Means of Egress

Assembly Doors with Mag-Locks

Assembly Doors with Mag-Locks

In a recent discussion about code change proposals, there was a question about whether electromagnetic locks should be an acceptable alternative to panic hardware, on doors serving Assembly occupancies - essentially the application shown in the photos below. If approved, a door serving an assembly space, and perhaps even Educational occupancies depending on how the proposal was written, could have mag-locks released by a sensor, and no panic hardware - no latching device at all...

By Lori Greene|2014-09-18T00:20:20-04:00September 11th, 2014|Electrified Hardware, Means of Egress, Panic Hardware|14 Comments

Decoded Quick-Tips: Fire Door Assemblies

In preparation for an upcoming class for access control professionals, I'm putting together some printable summaries of code tips on security-related topics. The first sheet I'm working on addresses requirements specific to fire door assemblies that would be important to an access control integrator or security consultant...

By Lori Greene|2014-10-23T01:51:03-04:00September 8th, 2014|Electrified Hardware, Fire Doors, Means of Egress|2 Comments

Stairwell Reentry – Revisited

Stairwell Reentry – Revisited

Something recently caught me by surprise and I feel like I should bring it to light so that anyone who is specifying, supplying, or installing electrified hardware on stairwell doors would be aware of the potential issue...

By Lori Greene|2014-09-11T08:48:04-04:00September 4th, 2014|Code Development, Electrified Hardware, Fire Doors, Means of Egress|21 Comments

WW: Hot Mess

WW: Hot Mess

I'm working on a blog post - hopefully for tomorrow, about a code problem involving stairwell reentry requirements. And it's not good news. But for today, from Edward Marchakitus of Cornell Storefront Systems, the emergency exit on a retail store. You'll be happy to know that this is the "before" photo:

By Lori Greene|2014-09-03T14:13:57-04:00September 3rd, 2014|Means of Egress, Wordless Wednesday|6 Comments

WWYD? School Security

In addition to providing support and training on door-related code requirements, my job also includes participating in code development - helping to propose changes to the codes that affect our business, and reviewing proposals from others. There is currently research underway that may propose to add school security requirements to a national code...

By Lori Greene|2016-10-23T20:16:55-04:00September 2nd, 2014|Fire Doors, Means of Egress, School Security, WWYD?|10 Comments

Decoded Online Training

In a few weeks I will be teaching my Decoded online course again, this time on behalf of the Center for Campus Fire Safety. The Decoded course is a 4-class series on code requirements applicable to doors and hardware, and is based on the following codes and standards...

By Lori Greene|2014-09-16T10:54:23-04:00August 28th, 2014|Accessibility, Fire Doors, Means of Egress, News|3 Comments

WW: Obstructed Egress

WW: Obstructed Egress

An architect's office can't claim that they didn't understand the requirements for an unobstructed means of egress, right?

By Lori Greene|2014-08-27T13:31:44-04:00August 27th, 2014|Means of Egress, Wordless Wednesday|7 Comments

Doors in the News

Doors in the News

Keith Brooks, Head of Prevention and Protection at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “This case is a perfect example of how important fire doors are when a fire breaks out both in the home and the workplace. They play a critical element in saving lives and property and should never be propped open..."

By Lori Greene|2016-08-03T22:52:24-04:00August 26th, 2014|Fire Doors, Means of Egress, News|0 Comments

FF: 5 Operations to Exit

FF: 5 Operations to Exit

Eric Rieckers of Yadon Construction Specialties sent me this classic Fixed-it Friday photo of a door gone wrong. Security must not be enhanced at the expense of life safety, and doors in a means of egress must be unlatched with one operation. Several of these locks are also mounted outside of the allowable range for operable hardware.

By Lori Greene|2014-08-19T16:36:44-04:00August 22nd, 2014|Fixed-it Friday, Locks & Keys, Means of Egress|16 Comments

Locked in Mazagan

Locked in Mazagan

This was not the first time I've been locked in. My youngest daughter locked us in a hotel room on another summer road trip, and once I got locked in the Trinity Church stairwell. Hopefully being locked in Mazagan makes #3 of 3...

