Decoded: Locks on Dwelling Units and Sleeping Units
Are the electromechanical locks typically used for individual residential entry doors required to be listed to UL 294 or UL 1034 in order to comply with the model codes?
WWYD? Rearming a Delayed Egress Lock
The model codes are not very specific about this topic, so my question for you is this: What's your take on the manual rearming of a delayed egress lock? WWYD?
Sallyport, Interlock, Secure Entry Vestibule—What’s the Big Difference?
In today's guest post from Devin Bowman of TGP, he discusses the difference between three applications that are somewhat similar in purpose, but very different when it comes to egress.
FF: Buffalo Bill’s Wild West
I saw this door in the Theater District in Denver, with an art project preventing the door from opening. I'm assuming the door is no longer used...I wonder what it looks like from the inside.
Decoded: Encroachment Into the Egress Path
This is Part 2 of an updated Decoded article covering door swing and encroachment, along with some new photos illustrating how a door might encroach into an egress path.
Decoded: Door Swing
As part of an ongoing project, I'm updating my Decoded articles - the previous version of this one, addressing the requirements for door swing, was first written in 2012! Here's the updated version.
WW: Still Scratching My Head
I saw today's Wordless Wednesday photo on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page, and I'm still wondering what is happening here. Any ideas?
WW: Observations?
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo reminds me of the time that I wrote a specification for a hotel and the architect told me that the entry doors did not have to be lockable - ever.
Decoded: Separate Deadbolts on Classroom Doors
This month's Decoded article answers a common question: Is it acceptable by code to install a separate dead bolt along with a lockset or latchset on a classroom door?
WW: Readily Distinguishable?
I'm guessing this is how this folding partition and door were manufactured - unlike many door issues that happen in the field. What do you think? Is the door distinguishable enough to be code-compliant?
WW: Dead End?
If one set of doors was lockable and the other was always unlocked (not lockable), I think this could be considered a dead end corridor. How would you have specified the hardware for these doors?
FF: BRRR
I spent this week in Indianapolis, where I felt temperatures unlike any that I can remember experiencing in at least 25 years. Check out some of the doors I found on my trip in today's post.
Coming in 2027: Two Releasing Motions for Bedroom Doors
Here's Part 2 of my post from Tuesday, addressing changes to the 2027 edition of the IBC permitting a second releasing motion for egress in certain types of rooms.
Coming in 2027: Two Releasing Motions for Individual Restroom Doors
While this upcoming change does not apply until the 2027 edition of the International Building Code (IBC) is adopted in a project's jurisdiction, it's a good one to be aware of.
Le Constellation, Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Most of you have probably already read about the nightclub fire that occurred recently in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Early investigations show similarities with other past tragedies.
WW: En El Mercado
I've said it before and I'll say it again, in the U.S. we are very fortunate to have such strong codes and enforcement. Check out this electrical room door I saw in Mexico City. #wordless
Catching up…what has changed in the I-Codes?
With the new year comes the adoption of new codes in many states, and given the length of time between state adoptions, it can be difficult to keep up with what’s new. Here's a summary!
FF: Dramatic Exit
Chris Clark sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, taken in a cafe in Canada. I'm curious...what makes this a dramatic exit? Any theories?
WWYD? Stockyards Follow-Up
Last week I posted some photos that I took during my recent trip to Fort Worth for the DHI ConNextions conference, and in today's post I want to follow up on a question I received.
WW: The Stockyards
The more I look at today's Wordless Wednesday photos, the more deja vu I'm feeling. Do these doors at the Stockyards look familiar to anyone else?
WW: Obstacle Course
Paul Timm of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, taken in a school. This door is clearly marked as an exit, but egress will definitely be a challenge!
In-Person Code Updates – Next Week!
I'll be heading to DHI ConNextions in Fort Worth next week, where Mark Kuhn and I will be conducting two training sessions with some help from our Allegion teammates.
WW: Nothing to see here
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photo from Thomas Reinhardt, an AHJ. In addition to the obviously blocked exit, he also noted a few other issues with this "exit."
FF: Another Gate
At least they tried…finding panic hardware with an actuating portion that measures half the width of the gate in today's Fixed-it Friday photo would be quite the challenge!
WW/WWYD? Golf Entertainment Center
The question is - is this gate required for egress? The panic hardware tells me yes, so the bike lock is a problem. But could this space be considered a safe dispersal area? What do you think?
