Decoded: Mounting Heights for Door Hardware
I made some quick updates to this Decoded article on required mounting heights for hardware, with current code references.
Visual Communication
There are many types of communication barriers, including language, literacy and visual challenges, and today's guest post discusses a multi-faceted approach to overcoming these challenges.
Tactile & Auditory Feedback
Textures and auditory cues in door hardware can convey important information about an opening and its surroundings. Read more in today's guest blog post by Colleen Furlong of Allegion.
Decoded: Actuators for Low Energy Operators
Last week I posted a photo of an actuator in the wild, and I received several questions about the required actuator location. Time to update this past Decoded article!
Less Force, More Seamless Access
Optimizing the performance of an opening is a delicate balancing act. In today's guest blog post, read more about the importance of making openings easier to use for a larger portion of the population.
WWYD?/FF: Auto Operator Actuators
Curtis Meskus, Town of Charlton CBO sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos of a vertical actuator he spotted in the wild. What do you think about the actuator location?
Why Ergonomic Door Hardware Matters in Designing for Everyone
A door handle might seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference in whether a space feels welcoming or frustrating. Read more in today's guest post by Colleen Furlong of Allegion.
How Automatic Operators Support More Inclusive Doorway Design
With today's guest post from Colleen Furlong, we are kicking off a special focus on Accessible and Inclusive Design, with a series of six articles, bring together perspectives from across Allegion.
QQ: Flush Bottom Rail on Gates
Are manually-operated swinging gates on accessible routes subject to the requirement for a flush, smooth surface on the push side, measured 10 inches up from the floor or ground?
Decoded: Projections into the Clear Opening Height of Doors
I have updated this Decoded article to include the most recent code requirements, as the I-Codes now permit additional types of hardware to project into the clear opening height.
Yes – Auto operators are required.
Today's guest post from Adam Fisk of Allegion shares a helpful resource for understanding and applying the code requirements for auto operators on certain buildings. Thanks Adam!
Decoded: Separate Deadbolts on Classroom Doors
This month's Decoded article answers a common question: Is it acceptable by code to install a separate dead bolt along with a lockset or latchset on a classroom door?
FF: LCN Senior Swing Auto Door Operator
This is a great Fixed-it Friday video about the LCN Senior Swing being used to address HVAC stack pressure on a problematic door, along with a bonus code application! Can you spot it?
Decoded: Fair Housing Act
I've received some questions lately regarding accessibility requirements for multifamily buildings, so here's an updated Decoded article on the topic.
QQ: Auto Operator Coordination
When a door that is secured to prevent unauthorized access from the outside is equipped with an automatic operator, how does the interface between security and accessibility function?
QQ: Automatic Operators on School Entrances
According to the 2024 IBC, would an accessible public entrance serving a school auditorium with an occupant load of 400 people require doors with automatic operators?
Catching up…what has changed in the I-Codes?
With the new year comes the adoption of new codes in many states, and given the length of time between state adoptions, it can be difficult to keep up with what’s new. Here's a summary!
In-Person Code Updates – Next Week!
I'll be heading to DHI ConNextions in Fort Worth next week, where Mark Kuhn and I will be conducting two training sessions with some help from our Allegion teammates.
Decoded: Tactile Warning
Some questions about tactile warning have come up recently, so I've updated this Decoded article. When is tactile warning required by code on door hardware? Almost never!
BHMA Challenge: Built for Access
This week's topic for the BHMA 100th Anniversary Challenge is Built for Access, focusing on how door hardware helps people move through the world. My submission is in today's post!
Escape Room Safety (video)
I feel so grateful to be able to positively affect the safety of escape rooms worldwide, and to help AHJs who have escape rooms in their jurisdictions. Learn more in today's post!
Code Update: Escape Rooms
Over the weekend I had the privilege of presenting on egress, fire protection, and accessibility for escape rooms, and during my preparation I noticed an important code change.
QQ/WWYD? Auto Door Bottoms
Would a surface mounted automatic door bottom with a sloped top be permitted by the accessibility standards? Could this application be allowed by the AHJ as an equivalency?
Recessed Doors Revisited
The other day I posted some photos I took in an office building on a recent training trip, and asked if anyone could identify the code issue - or maybe I was just seeing things?
WWYD? Alcoves
Last week I spent some time doing training in an office building, where I noticed these doors in the corridor leading to the office suites. Does anyone see a code issue here? WWYD?
