WW: Dirty Laundry
Today's Wordless Wednesday photos, taken in a laundromat, require some explanation. Take a look and see what you notice. Thank you to Joe Cross of Allegion for sending the photos!
Manufacturing Day 2021
If you're not familiar with Manufacturing Day, it's an annual series of events aimed at helping to fill 4 million high-skill, high-tech and high-paying manufacturing jobs over the next decade. Check out our US facilities in this video!
Virtual 1 vs. 100?
Phew! I finally made it home after my loooong trip combining the BHMA and DHI conferences with some training and other meetings - it was great to see some of you in person!
Locksmith Ledger: Model Code Comparison – Delayed Egress Locking Systems
This article on the delayed egress requirements was published in Locksmith Ledger, and a follow-up article will compare the requirements of the model codes for controlled egress applications.
See you in New Orleans!
I'm heading south today after teaching a class in Knoxville, and tomorrow I'll be arriving at the DHI conNextions conference in New Orleans. I'm teaching my brand new 1 vs. 100 class on Thursday, October 21st at 8 a.m. I hope to see you there!
Lots of options this week!
I'm making my way around the Southeast, heading for my final destination - the DHI conNextions conference in New Orleans. I'll be teaching my brand new 1 vs. 100 class on Thursday, October 21st at 8 a.m. Meanwhile, there are lots of classes on the schedule for this week!
Intro to Door Hardware – Electricity Basics (video)
This video is a great addition to our library of whiteboard animation videos - it explains basic electrical concepts and terms that commonly appear in the door hardware industry. You can access other videos in the library by visiting the Videos page of iDigHardware.
Security in 30: Is your opening as secure as you think?
From basic hardware to the intricacies of Schlage SUS for AD locks, security pain points and potential vulnerabilities, clear width and maneuvering clearance, auto operator setup and troubleshooting...you have plenty of opportunities to learn this week!
WW: Access Control x2
Someone recently asked me which sections of the code I would reference to show that padlocks are not allowed on egress doors. There are plenty of options...the section that requires egress doors to be readily openable, for starters.
Back in the Saddle
I hope everyone who celebrated a holiday yesterday had a nice long weekend - we're back in the saddle today! This week there are several classes available on electrified hardware, and a Door Drills class on the Von Duprin 98/99.
IBC E49-21 – Normal Locking Arrangements
This post is going to require some patience and focus, but it will be worth the effort if you have ever run into misinterpretations about the code requirements for access control hardware that allows free egress at all times.
Up Next…
Thanks to everyone who attended my webinars last week - the recording of the session will be on the webinars page of iDigHardware within the next few days. Here's what's coming up this week.
Last Call for the 2021 Model Code Update!
My webinar addressing the changes to the 2021 model codes is this Thursday, August 26th! If you need to know what's new (don't we all?), join me at 11am or 2pm Eastern. And we have other great classes this week to choose from!
Decoded: Special Locking Arrangements vs. Normal Locking Arrangements
Misinterpretations of the model code requirements for electrified hardware continue to hit my inbox on a regular basis, BUT - I expect some help from the ICC soon. In the meantime, I hope this Decoded article will reach the people who need it - feel free to share it!
Coming Soon: Automatic Operators on Accessible Public Entrances
Because of a change to the 2021 International Building Code, we will soon see an increase in the number of automatic doors required for some types of buildings. Are you prepared?
What’s new? I’m going to tell you!
On Thursday, August 26th, I will be hosting a webinar covering some of the important changes to the 2021 editions of the International Building Code (IBC) and NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code. Are you up to speed on what's new?
Coming Up!
There's more online training available this week...whether you are new to the industry, responsible for maintaining a facility, or interested in one of this week's Webinar Wednesday topics, there are lots of classes to choose from!
QQ: Clear Floor Space for Access Control Readers
Today's Quick Question may seem ultra-specific, but the answer highlights a couple of important resources: Are there limitations in the accessibility standards regarding the location of a card reader in relation to the door it is controlling?
What’s on tap for this week?
I can't believe how quickly time is flying by! 2021 is more than half over and so is summer. In two weeks I have a kid heading back to college and I'll finish my 54th year around the sun. And there's more...
Choose Your Path
There are so many options for online training this week! Whether you're an architect, end user, distributor, locksmith, installer or security integrator, new to the industry or with years of experience, there's something for you to learn.
Virtual Vacation Week
This is one of my favorite work weeks of the year, when lots of people are on vacation, and I can catch up on a few things. I'm currently updating my ShortCodes classes - I'll let you know when they're ready!
Onward and Upward!
When I wrote the title of today's post, I wondered where the term "onward and upward" came from. I found that the original source was from a poem called "The Present Crisis" by James Russell Lowell (1819-1891)...
Alphabet Soup! AIA, XP, AD-SUS, FDAI, GMK, ICC
There are so many online classes to choose from this week! Which one(s) will help you stay up to date on what's happening in the door and hardware industry?
Coming Up! Door Drills and AIA CEUs
In the next two weeks, the Allegion training team is offering online education for architects, integrators, end users, installers, distributors, locksmiths - really anyone who has an interest in understanding doors and hardware - including a new series called Door Drills!
