WW: 3-Point Locks + Delay
As we continue to celebrate the 3,000-post milestone, I don't know what to say about today's Wordless Wednesday photo sent by Bruce Gill of North Central Supply. SMH
FAQs About Low-Energy Automatic Operators
Low energy automatic operators are the type of automatic door operators that are typically actuated by a “knowing act.” There are several questions about these operators that come up frequently...
June Training
There is a new Security in 30 session coming up on June 17th, along with Webinar Wednesday on the 29th. Which of these educational presentations are you planning to attend?
QQ: Circulation Paths
Yesterday's post about protruding objects raised a related Quick Question: The IBC section addressing limitations on protruding objects references projections into "circulation paths." What is a circulation path?
Protruding Objects – Illustrated
I know that many of iDigHardware's readers are ultra-focused on door openings (me too!), but every so often I see a non-door application illustrating a code requirement that could also apply to doors and hardware.
WWYD? Symbols of Accessibility
Every so often I ask the readers of iDigHardware to weigh in on what you are seeing in your state or local jurisdiction. Today I need your help on the topic of accessibility symbols - please share your insight in the comments.
Decoded: The Impact of Codes on Traffic Doors
Today's post is my next Decoded column for Door Security + Safety Magazine. I pulled together my past posts related to traffic/impact doors to create a comprehensive article to use as a reference.
FF: How high is too high?
I guarantee that thousands of people have walked by the doors in today's Fixed-it Friday photos without thinking twice about them. But a retired fire marshal took note of the panic hardware location and sent me the photos.
FF: No Clearance
I was going to post this photo from a retired fire marshal for Wordless Wednesday, but then I noticed the "fix" from when they electrified the panic hardware. Fixed-it Friday seems more appropriate.
Two Schools of Thought: Michigan / New York
When the media publicizes the use of non-code-compliant security in a particular school district or jurisdiction, it's easy to jump to the conclusion that this must be a good idea. It's not.
Update: Michigan HB5701
I recently wrote about a bill in Michigan's state legislature that would expand the use of classroom barricade devices in the state. That bill has been signed into law, allowing barricade devices to be used on doors serving assembly spaces.
QQ: Impact Doors and the ADA
Last week I posted some photos sent to me by a retired fire marshal, and one of them reminded me of a Quick Question that I've received several times lately: Do impact doors have to comply with the accessibility standards?
Updated: Decoded Course
My Decoded course has been taken thousands of times on-demand, along with countless attendees who have participated in live Decoded classes taught by my Allegion coworkers. I just updated all 4 classes and they're ready to go!
Balancing Life Safety and Security in Educational Occupancies
This article - about balancing life safety with school security - is the cover story for the Spring 2022 issue of Life Safety Digest. Feel free to share it with school administrators or others who may need it!
School Security: Know Better, Do Better
I have to admit...I was very disappointed when a document from the U.S. government referenced security methods that could conflict with the adopted codes. But there's a new (and improved!) edition of the K-12 School Security Guide!
New Class: A Crash Course in Codes!
I was recently asked to create a class for locksmiths, installers, or others who are looking for a crash course on the most frequently-asked code questions related to door openings. And here it is! Share it with all who could benefit from this training!
Decoded: US General Services Administration (GSA) Facilities Standards
I worked on several GSA projects back when I was writing hardware specifications, and I don't remember ever seeing the facilities standards that have been published by the GSA, addressing certain types of federal projects. Here are the highlights...
School Security & Safety in 2022
I hope 2022 will be the year that the experts are heard and their advice followed, with decision-makers choosing proven security products rather than untested methods that don't comply with the codes established over 100+ years.
Holiday Countdown…2!
My kids are getting excited to see what Santa has left under the tree, even though they are now 20, 17, and 15. This photo was taken with Santa at Pasek Corp., way back in 2011. I sure do miss my old pal. :(
Holiday Countdown…3!
Next up in the countdown...it's Wordless Wednesday! I know that many of you LOVE the Wordless Wednesday posts, which I have been publishing weekly since January 25th, 2011. Time flies when you're having fun!
Holiday Countdown…4!
This week I'm counting down the days until my holiday break - yesterday I wrote about the ACE Network, which is a fantastic resource! Today I want to make sure you all know where to find my Decoded articles, which address specific code-related topics in detail.
Holiday Countdown…5!
It's that time of year again, when I finish up my last big projects (like my new class: Crash Course in Codes!), look back on what I accomplished, and get ready to start fresh after the holidays.
2021 Code Changes on DoorTalk – Part 1
I recently posted an episode of DoorTalk, where Austin Watson of Warren Doors & Access Control and I were talking about how iDigHardware came about. We also recorded a couple of episodes about changes to the 2021 model codes. Here's Part 1!
QQ: Tactile Warning
I have one last photo from my time in New Orleans, that relates to today's Quick Question: When are tactile warnings required for the hardware on rooms housing hazardous equipment, like electrical rooms?
Coming Up! AIA Continuing Ed Webinar
This is a quiet week for training because of the holiday, but there is a very informative webinar coming up next week, presented by Melany Whalin and Connie Alexander of Allegion. The webinar offers continuing education credit for AIA, and registration is open!
