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.
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.
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!
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?
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!
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!
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?
"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
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?
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!
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!
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.
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!
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?
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?
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!
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?
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!
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?
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...
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!
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?
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...
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.
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!
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.
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?
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)...
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?
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.
You know what this is a picture of? It's ME - teaching in person! I don't know about you, but I'm MORE THAN READY to get out and see people. I received my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine last week, and I'm feeling optimistic.
Coming up this week...our next Security in 30 session, an Allegion 101 class on LCN closers, and 4 Webinar Wednesday classes including one on clear width and maneuvering clearance. Which class(es) will you be attending?
It's almost swimming pool season! I have updated a past blog post about changes to doors serving pools, spas, and hot tubs to be published as my next Decoded column in Door Security + Safety Magazine.
Can a wave-to-open switch be used to actuate an automatic operator? Does the IBC allow any stairwell doors to be locked mechanically? What's new in codes for health care facilities? Find out in this week's classes!
How much do you know about the model code requirements for doors with delayed egress locks or controlled egress locks? Here's a short quiz to help you find out.
Following up on last week's post about the new requirement for auto operators in certain locations, today's quick question: What types of buildings fall into the use groups where automatic operators are required for public entrances?
The next series of Allegion 101 begins tomorrow, Webinar Wednesday continues with 4 classes available this week, and next week there's a live presentation on the ABCs of Access Control that offers AIA credit.
This is an important update to an earlier post about the code changes related to "occupied" indicators on privacy sets. The IBC change applies to family and assisted-use restrooms, but not to all single-user restrooms.
A few weeks ago I posted a recorded class on delayed egress and controlled egress locking systems. If you'd prefer to listen to that presentation live, I will be conducting the class for the American Society for Health Care Engineering on April 22nd.
Do you know...The minimum required clear opening width for a single door? How to measure the clear opening width for a pair? The formula for calculating the actual clear opening width of a doorway?
You may not spend a lot of time perusing the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), but the 2021 edition includes changes that help to clarify the requirements for the mounting height of operable hardware.
How much clear opening width is required for a door opening, and what are the required dimensions for maneuvering clearance? What are possible solutions when existing conditions don't comply with current requirements?
The lever handle in today's Wordless Wednesday photo posted by Richard Howard on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page is outside of the allowable mounting height range - by a long shot!
Today's Quick Question: Are doors serving toilet stalls required to be self-closing? Do you know where to find this information in the ADA Standards for Accessible Design and ICC A117.1?
I have written specs for several projects with SCIF doors, but I learned more about the federal specifications and design requirements while writing my next Decoded article for Door Security + Safety's military and government issue...
Even if e-learning is not your preferred training method, there is valuable information offered in online classes and they allow much greater access and convenience. Here's what's on the schedule for this week...
In 2020, iDigHardware readers visited the site more than half a million times and spent thousands of hours reading my posts and articles. These are the most popular posts of 2020...did you miss any?
It's a new year, and the online training opportunities continue! Here's what's available this week in both the Allegion 101 series and the Webinar Wednesday series. Feel free to share this information with others in your office.
There are plenty of issues with the restroom shown in today's Wordless Wednesday photo, so I'll just leave this right here and let y'all check it out while I sit here SMH. Thanks to Mark Kuhn of Allegion!
Although the rules on projections into the clear opening height are changing, giant Pilgrim cat heads are not one of the allowable projections. Happy Thanksgiving!
