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: Annual Inspection of Egress Doors
Egress door inspections are getting more attention these days (read tomorrow's post to learn why), so I have updated this Decoded article to include current code requirements.
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: Automatic Operators in Mixed-Use Facilities
This month’s Decoded question is related to a clarification made in the 2024 IBC, which applies to the requirements for automatic operators on accessible public entrances.
Decoded: Classroom Barricade Devices
This month’s Decoded question is a common one related to classroom doors in educational facilities: Are classroom barricade devices allowed by the model codes and accessibility standards?
Decoded: Controlled Egress Locks
This month’s question is a common one related to egress doors in memory care units. If you have a code question you’d like to see answered in my column, you can submit it by clicking the link in today's post.
Decoded: NFPA 80 Requirements for Hinges, Pivots, and Continuous Hinges
Happy New Year! Throughout 2024 I will continue to update my library of Decoded articles, in preparation for some upcoming changes. Let me know if you have suggested topics for my Decoded Q&A series, published monthly.
Decoded: Panic Hardware Requirements for Rooms Housing Electrical Equipment
I have updated this Decoded article to include current requirements from the 2023 edition of NFPA 70, in addition to previous editions beginning with the 2002 National Electrical Code.
Decoded: Stairwell Reentry
The next article in my Decoded series addresses clarifications to the 2024 model codes related to stairwell reentry. These requirements ensure that building occupants can leave a stairwell if it becomes compromised during a fire.
Model Code Update on Swinging Door Openings
I recently taught an interactive code update class for an enthusiastic and competitive group of conference attendees, and I'm sharing some of the information from that session in this article, so everyone can benefit from what was covered in the presentation.
Decoded: Flush Bottom Rails
As I'm reviewing and updating these Decoded articles, I can't believe that some of them were originally written more than 12 years ago. Hopefully they will continue to be a valuable resource for another 12 years and beyond!
Decoded: Closers on Classroom Doors
Questions about door closers on classroom doors have been coming up frequently, so I have updated this Decoded article to reflect the current code requirements. What are you seeing in the field? Closers, or no closers?
Decoded: Clear Opening Width and Height
This Decoded article on clear opening requirements was first published almost 10 years ago, and remains a frequently visited post on iDigHardware. It has now been updated with current code references.
Decoded: Fail Safe vs. Fail Secure – When and Where?
Because of some changes made in the 2024 editions of the I-Codes, I have updated this Decoded article addressing when to use fail secure vs. fail safe electrified hardware.
Decoded: Panic Hardware on Doors Serving Assembly Occupancies
My next Decoded article looks at some of the exceptions where doors serving assembly spaces are NOT required to have panic hardware. Did I miss any? Leave a comment and let me know!
Decoded: Use Groups and Occupancy Classifications
I'm continuing to revise my Decoded articles to maintain them as an up-to-date resource for the industry...familiarity with use groups and occupancy classifications is crucial to understanding and applying the codes.
Decoded: Doors Provided for Egress Purposes
In my quest to ensure that my library of Decoded articles continues to be valuable as current reference information, I have updated this article on an important requirement of the I-Codes. Have you heard of the Duck Test?
Decoded: Special Locking Arrangements
Electrified hardware causes a lot of confusion regarding the applicable code requirements, but understanding one concept would help to clear up many of the misinterpretations: Is every opening with electrified hardware considered a "special locking arrangement"?
Decoded: Alternative Methods and Equivalency
Most of the codes and standards are updated every 3-5 years, but there may be a period of time when a new product is available that is not specifically addressed until the next edition is published. How is this handled by the AHJ?
Accessibility Requirements for Operable Hardware and Door Control Devices
In this article for Door Security + Safety, I have used information from various sources to support interpretations of the intent of the accessibility standards. If you have anything to add, leave a comment asap!
Decoded: Deadbolts in a Means of Egress
Are deadbolts permitted by code in a means of egress? A surprising number of people would answer "no", but deadbolts are allowed under certain circumstances. I have updated this Decoded article based on the current codes.
