Firehouse: This Month in Fire History
While reading an article in Firehouse Magazine about fires that have occurred in the month of December over the years, I noted several fires where egress doors and/or fire door assemblies played a role.
7 Steps Infographic
Today I'm sharing a resource on security and safety that I think will be really valuable for schools and other types of facilities - an infographic that is available in both digital and printable formats.
TGP: Alan Magee Scaife Hall
With three kids in various stages of university life, I've spent A LOT of time on college campuses lately. One trend that I've noticed is the increased use of glazing - there's a great example in today's post!
WW: Fire Door – Do not block open.
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo, taken of a pair of fire doors in a wastewater treatment pump station and sent to me by Macan Deve Engineers, is a classic!
BHMA: Fire Doors and Thermal Pins
BHMA has updated a resource that addresses the technicalities of auxiliary fire pins, and it is extremely helpful for explaining this application to code officials and others who have concerns.
Last call for code training!
Mark Kuhn and I will be repeating our code update class from the DHI ConNextions conference with two webinars this week and next, hosted by DHI and free for DHI members!
WW: Covering and Cladding
Last week I shared some photos of a coordinator bracket, and several eagle-eyed readers pointed out the wall covering on the doors. You're right - these fire doors have some issues.
WW: Communicating Door
Between the BHMA fall meeting and the DHI ConNextions conference I spent a weekend in the Southwest, and the landscape in that part of the country is enough to leave anyone Wordless!
What’s that? Coordinator Bracket
The other day Mark Kuhn asked if I had done a "What's that?" post about coordinator brackets...coincidentally I had just taken some photos of one while we were at the BHMA meeting in Phoenix!
We missed you!
If you weren't able to attend our code update class in Las Vegas, you have another opportunity to learn what's new, in the same engaging format that we used in the live presentation!
Resources for Multifamily Properties
In recognition of National Fire Prevention Week, I've put together a page of resources related to multifamily buildings, AND...I've got a podcast episode coming out any minute!
Costco Wholesale Corporate Headquarters
I recently saw a great case study from TGP demonstrating the use of glazing in a stair enclosure to prioritize visual connection and occupant safety. Check it out in today's post!
Code Update – Recent and Upcoming Model Code Changes
If you're heading to the DHI ConNextions conference in Las Vegas next week, Mark Kuhn and I are teaching a 2-hour code update on Wednesday, October 9th from 10 AM to noon!
WW: Electrical Panels
Paul Timm of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, taken in a school. Unsecured spaces like this can turn into big problems - especially when there are kids involved.
FF: Screwed
Lee Frazier of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos, illustrating exactly why fire door assemblies need to be inspected after installation, after maintenance work, and annually!
QQ: “Special” Hinges on Fire Door Assemblies
Today's Quick Question is a good one: Are "special" hinges like swing clear, wide throw, raised barrel, etc., acceptable for use on fire door assembles?
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
QQ: Fire Exit Hardware Mounting Height
Today's Quick Question: If the permitted mounting height for operable hardware is between 34 inches and 48 inches above the floor, does this range also apply to fire exit hardware?
Decoded: Fire Door Inspections vs. Egress Door Inspections for Swinging Doors
In this month's Decoded column for Door Security + Safety Magazine, I answered a question about the differences between fire door inspections and egress door inspections.
Childhood Safety Act
A new state law has passed that will affect the safety of Ohio's schools, and could raise awareness of life safety requirements in other states as well. Read about it in today's post.
TGP: Fireframes TimberLine Series
Someone asked me yesterday whether fire rated wood frames are available. I have only specified a few projects in my career that had fire rated frames with the look of wood...
Security and Safety of Door Openings: 7 Steps to Code Compliance
Building occupants' feelings of insecurity may lead to the use of security measures that can negatively impact safety. Following the guidelines in today's post will help to ensure a balance of safety and security.
Plan Your Escape: High-Rise Apartment Fire (video)
This week I'm in Denver with the current members of Allegion's Early Careers Program, and I found a fantastic video from the Fire Safety Research Institute to share with them. Check it out!
WW: Missing Mullion
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo was sent to me by Daryl Benish of TMP Architecture. This is a great reminder that no matter how hard we try, it's impossible to control what happens in the field.
Do assisted living units need fire protection?
A code change proposal has been submitted that would remove the self-closing/automatic-closing requirement for assisted living unit entry fire doors. I OBJECT! How about you?
