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)?
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 8
In the eighth episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, he talks with Chuck Wilson of PASS about school security planning. Visit today's post to listen to the new episode in the series.
FF: Unidentified Dogging Device
I saw this Fixed-it Friday dogging method recently, and I can't for the life of me figure out what the original purpose of this part was. It looks so familiar! Can someone help me out??
Code Requirements for Fire-Rated Glass and Glazing
If you are looking for information about fire-rated glass and framing, the answers to the most frequently asked questions can be found on the TGP website! From code requirements to testing to common misconceptions, you can learn more here...
WW: Emergency Exit Only
When you're out doing your holiday shopping, be on the lookout for non-code-compliant retail exits (and send me some photos!)...you probably won't have to look too far!
QQ: Locks on Patient Room Doors
I recently received this Quick Question from a locksmith at a university medical center: On patient room doors in a hospital, is it code-compliant to install traditional classroom function locksets which allow free egress from the room?
Model Code Update on Swinging Door Openings
I recently taught an interactive code update class for an enthusiastic and competitive group of conference attendees, and I'm sharing some of the information from that session in this article, so everyone can benefit from what was covered in the presentation.
WW: Doors of Prison Island
Since this is a travel weekend for many, I'm sharing door photos from my visit to Prison Island. A former prison and quarantine station, the island is now a tourist destination and home to dozens of Aldabra giant tortoises. Enjoy, and safe travels!
BHMA Codes in Context: NFPA 101
BHMA recently posted another edition of Codes in Context - this time focusing on changes to NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code. The summary report and the supporting focus documents can be downloaded from the site’s Codes in Context page.
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 7
In the seventh episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, he talks with James Marcella of Axis Communications about technology for school safety and security, and the value of K-12 advocacy in industry organizations.
FF: Another Barricade Device
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos illustrate another barricade device used to secure a classroom door. I don't recommend this method or any other device that impacts egress, is non-compliant with the ADA, and is untested for security.
Campus Safety Update on Barricade Devices
A report on the tragic 2021 mass shooting at Oxford High School has been released, and an update in Campus Safety Magazine discusses the use of barricade devices during the incident, while also explaining the challenges and unknown effects of the devices.
WW: Ratchet Strap
No...just no. This is not an effective way to lock a classroom door. ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 locksets that have been tested and certified for strength and durability will provide the necessary level of security as well as code compliance.
USGNN: Quick Code Q+A
In my current column in USGlass Magazine, I addressed the requirements for locks that delay egress for 15 seconds, which have become common in retail facilities. Do you know what is required for code-compliant delayed egress hardware?
Automatic Operators Required by Code
The bottom line here is that the need for automatic doors is growing, whether it is because they are required by code or because it's just the right thing to do in order to make buildings accessible for all. What does your state require?
FF: Airport Restroom
Here is one more Fixed-it Friday airport photo (for now)...does anyone else think it's strange that a semi-permanent sign was printed about the broken lock, instead of repairing the broken lock?
BS EN Classification of Door Hardware
When I was at the DHI conNextions Conference in Boston, I met Sushil Kumar, who has written some of the recent iDigHardware posts for our international audience. Today's post - the first in a series - addresses the BS EN classifications for hinges.
WW: Yet Another Airport
A couple of weeks ago I posted Wordless Wednesday and Fixed-it Friday photos from recent airport visits. This time it's our senior hollow metal engineer, Marilyn Latham of Allegion, who is sending me airport photos.
WWYD? Installing Protection Plates on Fire Doors
As a former specwriter, I can see a potential for problems if a plate that is required to be installed with screws is specified for a fire door that requires installation with adhesive. Is this an issue that arises in the field? WWYD?
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security
In the sixth episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, he talks with Mo Canady of NASRO about the role of school resource officers - Beyond the Badge: NASRO's Mission to Enhance School Security.
FF: Convenience Always Wins
I find it interesting to see how people adapt doors and hardware for their convenience - sometimes at the expense of security or code requirements. In today's Fixed-it Friday post is an example that I saw during the recent DHI conNextions conference.
Lauren Reese: A Survivor’s Perspective on School Safety
This article from the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) shares the experience of Lauren Reese, a survivor of the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School. Visit passk12.org to download the PASS Guidelines and other valuable resources.
