FF: Pair Power Transfer
This pair of doors had one of my least favorite applications to begin with, and then access control was added. It's a challenging modification, and something is missing here.
FF: Switched/Sensor Bar
Although electromagnetic locks are easier than some other electrified hardware to retrofit, I try to avoid using them in schools whenever possible. How about you?
FF: Mag-Lock TJ Mount
Top jamb brackets for mag-locks are not the most aesthetically-pleasing application, and this installation has some extra modifications that will definitely affect the strength and durability.
FF: WWYD?
The director of maintenance for some nursing homes in NYC sent me this photo and asked how to avoid this problem in future installations. Any constructive suggestions?
FF: Pocket Pivots
If you can prove to me that you were the detailer for this project (or otherwise responsible for the details), I'll send you something from the iDigHardware prize vault!
FF: KittyKorner
Creative, but I have a few concerns. How about you?
FF: Jacked Up
I love this Fixed-it Friday photo - it reminds me of my husband's efforts to secure one of our doors.
FF: Louvers
One more photo from our time in Asheville...this is not how I would have handled the need for additional airflow at this church entrance.
FF: Hospital Latch Extension
Is it just me, or does this seem questionable on several levels (encroachment, projection into the clear opening width, potential for damage)? Is this an actual product or a creative modification?
FF: Surface-Mortise
I saw this photo posted by Stephen Connor on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page, and it left me Wordless even though it's Fixed-it Friday.
FF: Pool Access
I'm curious about what age children are prevented access by the 54-inch mounting height, and whether that jives with the age of children who can read the sign and enter the code.
FF: Don’t let the door hit ya…
While this may seem like a great idea at first glance - a wireless actuator mounted on the door to open the door automatically - this does not meet the recommended guidelines for actuator location.
FF: Falling Off
What do you think the wood strapping is for?
FF: Teacher Ingenuity
Let's do a better job of planning. Teachers should not have to resort to this.
FF: Fail Safe Failure
There is a lesson behind today's Fixed-it Friday photo. Upon first glance you see an exterior door locked with padlocks and a chain attached to the lever on an adjacent door. But why?
FF: Found Fasteners
No screw pack in the box? No problem!
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.
FF: 172 Degrees
This is not the first time I've seen this problem, but this is a pretty labor-intensive solution. Hopefully this wall is not a fire barrier.
FF: Foolproof Dogging
Before someone else says it...at least this isn't a fire door.
FF: Definitely Not an Exit
#Wordless Friday from Gregory Kelly of Allegion...
FF: Threat Extinguisher
This product isn't door-related, but I'm curious what y'all think...
FF: Double Bolts
I recently ran across a Facebook page that could supply us with Fixed-it Friday photos until the end of time (or until I retire).
FF: Repurposed
It is just me, or does it seem like antique stores often have creative ways of deterring egress?
FF: Zip It
Colin Watson of Allegion sent me this Fixed-it Friday photo of a surface bolt. Zip-tied for extra security. In a school. I guess they don't want anyone using that leaf.
FF: To exit, push the button…
Yes, there is an exit sign above this door.
FF: Latch Retraction
Where have you seen this type of "fix"? What was the cause and what would have been a better solution (that didn't involve tape and cardboard)?
FF: College Entrance
It's too bad someone at this facility didn't ask for help BEFORE coming up with these locking "solutions." :(
FF: File-it Friday
This is a classic. Gary Huizen of Huizen’s Locksmith Service posted today's Fixed-it Friday photo on iDigHardware's Facebook page, and I love it...
FF: State to City College: Uninstall 1,000 Fire Code-Defying ‘Barricade Devices’
Yesterday, I read an article about a college in California that purchased and installed 1,000 barricade devices at a cost of more than $200,000, as recommended by the local police chief. The college later removed the devices, as they are not compliant with the building code and fire code in California, or with the ADA.
FF: Panic Protector
Jon Millsap posted this Fixed-it Friday photo on his Facebook page (Locksmith's Journal), and he gave me permission to share it here. What do you think? Yea or nay, and why or why not?
FF: Special Knowledge?
Looking at the signage, the unfamiliar locks, and the exposed wiring, I wondered if the average person would instinctively know how to exit, or whether an AHJ might think this opening requires "special knowledge"...
FF: Branching Out
Howard Krutzler of Mr. K's Lock and Key sent me this photo of a panic hardware modification he found. For the record, panic hardware is UL listed and can not be modified except as allowed by the listings.
FF: LifeDoor
Joel Sellinger of LifeDoor sent me these photos of the bedroom door in an AirBNB, along with a note that said, "When you realize the importance of a closed door at night...but can’t!"
FF: Pin-Removable Mullion
Today's Fixed-it Friday photo is from Jason Relyea of Allegion...I've seen keyed removable mullions, and removable mullions that are secured with screws, but this one must get removed A LOT.
FF: Ship Shape
This is one of the most amazing doors I've ever seen!
FF: Locks and Chains
Thank you to Brendan Daley for this Fixed-it Friday photo. I could fix this pretty quickly with a set of bolt cutters.
FF: Tubes
A few weeks ago I was in an old factory that is now a complex of art galleries. It took me a minute to figure out what these tubes were for.
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.
FF: LTR Panics
Well, this is one way to solve the problems with your panic hardware - NOT! Thanks to Charles Anderson for these Fixed-it Friday photos!
FF: DIY Swing-Clear Hinges
Michael Wallick of Kelley Brothers sent today's Fixed-it Friday photos of a DIY application he spotted at a hotel. I think this is the first time I've ever seen swing-clear hinges that appear to have been fabricated on-site...
FF: Alternative Closer Mounting
Any bets on how long this installation will last? Thank you to Eyal Bedrik of Entry Systems for this Fixed-it Friday photo...
FF: Surfaceskins Antibacterial Protection
Joe Prosser of LaForce, Inc., sent me a link to an article about a product called Surfaceskins, which is a "push-pad" (pulls are also available) that releases a small amount of antibacterial gel when touched...
FF: The New Mag-Locks
I know...these would not be code-compliant on the egress side of a door in the means of egress, but you have to admit they're cool. Thanks to Leo Lebovits of M&D Door & Hardware for sending me the links to these Fixed-it Friday videos!
FF: Latch Retraction
I don't know if this is a fire door, but it looks like it might have some sort of access-control lock. Unfortunately, convenience often prevails over fire protection and security...
FF: Doggie Door?
Guess what this is for. And once you figure it out, what do you think about the potential impact on free egress?
FF: Fork Fix
Jeff Dunham of BEA sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos. While this fire door looks pretty good at first glance, a closer look reveals someone's creative and inexpensive method of keeping the latch retracted...
FF: Find Another Exit
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos are from Leo Lebovits at M&D Door & Hardware. Someone had the forethought to remove the exit sign...I wonder if this was approved by the AHJ...
FF: Seriously Specific Signage
This makes me wonder what incident prompted the need to control which leaf is used for entrance/egress - especially on full-glass doors...
FF: Hospital Door
What led to this "fix"? Any theories?
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)...