By Lori Greene|2014-08-14T10:38:00-04:00August 14th, 2014|Means of Egress, Road Trips|3 Comments

WW: Fez Egress

WW: Fez Egress

In Fez, we stayed in two riads - beautiful old houses that have been converted to guesthouses. Check out the stairs...I wouldn't want to have to get out quickly. The egress rules are a little different here...

By Lori Greene|2014-08-06T13:18:04-04:00August 6th, 2014|Beautiful Doors, Means of Egress, Wordless Wednesday|5 Comments

WWYD? School Multi-Stall Bathrooms

WWYD? School Multi-Stall Bathrooms

A couple of weeks ago I posted about my teacher-friend Shilana, who shared with me (and y'all) a bit about her school's lockdown procedures. I asked her about several scenarios...what she would do if she and the kids were on the playground, in the gym, or in the restroom when the lockdown alarm sounded...

By Lori Greene|2022-02-23T14:52:16-05:00July 31st, 2014|Means of Egress|5 Comments

TBT: Wide Throw Hinge

TBT: Wide Throw Hinge

These photos were sent in by Eyal Bedrik of Entry Systems Ltd., after his recent trip to the US from Israel. The photos were taken at the George Eastman House in Rochester, New York. The home was built between 1902 and 1905, and is 35,000 square feet with 50 rooms!

By Lori Greene|2014-07-25T01:04:09-04:00July 24th, 2014|Accessibility, Beautiful Doors, Hinges & Pivots, Historical, Means of Egress|11 Comments

WW: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

WW: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

If you're not an avid reader of Doors & Hardware (what??), you may not be familiar with the Real Openings column by Mark Berger of Securitech. Mark's photos ALWAYS leave me wordless. With Mark's permission, here are his photos from the July issue...

By Lori Greene|2014-07-25T01:03:59-04:00July 23rd, 2014|Means of Egress, Wordless Wednesday|0 Comments

NFPA 101 on Fire Door Inspection

NFPA 101 on Fire Door Inspection

Last week I was asked whether the 2012 edition of NFPA 101 - The Life Safety Code requires annual fire door inspections for health care facilities. As many of you know, the Joint Commission and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will soon be using the 2012 edition of NFPA 101 when they survey health care facilities...

By Lori Greene|2016-03-10T08:29:01-05:00July 22nd, 2014|FDAI, Fire Doors, Means of Egress|11 Comments

WW: Fan Club

WW: Fan Club

This is a marked exit from a dry cleaner's. The photo was posted on the Truck Floor Training page on Facebook - a group for firefighter training. It's interesting to look at this door from both perspectives...

By Lori Greene|2014-07-16T09:49:02-04:00July 16th, 2014|Means of Egress, Wordless Wednesday|3 Comments

FF: Disguised Doors

FF: Disguised Doors

For those of us concerned with egress requirements, disguising the egress side of a door is a questionable method of preventing elopement, since egress doors must be readily distinguishable...

By Lori Greene|2017-07-17T09:52:10-04:00July 11th, 2014|Fixed-it Friday, Health Care, Means of Egress|8 Comments

Decoded: Calculating the Occupant Load

Decoded: Calculating the Occupant Load

Many code requirements are dependent upon the occupant load of the room or space in question. For example, the International Building Code (IBC) requires panic hardware for doors equipped with a lock or latch, which serve Assembly or Educational occupancies with an occupant load of 50 or more (the occupant load limit for NFPA 101 – The Life Safety Code is 100 or more)...

By Lori Greene|2021-07-12T18:44:49-04:00July 8th, 2014|Articles, Means of Egress|82 Comments

50 Articles!

Late in 2010 when this blog was about a year and a half old, the editor of Doors & Hardware asked if they could publish one of my blog posts in each issue as a monthly column...

By Lori Greene|2014-07-06T10:06:57-04:00July 7th, 2014|Accessibility, Fire Doors, Means of Egress|4 Comments

FF: Service Call

FF: Service Call

Jon Dudley from Allegion sent me this Fixed-it Friday photo after being called out to a hospital because of a panic device that was not functioning properly. The access control system would operate the device electrically, but two self-tapping screws had been installed on the underside of the device which prevented the touchpad from being actuated manually.