Decoded: Accessibility Requirements for Automatic Doors
In this Decoded article for the accessibility issue of Door Security + Safety Magazine, I covered the accessibility requirements for automatic doors.
FF: Cali Minimarket
During my travels in other countries, I definitely notice a difference in how accessible routes are handled...this ramp in Cali, Colombia was an attempt to improve accessibility. See the problem?
Openings in Floor or Ground Surfaces
Although the photos in this post are not related to door hardware, there are some hardware products that require an opening in the floor - typically a hole in a strike plate. WWYD?
WWYD? Sliding Door Hardware
I'm currently on the road, and I found this example of a sliding door in my travels. I'd love to hear what you think about this application - for both accessibility and usability.
LaForce Blog: ADA Standards in Partitions and Accessories
Toilet partitions and accessories are way more complicated than one might think, so when I saw a recent post on the LaForce blog I asked if I could share it here. Check it out!
WWYD? Standby Power for Automatic Operators
I need help with this question: When is a low energy automatic operator required by a code or standard to have standby power, to allow it to operate automatically during a power failure?
Code Adoption – Skipping Editions
Last week, someone asked me about information addressing the changes for door openings between the 2018 and 2024 editions of the IBC. Thanks to BHMA, the answer was easy!
WW: Hotel Round-Up
I'd be surprised if I could go into a hotel and NOT find an egress, accessibility, or fire door problem, but this one had several. Have you seen any Wordless Wednesday doors lately?
What’s that? Glass Bead Shim Kit
I saw a question posted on Facebook about how to address panic hardware that runs across the vision light...which reminded me that I should write a "What's that?" post on the topic.
Decoded: SCIF Security and Egress Requirements
I received a question on SCIF doors this week, so I have updated this Decoded article to include the links to the current federal standards and specifications.
WW: Hostile Architecture
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo illustrates a measure taken by a high rise hotel to deter houseless people from accessing the alcoves at the secondary entrances. WWYD?
7 Steps Infographic
Today I'm sharing a resource on security and safety that I think will be really valuable for schools and other types of facilities - an infographic that is available in both digital and printable formats.
WW: “Child Safety Door”
Jamie Lyn Callahan of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos, taken during a kids' birthday party at an indoor playground. This door makes for a great "teachable moment."
FF: Creating Images
With the advancements that have been made in digital media and AI, many of the images we see online and in print are created by artists, and can be good opportunities to teach about codes!
Last call for code training!
Mark Kuhn and I will be repeating our code update class from the DHI ConNextions conference with two webinars this week and next, hosted by DHI and free for DHI members!
We missed you!
If you weren't able to attend our code update class in Las Vegas, you have another opportunity to learn what's new, in the same engaging format that we used in the live presentation!
Code Update – Recent and Upcoming Model Code Changes
If you're heading to the DHI ConNextions conference in Las Vegas next week, Mark Kuhn and I are teaching a 2-hour code update on Wednesday, October 9th from 10 AM to noon!
WW: Clear Opening Height
Lee Frazier of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo taken in a health care facility, and I immediately thought, "Yes...this is a teachable moment."
Childhood Safety Act
A new state law has passed that will affect the safety of Ohio's schools, and could raise awareness of life safety requirements in other states as well. Read about it in today's post.
Decoded: Thresholds
I am working on a new series of Decoded posts, which will be compiled into a reference library addressing each of the code requirements related to door openings. What do you think?
Security and Safety of Door Openings: 7 Steps to Code Compliance
Building occupants' feelings of insecurity may lead to the use of security measures that can negatively impact safety. Following the guidelines in today's post will help to ensure a balance of safety and security.
QQ: Delayed Egress Signage
My Fixed-it Friday photos from last week raised a great "Quick Question"...Is braille signage required for doors that are equipped with delayed egress locks?
WW: Push to Lock!
Now that my kids are adults, they are sick and tired of my "teachable moments," but I can't let an opportunity pass! Today's post is another lesson in turn buttons...
Accessible Storeroom Function Lockset
A traditional storeroom function lockset may be difficult for some users to operate, and could be prohibited by local codes. Today's post explains the operation of a new accessible storeroom function.
Decoded: Accessibility Standards – Keys and Credentials
How do the accessibility standards affect the use of keys and electronic credentials? Find out in this month's Decoded column for Door Security + Safety Magazine.