FF: Convenience vs. Security
The struggle is real! I took today's Fixed-it Friday photos at our hotel near DFW. Typically a credential would be needed - at least at night, but this "fix" allows free access 24/7.
FF: Holes
My daughter spotted this Fixed-it Friday door modification on the streets of Fort Worth - and check out the door closer - an old LCN potbelly on a corner bracket!
FF: Fire Exit Hardware
John Danes of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo...I'm sure someone thought they were solving a problem with this "fix", but they've created a big problem!
FF: What would you specify?
The added surface bolts in today's Fixed-it Friday photo are a common (and non-compliant!) "fix" for vertical rod panic problems. What would you have specified instead, and why?
FF: Another Gate
At least they tried…finding panic hardware with an actuating portion that measures half the width of the gate in today's Fixed-it Friday photo would be quite the challenge!
FF/WWYD? Unauthorized Use Prohibited
I know at least one AHJ who doesn't like signs like this which deter use of the exit, but as far as I know, the codes do not prohibit them. Should a code change proposal be made? WWYD?
FF: Frankenstein Door
Tim Weller of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo and I'm not sure what to think, between the sensor bar on an inswinging door and the deadbolt that overrides the electrified hardware.
FF: Von Duprin Paddle
Evan Ballard of Allegion saw this super cool OLD Von Duprin product on an exit serving one of the oldest restaurants in America - open since 1826!
FF: Do Not Push
Paul Laseter of Niles Bolton sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, taken in a maternity suite. Do you think this was an intentional double entendre? :D
FF: Emergency Exit
I received today's Fixed-it Friday photos from a retired AHJ, who I know has an intense dislike of emergency exit signs as a deterrent. What do you think of this "fix"?
FF: Tied Up
Today's Fixed-it Friday photo, taken by Michelle Atkinson, CFDAI, of Atkinson Door, shows a "security solution" (not recommended!) employed by a church that has had trouble with unauthorized entry.
FF: What’s missing here?
I received this Fixed-it Friday photo from someone asking whether this application was code-compliant. The short answer...no. Can you see the problem?
FF: Balboa Park
Along with the beautiful art in the galleries at the Spanish Village Art Center, I was fixated on the doors (big surprise, right?!), which had SO MANY Fixed-it Friday fixes.
FF: DIY Dogging
Considering the number of panics I've seen with velcro straps, zip ties, pins, clamps, and even more creative dogging methods, maybe there's a new product idea here?
FF: Another Indicator in the Wild
I took today's Fixed-it Friday photos at a children's hospital in California, where locks with visual indicators have been installed to help staff ensure the lock status during a lockdown.
FF: “Mid-Rail”
Michael Nicasio sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos and I have to say...I have never seen a mid-rail constructed this way. How about you?
FF: A Day at the Zoo
Last week I realized that a zoo is one of the few types of projects that I have never written a hardware specification for, which is kind of a shame because zoos have some cool applications!
FF: Electric Strike Prep
Just yesterday I was talking with a class about prepping existing frames for electric strikes. I'm not an installer, but something seems off here. What do you think?
FF: Cruising
I received today's Fixed-it Friday photo from John Fuentes of Treanor Design, and we have a question for iDigHardware readers. What's the reason for the atypical hinge locations on this cruise ship door?
FF: At the Dollar Store
Last month, Mark Kuhn and I happened upon an unusual Fixed-it Friday "fix" in Savannah...it wasn't very effective since Mark had the door open in a couple of minutes.
FF: Cali Minimarket
During my travels in other countries, I definitely notice a difference in how accessible routes are handled...this ramp in Cali, Colombia was an attempt to improve accessibility. See the problem?
FF: Drop Plate Alternative
Allen Huguley of Wagstaff Taylor & Associates, Inc. sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo...he's not responsible for detailing this "fix"! (Although I'm kind of impressed with the workmanship!)
FF: Door Looooop
I saw this Fixed-it Friday door down at the home improvement store. What do you think? Is this extended door loop a legit way to transfer the power to the hardware?
FF: Another Hotel Fix
Today's Fixed-it Friday photo shows an epic(ly terrible) "fix" on a fire door assembly in a hotel corridor - at least I'm assuming it's rated based on the fire exit hardware and what looks like the outline of a label.
FF: Let me out (again)!
The door in today's Fixed-it Friday photos is another example from my trip to Colombia, this time in Cali. This door would not comply with the US model codes for egress...can you see why?
