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.
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 shown 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!