FF: To exit, push the button…
Yes, there is an exit sign above this door.
Restroom Kits for Automatic Operators
Questions continue to arise regarding how to properly specify/supply hardware for a single restroom door with an automatic operator. The challenge is that the outside actuator (push button) for the automatic operator has to be interfaced with the locking system; otherwise, the actuator could open the door even when the restroom is occupied.
WW: Retrofit Security
I'll just leave this right here. Zoom in, look around, and share your thoughts in the reply box.
WWYD? Truck Stop Showers
How would you handle this access-control request?
Code Requirements for Electromagnetic Locks (video)
I hope this video sums up the requirements in a way that will help answer any remaining questions.
FF: Panic Protector
Jon Millsap posted this Fixed-it Friday photo on his Facebook page (Locksmith's Journal), and he gave me permission to share it here. What do you think? Yea or nay, and why or why not?
Door Loops / Door Cords for Fire Door Assemblies
One of the most frequently-cited products seems to be the door loop or door cord. In order to address this problem, Schlage series 788 and 789 armored door cords are now classified by UL to UL 10C, and are acceptable for use on fire door assemblies.
WWYD? Door-Related Accidents
I ran across a video the other day, which highlights a product designed to notify people on the pull side of a door that someone is about to open it from the push side.
Number of Operations for ACCESS
A few weeks ago I received a question about whether there is a limit on the number of operations required for access to a dwelling unit, in order to meet the accessibility standards.
WW: What’s missing?
This Wordless Wednesday video is from the Daily Mail...what's missing from this application?
QQ: Stairwell Reentry – 1 leaf or 2?
If I have a pair of doors leading to a stairwell, do both leaves have to allow reentry?
Guest Post: Electromagnetically locked egress doors: Safe or unsafe? – David Glorioso
I occasionally publish a post from a guest blogger – if you have a post you’d like to share, drop me an email. Today’s post is from David Gloriso of Allegion...
Specifying Zombie-Resistant Door Openings (Update)
While ensuring code-compliance, of course!
WWYD? Recessed Hardware in Fire Barriers
What is required when a recessed piece of hardware is to be installed in a fire barrier?
QQ: More on Stairwell Reentry
The questions about stairwell reentry never seem to end. I think it's time to work on some code development proposals to add some clarity...
Upcoming AIA-Approved Webinar
On Thursday, September 14th, Allegion will be offering a free 1-hour webinar on access control hardware - at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Eastern.
QQ: Selected Reentry
What is "selected reentry" and when can it be used?
Sneak Peek
I told you we were going to have fun this week, right? Well, what could be more fun than a quiz to help you learn about codes? :D But first, I have to tell you something...
Sensor Bars for Egress
Last week a code official contacted me because he had seen some egress doors in a school that were equipped with sensor bars used to release electromagnetic locks...
WWYD? Single Restroom with Automatic Operator
Imagine this...you have a single restroom where the property manager wants to install an automatic operator for easier access to the restroom (or to overcome a maneuvering clearance problem)...
FF: “Please help – I’m stuck in here.”
This is why doors are required to provide free egress. Even doors used by very few people, leading to tiny rooms that may need more security than the average closet.
Decoded: Code Requirements for Electromagnetic Locks
This post was published in the August 2017 issue of Doors & Hardware
Stairwell Reentry Update
Are locks on stair doors required to be hard-wired locks which unlock upon power failure?
FF: Upside-Down
I have seen this many times with mechanical lever trim for panic hardware, but I have never seen this...
Code Requirements for Electromagnetic Locks
I'm working on another whiteboard animation video to help explain the different code sections that apply to mag-locks. Did I forget anything?
FF: Electric Strike Prep
For today's Fixed-it Friday photo, how about a little before-and-after action from Jimmy Resedean Jr. of A Better Door and Window Co.?
Do you have a smart home?
It made me wonder...with all of the hardware lovers and tech-savvy people who read iDigHardware, how many of you live in a "smart home"?