By Lori Greene|2014-07-01T19:52:43-04:00July 3rd, 2014|Fixed-it Friday, Means of Egress, Panic Hardware|14 Comments

NYC Code Update

The New York City Department of Buildings has announced that New York City will be adopting a new construction code as of October 1st, 2014. Please forward this post to any of your colleagues who work on projects in NYC.

By Lori Greene|2015-12-16T09:59:32-05:00July 1st, 2014|Fire Doors, Means of Egress, News|20 Comments

Random Doors of Dallas

Random Doors of Dallas

If you're here in Dallas for DHI's CoNEXTions 2014 and you see any beautiful or interesting doors, send me a clear photo and I'll add it to this post! OH - and come to my class tomorrow (Friday) so I'm not all alone - CE1401 Codes and Standards Update at 1:30 in Senators Hall. Here are some that I've seen so far...

By Lori Greene|2014-06-27T20:41:34-04:00June 26th, 2014|Beautiful Doors, Means of Egress, Road Trips|9 Comments

More Reader Photos

More Reader Photos

I'm tied up preparing for Day 2 of COR140 and the rest of the week's events, so here's another batch of reader photos. Thank you to all of the readers who make it a little easier to keep iDigHardware running when my hair is on fire. I just noticed that all of today's photos came from my Allegion brethren, so it's an all-Allegion post!

By Lori Greene|2016-12-17T00:05:46-05:00June 24th, 2014|Beautiful Doors, Means of Egress|2 Comments

Reader Photos

Reader Photos

I'm in Dallas this week to teach DHI's COR140 - Using Codes and Standards and then attend the DHI Conference - CoNEXTions 2014. It's a crazy-busy week, so it may be a full week of reader photos. If you've been hoarding your awesome door photos, send them along!

By Lori Greene|2014-06-27T20:42:01-04:00June 23rd, 2014|Doors Gone Wrong, Fire Doors, Gates, Means of Egress, Reader Photos|6 Comments

See you next week?

See you next week?

In just a few days I'll be heading to Dallas for CoNEXTions 2014 - the DHI annual conference. As I mentioned before, I'll be teaching COR140 - Using Codes and Standards Monday-Wednesday, and in late-breaking news, I'll be teaching the CE1401 Codes and Standards Update on Friday (6/27) from 1:30-4:00 p.m. CE1401 is an online code update, but I'm going to talk about some of the recent changes live and in person. This class is being offered for FREE as part of the conference registration (it is normally $250 for members/$350 for non-members).

By Lori Greene|2016-12-09T10:43:35-05:00June 19th, 2014|Accessibility, Fire Doors, Means of Egress|4 Comments

WW: Butt in Any Time

WW: Butt in Any Time

I'm at the BHMA meeting in Chicago this week, and the restaurant we selected for dinner (a Chicago icon) had the added bonus of a door that left me a little Wordless. This is the main entrance and exit from a restaurant with an occupant load of approximately 300. See any issues?

By Lori Greene|2014-06-23T15:26:33-04:00June 18th, 2014|Means of Egress, Wordless Wednesday|10 Comments

FF: The Sleeve

FF: The Sleeve

After Tuesday's school shooting in Oregon, there were several news reports about a school security product developed by a group of teachers. It's called "The Sleeve," a steel sleeve that fits over the door closer arm to prevent an intruder from opening the classroom door from the corridor...

By Lori Greene|2017-11-11T17:29:56-05:00June 13th, 2014|Door Closers, Fixed-it Friday, Means of Egress, School Security|40 Comments

Code Implications for Mechanical Hardware

Locksmiths are often called upon to increase security at an existing door or replace hardware that is damaged or defective. There are several code-related issues to note before getting started...

By Lori Greene|2014-06-30T00:30:00-04:00June 9th, 2014|Accessibility, Fire Doors, Locks & Keys, Locksmith Ledger, Means of Egress, Panic Hardware, Protection Plates|6 Comments

Fatal Fall From Roof

Fatal Fall From Roof

I read in the news this morning that a 2-year-old boy died when he fell from the roof of a 4-story apartment building in Dorchester, Massachusetts - about 25 miles from my home. Many of the news reports focus on the lack of supervision that allowed the toddler to leave the day care on the first floor, climb 4 flights of stairs to the roof, push the door to the roof open...