FF: NOOOOO!!!
Robert Lucius of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos, taken in a high school. My heart sank when I saw this "fix." Think it's a fire door? WWYD?
FF: A whole lotta shimmin’ going on
Paul Goldense of Goldense Building Products has some talented installers...check out the Fixed-it Friday photos he shared with me highlighting their handiwork!
FF: Oopsie Daisy
It's a good thing that the problem with this frame prep was noticed before the frame was installed...can you tell what's wrong with today's Fixed-it Friday photo?
FF: Rain Drip
The beautiful colors in these photos from Scott Foley of Advanced Door Solutions might draw your eye (ok, mine too), but check out that rain drip! :D
FF: This is not an exit.
If you have a door that looks a lot like an egress door, but for whatever reason you don't want it to be code-compliant, how do you prove that the door is not provided for egress purposes?
FF: Path of Least Resistance
I guess I don't need to ask why, but I'm still scratching my head. Thank you to Rich Engel of Highland Hospital for today's Fixed-it Friday photo, taken at a post office (not at the hospital!).
FF: Can you help me out?
Tim Chow sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo of a pair of doors with access control, and I can't figure out what those little wires are for. Any ideas?
FF: Irish Ingenuity
Dave Cox sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos from his trip to Ireland - I love to see everyone's vacation photos, so send them along!
FF: Hide-N-Seek
Hal Kelton of DOORDATA Solutions sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos, taken in a school. After a detailed analysis, the main problem I can see is one of my pet peeves!
FF: Iglesia del Carmen, Tlalpujahua
The church in today's Fixed-it Friday photos had a rustic but effective "fix" for locking the front doors, and some less fantastic fixes in the interior. It's a spectacular building!
FF: ATTENZIONE
When I search my camera roll for the word "door", 4,879 photos show up. Today's Fixed-it Friday photos are from the Milan-Malpensa Airport, where using an alarmed exit will get you in big trouble.
FF: Creative Drop Plate
Chuck Gulla of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, which has inspired me to put drop plates on the list for the next "What's that?" post. Stay tuned, and happy Friday!
FF: Another Wicket Door
Tim Weller of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, and I've been pondering the reason for this design as well as the function and code compliance. What do you think?
FF: Kungfu Noodle
Being from the Northeast, I didn't immediately recognize the reason for this type of Fixed-It Friday ingenuity when I first saw something similar at the Hoover Dam years ago.
FF: Not an Exit
I saw this retail store's secondary exit while I was stocking up on my favorite snacks, and I wondered...are these "NOT AN EXIT" signs a nice-to-have or a need-to-have? What do you think?
FF: Stile Width Modification
I saw the door in today's Fixed-it Friday photo on a university campus recently. The "fix" would probably make the architect cry, but this is VERY common when the stile width is too narrow.
FF: Rescue Hardware Closer
Paul Goldense of Goldense Building Products (one of the most creative door opening engineers I know) sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo of a rescue hardware closer alternative.
FF: Rescue Hardware ST
This is a true test of who the most loyal readers of iDigHardware are...what is my FAVORITE special template from LCN?? Hint: It's an ST for the 4020T closer.
FF: Flush Bolts
Today's Fixed-it Friday post covers a "fix" that was made in the 2024 IBC - to remove the Bolt Locks section and address flush bolts (all 3 types) in a table under Locks and Latches.
FF: Creating Images
With the advancements that have been made in digital media and AI, many of the images we see online and in print are created by artists, and can be good opportunities to teach about codes!
FF: Locked Classroom Doors
As a child of the 70's and 80's, and now a mom of three young adults, I once resisted the idea of keeping classroom doors locked during class, but times have changed. WWYD?
FF: Bisagras Modificadas (Modified Hinges)
On a recent stop in Mexico City I saw this Fixed-it Friday application...I don't know what the building is used for, but it looks like preventing after-hours access to the cylinders is a priority.
FF: Door Blocked
Years ago I saw a door marked "this is not a door" on the outside and a firefighter explained the reason, but the door in the photo is marked "door blocked" on the INSIDE. Any theories?
FF: Stacked Shoe Shim
Hal Kelton of DOORDATA Solutions sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, and I'm curious about the reason but also surprised that someone would cut four closer shoes to make a shim. Yikes!
FF: Alternative Closing Mounting
I received today's Fixed-it Friday photos from Herman Hauer of M&D Door...I wonder how long the closer will survive mounted this way. Any bets?