FF: Mag Holders
Erich Russ of Jeske Hardware sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos and I'll admit, at first I thought this was just another pair of fire doors with kick-down stops. But take a closer look...
WW: Education and Awareness
Today I am Wordless in a positive way, about this photo that was sent to me by John Lozano of Allegion. It was taken in a high school. What do you think?
If it were easy, they’d call it EASYware!
The funny thing about writing a hardware specification is - EVERYONE has their own way of specifying hardware for a door opening. The even crazier thing is - most of those ways are CORRECT!
WWYD? Glazing Films
I'd like to compile some information on glazing films that can be used on glass in doors and sidelights, including fire door assemblies. I'm hoping that some of you have insight to share.
FF: It’s the little things…
There's (almost) nothing I love more than casually checking out fire door assemblies with someone from a fire test lab, and I recently had a chance to do just that! :D
QQ: Panic Hardware Dogging
An architect recently asked me today's Quick Question...How do the various dogging options for panic hardware operate? What are the pros and cons of the different types?
WW: Open Holes in Fire Doors
I saw the door in today's Wordless Wednesday photos during a recent hotel stay, and yes, it's definitely a fire door assembly, in an elevator lobby.
Fire Door Label Location
I've noticed a few interesting door openings around the hotel where this week's BHMA meetings are being held, and these doors in particular illustrated something I hadn't really thought about before.
FF: Fire Door Alteration
Today's Fixed-it Friday photo of a field alteration made to a fire door assembly left me Wordless. Thank you to Blaine Youngquist of The Cook and Boardman Group for the photo.
WW Follow Up
Last week I posted some WW photos of a propped open fire door, and one of my coworkers asked: What steps would need to be taken to solve the problem? This is a great question!
WW: Back-2-Basics
Sometimes it's important to go back to the basics, because there are always new people finding iDigHardware for the first time. And clearly, not everyone has gotten the message.
Codes in Context: Terminated Stops
I can't count the number of times iDigHardware readers have asked me to send them some "proof" to support the intent of a code requirement. Have you seen this resource from BHMA?
BHMA: IBC Changes 2012 to 2024
A reader recently asked me where to find the BHMA comparison of the IBC requirements from 2012 to 2024. The document has been revised, and the new links are in today's post!
Creating Safer Spaces: A Deep Dive into Bullet-Resistant Glass
Do you have questions about bullet-resistant glass? A recent article by David Vermeulen, North America Sales Director, TGP addresses some of the considerations for these applications.
Stage Door Follow-Up
Last week I asked for ideas about what could have been done differently with the hardware on a stage door. Today's post is a follow-up with the solution that I would specify.
WWYD? Padded Gym Doors
I've seen this application hundreds of times, gymnasium fire doors with applied padding. But is applied padding allowed when the doors are fire rated? WWYD?
AIA Webinar – The Essentials of Fire Door Inspections
Are you familiar with the annual inspection criteria for fire door assemblies? Join us on Thursday, March 14th, for an AIA-approved webinar presented by Jeff Batick of Allegion.
Decoded: Classroom Barricade Devices
This month’s Decoded question is a common one related to classroom doors in educational facilities: Are classroom barricade devices allowed by the model codes and accessibility standards?
QQ: Modifying UL Listed Products
Today's Quick Question was prompted by a recent post about a continuous hinge retrofit on a fire door: If a UL Listed product is modified in the field, does this void the listing?
FF: Gym Exit Upgrade
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos are a great "before and after" example from a high school gymnasium. If you have photos you'd like to share, there's an upload link in today's post.
Creating Clarity: Are there disadvantages to fire-rated glass?
A recent article from David Vermeulen, North America Sales Director for Technical Glass Products (TGP) does some myth busting about fire-rated glass...check it out in today's post!
WWYD? Locking Stairwell Doors
When a stairwell door unlocks (or is always unlocked) to allow building occupants to leave the stairwell if it becomes compromised during a fire, what happens next? WWYD?
QQ: Empty Silencer Holes
Today's Quick Question: On a fire door assembly where adhesive smoke gasketing is installed, is it acceptable to have open silencer holes under the gasketing?
WW: What’s the MATter?
Normally I'm extremely focused on door-related problems, but this one left me Wordless because the photo was taken in a fire department training facility.
QQ: Continuous Hinges on Existing Fire Doors
Today's Quick Question: When a continuous hinge is installed on an existing fire door assembly, the labels on the fire door and frame are often covered by the hinge. How should this be handled?