By Lori Greene|2021-11-07T22:10:37-05:00May 29th, 2014|Means of Egress, News|5 Comments

WW: Grocery Store Egress

WW: Grocery Store Egress

In addition to the blocked egress path, I see a security bar with a padlock and hasp, the original lockset, and an exit alarm, presumably requiring at least 3 operations to unlatch the door. And possibly a key. And a detailed map to find your way to the door...

By Lori Greene|2014-05-28T13:01:00-04:00May 28th, 2014|Means of Egress, Wordless Wednesday|2 Comments

WW: Scary Emergency Exit

WW: Scary Emergency Exit

This week's Wordless Wednesday photo is from Keith Lathrop of Midwest Wholesale Hardware - a particularly scary emergency exit with a chain and padlock to replace the missing rods and top latch...

By Lori Greene|2014-05-21T11:41:31-04:00May 21st, 2014|Means of Egress, Wordless Wednesday|4 Comments

DHI Technical Education in Dallas!

DHI Technical Education in Dallas!

Back in the Olden Days when I went to hardware school, I couldn't wait to get my AHC certification and become an instructor. I really looked up to them (and still do!). They were very knowledgeable but they had a lot of fun too. Then life happened...

By Lori Greene|2016-12-09T10:43:35-05:00May 19th, 2014|FDAI, Means of Egress|2 Comments

Decoded: Use Groups and Occupancy Classifications

In Chapter 3, the IBC defines each “use group” and NFPA 101 - Chapter 6 describes each “classification of occupancy.” Both terms describe how the building or a portion of the building will be used, and each of these codes contain requirements specific to certain uses...

By Lori Greene|2023-08-31T23:13:52-04:00May 15th, 2014|Fire Doors, Means of Egress|6 Comments

Ramp It Up

Ramp It Up

As I stood outside the warehouse I noticed that everyone who went in or out of the exit (which was not the main entrance), had something to say about the "ramp." This exit would clearly not be considered accessible, but it was even difficult for able-bodied visitors to use...

By Lori Greene|2014-05-23T22:05:55-04:00May 13th, 2014|Accessibility, Means of Egress|9 Comments

MGM Stampede

It appears this massive mishap could have been a lot worse than it turned out to be, but it is nevertheless a scary incident that left many people hurt and hundreds in harm's way. That may prompt the MGM Grand to reevaluate its current design and make some tweaks to avoid similar incidents in the future...

By Lori Greene|2016-01-27T13:18:54-05:00May 5th, 2014|Means of Egress, News, Videos|0 Comments

FF: Airport Cart Protection

FF: Airport Cart Protection

These doors are fire doors and also a marked exit, so a) replacing the fire exit hardware with surface bolts negates the positive latching, b) the rim strike that has been installed with the rim panic is not acceptable for use on a fire door, c) the guide rails prevent the inactive leaf from opening...

By Lori Greene|2014-05-01T23:49:52-04:00May 2nd, 2014|Fire Doors, Fixed-it Friday, Means of Egress, Panic Hardware|4 Comments

WW: Bartender Exit Only

WW: Bartender Exit Only

It seems like every time I attend a meeting of one of the associations I belong to, I see something to use on this site (here's one from a CSI meeting, and another, and another...

By Lori Greene|2014-04-30T10:31:01-04:00April 30th, 2014|Means of Egress, Wordless Wednesday|1 Comment

WW: Western Store Emergency Exit

WW: Western Store Emergency Exit

Today's Wordless Wednesday photos came from an anonymous fire inspector pal of mine. This is very common in retail stores - the merchandise displays creep in and encroach upon the egress route, or inhibit the operation of fire doors...

By Lori Greene|2014-04-16T11:03:00-04:00April 16th, 2014|Means of Egress, Wordless Wednesday|6 Comments

WWYD? Elopement in Schools

WWYD? Elopement in Schools

Even if we only consider the space with the smallest occupant load - the classroom, the codes do not give us many options for preventing a student from eloping. If the classroom has an exterior door that is required for egress, it can not be locked in the direction of egress....

By Lori Greene|2018-09-16T15:29:40-04:00April 15th, 2014|Electrified Hardware, Means of Egress, School Security, WWYD?|16 Comments

WWYD? School Seclusion Room

WWYD? School Seclusion Room

Some schools include seclusion rooms, where a child may be placed if he/she needs time to calm down without endangering themselves or others...

