Code Update: Signage on Fire Doors
The 2022 edition of NFPA 80 includes some important changes related to the size and attachment methods for signage on fire doors. Can you spot what's new in the updated standard?
Holiday Countdown…2!
My kids are getting excited to see what Santa has left under the tree, even though they are now 20, 17, and 15. This photo was taken with Santa at Pasek Corp., way back in 2011. I sure do miss my old pal. :(
Holiday Countdown…3!
Next up in the countdown...it's Wordless Wednesday! I know that many of you LOVE the Wordless Wednesday posts, which I have been publishing weekly since January 25th, 2011. Time flies when you're having fun!
Holiday Countdown…4!
This week I'm counting down the days until my holiday break - yesterday I wrote about the ACE Network, which is a fantastic resource! Today I want to make sure you all know where to find my Decoded articles, which address specific code-related topics in detail.
Holiday Countdown…5!
It's that time of year again, when I finish up my last big projects (like my new class: Crash Course in Codes!), look back on what I accomplished, and get ready to start fresh after the holidays.
History: Hartford Hospital Fire
Sixty years ago, 16 people were killed in a fire at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut. This fire, which began when someone dumped smoldering cigarette ashes down a trash chute, resulted in many code changes related to health care facilities.
History: Winecoff Hotel Fire
This week marks the 75th anniversary of the deadliest hotel fire in US history, which occurred at the Winecoff Hotel in Atlanta, on December 7th, 1946. This fire resulted in the deaths of 119 people, and injured at least 90 others.
2021 Code Changes on DoorTalk – Part 2
On this episode of DoorTalk with Austin Watson of Warren Doors & Access Control, I covered the 2021 code updates on egress from exterior spaces and extraneous labels on fire door assemblies. What other topics would you like to see addressed in this type of format?
Coming Up! AIA Continuing Ed Webinar
This is a quiet week for training because of the holiday, but there is a very informative webinar coming up next week, presented by Melany Whalin and Connie Alexander of Allegion. The webinar offers continuing education credit for AIA, and registration is open!
QQ: Astragal vs. Egress Conflict
I have a 3-hour pair of hollow metal doors that requires an overlapping astragal in order to comply with the manufacturer's listings. Both leafs have vertical rod fire exit hardware. How do I avoid an egress conflict?
Knowledge Empowers You (K.E.Y.)
I truly believe this...knowledge empowers each of us. I often find when I'm teaching about codes, that people believe something to be true that they learned 20 years ago. But things change, and it's crucial that we keep up with what's new in the industry.
FF: Road Trip Part 2
Here are a few more applications that I saw on my road trip - I'm finally heading home on Sunday! I stayed at a total of 8 different hotels on my trip, so you can imagine how many problems I saw...
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!
QQ: Hotel Door Guards
As I continue on my training adventure, staying in multiple hotels along the way, I'm reminded of a "Quick Question" that recently hit my inbox: Are swing bar door guards prohibited by NFPA 80 for fire door assemblies on hotel rooms?
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!
QQ: Covering Holes in Fire Doors
Today's Quick Question arises often, when existing hardware on a fire door assembly is replaced with new hardware: If existing holes in a fire door assembly are covered by the new hardware, is this compliant with the codes and standards?
Allegion 101 is BACK!
I was just talking with someone the other day about how hard it must be to get on-the-job training while working remotely. If you or someone you know is new to the industry or new to the Allegion brands, check out Allegion 101!
WW: Positive Latching??
Rit Bellefleur of Accurate Commercial Door & Hardware Services, LLC sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo. This is a fire door in a school, and the bottom latch clearly serves no purpose. What's the point??
Spec Update: Oversized Fire Door Assemblies / Construction Labels
I have posted a couple of spec updates in past weeks, both related to one small portion of an actual project specification. Today's post addresses the remaining paragraph in the example - oversized fire doors.
Spec Update: Fire Door Testing
Last week I posted the first in a new series of posts, with the goal of delving into some specification sections to try to understand the intent and see where updating is needed. Another question came up regarding the same spec section.
Spec Update: Temperature Rise Doors
I have been thinking about adding a new type of post for a long time, and today's the day I will try it out. I can't tell you how many times I've opened a specification to estimate a project, and found outdated information...
Download the 2021 Allegion Code Reference Guide today!
