Code Implications for Mechanical Hardware
Locksmiths are often called upon to increase security at an existing door or replace hardware that is damaged or defective. There are several code-related issues to note before getting started...
Flush Bottom Rail Alternative
I saw this application the other day, while I was taking photos for an upcoming article in Construction Specifier. The article covers several accessibility topics, including the requirement for a 10-inch smooth surface at the bottom of the push side of manual doors...
Ramp It Up
As I stood outside the warehouse I noticed that everyone who went in or out of the exit (which was not the main entrance), had something to say about the "ramp." This exit would clearly not be considered accessible, but it was even difficult for able-bodied visitors to use...
Slip-Resistance
Last week I read a blog post called, "Excuse me, but your slip is showing," from Constructive Thoughts, the blog of Sheldon Wolfe. I'm a sucker for a well-researched article on a code-related topic, so I sent Sheldon an email asking if I could reference his post here. Sheldon told me to have at it, but also said that it wasn't very satisfying for him to write this type of article - where you research every angle and end up without a useful conclusion.
Guide to the ADA Standards – Chapters 1-3
Keys are a tough topic to address, because the accessibility standards mandate operable hardware which does not require tight grasping, tight pinching, or twisting of the wrist to operate. Keys obviously require tight grasping, tight pinching, and twisting of the wrist...
Decoded: Operable Force for Door Hardware (Updated December 2017)
The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, effective in March of 2012, included an unexpected change regarding the maximum allowable force to operate door hardware...
Let’s Talk it Over
I don't know about you, but I used to feel like code officials were mysterious beings...sometimes they seemed a bit unpredictable. I think a big part of this is because the sections of the codes that we deal with on a daily basis are difficult to decipher if you are not intimately familiar with doors and hardware.
WWYD: Accessible Access Control Credentials
I really enjoyed reading everyone's input on my post about emergency exit seals, and since I'm currently in a 3-day class for the NFPA Certified Fire Plan Examiner program and don't have a lot of time for blogging, here's another question for which I have no concrete answer but would love your insight...
Decoded: Clear Opening Width and Height
The original version of this post was printed in the February 2014 issue of Doors & Hardware
BUILDINGS BUZZ – Voices from the Industry
I always enjoy having a chance to work with facility managers to make sure they're up to date on what's new in my world - whether it's a new product or a recent code change. I often answer specific questions and help with product applications one-on-one, but I really appreciate the opportunity to connect with them en masse.
Happy Holidays!
And if you decide to decorate your door this holiday season, make sure you don't create a problem with egress, fire-resistance, or accessibility!
WWYD? Museum Gates
I'm looking for some ideas to help a designer with the gates in the sketches below. Here’s the scenario:
Codes are a Minimum
When we apply the building codes and accessibility standards, it's important to remember that codes establish the minimum acceptable level of safety / accessibility. The video below is a candid illustration of a door that is code-compliant, but still doesn't provide access for all (if you have trouble with the embedded video, click here to go to the article and video on KOIN.com).
WW: Accessible Knob?
I'm sorry it's been a quiet week on iDigHardware so far, but I'm teaching a class for our amazing specwriter apprentices! We're working on electrified hardware this week, and I'm so impressed with what they've learned so far. I will need your help with something tomorrow, so please check back and cast your vote.
Changes to A156.19 – 2013
A couple of months ago I wrote an article for Doors & Hardware, which appears in the September issue. As always, I triple-checked my sources, and confirmed that 2007 was the most current edition of A156.19 - American National Standard For Power Assist and Low Energy Power Operated Doors. Well, today a notification regarding the brand new 2013 edition showed up in my inbox! Luckily, there are not a lot of changes that would impact the article.
Decoded: Actuators for Low Energy Operators
This post was printed in the September 2013 issue of Doors & Hardware
Decoded: Tactile Warning
This post was printed in the June 2013 issue of Doors & Hardware
Beautiful Doors of Denver
I'm in Denver for the AIA conference, and this afternoon I played a rousing game of Code Jeopardy with the Denver Chapter of DHI. If you're at the AIA conference this week, stop at our booth (#530) to play a short version of Code Jeopardy and your name will be entered to win an iPad Mini! You can enter whether you get the questions right or not, and you'll probably learn something about a new code requirement in the process.
