Lori Greene

About Lori Greene

Lori is the Manager, Codes and Resources for Allegion, and the creator of iDigHardware. With more than 35 years of experience in the door and hardware industry, in her current role she focuses exclusively on the code requirements that apply to door openings.

9 Out of 10 Birds Surveyed Prefer LCN

I have a lot of pet peeves - just ask my family.  One of my pet peeves is when I see a door closer on the "wrong" side of a door.  It could be the corridor side of an electric room, the outside of a bathroom, or, like the photo to the left, the weather side of an exterior door.  I just don't understand how a closer ends up on the wrong side of the door, especially when many of them (the one at left included) come packed with all of the parts and pieces required to install it three different ways.

By |2014-10-08T09:24:45-04:00July 29th, 2009|Door Closers, Funky Applications, Reader Photos|1 Comment
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Pocket Pivots

I recently received this photo from an architect who wanted to use the Von Duprin Inpact devices pictured here on another museum I'm working on.  I've used these several times when an architect wanted the panic device powder coated a similar color to the door.  As with LCN closers, Von Duprin panic hardware can be powder coated in a multitude of colors (refer to the Tiger Drylac brochure called RAL Exterior/Interior).

By |2015-09-09T11:32:15-04:00July 27th, 2009|Funky Applications, Hinges & Pivots, Panic Hardware|2 Comments
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Violators Will Be Fined!

When a delayed egress lock is used on an egress door, the codes require signage instructing the building occupant to "PUSH UNTIL ALARM SOUNDS, DOOR CAN BE OPENED IN 15 SECONDS." When the code official approves a 30-second delay, the signage must reflect that increase.  At least the signage on this egress door (yes, there is an exit sign which is not visible in the photo) will keep the person occupied while he or she waits for 30 seconds to pass.  ;-)

By |2012-07-26T18:02:55-04:00July 26th, 2009|Funky Applications, Means of Egress, Reader Photos|4 Comments
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Accessibility by State

Here's a great list of accessibility code requirements and contacts by state.  It lists the accessibility code or standard for each state, as well as the contact information for the state agency that oversees the accessibility requirements.  The list was compiled by the United States Access Board, an independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities.  There's a wealth of other information on their website, so check it out!

By |2013-09-01T09:09:32-04:00July 22nd, 2009|Accessibility|0 Comments
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Where there’s a will, there’s a way…

I love seeing the inventive ways people install door hardware, and it seems like the product with the most creative installations is the door closer.  LCN thought their stick-on installation templates would take the creativity out of door closer installation, but there are still plenty of inventive installations out there.

By |2014-10-08T09:20:25-04:00July 21st, 2009|Door Closers, Funky Applications, Reader Photos|0 Comments
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Clear Opening Width

Back in the 80's, there was a lot of confusion about how to measure the clear opening width of doors. The codes and standards weren't clear, so on doors with panic devices the fire marshals were looking for 32" between the panic device and the stop on the strike jamb.  As each code and standard was revised to include information clarifying this requirement, I would periodically call the State Fire Marshal's office in the state where we most often had the problem. They stopped taking my calls but they eventually changed the way they measured clear opening width.

By |2013-10-18T15:01:33-04:00July 14th, 2009|Accessibility, Means of Egress|4 Comments
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Rod Guards

I'm a big fan of creative hardware applications like these PVC rod guards on an exterior pair in a high school, but I think they should have considered adding some bottom latch guards.  The latches don't even have their covers!   FYI...Von Duprin does manufacture rod and latch guards - the RG-27, also available as a rod guard only (RGO), a latch guard only (LGO), or an extended latch guard only (LGO-3' or 4').

By |2012-07-27T00:00:11-04:00July 13th, 2009|Funky Applications, Panic Hardware, Reader Photos|0 Comments
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Special Template Update

If you're a frequent visitor to this site you probably know the story...I posted a photo of a concealed closer that is installed so that it's visible through the frame face, and the hardware supplier/installer saw the photo on my site and emailed me to tell me the situation.  Apparently it was not a mistake - it was an ingenious solution to a problem, and they used it on 15 pairs of doors in a hotel.  I asked the supplier to send me a photo of the completed installation with the custom cover plates in place, and he recently emailed me to say that he "drove down to the Dead Sea and took pictures..."

By |2012-01-27T22:10:01-05:00July 7th, 2009|Door Closers, Reader Photos|1 Comment
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Astragals with Vertical Rod Panics

An astragal is a piece of molding used on a pair of doors or between the top and bottom leaves of a Dutch door, to provide security, protect against weather conditions, prevent light or sound transmission, or to retard the passage of smoke, flame, or gases during a fire.  On a Dutch door the astragal is used to close the bottom leaf in conjunction with the top leaf.  An astragal should not be confused with a mullion, which sits between (fixed) or behind (removable) the meeting stiles of a pair.

