WW: Deep Freeze
Alec Walsh of Allegion sent me these photos a few weeks ago. That door looks like it needs some thermal protection, right?
FF: Lock Fix
I will admit...new mortise locks can be pricey. Luckily they usually last for decades. But there comes a time when even a heavy duty mortise lock needs to retire.
WW: Ice Time
This photo, from an ice arena, gives me the chills. Ice rinks are notoriously difficult locations for doors and hardware...lots of abuse, often a high occupant load, humidity and corrosion issues, and other contributing factors. In case you don't see the problem right away, look at the top of the mullion. Angle brackets have been bolted to each door, and there is a pin inserted through one bracket, through the mullion, and through the other bracket. Someone trying to exit through these doors would likely have no idea why they won't open.
FF: STOP!
When you're faced with an opening where a floor stop or wall stop just won't work, you could use an overhead stop. If that's not enough protection, you could use a door closer with advanced variable backcheck (AVB), which starts the backcheck (cushioning effect) earlier in the opening cycle and keeps the door from gaining momentum. Or you could get creative and make your own stop, cover it with carpet so it looks pretty, and then buy a new door...
WW: Conflict Resolution
This was found in a school, by A&L Doors & Specialties. I have no words, except "thank you." Maybe some of you have words...if you do, leave a comment.
WW: Well, that’s one way of doing it.
To all of the architects out there...this is what can happen if you forgo the hardware consultant and let the electrician work out the details on-site. Call us - we can help! ;)
WW: Low Narrow Lite
I received today's photo from Brenda Dove of Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies. I wonder if that glass is impact-resistant...
WW: Duct Tape
From Vince Black of Black Hawk Doors, a restaurant owner's solution to a closer arm stripped off the shaft, with the arm screw broken off in the closer body:
New York City – Part 2
Here are some more photos from my weekend in NYC...these are all about taking a closer look.
New York City – Part 1
Over the weekend I spent some time in New York with my friends, and as you can probably imagine I saw A LOT of doors of interest. Here are some of them...
Even More Reader Photos
OK...who knows what's wrong with the door in this photo, sent in by Jeff Tock of Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies?
More Reader Photos
I know it's not Wordless Wednesday, but this photo from Alec Walsh of Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies definitely left me wordless!
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.
Boston Strong
Last month I wrote about my experience on the day of this year's Boston Marathon. The slogan "Boston Strong" has emerged since then as the ultimate description of this city, which will not let senseless violence beat us down. This weekend my friend and I took our kids downtown, and our first stop was the makeshift memorial that has sprung up next to Trinity Church and across the street from the Boston Public Library. I was surprised at the very long line of people inching through the display of running shoes, flowers, notes, candles, hats, stuffed animals, and other mementos that have been left at the site, and also the multiple news vehicles parked along the street. I'm still wondering what story they're waiting to capture...survivors visiting the memorial? Famous people? I guess I'll have to watch the news and see.
WW and WWYD: Panic Hardware Lockdown
Andrew Harris of Willis Klein sent me these photos of doors in a school district. He had been called in to solve the problems that caused the school to resort to these locking measures.
WW: 5 Motions to Release the Latch
As most of you know, a required egress door must typically operate with only one motion to release the latch. The common exception is dwelling unit entry doors in hotels and apartment buildings, which can have one additional locking device if the occupant load of the unit is 10 or less. Take a look at this door, sent to me by Jeff Strangio of Maffey's Security Group. Do you think you could figure out how to open it in smoky conditions?
WW: Dead Battery – No Problem!
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo was submitted by Joy Davis of the Construction Specifications Institute (@CSIConstruction on Twitter). Thanks Joy!
Everywhere I Go – Church Edition
My husband has grown accustomed to me yelling, "Stop the car!" when I see a door of interest. We actually had to circle the block and come back to this one in Nashville, Tennessee. Judging from the entrance, I thought there might be some nice doors...I couldn't process what I was seeing in time to get him to pull over. This is not code-compliant, people! The elevator door was purty though.
WW: Retail Exit
Yesterday's mall shootings in Oregon should serve as a reminder to be aware of the available exits regardless of where you are. This door could be tough to navigate in an emergency.
Reader Photos
I have LOTS of reader photos that I haven't had a chance to edit and post, so here's the first batch! Thank you for sending them, and keep them coming! I'll try to work faster in 2013!
WW: Bollard Hold-Open
Yes, this is a fire door, and yes, the bollard is permanently bolted in place.
