UNCC ‘One-Button’ Lockdown
When a shooting occurred at the University of North Carolina Charlotte last week, an electronic locking system was already in place that allowed the campus to be locked down in seconds.
ABC15: Hundreds of padlocks installed on prison cell doors
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this news story from ABC 15 in Arizona, about the fire and safety concerns associated with installing padlocks on prison cell doors.
Kitsap Sun: Lawsuit alleges Bremerton teacher confined alone in classroom with violent student
It's only a matter of time before we see the unintended consequences of non-code-compliant, untested, unregulated security devices.
FF: Why is this unacceptable?
I received this photo from Audrey Weiser of DHI - she was looking for some code language that would clearly state that this application is not allowed. Unfortunately, there isn't anything specific (that I can think of) in the model codes.
WW: Convenient Storage Space
Yes, this is supposed to lead to an exit - an exterior stair from the second floor of a function space. #wordless
Barricade Devices – Three Perspectives
These 3 perspectives showed up in my Google Alerts today - a school district using barricade devices, a man working in a school who wanted to use barricading when he committed a shooting, and the legal perspective. Powerful.
WW: Wordless…
Jeff Rapp of Wilkus Architects sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos. I hope whatever this facility is trying to protect is worth the risk. :(
New York in the News
These news stories both happen to be from New York City, and both address topics that made me go hmmm... What do you think?
WW: Let’s Book!
I have had requests for help specifying doors like this, but not on a marked exit! This door is serving a business occupancy. What do you think - OK, or NO WAY?
AP News: ‘It doesn’t open’
Fifty people died in the shootings at the two mosques in Christchurch. How many could have survived if the egress door had allowed immediate evacuation?
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Tragedy
This week marks the anniversary of a tragic fire that heavily impacted life safety codes and requirements for worker safety. It's important to understand these tragedies, to avoid repeating them.
Decoded: Why Barricade Devices? (May 2019)
Why would a school district consider using unregulated security devices, given the associated risk and liability? The answer may surprise you.
WW: Please use other door.
When my coworker mentioned this door to two different employees, they said they have brought it up with the manager, but the decision was "above their pay grade"...
Wicked Local: School’s Locks Violate Codes
A news report hit my inbox a few days ago, which discussed a security situation in a Massachusetts elementary school; some classroom barricade devices had been installed in 2014...
FF: Hard-Wired Exit
Take a look at these egress doors serving a large arena. The struggle for security is real, but we can't forget about life-safety in the process!
WW: Solve for Tomorrow Competition
I love the idea of putting our heads together to search for solutions, but inventors need to consider authorized access, free egress, and accessibility, in addition to security.
WW: Trampoline Park
I get it. The trampoline park needs to keep kids from eloping. What would you propose as a solution?
Locksmith Ledger: Electromagnetic Locks – 7 Applications and the Codes That Apply
How do you choose which code section to use?
WW: Ladder Lock
Sometimes when Wordless Wednesday rolls around, I really am Wordless. Today is one of those Wordless Wednesdays.
WW: Rocky Mountain Mercantile
The horizontal bars on this "emergency exit" are padlocked to hasps welded to the door - likely to prevent theft - AND EGRESS!
WWYD? Deadbolt + Mag-Lock
Is it code-compliant to add a deadbolt to a door with a mag-lock, that can be used to lock the door during a power failure?
WW: Wordless
I have spent two days trying to figure out what to write in this post. I'm still thinking.
FF: Southeast Asia Airport
A knob, lever, AND a mag-lock? And what's with the stainless plates? Are they covering old vision lights or do you think they were "original equipment"?
QQ: Monitored or Recorded Egress
Quick Question: Is it code-compliant for a card reader on the egress side of the door to be used to monitor who uses the door?
WW: Delayed Egress Retrofit
Joe Fazio of Precision Doors & Hardware sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo. I don't know what to say. How about you?
NFPA 3000 Webinar – Archived Recording
One part of this webinar that got my attention was the EMS perspective on how a delay in accessing the classroom could affect the medical outcome. The archived webinar is linked in this post.
WWYD? Classroom Exit Alarm
I really need your expertise on this one...talk to me about exit alarms to deter the use of classroom doors, or to at least notify the teacher that someone has opened the door.
WW: Classroom Egress
Andrew Harris of Willis Klein sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, and it's disheartening. This is the exterior door of a middle school classroom with one or more students who have special needs.
Escape Room Tragedy
When we think about code-compliance, it's not just about lines on a page in a book. It's about reducing the risk of tragedies like this one.
WW: Fire Hose Security, Revisited
As I've said before...as a last resort anything goes, but THIS SHOULD NOT BE PLAN A! Do you agree or disagree?
FF: Fight Your Way Out
This Fixed-it Friday photo is of an egress door serving a martial arts studio. It's a good thing the students have special skills they can use in an emergency.
WW: What’s Wrong?
Eric Laidlaw of Jensen Hughes sent me these Wordless Wednesday photos...I'd love to hear your theories/analyses of what's going on with this opening.
FF: Sobriety Test
So many people sent me this Fixed-it Friday photo from Reddit (thanks to all!) that I knew the rest of you would want to see it too. BTW...this is clever, but not code-compliant!
WW: Door is Broken
The sad thing about situations like this is that they often stay as-is for YEARS. In this particular case, the sign appears to be laminated or in a plastic sheet protector.
FF: Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign
For everyone who has asked, I'm feeling quite a bit better - thanks! The cough is still lingering a bit, but hopefully it will clear up before I head to Carmel next week.
WW: Sorties, ou non?
Thank you to Frederic Horrell of Allegion Canada, for today's Wordless Wednesday photo!
WW: Von Duprin 44s!
I admit it. I have a thing for old hardware - especially when it's still functional, and even better when it's ours!
WW: Happy Thanksgiving!
iDigHardware will be on break until Monday, so enjoy the holiday weekend (if you're celebrating), and don't forget the rules of holiday door decorating!
QQ: Posted Occupant Load
When are facility managers and building owners required to post signs stating the occupant load of a room or area?
FF: Social Hall
In the US we often take life safety for granted, and non-compliant door openings stick out like a sore thumb. In other countries, stringent codes and enforcement are less common.
FF: WWYD?
What would you do if you were in this situation? It's not always easy to do the right thing, but could you live with yourself if something happened?
Fire Marshal Guidance for Unplanned Fire Alarms
Remember when a fire alarm during the school day meant exiting immediately in an orderly fashion and enjoying a few minutes away from our desks? Times are changing.
Which code, when, and where?
When you're interpreting the code requirements for a particular building, how do you know which code or standard to reference?
FF: Employees Only
How does a building owner or property manager justify locking and partially blocking a door that is clearly marked with an exit sign above it? #wordless
WW: Happy Halloween!
It's that time of year again...when teachers get creative and their classroom doors become the canvas. Don't forget the rules of holiday door decorating!
Bullpen Doors
In case you haven't had enough baseball, John Cohrs of Central Indiana Hardware sent me this photo of the bullpen door from last night's World Series game (nice hardware!).
FF: Classic Fix
Fire marshal to restaurant owner: "This door requires panic hardware because the occupant load is over 50 people." Restaurant owner: "Done!"
WW: I’m at a loss for words…
I'd love to hear your thoughts on today's Wordless Wednesday photo. This is in direct conflict with everything I learned about life safety in hardware school.
Classroom Security – 4 Questions
It has been 74 days since I have written about classroom barricade devices. This refresher is posted by request, and in honor of Safe Schools Week.
WW: Special Knowledge and Effort
These doors are an egress problem waiting to happen, and on an assembly occupancy where large numbers of people may need to exit quickly...