Decoded: Unlatching a Door for Egress
In the next Decoded article I have answered the following frequently asked question: When is it permissible for an egress door to have hardware that requires more than one releasing motion to unlatch the door?
Decoded: Update on Storm Shelter Doors
This Decoded article addresses the requirements of the International Building Code and ICC 500 for storm shelters, and I have updated the original article with current code references.
Decoded: Fire Door Closing Cycle
When testing a fire door to determine whether it is closing and latching properly, from what open position should the door be tested? I have updated this Decoded article about the closing cycle of fire doors for positive latching, to reflect the current codes.
Decoded: Communicating Doors Between Sleeping Rooms
As I mentioned last month, my Decoded column has a new question-and-answer format. This month's question: "Are communicating doors between adjoining hotel rooms required to be self-closing, self-latching fire door assemblies?"
Decoded: Current Requirements of the I-Codes for Classroom Door Locks
As I mentioned last month, my Decoded column has a new question-and-answer format. This month's question: "How do the changes made to the 2018 and 2021 I-Codes affect the requirements for locks installed on classroom doors?"
Decoded: Sensors for Automatic Operators
This Decoded column, which will be published in the April issue of Door Security + Safety Magazine, is the first in a new question-and-answer format. In the past 13 years I’ve covered just about every code-related topic that applies to openings, so it's time for a new approach.
Decoded: Approved Changes and Clarifications to the 2024 International Building Code
My latest Decoded article, published in the January/February issue of Door Security + Safety, addresses upcoming changes to the 2024 I-Codes. I covered additional changes affecting electrified hardware in a previous article.
Decoded: Code Resources and Training Available On-Demand
As the theme of the March issue of Door Security + Safety is talent and workforce development, my next Decoded column includes some of the code-related resources that I have shared here on iDigHardware.com.
Decoded: Communicating Doors Between Sleeping Rooms
The code requirements for communicating doors between hotel rooms have not changed, but a new question has come up...have you ever seen these requirements applied to shared bathrooms between dorm rooms? WWYD?
2021 Model Code Update – What’s New?
I'm on my way to Pittsburgh, and I hope to see some of you at the DHI conNextions conference! PLEASE come to one (or both!) of my sessions on Wednesday, or stop by the Allegion booth during exhibit hall hours!
Decoded: Less Bottom Rod Fire Exit Hardware
I originally wrote this article in 2012(!), and when someone asked me a question about this topic yesterday, I noticed that the post needed an update. Current information from the model codes and NFPA 80 is now included.
Decoded: Requirements for Assembly Occupancies
My next Decoded column looks at how assembly occupancies are addressed in the model codes, as well as some of the assembly-specific requirements related to door openings. Let me know if I missed anything! :)
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.
Decoded: Allowable Clearances for Fire Door Assemblies
My next Decoded article addresses a recent study on clearances for fire door assemblies - the results of the testing may surprise you. Please share any input or questions before the article goes to print!
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.
Decoded: The Impact of Codes on Traffic Doors
Today's post is my next Decoded column for Door Security + Safety Magazine. I pulled together my past posts related to traffic/impact doors to create a comprehensive article to use as a reference.
Decoded: Locking assailants outside without trapping occupants inside
Today's post is my next Decoded column, for the School Security + Safety issue of Door Security + Safety Magazine. Let me know if you have any suggestions before it goes to print!
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.
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...
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.
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!
Decoded: Automatic Operators on Accessible Public Entrances
I have combined several posts on this important code change into one complete article - let me know if there are any other FAQs I should add. This article addresses where automatic operators will be required by the 2021 IBC.
Decoded: Special Locking Arrangements vs. Normal Locking Arrangements
Misinterpretations of the model code requirements for electrified hardware continue to hit my inbox on a regular basis, BUT - I expect some help from the ICC soon. In the meantime, I hope this Decoded article will reach the people who need it - feel free to share it!
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.
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.
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.