QQ: Spring Hinges on Fire Doors
Today's Quick Question has come up dozens of times: Can spring hinges be installed on a fire door that is larger than 3'-0" x 7'-0"? NFPA 80's table shows that as the maximum size, but is that the final answer?
WW: Dining Al Fresco
These restaurant exits left me Wordless - especially considering that some of the foliage is planted in the ground - not even in pots! When you go for dinner, don't forget to bring your machete in case you need to evacuate!
WWYD? Floor Stops and Holders
When a stop or holder is mounted on the floor, at what point does it become a tripping hazard? I have not found a specific reference in the model codes or referenced standards on the acceptable mounting location.
STANLEY Access Technologies: New Horizons Village
When it comes to ADA compliance, there are minimum requirements, and there are real-life requirements. STANLEY Access Technologies is proud to partner with New Horizons Village to continue this very important conversation and advance the mission of accessibility for all.
FF: Actuator Location
What do you think about the location for the auto operator actuator shown in these Fixed-it Friday photos? Based on the BHMA A156.19 standard and the accessibility requirements, is there a code issue?
QQ: Adding/Enlarging Vision Panels in Fire Doors
This Quick Question has come up a few times lately: In an existing fire door, can a vision panel be added or enlarged in the field, assuming that the correct glazing is installed? Have you had experience with this modification?
WW: ABC15 on Stadium Fire Code Violations
Although the number of violations found in the host stadium for Super Bowl LVII is a bit disconcerting, it's reassuring to know that code compliance is being taken seriously in order to help ensure life safety for occupants of the facility.
Last-Minute Training Opportunity – DOIT
Do you know the difference between a fire-resistance-rated assembly and a fire-protection-rated assembly? It could be very costly to price an assembly listed to UL 10C / NFPA 252 when it should have been listed to ASTM E119 / UL 263.
ICC Building Safety and Security Report
In 2018, the International Code Council (ICC) established an ad hoc committee to comprehensively explore and assess building safety and security - an issue that is important to all of us. The committee has issued their final report, and it is available for download.
FF: DIY Power Transfer – Take 2
Joe Cross of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo of an "electrified" removable mullion, which is definitely not a listed application. If you've seen any creative door or hardware modifications, submit a photo for a future post on iDigHardware!
West Metro Fire Rescue: Close Before You Doze
Earlier in the week I wrote about the value of code-compliant fire doors in multifamily residential occupancies, but even non-fire-rated residential doors can play an important role during a fire. Check out this video from West Metro Fire Rescue for more...
WW: Irish Egress
Many of you know that my oldest daughter attends the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, but you may find it hard to believe that she's a SENIOR - I can hardly believe it myself! She sent me these WW photos from her study abroad trip to Ireland...
News 12: “It’s a matter of public safety.”
In the year since 17 people lost their lives in a fire in the Bronx, NYC has taken steps to increase awareness of fire door safety and the importance of self-closing doors. A recent investigative report from News 12 shares more information about the current situation...
Life Safety Digest: The Importance of Fire Door Assemblies in Residential Occupancies
Based on the average number of fires that occur annually in multifamily residential buildings and the effects of non-compliant fire doors during past fires, I firmly believe that enforcing the annual requirements for fire door inspections will save lives.
FF: DIY EPT?
Lee Frazier of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, taken in a school. I have edited this post based on a reader's email telling me that this is not a DIY EPT, but a concealed power transfer. I have never seen this product in the wild, and I guess Lee had not seen it either!
Quick Questions (and Answers!)
If you're a frequent visitor to iDigHardware, you know that I often answer "Quick Questions" sent in by readers. To date, I have posted more than 100 of these questions and answers on the site, and today I have made it easier to revisit them when you need to.
WW: Double Trouble
I've said it before and I'll say it again...antique stores and thrift stores tend to be some of the worst when it comes to code-compliant door openings. This photo from Lisa Wright of Allegion is a great illustration - what purpose do these fire doors serve?
Happy New Year!
The start of the new year is a great time to get organized and initiate productive changes that will carry us forward into the future. I'm excited about what's next - you can read about it in today's post!
FF: Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree…
I received this photo on New Year's Eve 2021 from Cathy Kopp of Norwood Hardware, and I kept it filed away until the holiday season rolled around again. I will be taking some time off next week to recharge, and I hope you do too. See you next year!
Panic Hardware Requirements – Follow-Up
When panic hardware is required by code for doors serving a particular room or space, is the panic hardware required for ALL of the doors in the means of egress from that space, including corridor doors, stair doors, and finally – the exterior doors?
WW: I don’t know what to say.
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photos from Paul Goldense of Goldense Building Products, and I really have no words. But if I know Paul, this door's problems will be resolved immediately, if not sooner.
WWYD? Panic Hardware Requirements
I have an opinion on this question that I will share tomorrow, but I'd love to know how you are seeing the model codes applied in the field. A question arose recently regarding which doors require panic hardware, and the answer required "proof" from the IBC...
Fixed-it Friday Finale: Farvel Danmark!
It has been wonderful to work remotely from Denmark, but it's time to go back to reality. I am headed home tomorrow, so here's one last post to share a few more of the beautiful doors of Copenhagen. Enjoy!
New: Schlage ND78/ND98 Classroom Security Function
Schlage recently announced a new classroom security function for the ND series Grade 1 cylindrical lockset and I have received some questions about how this new function is different from our previous classroom security lock. Today's post explains...
WW: Dragon Fire Protection
Have dragons been protecting the Old Stock Exchange from fire for the last 400 years? Or maybe the building's original position with canals on three sides and foundations on wood piles extending into the water below could have been a factor?