By |2012-01-27T22:10:01-05:00July 6th, 2009|Doors Gone Wrong, Gasketing & Thresholds, Means of Egress, Panic Hardware|7 Comments
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Moroccan Doors

I have visited 10 countries in Africa, so in honor of the first African country to host a visitor to this website (the 38th country to visit the site!), I decided to post an African door photo from my collection.  I searched through the albums of my trips and found hundreds of photos of elephants, lions, and my fellow campers behaving badly, but hardly any photos of doors!  I will eventually find and post my photo collection called the Doors of Zanzibar, but in the meantime, here are a few shots of the doors of the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca Morocco.  To give these openings some scale, that's me sitting in front of a GIANT door, beside a door similar in size to the one in the close-up.

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00July 5th, 2009|Beautiful Doors, Funky Applications|0 Comments
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Index

I've added a new page to help you find what you're looking for - the Index tab above.  There are already 76 posts (!) and I'll be adding two new features shortly.  One will be a series called Industry Profiles - to help you get to know some of the great people who work in the door & hardware industry.  The other is in response to your requests...a series called Basic Training.  Our office periodically offers a 5-week course by the same name, which is a pretty generic introduction to doors & hardware including mechanical and electrified hardware, codes, and blueprint reading.  Many of our current customers are Basic Training alumni.  Quite a few people have found this website and asked for more information on the basics, so they can learn about hardware from the ground up.  I hope to have the first posts of both series ready next week.

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00July 2nd, 2009|General Info|0 Comments
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Manual Flush Bolts

Here's a little reminder to make sure you size the top rod correctly when using manual flush bolts on doors that are over 7' tall.  Most manufacturers offer a top rod that is 12" (standard), 24", 36", or 48" long.  In this application, I would have probably specified panic hardware on both leaves depending on the door height and vertical rod capabilities, or an automatic flush bolt for the top bolt, which would be projected by the active leaf.  I'm not a big fan of automatic flush bolts, but a 48" long top rod might not be quite long enough to bring the bolt down to an operable height.  I have also seen hardware suppliers buy threaded rod to increase the top rod length, but at some point the rod gets too long to operate smoothly.

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00July 1st, 2009|Funky Applications, Reader Photos|1 Comment
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Hollow Metal Standards

I recently needed to refer to a copy of HMMA-850, the NAAMM/HMMA standard for fire rated doors and frames.  I was pleasantly surprised to find this standard on-line as a free download.  Upon further digging, I found that almost ALL of the HMMA and SDI publications can be downloaded for free from their websites.  There is a wealth of information there, including free downloadable specifications and ANSI standards.  If you're an architect or specwriter, you can even request a complimentary bound copy (or CD) of the SDI Fact File which includes all of their publications.  Click the links below to check out the list of standards available for download.

By |2016-07-20T10:57:31-04:00June 29th, 2009|Doors & Frames|3 Comments
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Doors Gone Wrong

After over 20 years in the hardware industry, my family has grown accustomed to me taking photos of doors.  They still think it's strange, but it's no longer surprising.  Last weekend we were on a Fathers Day outing and I saw this sad door on a gas station ladies' room.  I couldn't help but wonder...who would be this desperate to get into the ladies room?  I guess someone REALLY had to go. 

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00June 24th, 2009|Doors Gone Wrong|0 Comments
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Exit Enclosure

My last post referenced the term "exit enclosure", and I received a few questions about its meaning.  An exit enclosure is the enclosure around an exit.  For our purposes it usually refers to a stairwell.  According to the IBC, exit enclosures connecting 4 or more stories require a 2-hour fire resistance rating, and those connecting less than 4 stories require a 1-hour fire resistance rating (IBC-2009-1022.1).  Exit enclosures must lead directly to the exterior or to an exit passageway, which will typically have the same fire resistance rating as the exit enclosure.  The IBC includes some exceptions for exits which do not need to be enclosed, such as stairs in parking garages.

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00June 18th, 2009|Fire Doors, Means of Egress|0 Comments
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Temperature Rise Doors

A temperature rise door is a fire-rated door which limits the heat transfer through the door for a period of 30 minutes.  Temperature rise ratings indicate the maximum rise above ambient temperature on the non-fire side of the door, and will be either 250°, 450°, or 650° F.  The 250° door is the most restrictive because it limits the heat transfer to only 250° for a 30-minute period.  A typical hollow metal door would reach approximately 1400° F in the same time period.  By minimizing the transfer of heat, a temperature rise door could protect an exit enclosure, allowing people to pass below the floor of fire origin.

