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?
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