WWYD? Locked Classroom Doors
Some states and local jurisdictions have already adopted requirements for classroom doors to be lockable. Should the model codes require locks on classroom doors? WWYD?
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 10
In the tenth episode of Paul Timm's podcast, he talks with John-Michael Keyes of I Love U Guys, a foundation dedicated to school safety, preparedness, reunification, and the joy of youth.
FF: Restroom Retrofit
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos came from a retired AHJ...continuous hinge retrofits can be a great way to address field problems, but this one needed to go (at least) one step further.
QQ: Modifying UL Listed Products
Today's Quick Question was prompted by a recent post about a continuous hinge retrofit on a fire door: If a UL Listed product is modified in the field, does this void the listing?
WW: Delays on the NYC MTA
I recently received a link from a New York City architect and public transportation commuter to a news article about a plan to use delayed egress locks on subway gates. Thoughts?
WWYD? Stairwell Reentry, Part 2
Today I have a follow-up question to yesterday's post about stairwell reentry. Neither of these questions is addressed in the codes, so I am looking for any insight from the field.
WWYD? Stairwell Reentry
In some buildings, a stairwell may have more than one door serving a floor. In that case, are all of the doors required to allow reentry, or could one door be designated for this purpose?
FF: Gym Exit Upgrade
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos are a great "before and after" example from a high school gymnasium. If you have photos you'd like to share, there's an upload link in today's post.
Creating Clarity: Are there disadvantages to fire-rated glass?
A recent article from David Vermeulen, North America Sales Director for Technical Glass Products (TGP) does some myth busting about fire-rated glass...check it out in today's post!
WW: Movie Theater Exit
Last weekend I took my daughters and their friends to the movies, and that's where I saw today's Wordless Wednesday application on the theater exit.
USGNN: Quick Code Q+A
When a controlled egress lock is installed in a health care unit where patients require containment for their safety or security, which release methods for egress are required by the model codes?
FF: Mullion Cylinder
Earlier this week I shared photos from a college visit with my youngest daughter. I also saw this mullion on campus with a key cylinder...is anyone familiar with the purpose of the cylinder?
QQ: Empty Silencer Holes
Today's Quick Question: On a fire door assembly where adhesive smoke gasketing is installed, is it acceptable to have open silencer holes under the gasketing?
WW: What’s the MATter?
Normally I'm extremely focused on door-related problems, but this one left me Wordless because the photo was taken in a fire department training facility.
Delayed Egress Locks in the Wild
I found the doors in today's photos on a recent trip to Indianapolis with my youngest daughter. Many of iDigHardware's long-time readers will remember her from the Olden Days.
QQ: Continuous Hinges on Existing Fire Doors
Today's Quick Question: When a continuous hinge is installed on an existing fire door assembly, the labels on the fire door and frame are often covered by the hinge. How should this be handled?
FF: Hex Key Dogging
I received today's Fixed-it Friday photo from Jim Elder of Secured Design, LLC - it was taken in an elementary/middle school. While this seems like a simple and common fix, it can severely impact security.
WW: “After-Hours” Security
Today's Wordless Wednesday photos were taken in a packed high school gym during a competition. The non-code-compliant security devices that were in place at the time illustrate one of the reasons why egress doors should comply with the codes at all times.
Decoded: Controlled Egress Locks
This month’s question is a common one related to egress doors in memory care units. If you have a code question you’d like to see answered in my column, you can submit it by clicking the link in today's post.
FF: Key-Operated Lock
Michael Conn of Allegion sent me today's thought-provoking Fixed-it Friday photo, of a restaurant's main entrance door that has been equipped with a key-operated lock (double cylinder deadbolt). "Thought-provoking?" Read on...
QQ: Component Materials for Fire Door Assemblies
Today's Quick Question came up recently with regard to the materials of components used on fire door assemblies: Are all products installed as components of a fire door assembly required to be made of steel?
WW: Screwy
Assuming that the screws in this fire door assembly are steel, and considering that NFPA 80 doesn't limit the number of holes or screws, do you think this repair is compliant with the standard?
WWYD? Building Bridges
The doors on this hotel bridge could be lockable if they met the requirements of the new section of the I-Codes addressing egress doors serving exterior spaces. Does anyone want to take a guess on what would be mandated by that section?
Von Duprin Self-Releasing Fire Exit Latches
During an ongoing organizational project in my house, I found an amazing original advertisement for Von Duprin, and coincidentally today I am on my way to the home of Von Duprin - Indianapolis - so I'm posting this here for you all to enjoy.
FF: Use What You’ve Got
I received today's Fixed-it Friday photo from Peter B. Walker, of P.B. Walker & Associates. It's not a code violation, but there are definitely more attractive ways to handle this situation.
QQ: Dogging Feature on Pool Gates
Today's Quick Question: Is it acceptable by code to supply the dogging feature on panic hardware installed on a door or gate serving a swimming pool enclosure? What do you think?