WW: Health Care Corridor Door “Fix”
Last week I spent an afternoon touring a hospital under renovation after a large electrical fire (more to come on that), and I saw this modification that left me wordless. What do you think?
Specifying Zombie-Resistant Door Openings (Update!)
It's hard to believe that it has been 6 YEARS since I last updated this post on zombie-resistant door openings, and 9 YEARS sine I wrote the original version. With the new model codes coming out soon it's time for another update, and what better day to post it than on Halloween??
USGNN: Quick Code Q+A
In my current column in USGlass Magazine, I answered a question about a common application for aluminum storefront doors: Are paddle latches (AKA push paddles) a code-compliant option for the main entrance of a business occupancy?
FF: Another Airport Application
As most of you know, the codes require egress doors to be operable without special knowledge or effort. This door is on a something like a bus that moves people around the airport (except with "normal" doors), but what are these exit instructions trying to say?
Doors of Stone Town, Zanzibar
As I mentioned last week, there were not a lot of doors to see during our trip to Tanzania, unless you count tent flaps. The exception was Stone Town in Zanzibar, where the beautiful old doors are absolutely amazing. Enjoy!
WW: Airport Applications
While traveling to and from Tanzania and Zanzibar, we visited 8 airports in 5 countries, and saw a few interesting airport applications. Check them out and let me know what you think!
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security
When an attempted school shooting is resolved without violence, there is much that we can learn by studying the incident. In the fifth episode of Paul Timm's podcast, he talks with Molly Hudgens about her experience at Sycamore Middle School.
Decoded: Flush Bottom Rails
As I'm reviewing and updating these Decoded articles, I can't believe that some of them were originally written more than 12 years ago. Hopefully they will continue to be a valuable resource for another 12 years and beyond!
FF: Stone Town, Zanzibar
On Wednesday I shared some photos from the island of Zanzibar, which is where I took today's Fixed-it Friday photos as well. This "fix" is a creative way to keep the door closed, and I like the composition of the photo too. :D
Safe Schools Resources
To mark America's Safe Schools Week, today's post includes some resources that have been developed by Allegion to help ensure that our security solutions align with the highest standards and effectively address the evolving challenges faced by educational institutions.
WW: People’s Palace, Zanzibar
I have been planning a family trip to Tanzania for a couple of years, and the departure date finally arrived a few weeks ago. In addition to the safari (amazing!), we visited the island of Zanzibar, where I took today's Wordless Wednesday photos.
Last Call for Training in Massachusetts!
Next week I will be back in my old stomping ground to do some training on recent and upcoming changes to the I-Codes, NFPA Codes, and referenced standards related to swinging door openings. It's not too late to register!
Decoded: Closers on Classroom Doors
Questions about door closers on classroom doors have been coming up frequently, so I have updated this Decoded article to reflect the current code requirements. What are you seeing in the field? Closers, or no closers?
FF: This “fix” has me wordless.
This padlock and hasp have been added to the only exit serving a seating area for an indoor soccer facility. Thank you to Marc Bates of the University of Missouri - Kansas City for the photos, even though they made me cry a little.
TBT: Original Panic Hardware
I recently saw this Throwback Thursday photo and coincidentally, I had just looked at the requirements for panic hardware in the 1927 edition of the NFPA Building Exits Code. The word "PUSH" on this hardware rang a bell...
WW: Barricade Devices
I have shared my concerns about classroom barricade devices dozens of times, but today's Wordless Wednesday photos from Mark Berger of Securitech have inspired me to review the issues once again.
QQ: Roller Strike Projection Into The Clear Opening
Yesterday I shared an updated Decoded article on clear opening width and height, and this Quick Question was raised: Does the projection of a surface-mounted strike for rim panic hardware affect the clear width of a door opening?
Decoded: Clear Opening Width and Height
This Decoded article on clear opening requirements was first published almost 10 years ago, and remains a frequently visited post on iDigHardware. It has now been updated with current code references.
FF: Value Engineering
Qasim Mousa from Allegion's office in Saudi Arabia, sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, taken at a new school. This is a great example of how so-called "value engineering" can negatively impact a project.