FF: Flush Bottom Rail
Joe Cross of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos, which are a great reminder about one of the accessibility requirements related to doors. I'll bet nobody involved with this "fix" forgets about this requirement any time soon!
WWYD? ESE Classroom
One common difficulty regarding ESE classrooms and classrooms for very young children, is the possibility that a student will leave the classroom through an exterior door and end up in a dangerous situation. WWYD?
Never Stop Learning!
"The key to pursuing excellence is to embrace an organic, long-term learning process, and not to live in a shell of static, safe mediocrity. Usually, growth comes at the expense of previous comfort or safety." ~ Josh Waitzkin
Knowing Act Operation
In yesterday's post I shared some photos and videos of the entrance door of a hotel, where we had been having our BHMA meeting. The doors were equipped with automatic operators, but were they code-compliant?
Let’s Play: 1 vs. 100!
If you will be at the DHI conNextions conference in New Orleans, I hope to see you in my class on Thursday, October 21st! And if you are a local architect/architectural specwriter or code official, you can attend my class for free!
What’s there to know about auto operators?
Automatic operators can be complicated, and it's important to understand the code requirements to help ensure the safety of people using the doors. But not to worry! We have an auto operator class as part of this week's Webinar Wednesday line-up!
Decoded: Automatic Operators on Accessible Public Entrances
I have combined several posts on this important code change into one complete article - let me know if there are any other FAQs I should add. This article addresses where automatic operators will be required by the 2021 IBC.
Security in 30: Is your opening as secure as you think?
From basic hardware to the intricacies of Schlage SUS for AD locks, security pain points and potential vulnerabilities, clear width and maneuvering clearance, auto operator setup and troubleshooting...you have plenty of opportunities to learn this week!
FF: Special Template?
I'm still scratching my head over today's Fixed-it Friday photos. Something doesn't seem right here, but at the same time, the installer went to great lengths to get this operator installed on the door. Is there a special template that I don't know about?
LCN COMPACT Automatic Operator
Cost and complexity can be barriers to the installation of a traditional automatic operator, but LCN has created a solution that allows an auto operator to be added to an existing 4040XP door closer. Have you seen the new LCN Compact Automatic Operator?
Last Call for the 2021 Model Code Update!
My webinar addressing the changes to the 2021 model codes is this Thursday, August 26th! If you need to know what's new (don't we all?), join me at 11am or 2pm Eastern. And we have other great classes this week to choose from!
Coming Soon: Automatic Operators on Accessible Public Entrances
Because of a change to the 2021 International Building Code, we will soon see an increase in the number of automatic doors required for some types of buildings. Are you prepared?
Download the 2021 Allegion Code Reference Guide today!
The new version of the guide is available for download now - just visit iDigHardware.com/guide. Feel free to share this link with your coworkers and others who may benefit from using the Allegion Code Reference Guide!
What’s new? I’m going to tell you!
On Thursday, August 26th, I will be hosting a webinar covering some of the important changes to the 2021 editions of the International Building Code (IBC) and NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code. Are you up to speed on what's new?
Gates in a Means of Egress
I receive a lot of questions about gates - I'm sure it's because it can be very tough to secure a gate while also complying with the requirements of the model codes and referenced standards. Here are some answers...
Upcoming Webinar: 2021 Model Code Update!
On Thursday, August 26th, I will be presenting a webinar covering the 2021 updates to the International Building Code (IBC) and NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code. The webinar qualifies for AIA and DHI continuing education units. I hope to see you there!
QQ: Clear Floor Space for Access Control Readers
Today's Quick Question may seem ultra-specific, but the answer highlights a couple of important resources: Are there limitations in the accessibility standards regarding the location of a card reader in relation to the door it is controlling?
What’s on tap for this week?
I can't believe how quickly time is flying by! 2021 is more than half over and so is summer. In two weeks I have a kid heading back to college and I'll finish my 54th year around the sun. And there's more...
Choose Your Path
There are so many options for online training this week! Whether you're an architect, end user, distributor, locksmith, installer or security integrator, new to the industry or with years of experience, there's something for you to learn.
Virtual Vacation Week
This is one of my favorite work weeks of the year, when lots of people are on vacation, and I can catch up on a few things. I'm currently updating my ShortCodes classes - I'll let you know when they're ready!
FF: Vertical Actuation Bar
I know that many iDigHardware readers love Fixed-it Friday, but I especially love when I can use Fixed-it Friday to ask for help (there were so many helpful comments last week!). I have another question this week that I hope you will weigh in on.
QQ: ADA Requirements vs. State Accessibility Standards
When the ADA standards are more restrictive than an accessibility standard adopted by a state or local jurisdiction, do the more stringent requirements of the ADA standards apply?
Onward and Upward!
When I wrote the title of today's post, I wondered where the term "onward and upward" came from. I found that the original source was from a poem called "The Present Crisis" by James Russell Lowell (1819-1891)...
QQ: Automatic Door Bottoms
Today's Quick Question is one that I had thought about before but this time I finally access the US Access Board: Is a surface-mounted automatic door bottom compliant with the accessibility standards?
Residential Dwelling Units and Sleeping Units
Have you ever been SO SURE about something that when you search unsuccessfully for confirmation you start to question what else you might have missed? This one took me by surprise.