WW: Covid Vaccination Site Exits
I'm sure there's some sort of explanation for this, right? Today's Wordless Wednesday photo was taken at a convention center that is currently being used as a Covid vaccination site.
Master Class: Delayed Egress and Controlled Egress Locking Systems
Some of you have been anxiously awaiting my master class on the codes that apply to delayed egress and controlled egress locking systems, which was postponed when my computer died. Your wait is almost over!
WW: Lawmakers seal Roundhouse, violate fire code
This report illustrates why I don't like to see key-operated locks allowed in most locations. When a double-cylinder deadbolt is installed and there is a need to lock the doors to prevent access, there is no code-compliant way to facilitate egress.
Remembering the Station Nightclub Fire
Eighteen years ago this week, I sat stunned as I watched the news reports on the fire that had occurred the night before in the nearby city of West Warwick, Rhode Island. 100 fatalities, more than 200 injured...
WW: Retirement home removes door handles, traps residents with COVID-19
I received links to these news reports from several iDigHardware readers as far away as Dubai. As I have said before, sometimes the immediate response to a threat does not take all factors into consideration.
QQ: Remoteness of Exit Access Doorways
Today's Quick Question: If an area requires two or more exit access doors because of the calculated occupant load, how far apart do those egress doors need to be?
Decoded: Control Vestibules in a Means of Egress
Although control vestibules are not currently addressed in the model codes, my next Decoded article covers some of the considerations for the design of these systems, before submission to the AHJ for approval.
Apply It: Swimming Pool – Answers
Last week I posted an exercise to help you apply some of your code knowledge by answering questions about swimming pool egress. Cheers to the few brave readers who gave it a shot!
FF: F-F-F-Freezing
When I saw this photo, I had flashbacks to all of the times architects asked me to specify doors with other materials attached to them - wood planks, decorative plates, even brick (that was a hard no). What do you think about this application?
Apply It: Swimming Pool
After Tuesday's post about a code change, several people asked me how to tell when panic hardware was required for doors serving a swimming pool enclosure. I decided to create another "Apply It" post and let you work it out.
WW: At the Drive-Thru
This may not be the kind of Wordless Wednesday photo that leaves YOU wordless but keep in mind that I am currently in Mexico where panic hardware is rare enough to be exciting...
Code Update: Pool Doors and Gates
You may not spend a lot of time perusing the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), but the 2021 edition includes changes that help to clarify the requirements for the mounting height of operable hardware.
WW: How high is too high?
The lever handle in today's Wordless Wednesday photo posted by Richard Howard on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page is outside of the allowable mounting height range - by a long shot!
FF: Hard Cider Brewery
Beautiful doors and hard cider...two of my favorite things. But being who I am, I wondered whether the doors were code-compliant, since the model codes allow sliding doors to be used in a means of egress when the occupant load is 10 people or less.
WW: Fire Door Field Modification
At first glance this may look like just another creative Fixed-it Friday alteration, but upon deeper investigation it's a cringe-worthy Wordless Wednesday application. How will this opening protective perform during a fire? Who knows??
Decoded: SCIF Security and Egress Requirements
I have written specs for several projects with SCIF doors, but I learned more about the federal specifications and design requirements while writing my next Decoded article for Door Security + Safety's military and government issue...
WW: Fire Door – Do Not Block
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo is shared with permission from Vince Davis, who posted it on the Fire and Life Safety Inspectors Facebook page. If this is a fire door it's got some other issues, but the egress problem is clear.
2020 Top 20
In 2020, iDigHardware readers visited the site more than half a million times and spent thousands of hours reading my posts and articles. These are the most popular posts of 2020...did you miss any?
New Year, New Opportunities
It's a new year, and the online training opportunities continue! Here's what's available this week in both the Allegion 101 series and the Webinar Wednesday series. Feel free to share this information with others in your office.
WW: I’m at a loss for words.
I received these photos from a code official. This pair of doors serves a large assembly space, and as you can see, the doors get a fair amount of use. The original "fix" on the LHR leaf is not all that unusual, but the extension has me scratching my head.
QQ: Revolving Doors
Today's Quick Question: Do revolving doors require the breakaway feature and/or adjacent swinging doors in order to facilitate egress? I don't do much with revolving doors, but I looked up the answer and learned a few things.
BHMA A156.41 – Standard for Door Hardware Single Motion to Egress
BHMA A156.41 is the Standard for Door Hardware Single Motion to Egress. It describes the requirements for doors and door hardware to comply with building code and fire code requirements that mandate a single releasing motion...
