What’s that? Gang Bus Option
I was working on a presentation the other day about questions on delayed egress locks, and I came across the term "gang bus" related to the Von Duprin Chexit. When would you use it?
QQ/WWYD? Roof Doors
For a roof door that allows access to mechanical equipment on the roof, what are your preferred locking methods or functions - both electrical and mechanical? What would you do?
Decoded: Locks on Dwelling Units and Sleeping Units
Are the electromechanical locks typically used for individual residential entry doors required to be listed to UL 294 or UL 1034 in order to comply with the model codes?
WWYD? Rearming a Delayed Egress Lock
The model codes are not very specific about this topic, so my question for you is this: What's your take on the manual rearming of a delayed egress lock? WWYD?
WW: Still Scratching My Head
I saw today's Wordless Wednesday photo on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page, and I'm still wondering what is happening here. Any ideas?
Ohio State Modernization
I like to share case studies as a way to understand how certain products can help to fulfill design concepts, code requirements, or functional needs. Here's another great example.
WW: Deadbolt Backup
Colin Watson of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo of an application that he and Eddie Dobbins ran across in a public library...mag-locks with deadbolts as the mechanical back-up. YIKES!
FF: Card Readers Coming Soon
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos remind me of a problem that I had on a project years ago, and a good question to ask during a project meeting...when will the access control system go live?
Campus Security Today: Electrified Latch Retraction Locks
Mark Kuhn's next guest blog post is an article that he wrote for Campus Security Today about using electric latch retraction locksets in new and retrofit applications.
WW: Mag(Lock) Holder
I have occasionally seen mag-locks used to hold doors open, but not typically on the floor where they become a major tripping hazard!
WW: Dead End?
If one set of doors was lockable and the other was always unlocked (not lockable), I think this could be considered a dead end corridor. How would you have specified the hardware for these doors?
Decoded: Fire Protection System Requirements for Special Locking Arrangements
In this Decoded article, I took a closer look at the requirements related to fire protection systems for doors with electrified hardware.
FF: Frankenstein Fix
I have worked on so many projects as a specwriter where the main concern seemed to be aesthetics...after the construction phase is over you never know what will happen!
Decoded: Fusible Links and Smoke-Activated Hold-Opens
I've updated this Decoded article with the current code references from NFPA 80, the International Building Code (IBC), NFPA 101, and NFPA 72.
WW: The Stockyards
The more I look at today's Wordless Wednesday photos, the more deja vu I'm feeling. Do these doors at the Stockyards look familiar to anyone else?
WW: Elopement Prevention
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photo from an AHJ - the photo was taken in a school, where the mag-lock was added to deter elopement. Note the height of the push button!
FF: Frankenstein Door
Tim Weller of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo and I'm not sure what to think, between the sensor bar on an inswinging door and the deadbolt that overrides the electrified hardware.
BHMA Challenge: Built for Innovation
This is Week 4 of BHMA's 100th Anniversary Challenge, and the topic this week is innovation - from new designs and features to process improvements and standards leadership.
Decoded: Electric Strikes on Fire Doors
I'm working on updating some past Decoded articles for a project that I'm working on...this one addresses the requirements for electric strikes installed on fire door assemblies.
FF: Do Not Push
Paul Laseter of Niles Bolton sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, taken in a maternity suite. Do you think this was an intentional double entendre? :D
WWYD? UL 294 & UL 1034
Are access control systems as safe as they were before, if only the electrified locks are required by code to have the UL 294 (or UL 1034) listing? What would you do?
Elevator Lobby Egress Doors in Massachusetts
I don't claim to cover all state code requirements related to doors (I leave that to our ACE Network) but every so often a code modification catches my eye. Here's an update on Massachusetts.
Decoded: Applications for Electromagnetic Locks
In this Decoded article for the next issue of Door Security + Safety Magazine, I answered several frequently asked questions that apply to electromagnetic locks.
FF: Electric Strike Prep
Just yesterday I was talking with a class about prepping existing frames for electric strikes. I'm not an installer, but something seems off here. What do you think?
Life Safety Digest: Controlled Egress Locking Systems in Health Care Facilities
I have an article in the Summer issue of Life Safety Digest, that covers the code requirements for controlled egress locks in health care units where patients require containment.