WW: Multipurpose Hardware
I don't think the use of the door hardware in today's Wordless Wednesday photo is part of the cycle testing for durability - not to mention the stored materials blocking the exit!
Closers for Arched Doors
Tim Weller of Allegion sent me a photo recently that reminded me about a past post addressing door closers for arched doors. I went back to find the post, and I can hardly believe that I wrote it in 2011!
USGNN: Quick Code Q+A
In my current column in USGlass Magazine, I addressed electromagnetic locks released by a switch in the door-mounted hardware. Do you know the difference between the requirements for this application vs. sensor-release locks?
FF: Fixed Forever
Joe Phillips of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, and I'd love to hear from iDigHardware readers - under what circumstances (if any) would you install a closer this way? The photo was taken in a high school.
QQ: Pocket Door Pulls
A Quick Question came up the other day about the door pulls used for sliding doors, including pocket doors: Where in the codes or standards does it specify the required amount of clearance around the surface-mounted pull handle?
WW: Truck Stop Exit
Jon Payne sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo of the secondary exit in a busy truck stop. This is why I firmly believe that AHJs should not allow non-code-compliant security measures "after hours"...those devices often end up installed 24/7.
Classroom Security Function Panic Hardware
I recently saw a photo in a door and hardware installer's group on social media, with a question about the purpose of the cylinder on the head of the panic hardware. Was it supposed to lock the latch? Or control the locked/unlocked indicator?
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 9
In the ninth episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, he talks with Dr. Melissa Reeves, Ph.D., NCSP, LCMHC about the mental health of students and the value of a behavioral threat assessment model.
FF: Band-Aids (Literally!)
At first glance, it looks like these Band-Aids could have been added to keep the lockset from latching, but I'm thinking maybe this is the doctor's office staff's version of the "Quiet Feature." What do you think?
WWYD? Grocery Store Egress
This grocery store's manager stated that the justification for this closed exit was that people were walking out of these doors without paying for their merchandise. I have my own thoughts about this situation, but I'm wondering...WWYD?
WW: Under Construction
I don't know what's on the other side of this door (is this a required exit from the area under construction?), but the idea of someone using this type of temporary hasp - possibly without evaluating the egress path, makes me nervous. How about you?
Decoded: NFPA 80 Requirements for Hinges, Pivots, and Continuous Hinges
Happy New Year! Throughout 2024 I will continue to update my library of Decoded articles, in preparation for some upcoming changes. Let me know if you have suggested topics for my Decoded Q&A series, published monthly.
WW: Happy Holidays!
I've seen a lot of creative holiday decorations that impact the exits, but what do you think about today's Wordless Wednesday photos, sent by a retired fire marshal?
Decoded: Panic Hardware Requirements for Rooms Housing Electrical Equipment
I have updated this Decoded article to include current requirements from the 2023 edition of NFPA 70, in addition to previous editions beginning with the 2002 National Electrical Code.
USGNN: Quick Code Q+A
In my current column in USGlass Magazine, I addressed the requirements for electromagnetic locks released by a sensor. Are you aware of the change to the 2024 I-Codes affecting this application?
FF: Finger Protection
Casey Cohorst of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, taken in a local kindergarten classroom. There are commercially-available products designed to solve this problem, but someone decided to get creative.
WWYD? Quiet Doorman
One of our specwriters contacted me earlier this week, in search of the Quiet Doorman product. Does anyone have a source for this panic bar retainer or something similar? WWYD?
WW: (Un)Safe Shopping
A retired fire marshal sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos of yet another retail exit...once an AHJ, always an AHJ. When you hit the stores this holiday season, check the exits (and send me photos)!
Decoded: Stairwell Reentry
The next article in my Decoded series addresses clarifications to the 2024 model codes related to stairwell reentry. These requirements ensure that building occupants can leave a stairwell if it becomes compromised during a fire.
Technical Assistance from the U.S. Access Board
Did you know that you can ask the U.S. Access Board for technical assistance related to the ADA Standards for Accessible Design? The service is available to anyone at no cost, and the staff members I've worked with have been very helpful and responsive!
FF: Belts and Suspenders
...and (zip) TIES and (bungee) CORDS! I know it's Fixed-it Friday, but this photo sent by Jim Overbey of Allegion has me wordless! If life safety was not a concern for the person making this modification, liability should be!
The new code books are here!
In the past, some of my colleagues have compared me to Navin Johnson, Steve Martin's character in The Jerk. I will admit, Navin's excitement over the arrival of the new phone book does share some similarities to my reaction to the publication of the new codes.
WW: I have no words.
Really. What can I say about this Wordless Wednesday "emergency exit", sent to me by Tim Weller of Allegion. Feel free to comment with suggested captions.
QQ: Product Certification to Codes and Standards
This Quick Question has come up quite often over the years - I was shocked to find that I had not yet answered it here: Is XYZ product certified as compliant with NFPA 101 (or any other model code)?