Code Requirements for Electromagnetic Locks (video)
I hope this video sums up the requirements in a way that will help answer any remaining questions.
Decoded: Code Requirements for Classroom Security (video)
Our newest whiteboard animation video addresses the important topic of classroom security.
FF: State to City College: Uninstall 1,000 Fire Code-Defying ‘Barricade Devices’
Yesterday, I read an article about a college in California that purchased and installed 1,000 barricade devices at a cost of more than $200,000, as recommended by the local police chief. The college later removed the devices, as they are not compliant with the building code and fire code in California, or with the ADA.
WW: Lockdown Lowdown
Since it's Wordless Wednesday, here is a photo that Jim Phillips of SBS Associates sent me from a school walk-through. Luckily the school's security precautions kept these intruders out.
FF: Special Knowledge?
Looking at the signage, the unfamiliar locks, and the exposed wiring, I wondered if the average person would instinctively know how to exit, or whether an AHJ might think this opening requires "special knowledge"...
WW: Another School Shooting
As another school shooting occurs, I struggle with what to write. Today is Wednesday, the day that I typically post a photo that leaves me wordless...
Rooftop Heliport Egress
The more of the "vanilla" topics that are covered on iDigHardware, the more "peppermint stick" the questions become!
WW: Antique Shop Emergency Exit
Deputy Jeff Tock of Allegion found this "emergency exit" while he was out antiquing. I wonder how building occupants are supposed to exit in an emergency...I guess the store is not expecting one to occur.
WW: Wisconsin Teen’s Door-Locking Device Offers Extra Safety In Active Shooter Situations
When this story was posted on Facebook yesterday, several people attempted to address the code issues associated with the teenager's invention. A commenter posted a link to one of my articles, and another commenter called my article "a fallacy"!
FF: Locks and Chains
Thank you to Brendan Daley for this Fixed-it Friday photo. I could fix this pretty quickly with a set of bolt cutters.
WW: Salty Crew
Rich Howard of Architectural Builders Supply sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo. I'll give it a C+ for effort, but an F for egress.
WW: What’s missing?
This Wordless Wednesday video is from the Daily Mail...what's missing from this application?
Six Locked Doors
Today is the 75th anniversary of the fire at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Boston - one of the tragedies that had the biggest impact on the codes that pertain to doors, hardware, and means of egress. A new documentary recounts the stories of some of the survivors, and memorializes the 492 people who lost their lives that day.
Storage in Stairwells
Most of us know that stored materials don't belong in stairwells, including the space under the stairs. But with square footage at a premium, we are sometimes asked to "prove it"...
FF: LTR Panics
Well, this is one way to solve the problems with your panic hardware - NOT! Thanks to Charles Anderson for these Fixed-it Friday photos!
WWYD? IBC Changes
This is our big chance to propose some changes to the IBC, to help make it easier to interpret, and to address new developments in products or technologies, or new safety issues that have arisen...
WW: “Anger as table is spotted in front of fire door…”
This is the moment I've been dreaming of...an article in the Somerset (UK) News about someone tweeting their anger regarding the placement of a table and chair in front of an egress door!
WWYD? Bumper Cars
Leo Lebovits of M&D Door & Hardware sent me these photos from a recent trip to an amusement park. Are these doors code-compliant for a building of this type? Why, or why not?
Specifying Zombie-Resistant Door Openings (Update)
While ensuring code-compliance, of course!
Decoded: Code Requirements for Classroom Security
Our last whiteboard animation video for this year will address the 2018 model code requirements for classroom security...
WW: Warehouse Exit
I really don't know what to say about this Wordless Wednesday photo, which was sent to me by Jim Heberlein of Block Iron & Supply Company. The good news is, the doors and hardware are being replaced!
WW: School Entrance Security
Today's Wordless Wednesday photos were sent by Austin Bammann of Central Indiana Hardware. This is NOT the way I would provide security at the entrance to a school. :(
FF: Doggie Door?
Guess what this is for. And once you figure it out, what do you think about the potential impact on free egress?
QQ: More on Stairwell Reentry
The questions about stairwell reentry never seem to end. I think it's time to work on some code development proposals to add some clarity...
WW: Emergency Escape Chute
This video made the rounds on social media last week. I will refrain from commenting since it is Wordless Wednesday...