WW: Chinese Take-Out
I'm not going to post the name of the person who sent these photos in, because I contacted the restaurant and I don't want them to see his name here and seek revenge the next time he places an order. I got no response after sending two emails...I wonder if the fire marshal eats here.
WW: Airport Emergency Exit
On my way to Tucson I had a layover, and every single emergency exit door was set up similar to this one. Thoughts?
Hold-Opens on a Bank of Doors
Am I the only one bothered by this? Probably.
WW: Emergency Lighting
In case you're wondering, I do know that it's not Wednesday, but I'm never actually Wordless either.
WW: Centsational Installation
Step 4: Invert the cylinder cam as shown.
WW: Measure Twice Drill 8 Times
I recently saw this closer prep on a brand-new fire door. Now what?
No Special Knowledge or Effort
Here's a little something to enjoy with your morning coffee. Most of us are aware of the requirement for egress doors to be able to be unlocked/unlatched without a key, tool, or special knowledge or effort, but sometimes this requirement is overlooked, especially when hardware is retrofitted on an existing door.
WW: This Door is Not Ajar
Anybody see the problem here?
Everywhere I Go Again
More doors from my (local) travels...
WW: Problem Solved
This photo was sent to me by two different people and had made the rounds before it got to them, so I don't know who to give photo credit to. Anyone want to admit to coming up with this creative solution?
Creative Power Transfers
Every so often a set of photos comes across my desk and I don't know whether to laugh or cry (remember these?). The photos below left me speechless. I could have saved them for Wordless Wednesday since I have no words, but I couldn't wait to share. Thank you to Michael Glasser of Kroll Advisory Solutions for sending them.
Indoor Playground
I realize that I'm probably pickier than most when it comes to doors. I notice things that almost nobody else does (except some of you!). Well, I recently attended a preschool function at a local indoor playground, and I was shocked by what I saw. The facility is relatively new and must have been inspected when it was renovated. The place is huge, and meant for zillions of kids and their parents to play indoors - therefore, it's an Assembly occupancy.
Creative Application: Pair with Electric Strike
As many of you know, I was away last week to do some specwriter training. While I thoroughly enjoyed hanging with some of my peeps for a few days (not to mention 12 hours in the car with 3 of them), my email really piled up. I was so happy to find these photos in my emailbox, so I could put up a quick blog post.
WW: Panic Attack
These buildings were ALL OCCUPIED when these photos were taken. Depressing.
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: Arched Doors
Jeff Tock and Kyle Learch of Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies saw these doors right after my post about closers for arched doors, and couldn't believe the methods being used to get these doors closed. The doors had spring hinges as well.
More Museum Hardware
Last weekend I put together the annual family photo album so I could order copies for the grandparents. Mixed in with all of the vacation photos were a ton of doors. Someday my grown-up kids will be on the psychiatrist's couch..."My mother always took us places just so she could look for interesting doors...I'm scarred for life." :-)
WW: I C-U-P
Remember the old playground joke, "How do you spell 'I cup'?" Somehow it seemed hysterical back in the day, but it's not so funny now...
Mr. Fix-It
It was a slow day for doors...this is the only door of interest that I saw, and it was the door to Zeke's shed. It's the door equivalent of "the cobbler's children have no shoes." It looks good from the outside, but the inside could qualify for a submission to ThereIFixedIt.com. :-)
Quannapowitt Mag-Lock
Today my oldest daughter and I participated along with some of my coworkers and some of our compañeros from Trane, in the Quannapowitt Take the Lake 5K. It was a beautiful morning and we walked/ran in honor of some of our friends and coworkers who have battled cancer or are still fighting.
Blocked Egress Routes
We're currently on our Summer 2011 Road Trip and I'm on the hunt for doors of interest, but so far I'm seeing more sights like this:
Reader Photos
Here's the latest batch of reader photos...don't forget to send me any interesting doors you see on your summer vacations!
Chinese Restaurant Egress
I first saw this door a few weeks ago but I was late for a meeting, so I hunted it down again. It's the rear exit from a Chinese restaurant - I didn't go inside to check out the situation, but even if it's just an exit from the kitchen it still doesn't meet the requirements for single operation egress.
Carteret Arms, Trenton NJ
Still plagued by problems: Nearly a year after new ownership, troubled city apartment buildings remain in bad state
WW: Hollow Metal Doors (Literally)
I saw both of these doors today, in two different facilities. Yes, they are both fire rated. One is a cross-corridor pair and one is a stair door.
Reader Photos – 2 of 2
Here's the second batch of reader photos. My emailbox is empty now. Not.
Reader Photos – 1 of 2
I've received lots of reader photos lately...thank you, and keep 'em coming!