Update: Projections Into the Clear Opening Height
What do you think about this change that has been approved for the 2021 International Building Code? Does it clear things up nicely, or does it cause concerns regarding accessibility?
Training Opportunity (with AIA and DHI credit)!!
If you're anywhere near Cleveland, Ohio, I just found out about a great opportunity on Thursday, November 7th for you to attend our Code Update Roundtable!
Latch-Side Clearance
Remember the photo I posted Tuesday - of the exit door from the fast-food restaurant? If you've been wondering what the other code issue was, here's the answer.
Decoded: Thresholds and Changes in Level (November 2019)
My next Decoded column addresses the accessibility requirements for thresholds and changes in level at doorways. If there is anything I should add, let me know before it goes to print!
Two Schools of Thought
Wilson County Schools: “We don’t use barricaded door hardware,” Wilson County Director of Safety Steve Spencer said. “The reason is...
FF: Italy Finale
Yesterday I posted a Fixed-it Friday photo even though it was Thursday, but don't worry! I saved up some FF photos during my trip to Italy, and I'm sharing them all today!
Top 10 – Flush Bottom Rail
If you're wondering whether you need to read this article, ask yourself this question: Are the doors in the photo compliant with the flush bottom rail requirement?
Allegion Code Reference Guide
The day has finally arrived. The updated Allegion Code Reference Guide is ready - 40 pages of code information that you can download for free!
QQ: Vision Lights in Automatic Doors
Does the vision light height requirement apply to automatic doors as well as manually-operated doors?
Colorado State Capitol Building – Denver
Have you visited your state capitol building to check out the doors and hardware? I'm adding locations to my bucket list!
Decoded: Locks Used Only for Security Purposes (July 2019)
The IBC exempts locks used only for security purposes from the mounting height requirement. The accessibility standards exempt locks operated only by security personnel. What's the difference?
Barricade Devices – Three Perspectives
These 3 perspectives showed up in my Google Alerts today - a school district using barricade devices, a man working in a school who wanted to use barricading when he committed a shooting, and the legal perspective. Powerful.
Decoded: Why Barricade Devices? (May 2019)
Why would a school district consider using unregulated security devices, given the associated risk and liability? The answer may surprise you.
Alert: Clear Opening Height Conflict
When you have a project with 6'-8" doors, it's important to think about the clear opening height and the hardware that projects down from the frame head.
Decoded: Signage for Automatic Doors (April 2019)
My next article for Door Security + Safety Magazine addresses the signage required for automatic doors. It will appear in the April edition.
WW: Wordless
I have spent two days trying to figure out what to write in this post. I'm still thinking.
QQ: Extended Latch Guards
A follow-up to an earlier post...Can extended latch guards be installed to bring doors with surface vertical rods into compliance with the accessibility standards?
Errata to ICC A117.1-2017
Before you get excited about the maneuvering clearance change in the 2017 edition of A117.1, check the errata document. Or maybe I'm the only one who gets excited about that stuff...
Fire Marshal Guidance for Unplanned Fire Alarms
Remember when a fire alarm during the school day meant exiting immediately in an orderly fashion and enjoying a few minutes away from our desks? Times are changing.
Which code, when, and where?
When you're interpreting the code requirements for a particular building, how do you know which code or standard to reference?
WW: Happy Halloween!
It's that time of year again...when teachers get creative and their classroom doors become the canvas. Don't forget the rules of holiday door decorating!
WW: I’m at a loss for words…
I'd love to hear your thoughts on today's Wordless Wednesday photo. This is in direct conflict with everything I learned about life safety in hardware school.
Classroom Security – 4 Questions
It has been 74 days since I have written about classroom barricade devices. This refresher is posted by request, and in honor of Safe Schools Week.
FF: Put a cork in it.
The accessibility standards require sliding door hardware to be "exposed and usable from both sides" when the door is open. Here's a creative solution...
Decoded: Code Requirements for Hotels and other Residential Occupancies (November 2018)
Code issues are not uncommon in hotels, apartment buildings, and other residential occupancies. My next Decoded article addresses some things to look for.
QQ: Turn-Buttons vs. Push-Buttons
Are turn-buttons on cylindrical locks compliant with the accessibility standards? The answer to this question is really up to the AHJ, but here are a few things to consider...
WWYD? Auto Operator App
I recently came across an app that literally "opens doors" for people who have disabilities that make it difficult or impossible to initiate an automatic door by pushing an actuator.
