QQ: Panic Hardware, Revisited
I have answered this Quick Question before but it keeps coming up, so I'll keep addressing it until it sticks...Is panic hardware required by the model codes for a ___________ facility?
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.
What’s that? Strike Hook – Take Two
When a strike hook is required as part of a manufacturer's listings for fire exit hardware, it plays an important role in ensuring the performance of the assembly during a fire.
Know it’s locked.
I recently heard from an architect who was looking for an occupied indicator for a restroom, and I was surprised to hear that he didn't know about the indicator options from Schlage.
Dogging Deep Dive
Before I share today's post, I've got two things to say...a) time flies, and b) sometimes things get lost in my giant pile. Thanks to Janice Wheeler of Allegion for this information on dogging options!
FF: Screwed
Lee Frazier of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos, illustrating exactly why fire door assemblies need to be inspected after installation, after maintenance work, and annually!
WW: Antiquing (Again)
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photo from Brad Miller of Lowcountry Doors and Hardware. Antique shops have to be one of the worst places to look for code-compliant exits!
Fail Secure Electric Strikes and Fire Alarms
Mark Kuhn's latest post addresses an issue that I wrote about a while back...it's been 10 years since my original post, so I guess it's time to take a fresh look. :D
WW: At the Vatican
Back in 2019 I visited the Vatican, but I didn't come across the door in today's Wordless Wednesday photo. Luckily, Greg Muir saw it and Deputy Jeff Tock of Allegion sent me Greg's photo.
QQ: Fire Exit Hardware Mounting Height
Today's Quick Question: If the permitted mounting height for operable hardware is between 34 inches and 48 inches above the floor, does this range also apply to fire exit hardware?
WW: Can you help?
An iDigHardware reader needs some help identifying the panic hardware in today's Wordless Wednesday photos. If he can find the parts he needs, the doors won't have to be secured with chains!
Decoded: Annual Inspection of Egress Doors
Egress door inspections are getting more attention these days (read tomorrow's post to learn why), so I have updated this Decoded article to include current code requirements.
FF: Temporary Locking Device
I see a few "fixes" here. Of course, the spoon/temporary locking device, the bottom strike adapter, and I can't help but wonder whether there's an exit sign behind that painting.
High School Secure Entry Vestibule
On a recent field trip with the members of Allegion's Early Careers Program, I saw a fantastic example of a secure entry vestibule in a high school. Check it out in today's post!
WW: Going Nowhere
Last week, I got stuck in the great software debacle that affected most airlines and had me "sleeping" on a cot in the airport, next to a lady traveling with her very unhappy cat...
What’s that? Rachet Release Assembly
Have you ever seen a piece of hardware "in the wild" and wondered about its purpose? I think this happens a lot, so I'm starting a new type of post on iDigHardware to answer these questions.
FF: Wheelies
I'm sure someone thought this was an ingenious Fixed-it Friday "fix" to prevent the use of these doors, but blocking the egress route is never acceptable.
Old Buildings, New Assembly Occupancies
Mark Kuhn and I are in Golden, Colorado this week, doing some training for our Early Careers Program. Mark's latest post looks at a common problem with assembly occupancies...
Panic Hardware Styles – Push Pad vs. Crossbar
Mark Kuhn's latest post looks at the advantages of push pad style panic hardware vs. crossbar style. Can you think of any other advantages or disadvantages to add?
Wide doors and panics don’t mix.
In Mark Kuhn's next post, he writes about a problem many hardware specifiers have faced...a conflict between door width and the code requirements for panic hardware.
FF: Un-Dogging for Lockdown
A while back, I taught a class at a large university and was fortunate to have access to their fantastic training room. As with other doors on campus, they had a lockdown strategy.
WW: Hitch Lock
Brian Messina of Kamco Supply sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, and he had to educate me on what I was looking at. #WORDLESS
FF: It’s the little things…
There's (almost) nothing I love more than casually checking out fire door assemblies with someone from a fire test lab, and I recently had a chance to do just that! :D
QQ: Panic Hardware Dogging
An architect recently asked me today's Quick Question...How do the various dogging options for panic hardware operate? What are the pros and cons of the different types?
WW: “E” for Effort?
Brad Anderson of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos, taken in a hotel. Someone made a good effort but I see a few problems. What do you think?
