Decoded: SCIF Security and Egress Requirements
I received a question on SCIF doors this week, so I have updated this Decoded article to include the links to the current federal standards and specifications.
Decoded: Automatic Sliding Doors
In this month's Decoded column, I answered several questions about automatic sliding doors and the code requirements that help to ensure their safety in a means of egress.
Decoded: Control Vestibules in a Means of Egress
Although control vestibules are not currently addressed in the model codes, a change has been approved for the 2027 edition of the I-Codes and may be used to request AHJ approval.
Decoded: Solving the Puzzle of Electrified Hardware Codes
Check out my crossword puzzle from the conference issue of Door Security + Safety Magazine, to review some of the code requirements related to electrified hardware!
Decoded: Fire Door Inspections vs. Egress Door Inspections for Swinging Doors
In this month's Decoded column for Door Security + Safety Magazine, I answered a question about the differences between fire door inspections and egress door inspections.
Decoded: Accessibility Standards – Keys and Credentials
How do the accessibility standards affect the use of keys and electronic credentials? Find out in this month's Decoded column for Door Security + Safety Magazine.
Decoded: Elevator Lobby Exit Access Doors
Calling all architects! I am looking for a partial plan similar to the image in this post to use with a print article about a change to the I-Codes addressing elevator lobby security. Can you help?
Decoded: Access Control Update
My next Decoded column addresses important code clarifications related to electrified hardware used in access control systems. I hope this article will help with more consistent interpretations of the requirements.
FAQs About Smoke Barrier Doors in Health Care Facilities
There has been a lot of confusion over the last decade or two about smoke barrier doors in hospitals, nursing homes, and other types of health care facilities. The answers to these FAQs should help to clarify the requirements.
Decoded: Turnstiles in a Means of Egress
Although the model codes do allow turnstiles if certain criteria are met, egress and accessibility requirements must be addressed in order to ensure adequate life safety and access for all building occupants.
QQ: Conflicts in the Codes and Standards
Today's Quick Question is a good one...When a specific requirement stated in a referenced standard is in conflict with what is allowed by the code that is referencing the standard, which requirement applies?
FF: Laundry Room Fire
Whether it's a smoking dryer in the laundry room or something more serious, fire door assemblies play a very important role in a building's fire protection system - even if most people don't realize it. Another fire door win!
Safety INsight: Natchez Rhythm Club Fire
The Rhythm Club Fire in Natchez, Mississippi is yet another example of how egress doors can impact life safety during a fire. This video from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation shares some important information about the lessons learned.
In rush to finish MSY, was the airport properly fire-proofed?
This story from WWLTV does a great job of illustrating the importance of compartmentalizing a building for fire protection. It focuses on the firestopping at the new MSY airport in New Orleans, and discusses the potential results of voids that are not code-compliant.
FF: A Little (too much) Off the Side
There was a time when trimming doors in the field was common. With most doors now arriving prefit, prebeveled, and premachined from the manufacturer, they should not need to be undersized further in the field.
Decoded: FAQs on Fire Door Requirements for Health Care Facilities
I will be publishing several sets of frequently asked questions this year, with more detailed supporting articles on each topic. If you have a FAQ that you'd like to add to the list, leave it in the comment box and I will include it in a future article.
New Class: A Crash Course in Codes!
I was recently asked to create a class for locksmiths, installers, or others who are looking for a crash course on the most frequently-asked code questions related to door openings. And here it is! Share it with all who could benefit from this training!
Decoded: US General Services Administration (GSA) Facilities Standards
I worked on several GSA projects back when I was writing hardware specifications, and I don't remember ever seeing the facilities standards that have been published by the GSA, addressing certain types of federal projects. Here are the highlights...
WWYD? Auto Operators Above the Ceiling
Is there a code requirement that would prohibit the installation of automatic operators above an acoustical tile ceiling? Would the working space required by NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code apply here?
Decoded: The importance of fire doors in residential occupancies
A recent fire in a Bronx apartment building is yet another reminder of the importance of code-compliant fire door assemblies and the need for enforcement of the fire door inspections mandated by current codes and standards.
Locksmith Ledger: Model Code Comparison – Controlled Egress Locking Systems
This article on controlled egress locks in health care facilities will be published in Locksmith Ledger, as a follow-up article to one I wrote last fall comparing the requirements of the model codes for delayed egress applications.
What’s Next? Approved changes to the 2024 IBC affecting electrified hardware
John Woestman of BHMA and I worked on this article together, addressing some important changes that will be included in the 2024 IBC. It's never too early to be aware of what's coming!