WWYD? Delayed Egress
I received this photo of a bank of doors with delayed egress panic hardware from Jim Elder of Secured Design LLC, and we got to chatting about some delayed egress questions. I'd love to hear what you think. WWYD?
Bridging the Gap – Divisions 08 & 28
Next week's Security in 30 session covers a topic that is near and dear to my heart - coordinating the Division 08 specification section that covers door hardware with the Division 28 section addressing access control.
QQ: Auxiliary Push Button
Today's Quick Question keeps coming up: On which types of access-control doors do the model codes require the installation of an auxiliary push button to release the electrified lock?
One More Allegion 101 (and 4 other classes)!
I know last week I said it was the conclusion of Allegion 101 (that's what the schedule said!) but there's one more session on the calendar for this week, and there are 4 classes available on Webinar Wednesday!
See you soon(ish)??
You know what this is a picture of? It's ME - teaching in person! I don't know about you, but I'm MORE THAN READY to get out and see people. I received my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine last week, and I'm feeling optimistic.
WW: Strike-Out
I know it's Wordless Wednesday, but sometimes a Fixed-it Friday "fix" leaves me wordless - like this one. If you see any interesting installations, code violations, hardware fails, or beautiful doors...you know what to do!
Take your pick! They’re free!!
Coming up this week...our next Security in 30 session, an Allegion 101 class on LCN closers, and 4 Webinar Wednesday classes including one on clear width and maneuvering clearance. Which class(es) will you be attending?
WWYD? Stairwell Pair with Access Control (video)
I'm wondering what you think about this door opening...it's kind of an interesting one as door openings go. I have never thought about using a combination of panic hardware and a lockset with an electric strike. WWYD?
The Essentials of Fire Door Inspection (and more!)
Fire door inspection is a hot topic these days, and one of this week's Webinar Wednesday classes covers The Essentials of Fire Door Inspection. You can also learn more about fire door assemblies on iDigHardware's fire door page.
UL 294 Follow-Up – 2021 Update
The access control hardware on your project is up and running (phew!), and then you are asked to provide evidence that every piece of electrified hardware on the job is listed to UL 294... (updated with 2021 code references)
Lots of code-related classes this week!
How do you identify the products that are acceptable for use in a hurricane-prone area of the country? What's the latest on classroom security devices? How do codes define panic hardware? Find out in this week's classes!
Product Update: Von Duprin Emergency Secure Lockdown (ESL)
Several colleges and universities approached Allegion to find a solution for individual lockdown of doors with panic hardware and access control. For doors with Von Duprin QEL devices, the Emergency Secure Lockdown (ESL) feature is the answer.
Coming up this week…
Can a wave-to-open switch be used to actuate an automatic operator? Does the IBC allow any stairwell doors to be locked mechanically? What's new in codes for health care facilities? Find out in this week's classes!
FF: DPS “Fix”
For many exterior doors, a door position switch (DPS) is an important part of the security system; the switch can alert a security station that a door has been opened. I wonder how long this creative fix will continue functioning.
Take the quiz…
How much do you know about the model code requirements for doors with delayed egress locks or controlled egress locks? Here's a short quiz to help you find out.
This week there’s something for everyone…
We've got you covered! Up this week...Security in 30 for integrators, a webinar on the ABCs of Access Control that offers AIA CEUs, Allegion 101 for newcomers, and 4 Webinar Wednesday classes.
So much to learn!
The next series of Allegion 101 begins tomorrow, Webinar Wednesday continues with 4 classes available this week, and next week there's a live presentation on the ABCs of Access Control that offers AIA credit.
Access Control for Stairwells
Stairwell doors can be one of the more complicated applications in an access control system, because of the code requirements that apply to these doors. Learn more about access control systems on stair doors this Wednesday!
ASHE Webinar – Open to All
A few weeks ago I posted a recorded class on delayed egress and controlled egress locking systems. If you'd prefer to listen to that presentation live, I will be conducting the class for the American Society for Health Care Engineering on April 22nd.
UL: Proper Application of UL Standards – UL 294 & 1034
Great News! UL has published an article to clarify the different UL listings that apply to electrified hardware. This should help with the confusion caused by the model code requirements for the UL 294 listing on certain types of systems.
MIFARE DESFire Encryption Key Options (and more!)
Allegion is offering 5 more online training opportunities this week - Friday's Security in 30 session on encryption key options for smart credentials, plus Webinar Wednesday's classes on masterkeying, stairwell doors, K-12 layered security, and hollow metal.
Critical Requirements for Clear Width and Maneuvering Clearances
Do you know...The minimum required clear opening width for a single door? How to measure the clear opening width for a pair? The formula for calculating the actual clear opening width of a doorway?
FF: Classroom “Exit”
Do you see what I see in these Fixed-it Friday photos? It's hard to know whether this was done to secure these doors against intruders or to prevent elopement of young students, but either way it's a problem.
Decoded: Delayed Egress and Controlled Egress Locking Systems
Do you know the difference between these two types of systems - where they're allowed, what purposes they serve, and all of the code requirements that apply? This presentation covers these systems in detail.
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!
Distance Learning this Week
The opportunities for distance learning continue, and here's what's on the docket for this week. The recording of my fire door session from last Friday is available on-demand, along with the Q&A from the session.