Online Code Resources
I've compiled some of the code resources I currently use, in hopes that some of them might be helpful to you. If there are other websites that you visit for code information, please leave a comment and I'll add them to the list.
Reader Photos – Closer Edition
I have A LOT of photos that have been sent in by readers of this blog - THANK YOU! Here is the first batch, which all feature closers in various states of problematic.
WW: Public Safety Building
Vincent Chestnut of Alpha Locksmith spotted this problem on a visit to a local public safety building. Not only does the door require two motions to unlatch, the thumbturn on the combination lock doesn't look like it would be considered accessible.
Operational Force for Hardware
The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, effective in March of 2012, included an unexpected change regarding the maximum allowable force to operate door hardware. This modification to the standards was made as an "editorial change," which is typically used to address errors or make clarifications that do not affect the scope or application of the code requirements. Editorial changes do not go through the normal code development process including committee hearings and opportunities for public comment.
Code-Compliant Doors: What to Look For
This article was published in the February 2013 issue of the Locksmith Ledger:
Q&A: Mounting Height for Glass Lites
Question: Is there a requirement for the location of a glass lite in a door or sidelite?
Recessed Doors
This used to be a very common application but I haven't seen it much lately. Do you know what the potential issue is?
Decoded: Mounting Heights for Door Hardware
This post was printed in the July 2012 issue of Doors & Hardware
Decoded: Opening Force and Closing Speed
This post was printed in the May 2012 issue of Doors & Hardware
ICC Code Hearings, Dallas
I realize that not everybody is as excited about new code developments as I am, but some of you might want to take a look or a listen...the code development hearings for the IBC/IFC are going on right now, and discussion on the Means of Egress proposals will be starting soon. The webcast is very clear and you can get a sense of what it's like to be at the hearings, if you're so inclined. :-)
Decoded: Flush Bottom Rails
This post was printed in the April 2012 issue of Doors & Hardware
Reader Photos
I have spent this entire week at our corporate office, so I haven't had a lot of time for posting. In return for your patience, next week I will post the third and final article from Lewis C. Norton's "How I Discovered Door Checks." That seems fair, right?
WW: Hospital Applications
These photos were sent in by Nolan Thrope of Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies. He said they had the velcro version of wander-prevention on numerous doors. What say you?
Decoded: Auto Operators – Stand-By Power
This post was printed in the August 2011 issue of Doors & Hardware
Closing Speed & Delayed Action
Back in the early 90's when the ADA was the newest focus of the door and hardware industry, delayed action closers were often specified and installed due to the assumption that they were required by the accessibility standards. Delayed action is a feature available on many door closers, which delays the closing cycle for up to a minute (or more depending on the manufacturer) from the maximum degree of opening to approximately 70 degrees. The delay is controlled by an additional valve which slows the flow of fluid for that initial period in the closing cycle. This feature can be helpful in some applications, but it is not required by code. The other segments of the closing cycle, the main speed and the latch speed, are also controlled by valves (see diagram below).
Hershey, Pennsylvania Egress
We're on the last leg of our road trip and will be home today, so here's a quick post to tide you over. I have lots more photos to share and the fact that they won't be chronologically presented offends my orderly side, but so be it.
Biltmore Bonus
I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing holiday weekend...I have to admit it was really nice to take some time off. I've been in Grassy Cove, Tennessee since Friday and there aren't a whole lot of doors here, but luckily I've got some saved up from last week. We're headed toward home tomorrow so I'll be on the lookout for doors of interest.
Lever Return
I originally published the post below in May 0f 2009, but I'm trying to gather some information so I've pulled it up to the front again. Please take a moment to answer the quick survey about lever return in your area. Thanks!Click here to take a quick survey.//
WWYD? – Restaurant Egress (Again)
I'd love to know who did this, so I can give them a good talking-to (maybe they'll read this and track me down like the semi-concealed closer installer).