Code Update: Signage on Fire Doors
The 2022 edition of NFPA 80 includes some important changes related to the size and attachment methods for signage on fire doors. Can you spot what's new in the updated standard?
Code Update: Elevator Lobby Exit Access Doors
Have you ever struggled with securing an elevator lobby door to prevent access to a tenant space, while complying with the need for a means of egress from the elevator lobby? An approved change to the 2024 IBC should help!
FF: Foliage Fix
Joann Robertson of Playground Medic is an expert on playground safety (cool, right?!), and she sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos. They're from a retail store that sells patio accessories, plants, and gifts. Any theories about the motivation behind this fix?
Download the 2021 Allegion Code Reference Guide today!
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!
QQ: Gasketing Requirements of NFPA 101
Last week, I updated the Decoded article on smoke door requirements of the IBC, and I was asked to update this NFPA 101 post as well. There were not many changes in the 2021 edition of the Life Safety Code, but here is the revised post.
Decoded: Smoke Door Requirements of the International Building Code
By request, I have updated this article on smoke doors to include the requirements of the 2021 IBC. When you have a question about a smoke door, just decide which of the 5 types it is and refer to the section for that type.
Gates in a Means of Egress
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...
Decoded: Key-Operated Locks
If this article looks familiar, you've been reading iDigHardware for a long time. :) I last wrote a Decoded article on this topic in 2014, but the requirements have changed, so here's an update.
Upcoming Webinar: 2021 Model Code Update!
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!
QQ: Clear Floor Space for Access Control Readers
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?
Dead End Follow-Up
Earlier this week I wrote about dead end corridors as requested by one of our specwriters. Joel Niemi left a comment that I think is worth sharing, as it's related to a pretty common situation.
QQ: Dead-End Corridors
Sometimes a floor plan will show a corridor that ends with a wall or a locked door, creating a dead end. Today's Quick Question: What is the maximum length of a dead end corridor that is allowed by the model codes?
FF: Vertical Actuation Bar
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.
QQ: ADA Requirements vs. State Accessibility Standards
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?
WW: I need to vent!
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo, sent in by Rick Eldridge, is from the generator room of a hospital. We'll just assume (fingers crossed!) that it's not a fire door assembly.
FF: Just Dropping In
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos come with some questions...is there a way to make this opening code-compliant? It's obviously not an egress door, but how can building occupants be protected from falling?
Antimicrobial copper: Slowing the spread of deadly infections in hospitals
Last year when I wrote a Decoded article and hosted a webinar addressing the code requirements related to touchless openings, many people asked me about the performance of copper. There's more in today's post...
Decoded: Fire Door Assembly Inspections in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
My next Decoded article for Door Security + Safety magazine highlights the importance of fire door assembly inspections in multi-unit residential buildings. Enforcing the inspection requirements and repairing deficiencies will undoubtedly save lives.
QQ: Panic Hardware Exception
Today's Quick Question: Does the 2021 IBC section addressing the locking of exterior spaces allow panic hardware to be omitted on doors serving exterior assembly spaces with an occupant load of 50 people or more?
QQ: Automatic Door Bottoms
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?
WWYD? Delayed Egress
I received this photo of a bank of doors with delayed egress panic hardware from Jim Elder of Secured Design LLC, and we got to chatting about some delayed egress questions. I'd love to hear what you think. WWYD?
QQ: Auxiliary Push Button
Today's Quick Question keeps coming up: On which types of access-control doors do the model codes require the installation of an auxiliary push button to release the electrified lock?
WW: Beyond the Door
I know that many of us are door-focused, but sometimes other portions of the egress route leave me wordless. How is it possible that problems like this - very obvious problems - remain unresolved for years (decades?)?
FF: 4 Little Problems
Steve Budde of Greenwood Care sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, taken in an apartment building he was visiting. Although I'm a big fan of instructional signage, does anyone see the 4 little problems here?
QQ: Hinge Types – Swing-Clear
Last week's Fixed-it Friday post prompted a Quick Question from one of iDigHardware's newer readers: "What is a swing-clear hinge and how would I know when to choose this type of hinge over other hinge types?"
WW: Cuchillo de Mesa
This dogging method was found in a Mexican restaurant, hence the post title which sounds fancy but means "table knife." :) Thanks to Dave Toloday of Allegion for sharing today's Wordless Wednesday photo!
Residential Dwelling Units and Sleeping Units
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.
Six Flags Haunted Castle Disaster (video)
While doing some research about special amusements and the applicable code requirements, I was reminded that the 37th anniversary of a special amusements tragedy recently passed; 8 teenagers lost their lives in this fire.