WW: The Stockyards
The more I look at today's Wordless Wednesday photos, the more deja vu I'm feeling. Do these doors at the Stockyards look familiar to anyone else?
Fort Worth INPACT!
I spent last week in Fort Worth, Texas, at the DHI ConNextions conference. The schedule was jam-packed, but there's always time to check out the hardware!
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 5
In today's guest blog post, Tim Murfin, Manager, Commercial Product Support for Allegion, discusses how our tech support team can help keep fire doors code-compliant.
WW: Obstacle Course
Paul Timm of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, taken in a school. This door is clearly marked as an exit, but egress will definitely be a challenge!
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!
WW/WWYD? Golf Entertainment Center
The question is - is this gate required for egress? The panic hardware tells me yes, so the bike lock is a problem. But could this space be considered a safe dispersal area? What do you think?
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. Today's post looks at latching considerations for fire doors.
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!
Decoded: Tactile Warning
Some questions about tactile warning have come up recently, so I've updated this Decoded article. When is tactile warning required by code on door hardware? Almost never!
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: 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: 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: “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?
WW: Lift in Case of Emergency
I always recommend rim panics and a removable mullion for exterior doors with panic hardware, to avoid situations like the one show in today's Wordless Wednesday photos.
WW: State Office Building
Steve Wertman of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, and I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Just kidding...I'm crying. The photo was taken in a state office building.
Von Duprin Outdoor Defense Option (OUT)
Specifying panic hardware for gates and doors where it would be exposed to the weather has always been a challenge, but now there is a new option - Von Duprin Outdoor Defense!
QQ: Parking Garage Panics
Today's Quick Question has come up many times in different forms: On a multi-level parking garage with a capacity of 600 cars, do the stair doors and exit discharge doors require panic hardware?
WW: Another Day, Another Airport
A few weeks ago I shared some information about the delayed egress locks I spotted in the Bogotá airport...I guess this is another way to "delay" egress. (Not recommended!)
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?
NFPA 80 on Fire Exit Hardware
I recently wrote a post about a change to NFPA 80 related to field-installed glazing in wood fire doors, and Hal Kelton of DOORDATA Solutions pointed out another change to the standard.
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: 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!
What’s that? Mullion Stabilizer
Continuing with my "What's that?" series highlighting pieces and parts that might not be recognized by those who haven't spent 30 or 40 years in the world of hardware...
TBT: “Safe exit is a universal demand.”
Ron Cramer of Security Door & Hardware sent me something even more exciting than the 1887 door handing info I shared recently - a Von Duprin Catalog from way back in the day!
WW: Well…that’s one way to ‘handle’ it.
I looked at this Wordless Wednesday photo sent by Shannon Ballard of Allegion and thought, "hmmm...another door that requires two releasing motions for egress." Shannon dug deeper.
Security Today: Creating a Safer World
There's another new voice on iDigHardware! Karen Keating is Allegion's Senior Manager, Brand & Solutions Marketing for the locks category, and today I'm sharing her recent article published in Security Today.
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!
WW: “Before”
Jim McDonald of TCH Co., Inc. sent me today's Wordless Wednesday "before" photo, of an existing opening that was replaced with a code-compliant door, frame, and hardware. How many problems do you see?
WW+WWYD? Arena Security
Lee Frazier of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos, taken while attending a hockey game at an arena with a capacity of more than 20,000 people. WWYD?
What’s that? Glass Bead Shim Kit
I saw a question posted on Facebook about how to address panic hardware that runs across the vision light...which reminded me that I should write a "What's that?" post on the topic.
QQ: Locked Doors on Elevator Lobbies
Today's Quick Question relates to a change to the 2024 IBC: What type of lock may be used to secure an egress door leading from an elevator lobby to an exit access corridor?
Decoded: SCIF Security and Egress Requirements
I received a question on SCIF doors this week, so I have updated this Decoded article to include the links to the current federal standards and specifications.
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...