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 show 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).
WW: Down at the Pizzeria
I know we have seen MANY of these blocked egress photos, but this one is pretty egregious. What I'm wondering is...are there no AHJs who eat here?
QQ: Dwelling Units – Motions to Unlatch
On a residential dwelling unit or sleeping unit, is there a limit to the number of security devices (night latches, dead bolts, security chains, etc.) that can be installed along with the latchset/lockset?
WW: Another Day, Another Airport
A few weeks ago I shared some information about the delayed egress locks I spotted in the Bogotá airport...I guess this is another way to "delay" egress. (Not recommended!)
FF: Door Looooop
I saw this Fixed-it Friday door down at the home improvement store. What do you think? Is this extended door loop a legit way to transfer the power to the hardware?
Observations on Delayed Egress Locks
I recently saw some delayed egress locks "in the wild" at the Aeropuerto El Dorado in Bogotá, Colombia, and I had a few thoughts on the applications and in particular, the signage.
FF: Let me out (again)!
The door in today's Fixed-it Friday photos is another example from my trip to Colombia, this time in Cali. This door would not comply with the US model codes for egress...can you see why?
WW: Let me out!
Today's Wordless Wednesday photos were taken in the lobby of an apartment building, where the ONLY way to exit was for someone at the security desk to press the release button. Yikes!
WWYD? Escape Rooms
I'm working on a presentation for an escape room conference (cool, right?!), and I'm wondering what y'all are seeing out in the real world with regard to the required means of egress.
Feedback Please! Egress Capacity Estimator
Please check out the new IBC and NFPA Egress Capacity Estimator and let me know what you think. I can make modifications so that it is easier to use and/or understand.
Decoded: Calculating the Occupant Load
In preparation for a new estimator that I'll be sharing tomorrow, I've updated the very popular IBC Occupant Load Estimator, and the accompanying Decoded article.
FF: This is not an exit.
If you have a door that looks a lot like an egress door, but for whatever reason you don't want it to be code-compliant, how do you prove that the door is not provided for egress purposes?
WW: Well…that’s one way to ‘handle’ it.
I looked at this Wordless Wednesday photo sent by Shannon Ballard of Allegion and thought, "hmmm...another door that requires two releasing motions for egress." Shannon dug deeper.
WW: Hairy Situation
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo was taken in a hair salon, and clearly demonstrates the need for continued education of employees on the egress requirements.
BHMA Codes in Context: NFPA 101-2024
In past posts I've mentioned a valuable resource offered by BHMA, called Codes in Context. Today's post highlights an update to the 2024 edition of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code.
WW: “Before”
Jim McDonald of TCH Co., Inc. sent me today's Wordless Wednesday "before" photo, of an existing opening that was replaced with a code-compliant door, frame, and hardware. How many problems do you see?
WWYD? Egress from the Lions’ Den
In Mark Kuhn's next post, he writes about one of his specification projects where he needs to balance containment for lions(!) with the egress requirements of the model codes. WWYD?
FF: Hide-N-Seek
Hal Kelton of DOORDATA Solutions sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos, taken in a school. After a detailed analysis, the main problem I can see is one of my pet peeves!
WW+WWYD? Arena Security
Lee Frazier of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos, taken while attending a hockey game at an arena with a capacity of more than 20,000 people. WWYD?
Decoded: Calculating the Egress Width of Door Openings
I can't believe I first wrote this article 10 years ago! An AHJ recently asked me about calculating the egress width of a door, so I've updated this article with current code references.
Code Adoption – Skipping Editions
Last week, someone asked me about information addressing the changes for door openings between the 2018 and 2024 editions of the IBC. Thanks to BHMA, the answer was easy!
WW: Hotel Round-Up
I'd be surprised if I could go into a hotel and NOT find an egress, accessibility, or fire door problem, but this one had several. Have you seen any Wordless Wednesday doors lately?
FF: ATTENZIONE
When I search my camera roll for the word "door", 4,879 photos show up. Today's Fixed-it Friday photos are from the Milan-Malpensa Airport, where using an alarmed exit will get you in big trouble.
Looking Ahead to the 2027 I-Codes
In the January/February issue of Door Security + Safety magazine, I have an article giving a preview of two important changes that have been approved for the 2027 I-Codes.
WW: Tlalpujahua, Michoacán
The inability to maintain clear egress routes in retail occupancies crosses international borders. I saw this example in Tlalpujahua, a Pueblo Mágico in Mexico that is known for its hand-painted Christmas ornaments.
QQ: Locked Doors on Elevator Lobbies
Today's Quick Question relates to a change to the 2024 IBC: What type of lock may be used to secure an egress door leading from an elevator lobby to an exit access corridor?
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.
QQ: Interlock Types
The increased focus on interlocks (due to an upcoming code change) prompted today's Quick Question: What is the difference between a safety interlock and a security interlock?
WW: Hostile Architecture
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo illustrates a measure taken by a high rise hotel to deter houseless people from accessing the alcoves at the secondary entrances. WWYD?