FF: Find Another Exit
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos are from Leo Lebovits at M&D Door & Hardware. Someone had the forethought to remove the exit sign...I wonder if this was approved by the AHJ...
WW: How You Can Help Spot Fire Hazards
I was so excited to see this video from the Texas State Fire Marshal's office talking about egress and fire hazards, but I noticed a little problem with one of the doors. Can you find it?
23 Fatalities in Malaysia Dormitory Fire
Security bars or grilles are common on windows in many developing countries and in other areas where security is a major concern...
WW: Hinge-Hasp
Thank you to Curtis Meskus for these Wordless Wednesday photos. This pair leads to a storage room in a motel. I have a feeling these will show up in one of my nightmares sometime soon.
Duck Test
This morning I was reading an article about an exit problem at the Mineta San Jose International Airport in California...
FF: NFPA 101-2018 on Classroom Security
This post has a lot going on. First, since it's Fixed-it Friday and I don't want to disappoint anyone, here's a photo from Bill Stock of Johnson Hardware...
Guatemala and Beyond…
As I promised yesterday, here are a few doors from my recent trip to Guatemala. We saw so many amazing doors - big ones, small ones, ornate doors and utilitarian doors, lots of wicket doors, cool door knockers and other hardware...
FF: Lockout
This is not the intended use of this device. Anyone know what it's for?
WWYD? Posted Occupant Load
Have you ever noticed a sign stating the maximum occupant load of a room? How about a sign stating that the maximum occupant load is 49 people? I've seen several signs stating the 49-person limit, and I recently received a question that made me ponder this...
WW: Emergency Exit
I. Have. No. Words.
Decoded: Securing Parking Garages (September 2017)
Without proper planning, parking garages can present security and life-safety challenges. People who are authorized to use the parking area – or unauthorized people who are able to enter an open parking garage – may attempt to gain access to other floors of the building...
WWYD? Courtyard Doors
In this school it appears that by preventing access to the courtyard, the school is not required to provide free egress from the courtyard...
QQ: Selected Reentry
What is "selected reentry" and when can it be used?
Sneak Peek
I told you we were going to have fun this week, right? Well, what could be more fun than a quiz to help you learn about codes? :D But first, I have to tell you something...
FF: Deadbolt Retrofit
These photos, from Kelly Reese of Allegion, qualify for the double-whammy - Wordless Wednesday AND Fixed-it Friday. But don't worry...it is indeed Friday! Have a great weekend!
Sensor Bars for Egress
Last week a code official contacted me because he had seen some egress doors in a school that were equipped with sensor bars used to release electromagnetic locks...
WW: Mall Exit
Why is it that when something goes wrong with the existing hardware, some facilities use the hardware equivalent of a band-aid rather than repairing or replacing the hardware?
NFPA 101 Appeals and Testimony
As I've mentioned in previous posts, shortly after the NFPA Technical Meeting on June 7th, two appeals were filed. These appeals were submitted in favor of keeping the proposed changes to NFPA 101 that would allow 2 releasing operations instead of 1...
Why two-operation release is not an option – Joseph Hendry Jr., PSP, CLEE
Joseph Hendry Jr., PSP, CLEE has written the guest blog post below, to share his experience in law enforcement regarding human behavior in an emergency. This relates directly to the question of whether NFPA 101 should continue to limit egress doors to one releasing operation or should allow two operations to release the latch.
WW: Essence Superlounge
"At around 8:45 p.m., Captain Michael Flot of the New Orleans Fire Department faced an angry crowd of hundreds outside of the Essence Superlounge to tell them they would not be able to see Xscape that night. 'This is the worst I've ever seen it,' Flot said."
FF: “Please help – I’m stuck in here.”
This is why doors are required to provide free egress. Even doors used by very few people, leading to tiny rooms that may need more security than the average closet.
WW: Party Prep
Rich McKie sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo of a high school lobby, which was being prepared for a "Dry Grad" overnight graduation party coordinated by a parent committee...
FF: You Get What You Pay For
I have run out of words. Is this the best we can do to secure our classrooms? :(
Decoded: Code Requirements for Electromagnetic Locks
This post was published in the August 2017 issue of Doors & Hardware
WW: Kool-Aid Follow-Up
Last week I posted a photo of the egress side of a "door" through some sheetrock that had been scored. Jonathan Mathew Taylor just sent me this photo of the other side...