Elevator Hoistway Doors
I just saw these doors in a hotel, so it seems like a good time to write about the requirements for doors at an elevator hoistway.
QQ: Mag-Locks on Fire Doors
1) Are electromagnetic locks allowed to be used on fire door assemblies? 2) Do electromagnetic locks installed on fire door assemblies have to be labeled?
School Superintendents Association Shares Information on Barricade Devices
The School Superintendents Association (AASA) is sharing safety concerns about classroom barricade devices with their 13,000+ members. Visit iDigHardware to get a copy of the document that is being distributed.
WW: Safety vs. Security
I'm confused about this conflict between newly-adopted code requirements and what the media is reporting. Can anyone share some insight?
FF: Falling Off
What do you think the wood strapping is for?
Locksmith Ledger: What’s a fire door for?
When I first started working in the door and hardware industry, I learned all about the rules that apply to fire doors, but I didn’t fully appreciate the value of a closed door during a fire.
WW: Security consultant recommendations violated fire codes
Watching this news report brought a little tear to my eye. FINALLY, someone in the media is talking about both sides of the equation - safety AND security.
Self-Closing Residential Doors Required by Law
A new package of fire safety laws has now been approved and is on the mayor's desk awaiting his signature...
FF: Positive Latching
As hopefully most of you know by now, corridor doors in health care facilities are required by NFPA 101 to have positive-latching hardware. Lance Werner of Allegion sent me this photo of a pair of fire doors in a nursing home, leading to a linen storage room. A Schlage LM9200 would have been a much better solution.
I-Team: Faulty Fire Doors Persist Even After Bronx Inferno Killed 13
This is what I've been saying all along. Why has it taken so many deaths and injuries to get people to pay attention?
Short-Term Rentals
So let's say that I'm thinking about renting out my college-bound daughter's bedroom on Airbnb to help offset the cost of her books and fees. Does her bedroom door need to be a fire door? Is my house now a small hotel?
Fire department uses aftermath of recent fire as teaching tool for safety
This video from a recent fire in a dormitory at Idaho State University really shows the difference that a closed door can make.
Classroom Security Considerations (May 2018)
I'm hoping this piece sums up the concerns associated with classroom barricade devices and can be used as reference material when discussing options for school security.
Siberian Mall Fire
In an emergency, the ability to quickly evacuate can be key to survival. Life safety is everyone's responsibility. If you see something, say something.
Is your garage door self-closing or automatic-closing?
I don't have an attached garage, but if I did, I would make sure that the door is self-closing or automatic-closing. Is this something you have considered for your own home?
WWYD? Joint Commission Policy Changes
I'm just going to admit it - I'm confused - and I'm hoping that someone who works more closely with the Joint Commission can help to clear this up. The Joint Commission recently distributed a document giving notice of 3 changes to their standards; 2 of the changes involve doors, and the effective date is March 11, 2018.
Decoded: Code Requirements for Classroom Security (video)
Our newest whiteboard animation video addresses the important topic of classroom security.
QQ: Signage on Fire Door Frames
Does NFPA 80 allow small signs on fire door frames? Are there limitations on the size, material, and method of attachment?
WW: Lockdown Lowdown
Since it's Wordless Wednesday, here is a photo that Jim Phillips of SBS Associates sent me from a school walk-through. Luckily the school's security precautions kept these intruders out.
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? How can we help UL spread their message?
You have all heard me talk about how important it is to sleep with your bedroom door closed at night - to benefit from the protection provided by a closed door. I've been writing about fire doors on iDigHardware for 9 YEARS(!), trying to inform as many people as possible about the purpose of fire doors, why they need to be closed and latched when a fire occurs, and what is involved with an annual fire door inspection.
WWYD? 5th/6th Screw in Closer Shoe
Should "missing" screws in a parallel-arm shoe be cited as a deficiency during a fire door inspection?
QQ: Empty Tab Slots
The increased enforcement of the inspection requirements for fire door assemblies has brought some pretty intense scrutiny upon the various components. In some cases we're finding that NFPA 80 and the model codes don't currently address the fine details of how these assemblies are tested and constructed.
Allegion Acquires Advanced Fire-Rated Glass Products Manufacturer TGP
Are you familiar with Technical Glass Products (TGP)? They're now part of our Allegion family! Here's the latest news...