WW: Hospital “Egress”
Today's Wordless Wednesday post is definitely not wordless, it includes an explanation of why these hospital doors would not be compliant with the US model codes (the hospital is in Mexico).
FF: Door Looooop
I saw this Fixed-it Friday door down at the home improvement store. What do you think? Is this extended door loop a legit way to transfer the power to the hardware?
Electromagnetic Locks – Love ‘Em or Leave ‘Em?
Mark Kuhn is following up on last week's electrifying post about electric strikes, with his thoughts on electromagnetic locks. Do you have anything to add?
Observations on Delayed Egress Locks
I recently saw some delayed egress locks "in the wild" at the Aeropuerto El Dorado in Bogotá, Colombia, and I had a few thoughts on the applications and in particular, the signage.
Electric Strikes – Past their prime?
Mark Kuhn: Just about every week, I need to convince someone that electrified locks and electrified panic hardware are a far better choice than an electric strike. What do you think?
FF: Let me out (again)!
The door in today's Fixed-it Friday photos is another example from my trip to Colombia, this time in Cali. This door would not comply with the US model codes for egress...can you see why?
WW: Let me out!
Today's Wordless Wednesday photos were taken in the lobby of an apartment building, where the ONLY way to exit was for someone at the security desk to press the release button. Yikes!
WW: Access Control(ish)
Colin Watson of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos, reminiscent of the days when a locked door would have a key hanging on a nail nearby.
FF: Oopsie Daisy
It's a good thing that the problem with this frame prep was noticed before the frame was installed...can you tell what's wrong with today's Fixed-it Friday photo?
FF: Can you help me out?
Tim Chow sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo of a pair of doors with access control, and I can't figure out what those little wires are for. Any ideas?
UL: Locking Configurations for Access and Egress Control
UL has recently updated an article that will be helpful when conducting a search for product listings in UL Product IQ. Check out today's post for an example of how to use this directory.
Decoded: Locking Stairway Doors in Schools
In this month's Decoded column for the School Security + Safety edition of Door Security + Safety Magazine, I address several considerations for securing stairwell doors.
Decoded: Listings for Electrified Hardware
My next Decoded article covers one of the more confusing topics related to electrified hardware - are these products required to be listed to UL 294, UL 1034, neither, or both???
Looking Ahead to the 2027 I-Codes
In the January/February issue of Door Security + Safety magazine, I have an article giving a preview of two important changes that have been approved for the 2027 I-Codes.
WWYD? UL 294 / UL 1034
I'm preparing to do some training on this topic, so I'd love to get some feedback from readers. Please share your insight/experience in the comments!
QQ: Locked Doors on Elevator Lobbies
Today's Quick Question relates to a change to the 2024 IBC: What type of lock may be used to secure an egress door leading from an elevator lobby to an exit access corridor?
Life Safety Digest: Special Locking Arrangements vs. Normal Locking Arrangements
Check out my article in the Winter issue of Life Safety Digest, which clarifies the requirements related to electrified door hardware.
The Schlage XE360 is a winner!
The Schlage XE360TM Series has been named the top product in the SecurityInfoWatch.com Readers' Choice Product Award in the Door Hardware & Locks category!
QQ: Access-Controlled Egress Doors
If I had to name the one code section that has caused me the most pain and suffering during my career, the section addressed in today's Quick Question post would be the one.
RX Switches – What are they for?
In his latest post, Mark Kuhn addresses a common question that comes up during code review...What's the purpose of an RX switch in the door-mounted hardware?
Update! iDigHardware.com/SLA
If you're not familiar with the SLA page, it's THE resource for the code requirements related to electrified hardware and special locking arrangements on iDigHardware. Now updated!
Data Center Security
The latest post from Mark Kuhn addresses a type of facility that is becoming much more common these days - data centers. How do you think the model codes should address these buildings?
WW: “Child Safety Door”
Jamie Lyn Callahan of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos, taken during a kids' birthday party at an indoor playground. This door makes for a great "teachable moment."
Decoded: Solving the Puzzle of Electrified Hardware Codes
Check out my crossword puzzle from the conference issue of Door Security + Safety Magazine, to review some of the code requirements related to electrified hardware!
Fail Secure Electric Strikes and Fire Alarms
Mark Kuhn's latest post addresses an issue that I wrote about a while back...it's been 10 years since my original post, so I guess it's time to take a fresh look. :D