Accessibility

Decoded: 2015 IBC Roundtable

If you are a member of the New England Chapter of DHI I hope you already know about this upcoming class, but in case you didn't get the memo...I will be teaching a code class next week along with Jeff Batick, Greg DeGirolamo, Paul Goldense, and Jim White.  This class will be available for other DHI chapters to teach, as long as there are a few members who can act as facilitators.  If you're interested in hosting the class, drop me an email and I'll get you in touch with the right person at DHI.  We are using the 2015 IBC for next week's class, but it could be taught using other editions of the IBC if necessary.  The class is worth 9 DHI CEP points, with 4 additional points for the facilitators.

By |2015-03-02T21:27:29-05:00March 2nd, 2015|Accessibility, Fire Doors, Means of Egress, News|0 Comments
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6 Accessibility Changes to Watch Out For (November 2014)

The 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design went into effect in March of 2012, but there are several requirements that continue to surprise architects and specifiers as well as door and hardware suppliers. These issues can be costly to resolve if they’re discovered after the doors and hardware are on-site, so it’s important to stay current on the requirements...

By |2015-02-06T07:30:42-05:00October 14th, 2014|Accessibility, Articles, Automatic Operators, Doors & Frames, Panic Hardware|3 Comments
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Decoded: Fair Housing Act

A common misconception is that the Fair Housing Act applies only to federally-funded housing projects, but according to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, “The Fair Housing Act requires all ‘covered multifamily dwellings’ designed and constructed for first occupancy after March 13, 1991 to be accessible to and usable by people with disabilities. Covered multifamily dwellings are all dwelling units in buildings containing four or more units with one or more elevators, and all ground floor units in buildings containing four or more units, without an elevator.”

By |2021-06-14T20:12:40-04:00August 10th, 2014|Accessibility, Articles|3 Comments
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See you next week?

In just a few days I'll be heading to Dallas for CoNEXTions 2014 - the DHI annual conference.  As I mentioned before, I'll be teaching COR140 - Using Codes and Standards Monday-Wednesday, and in late-breaking news, I'll be teaching the CE1401 Codes and Standards Update on Friday (6/27) from 1:30-4:00 p.m.  CE1401 is an online code update, but I'm going to talk about some of the recent changes live and in person.  This class is being offered for FREE as part of the conference registration (it is normally $250 for members/$350 for non-members).

By |2016-12-09T10:43:35-05:00June 19th, 2014|Accessibility, Fire Doors, Means of Egress|4 Comments
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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.

By |2017-11-11T17:30:04-05:00May 6th, 2014|Accessibility, Gasketing & Thresholds|9 Comments
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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...

By |2017-05-30T16:09:30-04:00February 20th, 2014|Accessibility, Locks & Keys, WWYD?|8 Comments
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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.

By |2014-01-29T13:25:53-05:00January 16th, 2014|Accessibility, Fire Doors, Means of Egress, News|1 Comment
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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).

By |2013-09-29T19:11:48-04:00September 13th, 2013|Accessibility|2 Comments
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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.

By |2013-09-29T19:13:40-04:00September 2nd, 2013|Accessibility, Automatic Operators|4 Comments
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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.

By |2013-07-10T15:32:05-04:00June 20th, 2013|Accessibility, Beautiful Doors, Fire Doors, Means of Egress|3 Comments
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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.

By |2019-02-10T10:12:32-05:00March 27th, 2013|Accessibility, Panic Hardware|7 Comments
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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.  :-)

By |2013-05-01T19:49:20-04:00May 3rd, 2012|Accessibility, Means of Egress|6 Comments
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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).

By |2014-11-03T15:07:01-05:00July 19th, 2011|Accessibility, Door Closers|0 Comments
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