WWYD? Fire Door Assembly Inspection
The extended deadline has now passed. Facilities that receive funding from Medicare and/or Medicaid must have fire door assembly inspections conducted annually and documented, with any deficiencies repaired "without delay."
I-Team: Fire-Rated, Self-Closing Door Was Required in Bronx Apartment Where Inferno Started
I suspect that many of you already know what the topic of today's post will be; many readers sent me links to news reports on last week's fire in a Bronx apartment building.
WWYD? Dorm-Room Doors Without Closers
I just saw an article in the Preston Blog, about a fire in a block of student apartments that was contained by a closed and latched fire door assembly in a fire barrier.
FF: What happened here?
I know some of you are good at hardware forensics...what was the motivation for this and what modifications were made? BTW...this is a fire door.
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?
WWYD? IBC Changes
This is our big chance to propose some changes to the IBC, to help make it easier to interpret, and to address new developments in products or technologies, or new safety issues that have arisen...
Specifying Zombie-Resistant Door Openings (Update)
While ensuring code-compliance, of course!
Decoded: Code Requirements for Classroom Security
Our last whiteboard animation video for this year will address the 2018 model code requirements for classroom security...
Close Before You Doze
When Good Morning America starts talking about closing doors, you know this important advice will (finally!) start to reach the masses. Check out this UL test and see the amount of protection provided by the closed doors, and share it with your friends and loved ones using the Share/Save icon above...
Decoded: Alterations to Fire Door Assemblies
You may remember that I'm working on a series of online code classes, which will be available early in 2018. To support those classes, I am updating some of my past Decoded articles to include revisions from new editions of the codes and standards. Here is the latest information regarding alterations of fire door assemblies.
Fire Door Clearances – Webinar Notes
The other day I posted a video of a webinar about the clearances around fire doors and the effects of those clearances on the performance of the assembly...
WW: Furniture Store
I know of several fires where the fire door protected the store from a fire in the warehouse; the doors in this photo won't be providing any protection whatsoever...
NFPA Webinar: Influence of gap size around swinging doors on fire and smoke development
NFPA recently posted the video of a webinar that answers some questions about clearances around fire door and smoke door assemblies...
WWYD? Fire Door Safety Week
A couple of years ago, someone called me during the UK's Fire Door Safety Week. I remember it clearly because not too many people call me these days...
Fire Door Video
It's Fire Door Safety Week in the UK, and although we don't have an official week dedicated to fire doors in the US, I'm going to share some of the great information from the UK...
WW: How You Can Help Spot Fire Hazards
I was so excited to see this video from the Texas State Fire Marshal's office talking about egress and fire hazards, but I noticed a little problem with one of the doors. Can you find it?
Fire Door Latching
In order for a fire door assembly to perform as designed and tested, it's critical for the door to be closed and latched if/when a fire occurs...
Decoded: Fire Door Assembly Classifications
NFPA 80 – Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives, classifies openings protected by fire door assemblies in one of five categories...
WW: What is this?
Derrick Riding sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo of a hold-open device on a fire door (note the painted label)...
WWYD? Measuring Clearance
I was contacted last week by a door and hardware distributor who has provided fire door assemblies with hollow metal frames and wood doors on a hospital project...
FF: Trading One Problem For Another
In the case shown in today's Fixed-it Friday photo, a retail store has implemented this creative hold-open because of an assault that occurred in their public restroom...
Decoded: Securing Parking Garages (September 2017)
Without proper planning, parking garages can present security and life-safety challenges. People who are authorized to use the parking area – or unauthorized people who are able to enter an open parking garage – may attempt to gain access to other floors of the building...
Honolulu High-Rise Fire
Last week, 3 lives were lost in a fire that occurred in a residential high-rise in Honolulu, Hawaii. Although the cause is not yet known...
FF: Double-Strength Holding Power
When Deputy Jeff Tock of Allegion sent me this Fixed-it Friday photo of double kick-down holders, I knew what you would ask...
Stairwell Reentry Update
Are locks on stair doors required to be hard-wired locks which unlock upon power failure?
QQ: Fire Doors in Load-Bearing Walls
Do load-bearing walls within a dwelling unit require fire doors?