Decoded: Securing Parking Garages
A question about this topic came up in the Live With Lori session on access control doors, so I've made some updates to this article, and the Live session recording is now available!
FF: Auxiliary Fire Pin
Ryan Krakowsky sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos of an improper installation of an auxiliary fire pin for less-bottom-rod fire exit hardware. Do you know the correct mounting location?
UPDATE!/QQ: Electric Latch Retraction & UL 294
Is the UL 294 listing required by the model codes for panic hardware with the electric latch retraction / electric dogging feature (EL/QEL)?
WW: Egress Fail
Andrew Haring of Frameless Hardware Company sent me a reel for today's Wordless Wednesday post, and there are several problems with the application featured in the video.
What’s that? NL Drive Screw
A recent question took me back to The Olden Days when I was a manufacturers rep for LCN and Von Duprin. I had a supply of parts in my desk, including a stash of NL drive screws...
FF: Through Bolts, Revisited
Last week I shared a post about the requirements for through bolts on fire exit hardware, and Ryan Krakowsky of Harvard University sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo.
WW: Worst One Yet?
Michael Metzen of Walsh Door and Security sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos of a hotel fire door, and these might take the cake for the worst WW fire door ever!
FF: UL Listed End Cap Protection
I can't count the number of times I've seen missing or damaged end caps on panic hardware and fire exit hardware - those carts and gurneys can be brutal! So what's the Fixed-it Friday "fix"?
QQ: Through-bolts on Fire Exit Hardware
This question often arises when a fire door inspector is on-site or when the top latches have become detached: Is fire exit hardware required to be attached to a fire door with through-bolts?
WW: “…and LATCHED!”
Adam Fisk of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo...it's kind of ironic that someone went to the effort to make a sign for this fire door, which is equipped with zip tie dogging.
FF: Wire Run
Bass Security was called out to this site because the electrified panic hardware was no longer working, and this Fixed-it Friday photo shows what they found. YIKES!
WW: What in the world?
I saw today's Wordless Wednesday photo posted by Robert Gaiter on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page...is this some new attachment method I don't know about?
FF: Unintended Consequences of Creativity
When I shared this week's Wordless Wednesday photos and videos, I said I'd come back and explain some of the code issues that I can see. That info is in today's post!
WW: Creative, but not compliant
The photos and video for today's Wordless Wednesday post came from Zachary Bass, Deputy Fire Marshal with the Asheville NC Fire Marshal’s Office. What problems can you spot?
Latching of Corridor Doors in Health Care
Today's question has two parts - one is important for anyone who works in health care to keep in mind. The second gets into the weeds but is a good opportunity for a code change proposal.
WW: THIS IS NUTS!
Steve Swertfeger of Isenhour Door sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos of a loading dock door they were called to work on, and this is truly one of the worst panic hardware installations I've seen.
Tactile & Auditory Feedback
Textures and auditory cues in door hardware can convey important information about an opening and its surroundings. Read more in today's guest blog post by Colleen Furlong of Allegion.
WW: Another Hotel Problem
Lloyd Raforth of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, from a hotel in Texas. I don't think it needs any explanation. #wordless
Why Ergonomic Door Hardware Matters in Designing for Everyone
A door handle might seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference in whether a space feels welcoming or frustrating. Read more in today's guest post by Colleen Furlong of Allegion.
FF: Break the Chain
I've posted about this in the past, but I still don't know of a code requirement that specifically prohibits or permits the application shown in today's Fixed-it Friday photo. Thoughts?
WW: Special Knowledge?
Kelly Reese of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos...what do you think? Does this door require special knowledge for egress?
What’s that? Von Duprin Safety Glow (SG)
I updated yesterday's post so I could answer a question about the Von Duprin Safety Glow (SG) option. When would you specify this "glow-in-the-dark" coating on the touchpad?
Decoded: Luminous Egress Path Markings
This article was published in the first year of my Decoded column...15 years ago! It was due for an update, and I'm guessing there are still people who are not aware of these requirements.
FF: Dogging Device
I love receiving Fixed-it Friday photos, but I ESPECIALLY love receiving them from my own kids! My oldest daughter sent me today's photo from New York City..."Hey Mom - What's this thing do?"
TBT: Von Duprin Magazine 1932
Kelly Reese of Allegion sent me this really cool piece of Von Duprin marketing memorabilia from 1932. Thank you to Lyman Door & Hardware for keeping it around for all these years!
What’s that? Remote Chexit Module (RCM)
My recent posts about delayed egress locks have raised a question from a reader about the Remote Chexit Module (RCM). What is this component used for and when should it be specified?
QQ/WWYD? Delayed Egress on Electrical Rooms
Today's Quick Question is not specifically answered in the model codes as far as I can tell: Are delayed egress locks permitted on doors serving electrical rooms where panic hardware is required?
FF: The Doors
I love this Fixed-it Friday photo, sent by JB Ford of PSI Doors and Hardware. It was taken in a really cool entertainment venue in Natick, Massachusetts. Zoom in!
Case Study: Care Center in the Park
In today's post, read about how Von Duprin panic hardware contributed to code compliance, ease of use, durability, and design flexibility for Altru Health System.
WWYD? Panic Hardware on Electrical Rooms
Today's question is whether one or both of the highlighted doors on this partial plan require panic hardware in order to comply with the IBC or NFPA 70. If you have info to share, please leave a comment!
What’s that? Gang Bus Option
I was working on a presentation the other day about questions on delayed egress locks, and I came across the term "gang bus" related to the Von Duprin Chexit. When would you use it?
WW: Invisible Latch
Imagine walking up to a pair of fire doors that are not closing and latching properly. You climb the ladder to check the closer, look down into the latch case cover and see...nothing.
Crossbar Panic Hardware
For many of my final projects as a hardware specwriter, I specified crossbar style panic hardware because most architects find it more aesthetically pleasing. Do you agree?
WW: Still Scratching My Head
I saw today's Wordless Wednesday photo on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page, and I'm still wondering what is happening here. Any ideas?
OOPS! Correction!
Oh well, nobody's perfect! I made a typo in my current article for Door Security + Safety Magazine, and Dave Jenosky of Jenosky Associates noticed...at least I know someone is paying attention!
BHMA A156.42 – Acoustic Performance Rating for Operational Noise of Architectural Hardware
In 2025, BHMA published a new standard to establish methods for defining levels of acoustic performance of door hardware. The article linked in today's post goes into more detail...
WW: Wrong Way
I saw today's Wordless Wednesday photos posted by Barret Baker on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page, and I knew I had to share them here!
Decoded: Which doors need panic hardware?
In this Decoded article for the next issue of Door Security + Safety Magazine, I answered some frequently asked questions about which doors require panic hardware.
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 9
In this guest post, Sarah Finley Gilman of Allegion shares some important considerations for the hardware that provides positive latching for fire door assemblies.
FF: Dramatic Exit
Chris Clark sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, taken in a cafe in Canada. I'm curious...what makes this a dramatic exit? Any theories?
FF: Movie Theater Panics
I saw today's Fixed-it Friday photo posted by Jason Stayton on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page, and I asked if I could share it here. What I want to know is...WHY?
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.