WW: Nothing to See Here
As I said in last Wednesday's post, Paul Timm of Allegion sees plenty of problems while visiting schools. The gate to the left concerns me - how about you?
Rooftop Follow-Up
Last week I shared some photos of an occupied rooftop area, and I asked for ideas on how it could be secured to prevent access to the building from the exterior. The answer is in today's post.
WW: Tiny Exit
Paul Timm of Allegion spends A LOT of time in schools, and when he sees a problem with a door opening, he sends a photo along. What do you think of this Wordless Wednesday exit?
WW: Readily Distinguishable?
John Lozano of Allegion sent me these photos from a Greek restaurant where the food was so delicious, it must have distracted the AHJ from the Wordless Wednesday problem.
WWYD? Securing a Rooftop Area
I'm at the BHMA meetings this week in Salt Lake City, Utah, and my hotel room has a view of this nearby rooftop area, which gave me the idea for today's post.
WW: Another Restaurant Exit
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photo from Paul Timm of Allegion, who spotted the open padlock dangling from this egress door in a restaurant.
FF: Center Pivoting Gates
I saw this interesting Fixed-it Friday application in Mexico City - center pivoting gates leading to a large shopping area. It seems pretty safe to me...what do you think?
REPLAY: Live With Lori, Session 2
Session 2 of my Live with Lori series was held earlier this week, and the topic was Sensor Release and Door Hardware Release of Electrically Locked Egress Doors. Check out the replay in today's post!
Code Requirements for Electromagnetic Locks (video)
Tomorrow is the next Live with Lori session, covering sensor release and door hardware release of electrified locks. The video in today's post gives a preview of these requirements.
Decoded: Code Considerations for Nightclubs
Despite changes to the code requirements related to nightclubs, tragedies continue to occur. This Decoded article covers some of the door-related considerations.
QQ: Elevator Lobby
My Fixed-it Friday post from last week raised a Quick Question: Why would an elevator lobby door have delayed egress hardware?
Live With Lori – September 15th
Our next live session on the code requirements for electrified hardware is coming up soon - September 15th! There is still time to register and submit your questions!
QQ: Nuisance Alarm on Delayed Egress
Today's Quick Question is one that I had not given a lot of thought to: When a delayed egress lock has a nuisance delay and then goes into alarm, is the total time to release the lock 15 seconds?
REPLAY: Live With Lori, Session 1
I so appreciate having a network of people all over the world to share code information with! In today's post you can replay my recent live session on access control hardware.
Decoded: Securing Parking Garages
A question about this topic came up in the Live With Lori session on access control doors, so I've made some updates to this article, and the Live session recording is now available!
WW: Egress Fail
Andrew Haring of Frameless Hardware Company sent me a reel for today's Wordless Wednesday post, and there are several problems with the application featured in the video.
Decoded: I-Code Requirements for Interlocks
This month's Decoded question is related to a new section of the I-Codes: In which use groups is an interlock permitted by the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Fire Code (IFC)?
Live With Lori – July 29th
Our live session on access control systems/normal locking arrangements and the requirements for UL 294/UL 1034 listings is next week...there is still time to register and submit your questions!
FF: Secondary Exits for Retail Spaces
A couple of weeks ago I posted some photos from a retail store with multiple blocked exits. The topic of today's Fixed-it Friday post...how do we know whether the second exit is needed or not?
Decoded: Small Assembly Occupancies
Questions about this topic have come up twice in the last two weeks, so I've updated this Decoded article about small assembly occupancies with current code references.
WW: What in the world?
I saw today's Wordless Wednesday photo posted by Robert Gaiter on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page...is this some new attachment method I don't know about?
WW: Retail Secondary Exits
Whenever I post photos of a blocked retail exit, someone says, "It's not a required exit...it's just an extra door." So this is my question for you...when does a mercantile space require a second exit?
FF: Unintended Consequences of Creativity
When I shared this week's Wordless Wednesday photos and videos, I said I'd come back and explain some of the code issues that I can see. That info is in today's post!
Ask Me Anything – July 29th
I decided to try something new, a series of live sessions where I do a short presentation followed by Q&A, to address the codes that apply to electrified hardware. All are welcome!
WW: Creative, but not compliant
The photos and video for today's Wordless Wednesday post came from Zachary Bass, Deputy Fire Marshal with the Asheville NC Fire Marshal’s Office. What problems can you spot?
Decoded: Mounting Heights for Door Hardware
I made some quick updates to this Decoded article on required mounting heights for hardware, with current code references.
WW: Ballroom Egress
I understand that this is a historic (and beautiful!) property, but it's surprising to me that an update to the egress doors has not been required at some point since 1933. What do you think?
Decoded: Delayed Egress Locks
My next Decoded article looks at the delayed egress requirements of both sets of model codes - there are some important variations to be aware of.
WW: Another Hotel Problem
Lloyd Raforth of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, from a hotel in Texas. I don't think it needs any explanation. #wordless
QQ: Opposite-Swinging Doors
Today's Quick Question is answered in a 2027 model code change: On a double-egress pair, does each leaf have to provide the required clear opening width of 32 inches?
Decoded: Egress Terminology
Where does the time go?? I'm continuing my project of updating the Decoded articles that I've referenced in training or other resources, to make sure the information is current.
FF: Break the Chain
I've posted about this in the past, but I still don't know of a code requirement that specifically prohibits or permits the application shown in today's Fixed-it Friday photo. Thoughts?
WW: Special Knowledge?
Kelly Reese of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos...what do you think? Does this door require special knowledge for egress?
Nursing Room
Ten - YES 10! - years ago, I wrote a post asking what lock function readers recommended for a lactation room or nursing room. What do you think of this application I saw in an airport?
WW: Airport Exits
By the time this week is over I will have visited five airports - these are just two of the many doors I've seen so far. What problems do you notice in these Wordless Wednesday photos?
Decoded: Luminous Egress Path Markings
This article was published in the first year of my Decoded column...15 years ago! It was due for an update, and I'm guessing there are still people who are not aware of these requirements.
QQ/WWYD? Delayed Egress on Electrical Rooms
Today's Quick Question is not specifically answered in the model codes as far as I can tell: Are delayed egress locks permitted on doors serving electrical rooms where panic hardware is required?
What’s that? Gang Bus Option
I was working on a presentation the other day about questions on delayed egress locks, and I came across the term "gang bus" related to the Von Duprin Chexit. When would you use it?
QQ/WWYD? Roof Doors
For a roof door that allows access to mechanical equipment on the roof, what are your preferred locking methods or functions - both electrical and mechanical? What would you do?
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?