By |2022-07-05T13:47:05-04:00June 16th, 2009|Doors Gone Wrong, Fire Doors|6 Comments
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Temperature Rise Doors

My only hesitation in posting these photos is that they are probably the best photos of Doors Gone Wrong that I have ever seen, and any future photos will pale in comparison.  These are the holy grail of bad door photos, which I received from Eyal Bedrik of Entry Systems Ltd. in Israel.  According to Eyal, these are temperature rise doors, which you can learn more about in my next post.

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00June 15th, 2009|Doors Gone Wrong, FDAI, Fire Doors|0 Comments
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Small World

I started this website a few months ago as a way to connect with our customers and help them find answers to their code questions.  I have been amazed at the response to the site, from all over the United States and 18 other countries (and counting!).  It really is a small world.

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00June 11th, 2009|General Info|0 Comments
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ADAAG Manual

The ADAAG Manual was created by the Access Board of the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board as companion information to the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG).  It explains and clarifies many of the requirements of the ADAAG, and gives insight on the intent of the requirements.  I recently found a downloadable version available online.  You can download it here by clicking on the link at the top that says "ERIC Full Text".

By |2013-02-09T00:40:02-05:00June 9th, 2009|Accessibility|0 Comments
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Where's the Door?

I'll get back to the long, wordy posts about code questions soon, but in the meantime here's another cool door photo from Paul Goldense of Goldense Building Products. This opening is used by a water authority to access their pumps for maintenance. It's hung with continuous hinges on a channel iron frame.  As an extra challenge, the door is located at the top of a dam. Very cool!

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00June 9th, 2009|Funky Applications|0 Comments
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Electric Latch Retraction?

Well...the latch is retracted and it involves a wire!  As a follow-up to yesterday's post about retrofit dogging accomplished with a tie-wrap, here's a photo from Brendan Daley of Horner Commercial Sales that was taken in a new hospital.  I'm guessing they weren't happy with the lock function so they came up with this ingenious solution.  I especially love the tape on the lever.  Thanks Brendan!

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00June 4th, 2009|Electrified Hardware, Funky Applications|0 Comments
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Retrofit Dogging

I've spent several phone calls this week discussing "dogging" with one of my favorite clients.  I guess it is kind of hard to keep straight if you're not a hardware person.  The term "dogging" refers to holding the latch(es) of a panic device retracted to create a push/pull function.  When the panic device is dogged, it is unlocked/unlatched and you can just pull on the door to open it.  When the panic device is not dogged, it is latched and you need an active trim (like a lever) or a key to retract the latch(es) and open the door.  In either case, free egress is achieved at any time by pushing on the touchpad or crossbar of the panic device.

By |2012-01-27T22:10:03-05:00June 3rd, 2009|Fire Doors, Funky Applications, Panic Hardware, Reader Photos|1 Comment
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Combustible Floor Coverings

I love it when I'm able to solve one of life's great mysteries.  Today I was asked whether a 90-minute fire rated door required a threshold.  The short answer is "no" but my coworker Greg chimed in to ask about fire rated openings with combustible floor covering running through.  There's a paragraph in NFPA 80 that I've wondered about in the past (for about 5 seconds), which says that combustible floor coverings can extend under doors that are rated up to 90 minutes as long as the minimum critical radiant flux is .22 W/cm2.  What that means, I have no clue, although Zeke tried to put it in terms of a lightbulb for me one time.

By |2012-01-27T22:10:03-05:00June 2nd, 2009|Fire Doors|0 Comments
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Doors Gone Wrong

This is one of those openings that makes me cringe...yuck!  But I can't let a teachable moment go by.  Yesterday I got a call from an architect who asked whether it was acceptable to put a panic device on one leaf of a pair when only that leaf is required for egress width.  The codes aren't 100% clear on this, but I have had code officials require panics on both leaves of a pair even if only one leaf is required for egress.  You also need to consider the alternative to using panics on both leaves...a panic on one leaf and auto flush bolts on the other.  This application also requires a coordinator and overall it's a problematic application.

By |2012-01-27T22:10:03-05:00June 1st, 2009|Doors Gone Wrong, Panic Hardware|0 Comments
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Throughout

1008.1.8.6 Delayed egress locks. Approved, listed, delayed egress locks shall be permitted to be installed on doors serving any occupancy except Group A, E and H occupancies in buildings that are equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or an approved automatic smoke or heat detection system installed in accordance with Section 907...