This week’s learning opportunities
If you are new to the hardware industry (or you know someone who is), the Allegion 101 series offers an introduction to our products and their applications. Feel free to share these sessions with anyone who could benefit!
WWYD? Playground Gate
Glenn Younger of Grah Safe & Lock sent me this photo of a gate serving an area where elopement of small children is a concern. I think this is a great application - I'm wondering what you all think.
There’s still time…to learn
As 2020 (finally) draws to a close, we have year-end projects to finish and hopefully some down-time with our families. But there's still time to learn, and our training team has plenty of options available.
WW: Thankful
Although the rules on projections into the clear opening height are changing, giant Pilgrim cat heads are not one of the allowable projections. Happy Thanksgiving!
WW: Access Control Override
Once the investment is made in an access control system, it seems like padlocks and hasps should become obsolete. Especially since this is probably a fire door.
FF: Something’s Amiss
Anyone else see the problem with this Fixed-it Friday photo? Note: The photo was sent to me by an AHJ, and the situation has since been corrected.
Challenges of Conducting Fire and Egress Door Inspections During Covid-19
With permission from the author, Hal Kelton of DoorData Solutions, along with Door Security + Safety Magazine, I'm excited to share this article.
WW: “You must be this thin to exit.”
Remember when you were a kid and couldn't go on the roller coaster because you weren't as tall as the line on the sign? Well, here's the egress version...
QQ: Dormitory Suites
Today's Quick Question: Can a bedroom door within a suite in a dormitory have a separate deadbolt in addition to the latching hardware? What do you think?
WW: Where To?
Imagine that you're in an antique store, shopping for the perfect Christmas gift. You're on the second floor when the fire alarm sounds...
Online Options
What do you want to learn about? Whether you're new to the industry or you want to get into the nitty-gritty of delayed egress and controlled egress locks, you have options!
FF: Bottom Bolt
Maybe I should go into door forensics in my retirement years (someday). I think it's so interesting to look at a door opening and try to figure out what happened.
6 Locked Doors – Watch it now!
Last week, Allegion sponsored a virtual screening of the documentary - 6 Locked Doors. There are still some tickets left, so I'm inviting iDigHardware readers to watch it until the tickets run out.
Another Museum Exit
What is it with museums? Other than antique stores, they have to be one of the most common sites for non-code-compliant exits.
WW: I’m out of words.
What would you call this Wordless Wednesday post? I'm befuddled by the giant arrow, the multiple exit signs, the numerous motions required to unlatch the door, and...the padlock and hasp.
QQ: Number of Exits
Today's "Quick Question": When is a room required to have more than one exit or exit access doorway? Do you know the answer?
6 Locked Doors & More
I'm participating in three sessions at next week's virtual DHI conNextions conference...I hope to "see" you there!
WW: Secure the Door
Sometimes people have to get creative when security is on the line! Hopefully, this unit is uninhabitable. #wordless
Looking Forward & Looking Back
I'm participating in three sessions at next week's virtual DHI conNextions conference...I hope to "see" you there!
WWYD? Mechanical Controlled Egress
A change to the 2021 edition of the IBC seems to allow egress doors in some health care units to have mechanical locks in the direction of egress, instead of fail safe electrified locks. WWYD?
WW: Exit with panic hardware and barricade devices
Do you see any problems with today's Wordless Wednesday photo? While this might seem like an easy way to secure these doors, I have some concerns.
Apply It: Mosque Exits – Answers
Here are the answers to Tuesday's real-world questions about the egress requirements for this mosque in Dubai. Read the other post first if you want to give it a try.
WW: NYC Officers Break Up Indoor Wedding
One silver lining to the pandemic may be the increased focus on gatherings that in many cases include too many people - not only for social distancing but for egress and life safety.
Apply It: Mosque Exits
It's one thing to read an article or watch a video about code requirements for doors and hardware, but how about applying what you've learned using a real project?
Online training continues into October
The online training offered by our national trainers for the last 20(!) Webinar Wednesdays will continue into October. Here's what's scheduled for this week...
WW: No Break-Away
At first glance, the problem with this Wordless Wednesday photo may not immediately be apparent...do you see what's causing the egress concern?
Decoded: Opening Force vs. Operable Force
Ten years ago I wrote my very first Decoded article, and the column has run continuously since December of 2010. Who knew I'd have so much to write about??
Ecosystem of Safety
NFPA Journal: Safety is created by an ecosystem made up of codes, skilled workers, regular enforcement, and public understanding.