Von Duprin Resources
Yesterday an integrator contacted me with questions about the Von Duprin Chexit, delayed egress panic hardware. Luckily I could point him to all of the resources he needed in one location.
QQ: Crossbar Panic Hardware
Today's Quick Question came up again last week: Do current model codes prohibit the use of crossbar style panic hardware? What are you seeing in the field?
WW: WWYD?
Although at first glance I was Wordless, I'm wondering...what would you do? On the other side of this door is an unoccupied roof, four feet down from the occupied space.
FF: Touchpad Koozies
I saw something similar to today's photos (although less elegant) at the Hoover Dam years ago, but being from New England I didn't know what problem the "fix" was addressing.
WW: Science Museum – OK? Or NO WAY?
We all know by now that doors in a means of egress are required to be readily distinguishable by building occupants. What do you think about today's Wordless Wednesday photo?
FF: What’s wrong with this picture?
Tim Weller of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos...who can guess what led to this situation? (Not to mention what looks like an extra deadbolt!)
BS EN Classification of Emergency Exit Hardware
Today's post on emergency exit hardware is the second in a series on the EN standards for hardware, and was written by Hamza Ali DHT and Sushil Kumar Dip GAI, both of Allegion.
FF: Crossbar Cable
Marc Zolner of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, and he asked what the codes say about having one pair locked with a cable, with four other pairs available for egress.
Stage Door Follow-Up
Last week I asked for ideas about what could have been done differently with the hardware on a stage door. Today's post is a follow-up with the solution that I would specify.
WW: Emergency Door
Hal Kelton of DOORDATA Solutions sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo of an "emergency door", and well... I'm wordless!
WW: WOW!
Cesar Montalvo of Wesco sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, taken in the heavy equipment bay of a military facility. These doors are 18 feet tall!
QQ Follow-Up: Door/Hardware Contrast
Today's Quick Question: Do the model codes require a certain amount of contrast between the releasing hardware and the door, so the hardware is distinguishable for egress purposes?
FF: Well, that’s one way to fix it!
Kevin Taylor of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo of an installation problem that has been "fixed" with instructional signage.
TBT: Von Duprin 88
I'm sorting through some boxes of old papers and I found this ad from Architectural Record, dated May 1967! No, I was not collecting hardware memorabilia back then - I wasn't even born yet!
WW: Church Exit
While this may seem like "just another chained exit" (boooring...), I am reminded of the MANY times that locked or blocked exits have resulted in fatalities during an emergency.
FF: Gym Exit Upgrade
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos are a great "before and after" example from a high school gymnasium. If you have photos you'd like to share, there's an upload link in today's post.
WW: Movie Theater Exit
Last weekend I took my daughters and their friends to the movies, and that's where I saw today's Wordless Wednesday application on the theater exit.
FF: Mullion Cylinder
Earlier this week I shared photos from a college visit with my youngest daughter. I also saw this mullion on campus with a key cylinder...is anyone familiar with the purpose of the cylinder?
FF: Hex Key Dogging
I received today's Fixed-it Friday photo from Jim Elder of Secured Design, LLC - it was taken in an elementary/middle school. While this seems like a simple and common fix, it can severely impact security.
Von Duprin Self-Releasing Fire Exit Latches
During an ongoing organizational project in my house, I found an amazing original advertisement for Von Duprin, and coincidentally today I am on my way to the home of Von Duprin - Indianapolis - so I'm posting this here for you all to enjoy.
QQ: Dogging Feature on Pool Gates
Today's Quick Question: Is it acceptable by code to supply the dogging feature on panic hardware installed on a door or gate serving a swimming pool enclosure? What do you think?
WW: Multipurpose Hardware
I don't think the use of the door hardware in today's Wordless Wednesday photo is part of the cycle testing for durability - not to mention the stored materials blocking the exit!
WW: Truck Stop Exit
Jon Payne sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo of the secondary exit in a busy truck stop. This is why I firmly believe that AHJs should not allow non-code-compliant security measures "after hours"...those devices often end up installed 24/7.
Classroom Security Function Panic Hardware
I recently saw a photo in a door and hardware installer's group on social media, with a question about the purpose of the cylinder on the head of the panic hardware. Was it supposed to lock the latch? Or control the locked/unlocked indicator?
WW: Happy Holidays!
I've seen a lot of creative holiday decorations that impact the exits, but what do you think about today's Wordless Wednesday photos, sent by a retired fire marshal?