video came from Luis Gabriel Gonzalez, one of Allegion's specwriter apprentice. What happened here???
The Roots of International Women’s Day
It has been quite a few years since I faced discrimination because of my gender - if any of you have a problem with learning about codes from a woman, you've kept it quiet (good idea)...
WW: Blackout
I was checking out the iDH stats, and I noticed that there have been a few days lately when we've almost reached 2,000 visits. Today could be the day, because I KNOW you will want to share the link to today's Wordless Wednesday photo which was sent to me by Brent Kiernan of Allegion.
CMS Interprets Emergency Departments to be Healthcare Occupancies
Because there are so many iDH readers who work for or with health care facilities, I am sharing this information here...