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
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
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
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?
Decoded: Code Requirements for Classroom Security
Our last whiteboard animation video for this year will address the 2018 model code requirements for classroom security...
H.R.620 – ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017
In January of this year, a bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Ted Poe of Texas. On September 7th, the House Judiciary Committee voted to advance this bill - H.R. 620...
QQ: Door Pull Clearance
I answered this question a couple of years ago as part of a longer post, but people continue to ask so here goes... "How much clearance do the accessibility standards require behind a door pull?"
QQ: Push ‘N Go For Automatic Operators
In yesterday's post, I wrote about power-assist operators to clarify that these are not the same as low-energy automatic operators. This 2-part question arose from a misconception that "power-assist" is the same thing as "Push 'N Go."
QQ: What is a power-assist operator?
This is Part 1 of a 2-part question, so check tomorrow's post for Part 2. First, I'd like to clarify what defines a power-assist operator...
Decoded: Securing Parking Garages (September 2017)
Without proper planning, parking garages can present security and life-safety challenges. People who are authorized to use the parking area – or unauthorized people who are able to enter an open parking garage – may attempt to gain access to other floors of the building...
Stack Pressure (video)
Have you run into problems with the effects of building stack pressure on the operation of doors? Here's a new whiteboard animation video that explains the basics of stack pressure...
New Code Changes for Classroom Doors
Now that the NFPA 101 vote has passed, the 2018 model codes will be pretty consistent with regard to classroom security. I pulled together information from the IBC, IFC, and NFPA 101 for this article...
Dynamic Accessibility Symbol
The driving force behind this change is the Accessible Icon Project, which began in Boston and has gone global, leading some US cities and states to mandate use of the new symbol...
Decoded: Accessibility Requirements for Door Openings (video)
Here it is! The next whiteboard animation video we created to introduce (or refresh) the basics of opening accessibility...
Training Alert: Codes & Door Hardware for Accessible Openings
On Thursday, March 30th, there will be two opportunities to earn AIA continuing education credits and learn about an important code-related topic...
QQ: Accessible Mounting Height
Most of you know that operable hardware must be mounted between 34 inches and 48 inches AFF, but does the ENTIRE piece of hardware have to be mounted within that area?
Decoded: Recent and Upcoming Changes to the Model Codes (April 2017)
When I started increasing my focus on the code requirements that affect our industry, I looked forward to receiving the new editions of the model codes and standards, so I could page through them and find out what was new...
DHI – Safely Securing the Built Environment through Building, Fire, and Life Safety Codes (video)
This is a good introductory video from the Door & Hardware Institute on how codes impact our industry. For additional training on codes...
QQ: Do the accessibility standards require automatic operators?
Are automatic operators required by the ADA Standards and ICC A117.1 - the predominate accessibility standards used in the US?
Decoded: Requirements for Door-Related Signage
Here's my next Decoded article...I had to do some research on this topic since it's not one that I typically address, so let me know if I missed anything!
Holiday Door Decorating
Now, before you call me Scroogette, I do love doors and holiday decorating, and I can understand the appeal. BUT, there are a few rules to keep in mind...
Accessibility Requirements for Door Openings
Imagine you had to tell someone all about the accessibility requirements in 800 words...what did I miss?
WWYD? Arched Door – Auto Operator
The proposed solution for an auto operator on an arched door is shown below the photo, but I'm wondering if there are more aesthetically-pleasing options. WWYD?
School/College Planning & Management
What should a school consider before purchasing classroom barricade devices, also known as temporary door locking devices?
NFPA – Fire Safety for People with Disabilities
Last week I received questions from two different facility managers about egress requirements the evacuation of people with disabilities. More than 43 million Americans have a disability...
Signage for Low Energy Automatic Doors
Deputy Jeff Tock of Allegion sent me this photo, showing some confusing signage on an automatic door (push to operate an outswinging door?) - which reminded me that it's been years since I've written about the signage requirements for low-energy automatic doors...
FF: ADA Upgrade
I received these photos from Don Funsch of Commercial Mill & Builders Supply. The interesting thing about these photos is not that the mailbox has been placed in front of the door, because this door isn't a required means of egress. What makes them worthy...
Decoded: Balconies, Terraces, and Courtyards (October 2016)
Many of today’s architectural designs incorporate outdoor spaces such as balconies, terraces, and courtyards, allowing building occupants access to natural light and fresh air. How do the model codes handle these areas?
Construction Specifier: Battling the Barricade
In the wake of any tragedy, society struggles collectively to process the loss. For some it is the loss of friends and loved ones, but for most it is our feelings of safety and trust in the overall goodness of our fellow man that are diminished or seemingly lost entirely. In their place, we are filled with an overwhelming desire to do something...
BUILDINGS BUZZ – Voices from the Industry
I currently have an article on BUILDINGS BUZZ…the blog for BUILDINGS, a magazine for commercial building owners and facilities management professionals. The article covers some of the code changes...
Guide to the ADA Standards – Chapter 5
The United States Access Board has been slowly but surely building an online guide to the ADA. Chapter 5 - General Site and Building Elements, is now available...
New CMS Final Fire Safety Regulations – Ober|Kaler Health Law Group
This article about the updated CMS fire safety regulations crossed my desk over the weekend, and it contains a lot of information about how these changes will affect health care facilities...
FF: Conference Center
In addition to yesterday's applied panels, which qualified as Fixed-it Friday photos, here are a few more applications from the conference center where I'm spending one more night. If you're in Orlando and saw any Fixed-it Friday doors during your stay, send them along!
New Ohio school barricade rules concern disability group
If a school decides to buy all new doorknobs for their school, and only buy a lever handle for the one classroom with a teacher who has a disability, in my opinion that would not meet the intent of the ADA. What makes it ok to do the same thing with classroom barricade devices?
Keys and the ADA
Several people have asked me recently what the Americans with Disabilities Act says about keys. Although the ADA standards address operable parts of locks - like thumbturns, keypads, turn-buttons, and of course, knobs and levers, keys are not covered by the ADA...
WWYD? Toggle Buttons
This lock function is one of several applications that may meet the technical requirements of the accessibility standards, but in reality are difficult to operate by people with certain types of disabilities. Have any of you had experience with AHJs allowing or not allowing this function?