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.
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.
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!
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).
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?
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?
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!)
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?
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.
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?
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!
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
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!
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?
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.
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!
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?
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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?
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?
In this month's Decoded column, I answered several questions about automatic sliding doors and the code requirements that help to ensure their safety in a means of egress.
I saw this retail store's secondary exit while I was stocking up on my favorite snacks, and I wondered...are these "NOT AN EXIT" signs a nice-to-have or a need-to-have? What do you think?
I have answered this Quick Question before but it keeps coming up, so I'll keep addressing it until it sticks...Is panic hardware required by the model codes for a ___________ facility?
Given today's security concerns, it's important to understand when an egress path may lead to an enclosed area and when it must continue through gates in the enclosure to reach the public way.
Mark Kuhn's latest post addresses an egress situation that is not uncommon in retail - especially at this time of year...but this example is a little extreme!
Jeff Hoyt of Cheney Door Company sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos, taken in a retail store specializing in fancy cheeses. Cheese is one of my favorite things, but their exit needs attention!
If I had to name the one code section that has caused me the most pain and suffering during my career, the section addressed in today's Quick Question post would be the one.
While reading an article in Firehouse Magazine about fires that have occurred in the month of December over the years, I noted several fires where egress doors and/or fire door assemblies played a role.
When classroom barricade devices were introduced, I felt confident that the codes developed over the last 100+ years would continue to protect building occupants. I was (partially) wrong.
This Quick Question came up recently in relation to the IBC section addressing egress for exterior spaces: Would the enclosed courtyard in my building be considered an egress court?
If you're not familiar with the SLA page, it's THE resource for the code requirements related to electrified hardware and special locking arrangements on iDigHardware. Now updated!
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photos from a retired AHJ...what can I say?? Sports facilities tend to have problems with security vs. egress, and sometimes come up with solutions like this.
Today's Quick Question was sent to me by a contractor: On a pair of doors, is it acceptable to install a dummy lever on the inactive leaf if that door is equipped with flush bolts?
Today I'm sharing a resource on security and safety that I think will be really valuable for schools and other types of facilities - an infographic that is available in both digital and printable formats.
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.
The latest post from Mark Kuhn addresses a type of facility that is becoming much more common these days - data centers. How do you think the model codes should address these buildings?
Jamie Lyn Callahan of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos, taken during a kids' birthday party at an indoor playground. This door makes for a great "teachable moment."
Mark Kuhn and I will be repeating our code update class from the DHI ConNextions conference with two webinars this week and next, hosted by DHI and free for DHI members!