FF/WWYD? Unauthorized Use Prohibited
I know at least one AHJ who doesn't like signs like this which deter use of the exit, but as far as I know, the codes do not prohibit them. Should a code change proposal be made? WWYD?
WW: Dinner Deterrents?
Check out the restaurant exits in today's post and let me know what you think. One is a definite "no" but the other I'm not sure about. It looks like an exit to me - how about you?
FF: Do Not Push
Paul Laseter of Niles Bolton sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, taken in a maternity suite. Do you think this was an intentional double entendre? :D
What is an exit passageway?
Last week I wrote a post about a louvers, and I asked who could give me an example of an exit passageway. I received the image in today's post from Jeff Van Every of HealthTrust Performance Group.
FF: Emergency Exit
I received today's Fixed-it Friday photos from a retired AHJ, who I know has an intense dislike of emergency exit signs as a deterrent. What do you think of this "fix"?
PASS: Compartmentalization for Life Safety
The Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) has released a new whitepaper written by Laura Frye Weaver and Mark Williams, addressing the role of fire doors and other life safety features.
Escape Room Safety (video)
I feel so grateful to be able to positively affect the safety of escape rooms worldwide, and to help AHJs who have escape rooms in their jurisdictions. Learn more in today's post!
FF: Tied Up
Today's Fixed-it Friday photo, taken by Michelle Atkinson, CFDAI, of Atkinson Door, shows a "security solution" (not recommended!) employed by a church that has had trouble with unauthorized entry.
WW: “It’s curtains for you…”
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photos from a retired AHJ, and they got me thinking. Is it permissible for a means of egress to pass through curtains en route to the exit door?
FF: What’s missing here?
I received this Fixed-it Friday photo from someone asking whether this application was code-compliant. The short answer...no. Can you see the problem?
WW: Nailed It
When an additional egress door is not needed, shouldn't the exit sign be removed? I wonder if there is a code requirement stating that if there is an exit sign, there also has to be an exit?!
Building Safer Communities: Code Compliance in Multifamily
I recently appeared as a guest on Allegion's Solving for Multifamily Podcast, with Robert Gaulden. Today's post includes links to both of my episodes, as well as resources pages with additional information.
Code Update: Escape Rooms
Over the weekend I had the privilege of presenting on egress, fire protection, and accessibility for escape rooms, and during my preparation I noticed an important code change.
WW: Supermarket Deterrent
Sometimes when I'm working on a code question/problem with someone, I use the phrase "it won't keep me up at night." That's kind of how I feel about this situation...what do you think?
Decoded: Update on Roof Doors
I've received some questions on roof doors lately, so I've updated this Decoded article with current code references that address doors serving both occupied and unoccupied roofs.
WW: All Aboard! (if you can get out)
William Rudd sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos, taken in a train station. As shown in the first photo, both doors are marked as exits, but it looks like one has been taken out of service.
Decoded: Applications for Electromagnetic Locks
In this Decoded article for the next issue of Door Security + Safety Magazine, I answered several frequently asked questions that apply to electromagnetic locks.
WW: Lift in Case of Emergency
I always recommend rim panics and a removable mullion for exterior doors with panic hardware, to avoid situations like the one shown in today's Wordless Wednesday photos.
WW: Quick! What’s the combo?!
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photo from Tom Reinhardt, an AHJ. You might have to zoom in a little to see the problem in its entirety. This looks like "special knowledge and effort" to me!
Decoded: Key-Operated Locking Devices
In this Decoded article for the next issue of Door Security + Safety Magazine, I covered a code change that will finally clear up the requirements for double-cylinder deadbolts.
WW: State Office Building
Steve Wertman of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, and I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Just kidding...I'm crying. The photo was taken in a state office building.
Life Safety Digest: Controlled Egress Locking Systems in Health Care Facilities
I have an article in the Summer issue of Life Safety Digest, that covers the code requirements for controlled egress locks in health care units where patients require containment.
WW: All Around the World
I've done a fair amount of traveling, and I've seen a lot of door problems worldwide. Tim Weller of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos from a recent stop in Amsterdam.
Decoded: Egress From Exterior Spaces
In preparation for an upcoming session on this topic, I have updated this Decoded article with current code references. If you're not familiar with this recent code change, check it out!
WW: Hospital “Egress”
Today's Wordless Wednesday post is definitely not wordless, it includes an explanation of why these hospital doors would not be compliant with the US model codes (the hospital is in Mexico).