UL 294 Follow-Up
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...
WW: Breaker
I found this photo on the Facebook page of Brendan Daley of Pasek Corp (who is not responsible for this "fix"). I am Wordless.
WWYD? Sensor Release
When I took the photo, the sensor did not unlock the electromagnetic lock until I actually touched the door and the movement of my hand triggered the sensor. It seems obvious that the sensor should not be positioned behind the exit sign (or any obstruction)...
FF: Scheduled Dogging?
I received this photo from Scott Aikenhead - Tech Support for Allegion Canada. I've never seen anything like this and all I can think of is that this contraption is dogging and undogging the panic hardware on a timer...
WWYD? Health Care Pair
The doors have some obvious damage caused by carts contacting the push side face, and carts hitting the door edge when it's open. So...WWYD?
WW: Delayed Egress Mag-Lock
With the recent adoption of NFPA 101-2012 by CMS, the annual inspection of fire door assemblies has become a top priority for many health care facilities...
Architects’ Journal: Form Studio completes reworking of ‘cookie cutter’ nineties flat
Looking at the photos that accompany the article, the closing device is mounted in the door edge. Has anyone used this type of product?
WW: Good Luck
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photo along with the following explanation..."On a service call to find out why doors will not lock and had to follow the wires to the inspirational message left by the last technician in header."
WW: Airport Observations
I spent a lot of time in airports today, and here are a few Wordless Wednesday observations...
Decoded: Stairwell Reentry
This is one of the code issues I receive the most questions about, so it's the topic of my next Decoded column. Let me know if I didn't answer all of your questions. :)
FF: Auto Operator Coordination
If an automatic operator is properly coordinated so the latch is released when the actuator is pressed, only the signage required by the BHMA standard should be needed. This is an accident waiting to happen.
WW: Tunnel Vision
Steve Murray from Security Lock Distributors sent me these Wordless Wednesday photos...see any issues?
FF: Access Control Gone Wrong
This is the perfect image to reinforce why it's so important to coordinate the electrified hardware / access control in advance. I have to admit - I learned this lesson the hard way...
Intro to Electromechanical Locking Hardware (video)
Here's another of our latest group of whiteboard animation videos; this one covers electromechanical locking hardware like electric strikes, electric latch retraction panic hardware, electrified locksets, and electrified trim for panic hardware...
WW: Holey Hurricane
This Wordless Wednesday door is for a Florida public school's hurricane shelter. :(
Controlled Egress vs. Delayed Egress (video)
For health care facilities, controlled egress can provide a greater level of safety for patients who require containment because of their clinical needs. This video explains the requirements for controlled egress and delayed egress...
Fail Secure vs. Fail Safe (video)
When working with electrified hardware it's very important to understand the difference between fail secure and fail safe products. I hope this video helps!
Stairwell Reentry (video)
I've received a lot of questions about stairwell reentry lately, so I think it's time for me to address that topic in another article for Doors & Hardware. In the meantime, here's a new whiteboard animation video about stairwell reentry!
Elopement from Schools
I read an article this morning about a 3-year-old boy who eloped from his preschool in Bangor, Maine. The teacher saw him go through the exterior door...
WWYD? Multiple Delayed Egress Locks
There is some confusion surrounding the use of multiple delayed egress locks in a means of egress – in part because of variations between the codes...
FF: Sensor Release
Sometimes a system incorporating a sensor can be problematic, because traffic moving past the door can inadvertently unlock the mag-lock...
WW: Conduit Conflict
I could hardly believe my eyes when I received these photos from Kevin Wiley, a fire marshal. These doors are in a college dorm, and he said at first he didn't know why the door didn't close when he removed the wood wedge holding it open. Look closely...
Decoded 4 – Codes for Electrified Hardware
I am SO EXCITED that the last class in the Decoded series is finally available on-demand, so you can take all 4 classes any time - for free!