FF: Veterinary Office Security Fix
It still amazes me that people with seemingly no understanding of the code requirements will make modifications to their doors that could result in injury or even death.
FF: Alternative to Lock Picking
This was the result of a school maintenance manager’s attempt to unlock a door that was not on the key system. I think I would have broken the glass, but whatever works.
FF: Covid-19 Precautions
If you see any situations like this, I'd love a photo to help share ideas for Fixed-it Friday "fixes" that ensure all safety requirements are met.
FF: Auditorium Fire Exit Hardware
If your fire exit hardware shows up on the job-site without the dogging feature, there's a good reason for that. Homemade dogging is not a valid fix!
FF: NFPA Dogging
Leave it to NFPA to come up with a new type of dogging that is guaranteed to keep a door with panic hardware unlocked indefinitely.
FF: Sharpie Fix
Coming in just after duct tape and WD-40 in the lineup for must-have tools to fix door-related problems...the Sharpie!
FF: Duct Tape Can Fix Anything
Speaking from experience, this repair method - which apparently spans across multiple industries - does not last long.
FF: Foamy Fix
Sometimes it's painful to see what people will do to their doors and hardware. Trying to solve one problem can lead to another...
FF: Room With A View
Hardware sets in a specification look like a different language to most people, so sometimes there are surprises when the doors and hardware are installed.
FF: Bleacher Seats
Where there's a will (and the AHJ is flexible), there's a way. It's clear that a lot of thought went into this opening, but I have a few unanswered questions...
FF: Custom Security Gate
Yesterday morning, Luna and I saw a security gate/screen door that made me think of y'all...check out the vertical stiles and jambs. This is some serious custom work!
FF: 4-Point Lock
This is a feat of engineering and might even be compliant with the code requirement for one operation to unlatch the door. If only I had a video...
FF: Why Bother?
In the never-ending battle of convenience vs. security...convenience wins again! Why bother investing in access control?
FF: Exit Story
This is the first time I've ever received a Fixed-it Friday STORY...not just one FF photo, but 13 photos and Logan Piburn's narration of the whole situation. Thanks Logan!
FF: Plan Rack
It's Fixed-it Friday, AND...last call for the iDigHardware Yeti mug! Share your insight today on my post about school security design trends, and I'll pick a winner!
FF: ADA Turn
Today's Fixed-it Friday photo shows someone's attempt at solving the problem of a non-ADA-compliant thumbturn in a veterans' home. Fortunately, the locks have since been replaced.
FF: How to Build a Better Mousetrap
I received today's Fixed-it Friday photo from Ken Sako of Lazzaro Companies, and I'm wordless. Maybe y'all can think of something to say.
FF: Exit Extensions
I don't know about y'all, but I needed a laugh today (I know - odd things make me laugh). Happy Fixed-it Friday - I hope you are all staying safe and well.
WW: Middle School Closer
I know that some architects would rather not see thru-bolts for closers, but I think they should be standard for every school specification. Do you agree?
FF: Legit Fix?
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos show a situation found at a state college. I'm curious whether any of you can come up with examples of when this "fix" would be acceptable.
FF: Be Careful Out There
Facility managers need to carefully consider changes made to prevent virus transmission, which could affect egress, fire protection, and accessibility.
FF: Hands-Free Hardware
Covid-19 has inspired new "inventions" to help people avoid touching door hardware with their hands, to limit the spread of the virus. How can the hardware industry help?
FF: Not. O.K.
Seriously...how does anyone justify this Fixed-it Friday "fix"? If someone tells you this was approved by the fire marshal, I wouldn't believe it.
FF: Delayed Egress Modification
You may have to zoom in and look around to see exactly what's happening in this Fixed-it Friday photo. All I have to say is...there are better ways to transfer power.
FF: Profile-Cut Glass Door
Matthew Stonebraker of Allegion just sent me this Fixed-it Friday photo of a glass door at the Mexico City National Museum of Art, and it's so cool! Have you seen a modification like this before?
FF: Plastic Loops
The intent of the application in today's Fixed-it Friday photos is obviously to deter the use of the doors - do you think this is code-compliant? Have you ever seen any documentation on these plastic loops?