QQ: Low Energy Operator / A156.10 Application
Today's Quick Question: Can a low energy automatic operator that is certified to BHMA A156.19 be installed on a door that is required to comply with BHMA A156.10? What do you think?
Webinar: Automatic and Power-Assisted Doors
In case you missed this webinar from the U.S. Access Board, the recording and handouts have recently been made available on the Accessibility Online website. The webinar description and link are in today's post.
FF: Kronborg Castle
I saw the door in today's Fixed-it Friday photos at Kronborg Castle, which was the setting for Shakespeare's play, Hamlet. Today it is known by many as Hamlet's Castle. Of course I can't resist sharing some other photos from the castle as well...
Communicating Door Follow-Up
When I posted my updated Decoded article about communicating doors earlier this week, I remembered these photos. I think that looking at an issue in different ways can really help to get the point across, so here goes...
WW: Global Fire Door Problem
I saw the door in today's Wordless Wednesday photos when I went to a salsa lesson at a dance studio in Copenhagen last week. When the studio is open for business, the door is propped open with a rock. Clearly, propped-open fire doors are a global problem.
Decoded: Communicating Doors Between Sleeping Rooms
The code requirements for communicating doors between hotel rooms have not changed, but a new question has come up...have you ever seen these requirements applied to shared bathrooms between dorm rooms? WWYD?
Locksmith Ledger: LCN 6400 COMPACT Installation
Have you seen the new LCN 6400 COMPACT automatic operator? A recent Locksmith Ledger article details the installation of this product, which won the 2022 Best New Product Award from the Security Industry Association.
FF: “Fixed” Doors
I spotted the huge "doors" in today's Fixed-it Friday photos on the front of a library, and of course I had to go check them out. The wood panels give the impression of books, and I figured that the doors would be closed at night for security...
Doors of Christiania
I will have to get back to reality soon, but for a little while longer I'll be spending my mornings wandering and my afternoons and evenings working. A few days ago my morning jog took me to an area called Christiania, where I found lots of interesting doors.
WW: (No) Maneuvering Clearance
Although I have seen some modifications to make the very old buildings in Copenhagen more accessible, the restroom entrance shown in today's Wordless Wednesday photos was an extreme example of a lack of access.
December Training
As 2022 winds down (that was fast!), we have one more Webinar Wednesday with sessions on stairwell reentry and delayed egress requirements, along with a recently recorded Security in 30 presentation. Happy December!
Oil-Rubbed Bronze – Danish Style
Depending on the desired look, either aged bronze or oil-rubbed bronze may be the right hardware finish for a particular project, but it's important to know what to expect. I'm seeing lots of great examples as I walk the streets of Copenhagen.
Happy Thanksgiving…from København
Although I won't be cooking the traditional turkey and stuffing this year, I am wishing a Happy Thanksgiving to any of you who will be celebrating! Today's post includes some more photos from my travels over the last week.
Christianshavn Preschool
It's hard to miss this preschool in my neighborhood (I'm temporarily working from Christianshavn, Copenhagen), but I'm guessing most people don't notice that this preschool has the same problem with elopement that is common in the U.S.
Nørrebrohallen Doors
Remember when I used to take the kids on family road trips or international voyages, and I would post about the interesting doors I saw in our travels? Well, this is one of my favorite weeks of the year, and I'm in Copenhagen!
FF: School Library
Scott Tobias of arkaSpecs sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo taken in a school library. This door leads to a closet, but what if this was the egress side of the door? Do you think the paint job would be code-compliant?
WWYD? Egress Through a Swimming Pool Enclosure
It is not uncommon for a building to have a means of egress that passes through a swimming pool enclosure. I have run into this several times before and I'm wondering how you are seeing it addressed in the field. WWYD?
WW: Insect (and Egress) Control
Today's Wordless Wednesday photos were taken by Chris Arnold of Melbourne Locksmith in Australia, who was called in to fix a screen door lock. These screen doors are blocking egress in a public building, where apparently the insects are a nuisance.
QQ: Dwelling Unit Entry Door Fire Rating
With all of the recent attention on fire door assemblies in residential occupancies, today's Quick Question has come up several times: How is the required fire rating for apartment entry doors determined?
It’s All About Transparency: How Fire-Rated Doors and Frames Contribute to Sustainable Buildings
LEED, the Living Building Challenge, Declare Labels, the 2030 Challenge, Health and Happiness and Beauty Petals...this article on sustainability - written by Tim Weller of Allegion, explains sustainability design and how it applies to our industry.
FF: Conflicting Signage
One of my favorite retired fire marshals sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos, which illustrate one of his pet peeves. Could signs like this delay or deter egress during an emergency? What do you think?
New Industry Resource: BHMA Codes in Context
To help educate and inform stakeholders about changes related to doors and hardware, BHMA has developed a new resource called Codes in Context. I filmed a short video for BHMA's Spotlight Series, highlighting this project.
WW: Not An(other) Exit
Tim Weller of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo...if I had a nickel for every time I saw an egress door changed to "not an exit" by someone whose authority was based on their access to a printer or a Sharpie, I'd be rich! :-|
Update! QQ: Mag-Lock / Panic Hardware Clarification
There is a change coming in the 2024 IBC related to doors that are required to have panic hardware and are also equipped with electromagnetic locks. I have updated the past post on this topic to include the change.
Security vs. Accessibility
When evaluating security, it's important to remember that there are adopted codes and standards that must be followed. With proper planning, doors can meet the requirements for accessibility, egress, fire protection - AND security (convenience too!).