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.
Decoded: Vision Lights and Viewers
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?
Decoded: Door and Gate Closing Speed
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?
If it were easy, they’d call it EASYware!
The funny thing about writing a hardware specification is - EVERYONE has their own way of specifying hardware for a door opening. The even crazier thing is - most of those ways are CORRECT!
FF: There were signs.
It's hard to believe, but my third (and final) child is graduating from high school today - WOOHOO! I'll be playing hookey to enjoy the festivities, but first, here's today's Fixed-it Friday post.
PSA: Accessibility Terminology
Not much to see here, right? What caught my eye was the signage on the bottom of the glazing, directing people to the "handicapped accessible entrance" around the corner.
ADA Webinar: Doors and Gates
Last week, the U.S. Access Board conducted a webinar on the accessibility requirements related to doors and gates, and the recording is now available. The link is in today's post.
QQ/WWYD? Self-Closing Doors on Individual Restrooms
I'm finally writing this post so I can find the answer quickly next time...today's Quick Question is this: Are doors serving single occupancy restrooms required to be self-closing?
BHMA: IBC Changes 2012 to 2024
A reader recently asked me where to find the BHMA comparison of the IBC requirements from 2012 to 2024. The document has been revised, and the new links are in today's post!
QQ: Electrified Locks and Accessibility
An interesting Quick Question showed up last week: Do the accessibility standards mandate an extended amount of unlock time for electronic locks, to accommodate people with disabilities?
QQ: Hardware Finish and Accessibility
This Quick Question hit my inbox last week, regarding the matte black finish: Do the accessibility standards include requirements related to the finish (color) of door hardware?
Decoded: Classroom Barricade Devices
This month’s Decoded question is a common one related to classroom doors in educational facilities: Are classroom barricade devices allowed by the model codes and accessibility standards?
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!
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.
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)?
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
Egress Through Automatic Sliding Doors
Although there is a section in the I-Codes dedicated to automatic doors, this section does not address the hardware used for security and egress. Locks for automatic sliding doors are covered in other sections of the model codes.
DHI conNextions 2023
I will be teaching two classes during the DHI conNextions conference next month in Boston, and I hope to see a lot of familiar faces there! The classes are both code updates, but the focus is slightly different. Which one will you register for?
WW: Another Split Opening
Last week I posted a Fixed-it Friday photo of a 50/50 split opening that I saw in Valle de Bravo, and in response, Leo Lebovits of M&D Door & Hardware sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo. I can see the resemblance!
FAQs About Accessible Door Openings
The accessibility requirements related to doors and hardware are too complex to address in one post, but here are a few of the most frequently asked questions, with links to additional information.
Accessibility Standards…not just words on a page
In the United States, we tend to take code compliance for granted when it comes to door openings. I can say from experience that this is not necessarily the norm around the world, particularly with regard to accessibility.
Accessibility Requirements for Operable Hardware and Door Control Devices
In this article for Door Security + Safety, I have used information from various sources to support interpretations of the intent of the accessibility standards. If you have anything to add, leave a comment asap!