By Lori Greene|2015-12-08T23:41:59-05:00April 14th, 2014|Electrified Hardware, Locks & Keys, Means of Egress, School Security, WWYD?|8 Comments

FF: I’ve got a welder and I’m not afraid to use it.

FF: I’ve got a welder and I’m not afraid to use it.

Paul Goldense of Goldense Building Products sent me these photos, taken in a 6-bay heavy truck repair garage. Lots of torches, welders, flammables, and other hazards present. Instead of replacing the door on the left, someone adept at welding Fixed-it...

By Lori Greene|2014-04-11T14:30:26-04:00April 11th, 2014|Fixed-it Friday, Means of Egress|9 Comments

Decoded: Key-Operated Locks

I need some help from you...a nice clear photo of a door with the signage described below, as well as the indicator lock. If you have seen one of these in your local area, I'd really appreciate some help with these photos...

By Lori Greene|2021-07-21T16:13:04-04:00April 10th, 2014|Articles, Locks & Keys, Means of Egress|8 Comments

WW: Restaurant Exit

WW: Restaurant Exit

This illustrates why I disagree with "bending the rules" to allow non-code-compliant security devices to be used "after-hours." When the fire marshal agrees to something like this, the compromise would typically come with a qualifier...

By Lori Greene|2014-04-09T01:11:04-04:00April 9th, 2014|Means of Egress, Panic Hardware, Wordless Wednesday|2 Comments

In the News

In the News

The outstanding code violations include missing or damaged fire doors and exposed wiring, he said, and replacement doors and light fixtures have been ordered. An improperly installed gate and a parking problem also have been fixed to accommodate emergency vehicles, he said....

By Lori Greene|2016-08-31T11:00:14-04:00April 8th, 2014|Fire Doors, Means of Egress, News|1 Comment

WW: Vertical Rod Repair

WW: Vertical Rod Repair

When I look at a photo and can't come up with the right thing to say, I know it needs to be posted for Wordless Wednesday...like this one from Kevin Taylor of Allegion...

By Lori Greene|2014-04-02T00:23:34-04:00April 2nd, 2014|Doors Gone Wrong, Means of Egress, Panic Hardware, Wordless Wednesday|17 Comments

FF: Another School “Solution”

FF: Another School “Solution”

First, a few things...For everyone who still has their fingers and toes crossed from yesterday's fire door test, the wood doors passed! In addition to addressing the perimeter clearance problems, a door shoe was tested...

By Lori Greene|2014-03-28T12:25:41-04:00March 28th, 2014|Fire Doors, Fixed-it Friday, Means of Egress, School Security|5 Comments

Continued Vigilance

Continued Vigilance

I'm in Chicago today, to attend a fire test at Underwriters Laboratories in Northbrook. This product is designed to be used on fire door assemblies where the clearances are larger than those allowed by NFPA 80...

By Lori Greene|2014-03-27T08:47:50-04:00March 27th, 2014|Fire Doors, Means of Egress|14 Comments

FF: Antique Store Exit

FF: Antique Store Exit

My plan for harnessing the power of the Earth's population to identify and respond to code problems is working! This antique store must have some REALLY valuable antiques in it, but it's ok because someone has Fixed-It...

By Lori Greene|2014-03-21T12:43:24-04:00March 21st, 2014|Fixed-it Friday, Locks & Keys, Means of Egress|14 Comments

Risqué and Risky

Risqué and Risky

Last fall, one of my mom-friends turned 40. To celebrate in traditional fashion, we organized a posse of 13 40-something moms to go to a show. Not a show like the GoGos Reunion Tour...a drag show...

By Lori Greene|2018-01-16T17:10:13-05:00March 20th, 2014|Fire Doors, Means of Egress, News|18 Comments

WW: Mall Security

WW: Mall Security

This mall exit was spotted by William Hoppe of UC Merced, and the photos were sent to me by Chad Jenkins of the National Locksmithing Institute. Unbelievable...

By Lori Greene|2014-03-19T12:37:45-04:00March 12th, 2014|Locks & Keys, Means of Egress, Panic Hardware, Wordless Wednesday|5 Comments

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