Accessible Doors & Maneuvering Clearance Webinar
AccessibilityOnline's next webinar is on June 2nd from 2:30 - 4:00 Eastern Time, and the topic is Accessible Doors & Maneuvering Clearance. If you can't attend the webinar, there should be an archive recording available sometime after the 2nd.
The Door Closer Fairy Was Here
I have to admit, I visit the local frozen yogurt joint so often that the owners ask me if I want "the usual." Hey - it's YOGURT...practically health food! I wasn't sure how I'd be able to make it through their winter break - about 2 months. I survived, but the closer on their entrance door didn't. It lost all of its fluid and started looking for fingers to lop off.
Decoded: Single Operation Egress
This post was printed in the February 2011 issue of Doors and Hardware
Extended Latch Guards
For exterior pairs I prefer to use rim panic devices with a removable mullion, but in some cases surface-mounted vertical rod devices are specified and supplied. When vertical rod devices are used on cross-corridor doors, I often specify them "Less Bottom Rod" (LBR), but on exterior doors I specify them with both top and bottom latches for increased security.
Good News / Bad News
First the good news. When the annual DHI conference was held in Boston, I conducted a 3-hour code class for architects (I later conducted the class for our DHI chapter.). Public speaking isn't my favorite thing to do, so when one of the attendees approached me before class started and said, "You're not REALLY going to talk for 3 HOURS about CODES, are you?", I got a little nervous. When we conduct presentations for architects, they're typically lunch-n-learns - 1 hour max, with lunch (and cookies!) as an incentive to attend. We get great feedback on our lunch presentations, but asking architects to sit through 3 hours of discussion on hardware and codes was a different story. To my surprise, about 100 architects registered to attend, they actually showed up, and they stayed until the end. I didn't lose my train of thought, pass out, have an "accident", or lose my voice, so I considered the class a success.
The Coliseum
You wouldn't think that a fair would be a great place for door-hunting, but I saw the doors below at The Big E last weekend. There's a lot going on here - sliding, folding, and swinging doors serving a giant assembly occupancy. This reminds of many scenarios dreamed up by architects that I've advised strongly against. No offense to all of the architects out there, but I'll bet the facility hates these doors.
AccessibilityOnline
AccessibilityOnline is conducting monthly webinars on accessibility as a collaborative training program between the ADA National Network and the US Access Board. The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design were recently approved, and the revised standards will be the topic of the next webinar. The webinar is scheduled for September 2nd, 2010, from 1:30-4:00 ET. Here's a description of the presentation from their website:
Accessible Thumbturns
At least once a month someone asks me whether it's ok to use a deadbolt with a thumbturn on a door that is required to be accessible. It took some digging to get a definitive answer, because the accessibility standards don't specify a certain dimension that would be acceptable for the thumbturn. The ADA guidelines and ICC A117.1 both state that hardware has to be operable without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist, but that still leaves a lot up to interpretation.
Updated ADA Regulations
It's hard to believe that last week was the 20th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act. I clearly remember being sent to a seminar at the Ramada Inn in the early 90's to hear all about how this *new* law would affect architecture and construction. Of course, not much of the presentation was spent discussing the hardware requirements, so our industry was left to figure it out over the years.
Actuator Kludge
After that last post I think we all need a break. Here's a "fix" from thereIfixedit.com:
Spring Hinges
After my post about the Parkside West fire, a couple of people have asked me what I have against spring hinges. I'm not one to discriminate against hardware of any function, style, or finish, but I also like things to do what they're supposed to do. If I could get my kids to act more like cast iron door closers, I'd be a happy camper. I'm not picking on spring hinges here - Ives makes spring hinges and is also one of the brands that keeps a roof over my head. They just need to be used for the right applications.
<90 Degrees - Follow-Up
A while back, I had a couple of posts about a door that opened less than 90 degrees. I received a photo of the application that inspired the original question, and I think based on the feedback I received from code officials and the fact that the clear opening width is 32 1/4", this application would be acceptable.