FF: Spring-Loaded Top Latch
It's fire exit hardware, so it has to latch!
FF: Close(r) Call
We've all seen closers installed incorrectly...the question is how will the control of this door be affected by the installation in this Fixed-it Friday photo?
FF: Licorice Laces
I know these doors aren't actually secured with licorice, and I HOPE this building is under construction and unoccupied. Thank you to Keith Zettler for today's Fixed-it Friday photo.
FF: Only in Alaska
The extreme weather we're experiencing may open up new opportunities for hardware design...today's Fixed-it Friday photos could be a prototype for a future product. :)
FF: Concealed Closer Arm
Keith Nelsen of Lindquist Security Technologies sent me today's Fixed-it Friday video. I'm guessing it wasn't an intentional "fix", but it's interesting nonetheless.
FF/WWYD? Magnetic Holder
The story here is that the cross-corridor doors in this hospital were scheduled to be 8-foot doors, but the wrong (7-foot) assembly was installed. WWYD?
FF: Another Electrified Hold-Open
Restaurants are notorious for creative hardware applications...next time you go out to eat, look around at the doors and send me some photos! :)
FF: Auto-Operator Actuators
There's no point in installing an automatic operator if the user can not reach the actuator. Do you know where to find the mounting recommendations for knowing-act switches?
FF: Permanently Dogged
Another Friday, another "fix." This fire door probably won't perform as designed and tested, should a fire occur. Why does convenience so often win out over safety??
FF: Angled Opening
Check out this opening, installed on a ramp in a restaurant. The building was originally a warehouse for a grain mill and other materials shipped by train during the mid-1800s. Can you see the "fix"?
FF: Clamp Hold-Open
The creative solutions never end! RB Sontag of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, and if this is a fire door, we've got a problem.
FF: Another Creative Hold-Open
Kelly Reese of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, and I have to admit, it's pretty creative. Unfortunately, if this is a fire door the purpose of the fire door assembly has been completely defeated.
FF: Wood Wedge Problem Solvers
There's more than one way to hold open a door for convenience, and if it's a fire door, the method needs to be code-compliant. Here's a great Fixed-it Friday example.
FF: Camo Panic
Ahhh...that feeling you get when you overhear someone telling their coworker that they think they've spotted a code violation - and they took a photo of it!
FF: Whatever Works
Kick-down holders (prohibited in most commercial locations) are meant to flip down and hold the door open. This one is being used for a different purpose. Any ideas?
FF: Key/Tool, Special Knowledge AND Effort
It can sometimes be difficult to determine whether a particular type of hardware requires special knowledge or effort to operate since this is left up to each AHJ to interpret. Not this time...
FF: Screws
It warms my heart that in the last 10 years, the number of people who actually notice these problems (and often do something to resolve them) has increased significantly.
FF: Auditorium Exit
How quickly we forget the lessons learned in tragic events such as the fires at the Iroquois Theatre and the Cocoanut Grove Nightclub. If you see something, say something!
FF: Wordless
I'm Wordless about today's Fixed-it Friday photo. Considering that this is a retail store, I'm not even sure how/why this happened. Any theories?
FF: Church Exit
Looking past the Fixed-it Friday "fix" and the non-code-compliant hardware, what do you think about the design of this opening? Are these exit doors easily identifiable?
FF: Trashed Exit
Chris Stokes of Precision Doors and Hardware sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos, taken in a gas station/convenience store. At first, this looks like careless placement of a trash can...
FF: Lever Return Spring
I'm sure you have some photos hiding in your phone that could be suitable for Wordless Wednesday, Fixed-it Friday, or to illustrate a question or problem. Submit them and you might be a winner!
FF: Sound Horn for Service
I love these Fixed-it Friday photos from Richard de Campo of Poss Architecture + Planning and Interior Design. This door leads from the showroom area to the welding shop at The Iron Gallery in Rifle, Colorado.
FF: Please Shut Door
The door in these photos is at the top of the stairs in a bar, exiting from a non-sprinkled basement assembly room that is used for weddings and parties. What do you think? OK or NO WAY?