Articles

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: 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: 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. 

By |2023-02-28T00:37:56-05:00February 2nd, 2023|Accessibility, Articles, Fire Doors, Means of Egress|3 Comments

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.

By |2022-03-06T17:39:01-05:00February 22nd, 2022|arch, Articles, FDAI, Fire Doors, hc, Health Care, Panic Hardware|10 Comments

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...

By |2022-03-04T14:39:12-05:00February 3rd, 2022|Accessibility, arch, Articles, Means of Egress|0 Comments

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: 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.

By |2021-11-30T23:08:16-05:00June 22nd, 2021|arch, Articles, FDAI, Fire Doors, Full Width|2 Comments

Decoded: Corridor Doors in Health Care Occupancies

Past fires in hospitals and nursing homes - and the resulting fatalities - have shaped the codes that we use today.  Although today’s codes do not typically require patient room doors to be fire door assemblies, these doors provide a critical layer of protection for patients.

By |2021-11-30T23:08:57-05:00March 11th, 2021|arch, Articles, Fire Doors, Full Width, hc, Health Care|36 Comments

Decoded: SCIF Security and Egress Requirements (March 2021)

I have written specs for several projects with SCIF doors, but I learned more about the federal specifications and design requirements while writing my next Decoded article for Door Security + Safety's military and government issue...

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