WW Follow-Up
In yesterday's Wordless Wednesday post I shared a photo of a hotel stairwell where washers and dryers had been installed under the stairs, and several people weighed in on the problem - including some AHJs. Here's a follow-up.
Decoded: Deadbolts in a Means of Egress
Are deadbolts permitted by code in a means of egress? A surprising number of people would answer "no", but deadbolts are allowed under certain circumstances. I have updated this Decoded article based on the current codes.
WW: Another DIY Barricade Device
I received this Wordless Wednesday photo from Paul Timm of Allegion, another example of a school district's efforts to implement a means of locking doors quickly in case of an active shooter situation. But what about other hazards?
FF: Theater Exit
Our local library has a small theater that holds just under 100 people. The space only had one code-compliant exit and the building is hundreds of years old and difficult to modify. TGIFixed-it Friday!
Decoded: Unlatching a Door for Egress
In the next Decoded article I have answered the following frequently asked question: When is it permissible for an egress door to have hardware that requires more than one releasing motion to unlatch the door?
WW: Do not push on bar.
I have known Charles Anderson, retired AHJ, for many years - long enough to know that one of his pet peeves is signage that deters the use of an exit. What do you think about the Wordless Wednesday photos he sent in? OK, or NO WAY?
USGNN: Quick Code Q+A
My second monthly column in USGlass Magazine answers this question about double-cylinder deadbolts: Where can key-operated locks be used on doors in a means of egress? Do you know the answer?
WW: Doubled Over
Tony Klagenberg of AMI sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, which looks like it was taken in a gas station or convenience store located in an area where crime is a concern. I'm wondering if someone thought this would give them extra security.
FF: Exit if you can.
Today's Fixed-it Friday photo was sent in by Shari Dial of Walsh Door & Security - the photo shows the rear exit serving a gas station in rural Illinois. If you see any interesting doors in your summer travels, you can submit photos using the photo submission link.
WW: Snowed In
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo was sent by Ken Kuzman of Houston-Starr...although the memories of these snow banks are fading for most of us, they'll be returning to some areas in a matter of months!
FF: Ditch the drapes!
I have mentioned this before...it's great when I receive photos or emails from "door people", but I absolutely LOVE when family members of iDigHardware readers start weighing in on door issues. :)
Enclosed Courtyard Study
This enclosed exterior space adjacent to the hotel where I'm currently staying has an interesting egress situation. What do you think about this patio's egress routes? Would this situation keep you up at night?
WW: Antiquing!
I have shared Wordless Wednesday photos of antique store exits before, but this time I was the one on an antiquing expedition. As soon as we parked in front of the store I knew I would find some issues...
WWYD? Interlocks + Delayed Egress
Yesterday in an airport I saw a bank of interlocks and an adjacent pair of doors with delayed egress locks. What do you think about this application? Do some AHJs require delayed egress doors where interlocks are installed? WWYD?
FF: Assembly Exit
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos were taken at the main entrance of a function space that has an occupant load of 600 people. I was so fixated on the creative locking method that I didn't take a close-up of the closer fix, but the security fix has me wordless.
WW: Hotel Stair
During a 1:00 a.m. fire alarm, Denise Gorski took note of the damaged latchset on a hotel's stairwell fire door. If the door wasn't propped open with a wedge, the missing lever may have prevented hotel guests from exiting. Which is worse? The open door or the potential lack of egress??
FF: Wordless
I once wrote a hardware spec for the hotel chain where today's Fixed-it Friday photos were taken. Based on that experience and the architect's attention to detail on that project, I'm positive that this is not what they would expect to see on a return visit.
WW: Down at the Packie
Tim Weller of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos of an obstructed means of egress in a liquor store (we called them "packies" in New England). I'm at a loss as to how to educate retail workers on the code requirements. Any ideas?
Last-Minute Training Announcement!
Last week I posted about some upcoming code training that I'll be conducting in the Southeast, and it turns out that there is some availability in my class at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville on May 16th. There's more info in today's post.
WW: At the Craft Expo
These Wordless Wednesday photos from Charles Anderson (retired AHJ) speak for themselves... Don't forget to send me photos of the interesting doors you see in your travels!
Training Opportunity – with me! :)
In a couple of weeks I will be conducting some code training in the Carolinas and Tennessee. There are a few spots available in the class in Clemson, South Carolina on Tuesday, May 9th, so if you are within driving distance, check out the training invitation here.
WW: En La Ciudad De Aguascalientes
As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I took my family for a short trip to Aguascalientes, Mexico last week. It's a beautiful city, and of course I took lots of photos of amazing doors!
IBC Update: Puzzle Rooms
Last week while I was on a short spring break trip with the kids, I was perusing the IBC, and I found a change that I forgot to write about; the change is related to escape rooms. The 2021 IBC now includes three options for egress from these rooms.
FF: Spring Break
I received today's Fixed-it Friday photo from Scott Tobias of arkaSpecs, and I definitely did a double-take. Then I found out that he's on vacation with his family, and this egress door serves a ride at a popular theme park. What do you think?
WW: “Cooler” Security Solution
Mark was minding his own business at a family get-together in a local events venue (with an occupant load of >100 people), and there was a door calling his name from the back of the room. You can see why in today's Wordless Wednesday photos. :D
FF: Paniquito
Jim Billings sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, which was posted in a Facebook group with a comment that it was found in a postal facility. Any theories about what happened here?
