See you soon(ish)??
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.
Take your pick! They’re free!!
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?
Decoded: Door & Gate Hardware for Swimming Pools
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.
Coming up this week…
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!
Take the quiz…
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.
QQ: Use Groups Requiring Auto Operators
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?
So much to learn!
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.
Update: WWYD? Single-User Restrooms
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.
ASHE Webinar – Open to All
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.
Critical Requirements for Clear Width and Maneuvering Clearances
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?
Code Update: Pool Doors and Gates
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.
Online Training: Clear Width & Maneuvering Clearance (and more!)
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?
WW: How high is too high?
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!
QQ: Self-Closing Toilet Stall Doors
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?
Decoded: SCIF Security and Egress Requirements (March 2021)
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...
e-Learning This Week
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...
2020 Top 20
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?
New Year, New Opportunities
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.
WW: What in the World?
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!
WW: Thankful
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!
QQ: Patch Fittings
Yesterday's post about bottom rails on all-glass doors raised a Quick Question: Do glass doors with patch fittings meet the requirements for a flush bottom rail?
WWYD? Flush Bottom Rail
Last week, an AHJ asked me if I knew of a source for plates or other products that could be used to increase the height of the bottom rail of a door. WWYD?
WWYD? Full Height Pulls
Even after 20 years, the requirements for projections into the clear opening width continue to raise questions. I'd love to have your insight on this. WWYD?
Looking Forward & Looking Back
I'm participating in three sessions at next week's virtual DHI conNextions conference...I hope to "see" you there!
WW: Exit with panic hardware and barricade devices
Do you see any problems with today's Wordless Wednesday photo? While this might seem like an easy way to secure these doors, I have some concerns.
WWYD? Multiple Changes in Level
I've recently had several people ask how multiple changes in level within a door opening are considered by the accessibility standards. WWYD?
Decoded: Opening Force vs. Operable Force
Ten years ago I wrote my very first Decoded article, and the column has run continuously since December of 2010. Who knew I'd have so much to write about??
Code Update: Opening Force vs. Operable Force
The 2021 editions of the model codes have been modified, separating the limitations on the force used to open the door from the force used to operate the hardware.
Upcoming Training / Code Update
I'm finishing up my presentation for the DHI conNextions conference - covering the changes to the 2021 model codes, and I need your help!!
PSA: “Please don’t kick automatic door buttons.”
I'll bet this is happening even more often now, due to concerns about the transmission of germs. Yet another reason to go to touchless actuators.
QQ: Does NFPA 80 “trump” the ADA?
Today's Quick Question: Do the requirements of NFPA 80 "trump" the ADA requirements? Is fire protection more important than accessibility?
30 Years of the ADA – Part 2
Last week I posted about the 30th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), and I realized how many people were unaware of the history of the law.
The ADA Turns 30!
It must have been around 30 years ago when my boss sent me to a seminar held at a local hotel - the topic was a new federal law called the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Last Call!
There are SO MANY great opportunities to learn something new this week! Please share this list with any of your colleagues who might be interested!
Touchless Openings (and more!)
Many facility managers are exploring ways to reduce the transmission of germs in their buildings, but don't forget about the code requirements!
Codes to Know: Automatic Doors
With the current focus on how to limit the spread of germs, many facility managers are considering the addition of automatic operators so doors can be operated "hands-free."
FF: ADA Turn
Today's Fixed-it Friday photo shows someone's attempt at solving the problem of a non-ADA-compliant thumbturn in a veterans' home. Fortunately, the locks have since been replaced.
Decoded: International Energy Conservation Code Requirements for Vestibule Doors (June 2020)
My next Decoded column for Door Security + Safety magazine addresses the requirements for vestibules mandated by the IECC.
Updated: Hands-Free Door Pulls
Someone asked me last week whether a door pull operated by the user's foot would be considered accessible. The answer seems obvious, right? Read on...
WWYD? Standard Mounting Height
Several people have asked me lately about the standard mounting height for two products - deadbolts and hospital latches. WWYD?
21 News Investigates: School Barricades
Remember when Ohio's state codes were changed in order to allow classroom barricade devices? Almost 5 years later, questions are being raised about safety.
Accessibility (+ Other Topics?)
I created a new page on the Topics menu which addresses the accessibility requirements for operable hardware, and that got me thinking...are there other common issues that should have their own pages?
WWYD? Round Vision Light
Should the mounting location for a round light be at 43 inches above the floor? Or lower to allow more viewing area? WWYD?
QQ: Traffic / Impact Doors
Today's Quick Question: Are the vision lights in double-acting traffic doors / impact doors required to comply with the accessibility standards?
WWYD? Temporary Vestibules
Are the doors on these temporary vestibules required to meet the requirements of the codes and standards? If not, why not? And if yes...why are most of them non-compliant?
Decoded: Barricade Devices and the ADA (March 2020)
My next Decoded article explains why it is important for the ADA and all adopted codes and standards to be considered when choosing security products. Let me know if I missed anything!
Schlage L9000 Thumbturn Change
This news makes me really happy - there's a new standard thumb turn for the Schlage L9000 mortise lock! Don't worry - the "old" standard thumb turn and the EZ Turn are still available.
FF: Auto-Operator Actuators
There's no point in installing an automatic operator if the user can not reach the actuator. Do you know where to find the mounting recommendations for knowing-act switches?
Decoded: Projections into the Clear Opening Height of Doors
Kicking off the 10th year of my Decoded column in Door Security + Safety Magazine...time flies!
WWYD? All-Glass Sliders
Originally, these doors did not need to lock, but that has changed, and the architect is looking for a way to add code-compliant locks to the doors which have already been installed. WWYD?