By |2013-04-03T15:15:37-04:00May 28th, 2009|General Info|0 Comments
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Double Egress Pairs

Last week someone called me with a "quick question" about a double egress pair in a hospital.  The hospital wanted to install shear locks on a pair of double egress doors, to use during emergency lock-downs.  Unfortunately, as some of you have figured out by now, I don't usually have a quick answer.  There are actually two issues here:

By |2016-06-23T21:32:04-04:00May 26th, 2009|Electrified Hardware|4 Comments
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Door Pulls

Almost every week someone asks me about the clearance behind door pulls.  Many manufacturers' catalogs show certain pulls with a symbol indicating that they are accessible, and other pulls without the symbol.  About 10 years ago I called the Department of Justice (ADA), the International Code Council (CABO back then), and the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (521 CMR) to get the real scoop.  All 3 agencies told me that there was no specific dimension required for clearance behind a door pull.  I was recently asked this question about a cabinet pull, so I made all 3 calls again to make sure I wasn't missing something.  I was again told that you need to be able to slide a flat hand behind the door pull, and to open the door without gripping the pull.  During both research projects I asked about a closed fist and was told that the clearance was not required to be large enough for a closed fist.

By |2014-04-22T12:55:47-04:00May 18th, 2009|Accessibility, Push/Pull|6 Comments
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Hinge Fillers

What you're looking at is an existing fire rated frame with a new door that I saw recently during a fire door inspection.  Most of the other doors that I inspected that day had steel hinge fillers to fill the existing hinge preps before the continuous hinges were installed.  So why were a half-dozen or so filled with expandable foam insulation?  Hmm...it's a mystery.

By |2012-01-27T22:10:38-05:00May 1st, 2009|FDAI, Fire Doors, Hinges & Pivots|0 Comments
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Reed Construction Data

There's a great resource for code information on the Reed Construction Data site.  It includes information for all 50 states, major cities, and some counties, and lists contact information for many of the AHJs in each jurisdiction.

By |2012-01-27T22:10:38-05:00April 28th, 2009|General Info|0 Comments
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Fail Safe Locks

I didn't want to scare anyone by adding more information to my previous post about stairwell re-entry, but I do get questions about how to accomplish this.  The stairwell re-entry requirements state that the stair side lever must unlock on fire alarm or on a signal from the fire command station depending on the code (there is always free egress from the non-stair side).  I have seen stair doors that had been retrofitted with card readers and electric strikes.  If these doors are required by code to meet the stairwell re-entry requirements, an electric strike is not an acceptable way to do this.

By |2014-04-26T19:26:55-04:00April 24th, 2009|Electrified Hardware, Locks & Keys, Means of Egress|0 Comments
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Pocket Doors

Personally, I think architects like pocket doors way too much but that's the cool thing about a blog...I get to tell everyone what I think.  ;-)  If you decide to use a pocket door on an opening that is required to be accessible, here's what you need to know:

By |2012-01-27T22:10:38-05:00April 21st, 2009|Accessibility|10 Comments
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Fire Door Clearance

The 2007 edition of NFPA 80 contains an important change regarding the clearance at the bottom of a fire rated door.  In previous editions of this standard, there was a somewhat confusing table (Table 1-11.4) listing different allowable clearance dimensions depending on the flooring material.  The 2007 edition simplifies this requirement, allowing 3/4" clearance under the bottom of the door regardless of the flooring.  The only exception is when the bottom of the door is more than 38" above the floor, ie. dutch doors and counter shutters.

By |2017-10-06T11:25:45-04:00April 20th, 2009|Fire Doors, Gasketing & Thresholds|10 Comments
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Roof Doors

The locking requirements for roof doors are a bit of a gray area, due to the varied preferences of local code officials. In most cases, the roof door can be locked on the interior side, preventing access to the roof. It is very rare (except in movies) that the egress plan for the building includes going to the roof for helicopter access. If the roof was part of the egress path, the roof would have to be maintained as an egress route, snow removed, etc.

By |2012-01-27T22:10:39-05:00April 13th, 2009|Locks & Keys, Means of Egress|5 Comments
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Hardware Consulting FAQs

When my daughter was in preschool, she told her class that when she grew up she wanted to be a "hard work insultant", just like her mom.  After 20+ years of explaining to people what I do, I can't blame her for being a little confused.  In case you've been wondering why anyone would need a hardware consultant, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions:

By |2017-06-01T09:55:21-04:00April 8th, 2009|General Info|0 Comments
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