WWYD? Tripping Hazard
Last week an architect asked whether there is guidance in the codes or standards regarding the mounting location/maximum height for floor-mounted door stops, to ensure that the stop is not a tripping hazard. WWYD?
FF: Pool Access
I'm curious about what age children are prevented access by the 54-inch mounting height, and whether that jives with the age of children who can read the sign and enter the code.
School Superintendents Association Shares Information on Barricade Devices
The School Superintendents Association (AASA) is sharing safety concerns about classroom barricade devices with their 13,000+ members. Visit iDigHardware to get a copy of the document that is being distributed.
FF: Don’t let the door hit ya…
While this may seem like a great idea at first glance - a wireless actuator mounted on the door to open the door automatically - this does not meet the recommended guidelines for actuator location.
WW: Safety vs. Security
I'm confused about this conflict between newly-adopted code requirements and what the media is reporting. Can anyone share some insight?
QQ: Dwelling Unit Doors
On a multi-family building, are the dwelling unit doors required to have a 10-inch bottom rail?
Decoded: Accessibility – Training Opportunity (with AIA credits!)
This live version of Decoded Class 1 - Introduction to Codes & Accessibility offers AIA continuing education credits!
WW: Old Fire Hose
As a last resort, I support using whatever is on hand to secure/barricade the door. But if we have time to look at the school's current situation and plan the response - is this REALLY the best we can do?
Decoded: Upcoming Accessibility Changes (June 2018)
In 2017, the International Code Council (ICC) published a new edition of ICC A117.1; the previous edition was published in 2009. The 2017 edition includes some changes relative to door openings...
Short-Term Rentals
So let's say that I'm thinking about renting out my college-bound daughter's bedroom on Airbnb to help offset the cost of her books and fees. Does her bedroom door need to be a fire door? Is my house now a small hotel?
Classroom Security Considerations (May 2018)
I'm hoping this piece sums up the concerns associated with classroom barricade devices and can be used as reference material when discussing options for school security.
Decoded: Manually-Operated Sliding Doors (April 2018)
Manual sliders are not always allowed in a means of egress, since the model codes require side-hinged or pivoted swinging doors for most locations. The International Building Code (IBC) currently contains 9 exceptions where swinging doors are not required.
Restroom Kits for Automatic Operators
Questions continue to arise regarding how to properly specify/supply hardware for a single restroom door with an automatic operator. The challenge is that the outside actuator (push button) for the automatic operator has to be interfaced with the locking system; otherwise, the actuator could open the door even when the restroom is occupied.
Decoded: Code Requirements for Classroom Security (video)
Our newest whiteboard animation video addresses the important topic of classroom security.
Accessibility Overlap
Does this proposed security closet create an accessibility problem?
WW: Lockdown Lowdown
Since it's Wordless Wednesday, here is a photo that Jim Phillips of SBS Associates sent me from a school walk-through. Luckily the school's security precautions kept these intruders out.
WW: Wisconsin Teen’s Door-Locking Device Offers Extra Safety In Active Shooter Situations
When this story was posted on Facebook yesterday, several people attempted to address the code issues associated with the teenager's invention. A commenter posted a link to one of my articles, and another commenter called my article "a fallacy"!
Number of Operations for ACCESS
A few weeks ago I received a question about whether there is a limit on the number of operations required for access to a dwelling unit, in order to meet the accessibility standards.
Access Board Video on Maneuvering Clearance
I found this video while I was creating the class on maneuvering clearances, and I think it does a great job of explaining the maneuvering clearance requirements of the ADA, and a few other basic accessibility requirements pertaining to doors...
Decoded: Locations for Vision Lights and Viewers (January 2018)
A vision light is not required in each door opening on an accessible route, but if vision lights are provided for viewing purposes in doors or sidelights, the bottom of at least one of these lights must be located no more than 43 inches above the floor...
WWYD? IBC Changes
This is our big chance to propose some changes to the IBC, to help make it easier to interpret, and to address new developments in products or technologies, or new safety issues that have arisen...
IBC Accessibility Exceptions
The IBC includes 14 exemptions for areas that are not required to comply with the accessibility standards. Do you know which locations are exempt?
QQ: Are doorknobs acceptable in a hospital?
For most types of buildings, lever-handle locksets are standard equipment, but some existing buildings may be equipped with knobs. Are knobs acceptable by code in existing health care facilities?