Murals on Egress Doors in Health Care Occupancies
Beginning with the 2015 edition of NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code, a section was added that allows doors in some types of health care units to be disguised with murals. This updated post includes a clarification from the 2021 edition of the code.
Follow-Up: Locked Stairwell Doors
Last week I answered a quick question about locking stairwell doors, and Jim Elder of Secured Design raised a great point in a comment on the post. Here is a follow-up related to the release of locked stairwell doors upon fire alarm activation.
WW: Limbo Lower Now
These Wordless Wednesday photos show a restaurant's patio exit...a great reminder that when we're specifying and selecting doors and hardware we need to try to anticipate how the openings will be used in the future.
Decoded: Current Requirements of the I-Codes for Classroom Door Locks
As I mentioned last month, my Decoded column has a new question-and-answer format. This month's question: "How do the changes made to the 2018 and 2021 I-Codes affect the requirements for locks installed on classroom doors?"
QQ: Fire Alarm Release of Electrified Locks
I have written about this topic from various angles, but this Quick Question keeps coming up: Is it code-compliant to have an electrified lock that is normally locked on the egress side, if it unlocks automatically upon fire alarm activation?
Funeral Home Code Compliance
As I mentioned last week, you will begin to see some new faces around here. Mark Kuhn of Allegion will be helping me out with some code development work and other duties, including an occasional blog post - like today's post about a frequent source of code violations.
WW: Another Retail Exit
I saw today's Wordless Wednesday photos posted on the Locksmith Nation Facebook page, and Merlin Bechtel of Merlin Lock & Safe gave me permission to share them here. I'm still amazed at the condition of so many retail exits.
Coming Up: March Training
In March we will offer an AIA approved webinar and two Webinar Wednesday sessions. These are great opportunities for continuing your education without leaving your desk!
WW: Havana Nights
In Monday's post I mentioned a Havana nightclub's egress situation, and promised to share a few Wordless Wednesday photos. As you can see from today's post, the code requirements for egress are a bit different from what we are used to.
20 Years Ago: Station Nightclub Fire
Last week I visited an art and music space housed in an old cooking oil factory in Havana, Cuba. There were spaces that I would not enter, knowing what I know about nightclub fires. Today is the 20th anniversary of one of those fires - at the Station Nightclub.
WW: Happy Trees and a Bubbling Brook
I love receiving photos from AHJs...today's Wordless Wednesday photos were sent by Dave Cox, a fire marshal in Minnesota. Of course the mural, signage, and deadbolt caught my eye, but I also wonder what's going on with that light switch. Theories?
Locksmith Ledger: Five Code Considerations for Multifamily Residential Buildings
Many doors have to meet multiple sets of code requirements, for code-compliant egress, fire protection, and accessibility. There are dozens of applicable mandates that apply to door openings in a multifamily residential building; here are five to consider...
QQ: Special Locking Arrangements
Today's Quick Question came from an AHJ: When I am evaluating a door that is equipped with a special locking arrangement, do the model code requirements for normal locking arrangements also apply?
FF: Nothing to See Here
Logan Piburn of Dyron Murphy Architects sent today's Fixed-it Friday photos of an egress door modification. I can see a few problems here...how about you?
QQ: Places of Detention or Restraint
When there is a desire to lock a door in the direction of egress for security reasons, today's Quick Question is often raised: During a lockdown, is a room or area considered a place of detention and restraint?
Decoded: Approved Changes and Clarifications to the 2024 International Building Code
My latest Decoded article, published in the January/February issue of Door Security + Safety, addresses upcoming changes to the 2024 I-Codes. I covered additional changes affecting electrified hardware in a previous article.
WW: Church Basement Exit
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photo from Christin Kinman of Allegion...it's a door serving a youth program space in a church basement. After growing up with me as their mom, I wonder if my kids would bring this door up with the group leader.
Decoded: Code Resources and Training Available On-Demand
As the theme of the March issue of Door Security + Safety is talent and workforce development, my next Decoded column includes some of the code-related resources that I have shared here on iDigHardware.com.
WW: Dining Al Fresco
These restaurant exits left me Wordless - especially considering that some of the foliage is planted in the ground - not even in pots! When you go for dinner, don't forget to bring your machete in case you need to evacuate!
WW: ABC15 on Stadium Fire Code Violations
Although the number of violations found in the host stadium for Super Bowl LVII is a bit disconcerting, it's reassuring to know that code compliance is being taken seriously in order to help ensure life safety for occupants of the facility.
ICC Building Safety and Security Report
In 2018, the International Code Council (ICC) established an ad hoc committee to comprehensively explore and assess building safety and security - an issue that is important to all of us. The committee has issued their final report, and it is available for download.
WW: Irish Egress
Many of you know that my oldest daughter attends the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, but you may find it hard to believe that she's a SENIOR - I can hardly believe it myself! She sent me these WW photos from her study abroad trip to Ireland...
FF: Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree…
I received this photo on New Year's Eve 2021 from Cathy Kopp of Norwood Hardware, and I kept it filed away until the holiday season rolled around again. I will be taking some time off next week to recharge, and I hope you do too. See you next year!
Panic Hardware Requirements – Follow-Up
When panic hardware is required by code for doors serving a particular room or space, is the panic hardware required for ALL of the doors in the means of egress from that space, including corridor doors, stair doors, and finally – the exterior doors?