The new version of the guide is available for download now - just visit iDigHardware.com/guide. Feel free to share this link with your coworkers and others who may benefit from using the Allegion Code Reference Guide!
QQ: Gasketing Requirements of NFPA 101
Last week, I updated the Decoded article on smoke door requirements of the IBC, and I was asked to update this NFPA 101 post as well. There were not many changes in the 2021 edition of the Life Safety Code, but here is the revised post.
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?
Decoded: Smoke Door Requirements of the International Building Code
By request, I have updated this article on smoke doors to include the requirements of the 2021 IBC. When you have a question about a smoke door, just decide which of the 5 types it is and refer to the section for that type.
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!
Upcoming Webinar: 2021 Model Code Update!
On Thursday, August 26th, I will be presenting a webinar covering the 2021 updates to the International Building Code (IBC) and NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code. The webinar qualifies for AIA and DHI continuing education units. I hope to see you there!
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.
WWYD? Fire Door Assembly Labels
Thank you for all of your comments and feedback on last week's Fixed-it Friday post - I really appreciate the help! I'd love to hear what you think about fire door assembly labels as an educational tool for building occupants.
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)...
FF: Just Dropping In
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos come with some questions...is there a way to make this opening code-compliant? It's obviously not an egress door, but how can building occupants be protected from falling?
Decoded: Fire Door Assembly Inspections in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
My next Decoded article for Door Security + Safety magazine highlights the importance of fire door assembly inspections in multi-unit residential buildings. Enforcing the inspection requirements and repairing deficiencies will undoubtedly save lives.
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?
Enforcement of Fire Door Assembly Inspections
What will happen when a fire occurs in the US, where an adopted fire code requires periodic fire door inspections and a state or local jurisdiction decides not to enforce the requirement? I'm afraid we'll find out before too long.
FF: 4 Little Problems
Steve Budde of Greenwood Care sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, taken in an apartment building he was visiting. Although I'm a big fan of instructional signage, does anyone see the 4 little problems here?
FF: Jamb Protection
Fabricating this protector and welding it to a rated frame to protect the door edge from cart/bed traffic would not be allowed by the frame manufacturer's listings - at least not any listings that I've ever seen. WWYD?
WW: Hotel Fire Door
Fire doors in hotels are critical for helping to deter the spread of smoke and flames during a fire. To perform as designed and tested, the fire door needs to be closed and latched if a fire occurs. This is why we need annual inspections of fire door assemblies!
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.
Fire Door Clearance Follow-Up
Last week I answered a Quick Question about whether a listed threshold could be used to reduce excessive clearance at the bottom of a fire door. I always appreciate the heads-ups when I make a typo, but this time I didn't! :-)
Queens Fire Follow-Up (video)
Last week I wrote about a fire in a Queens apartment building, where an open door allowed a fire to spread. FDNY shared a video that shows some of the interior of the building after the fire that left more than 200 people homeless.
QQ: Fire Door Bottom Clearance
Today's Quick Question: Can a threshold be used to address oversized clearance at the bottom of a fire door? What do you think?
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.
How many more will it take?
I like to think that I'm pretty even-tempered...I don't get mad very often (and when I do - RUN). But every time I see an apartment fire where the door was left open as the apartment residents escaped, I feel even more frustrated and angry.
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.
FDAI – Here’s why.
In my opinion, removing the fire door assembly inspection requirements through a state modification of the model codes is detrimental to the safety of building occupants. What do you think?
FDAI – Why?
As I talk to people about fire door assembly inspection, two sides of the discussion have emerged. Many understand the increased life safety and fire protection provided by code-compliant fire doors - others think the deficiencies are too overwhelming to address.
Decoded: Corridor Doors in Health Care Occupancies
Past fires in hospitals and nursing homes - and the resulting fatalities - have shaped the codes that we use today. Although today’s codes do not typically require patient room doors to be fire door assemblies, these doors provide a critical layer of protection for patients.
Decoded: Double-Egress Pairs in a Health Care Occupancy
Questions about double-egress cross-corridor pairs in health care facilities arise frequently, so I have updated this article to reflect the current requirements of the model codes.
FF: Hold onto those hold opens.
This elementary school fire door "fix" is one way to keep the wedges from disappearing but might be tough to explain when the fire marshal shows up for an inspection.
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.