Panic Hardware

Shatford Centre Follow-Up

Last week I posted photos of some very old Von Duprin exit devices which were originally installed on the entrance doors to the Shatford Centre in Penticton, British Columbia.  I later communicated with the millworker, Plexus Woodworks, who built the new doors, and several people from the Shatford Centre, as well as other blog readers who chimed in with questions and comments.  If you know someone who is knowledgeable about antique hardware, please forward this post to them to see what else we can learn about this hardware.

By |2013-06-02T19:33:20-04:00March 29th, 2011|Panic Hardware|5 Comments
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Von Duprin at the Shatford Centre

Since we seem to be on an antique doors and hardware run, I thought you'd like to see these oldies but goodies.  They were spotted at the Shatford Centre in Penticton, British Columbia.  The building was recently renovated and the main entrance doors and hardware were replaced, and the process was chronicled in detail on www.shatfordcentre.com (just search for "doors").  I got in touch with the project manager for the renovation to make sure they didn't throw the hardware away, and she said, "we consider these archival pieces of the building’s history and would never throw them out."  She also said that some of the existing panic devices that were not replaced during the renovation are still functioning!

By |2012-01-27T21:58:44-05:00March 24th, 2011|Panic Hardware|6 Comments
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Panic Fail

I tend to notice hardware on TV and movies (just ask my family!), but this video is probably the best (worst) example I've seen of doors gone bad for the sake of TV production.  It was sent in by Eyal Bedrik of Entry Systems Ltd. in Israel.  The commercial is in Hebrew but the panic fail transcends the language barrier.  Watch closely and stick with it for the whole 66 seconds.

By |2012-01-27T21:58:45-05:00March 9th, 2011|Panic Hardware, Videos|8 Comments
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What’s wrong with this picture?

It's been a long time since I've posted one of these "quiz" photos but I want to see if you've been paying attention. This pair is at the Hoover Dam...right near the touchpad devices with the carpet modification. So, take a good look and leave a comment telling me what the problem is. I'll hold the correct answers to give everyone a couple days to think about it.

By |2012-01-27T21:58:46-05:00February 22nd, 2011|Panic Hardware|29 Comments
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Carpet (Touch)Pad

I'm in Las Vegas for a meeting that starts in a couple of days, and I'm pretty sure I could find enough cool and creative doors here to last me for a few months. Today we visited Red Rock Canyon (not a lot of doors there), the Hoover Dam (more doors there than you'd think), and a weirdly beautiful building by Frank Gehry. Since I'm blogging from an iPad which is not that easy, I'll post some quick photos and save the longer posts for when I get home next week.

By |2012-01-27T21:58:46-05:00February 18th, 2011|Funky Applications, Panic Hardware, Road Trips|12 Comments
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Theater Egress

Today I went to a performance at a theater on a local college campus.  The theater has 650 seats, so all of the required egress doors are supposed to have panic hardware.  There are 4 pairs in the main lobby, all equipped with paddle devices which don't qualify as panic hardware.  One of the requirements for panic hardware is that the actuating portion has to cover at least half the width of the door, and these paddles clearly do not.

By |2020-03-05T10:10:42-05:00January 31st, 2011|Means of Egress, Panic Hardware|6 Comments
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Extended Latch Guards

For exterior pairs I prefer to use rim panic devices with a removable mullion, but in some cases surface-mounted vertical rod devices are specified and supplied.  When vertical rod devices are used on cross-corridor doors, I often specify them "Less Bottom Rod" (LBR), but on exterior doors I specify them with both top and bottom latches for increased security.

By |2020-11-21T20:55:10-05:00January 18th, 2011|Accessibility, Panic Hardware|3 Comments
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Courtyard Egress

A few weeks ago I did a post about egress from an occupied roof, and that reminded me to go back and dig out some courtyard photos I took a while ago.  When a courtyard is completely enclosed with no means of egress that leads directly to a public way, the path of egress is typically into the building and then out again through the building's egress doors.

By |2013-02-09T01:10:20-05:00November 2nd, 2010|Means of Egress, Panic Hardware|2 Comments
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Surgical Suite Entry

I have been amazed and touched by the number of people who actually read my Good News/Bad News post all the way to the end and took the time to call or email me about my daughter's surgery.  Thank you so much for your care and concern.  It has been a tough week and an extremely stressful day, but everything went perfectly and my daughter is doing really well.  We're still in the hospital but we hope to be able to go home tomorrow (actually today since it's 2 a.m.).

By |2013-03-01T11:14:40-05:00October 8th, 2010|Funky Applications, Means of Egress, Panic Hardware|5 Comments
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Von Duprin QEL Device

I visited a jobsite today and saw some QEL devices in action.  If you're not familiar with the QEL device, it is a *quiet* version of the electric latch retraction exit device.  When the access control system (card reader, key fob, etc.) signals the door to unlock, the latch(es) retract to allow someone to pull the door open.  You can always exit by pushing the touchpad.  I have used the QEL device on several high-profile spaces where noise is an issue.  I recently specified them for auditoriums at the United States Institute of Peace and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, where the latches are held retracted while the auditorium is unlocked.  As you can see in the video below, the touchpads are also held in while the latches are retracted so there will be no sound associated with exiting while the doors are unlocked.

By |2013-09-01T09:13:24-04:00August 10th, 2010|Electrified Hardware, Panic Hardware, Videos|0 Comments
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Glass Door Hardware

I spend a lot of time with architects, and sometimes I'm put in the awkward position of having to talk them out of trying to do something with doors that hasn't been successfully done before.  Many times this involves glass doors, which are becoming more common, yet still have very few options for hardware.  It's tough to make a glass door do anything innovative, when all of the locking hardware is paired with a fixed pull handle.

By |2014-06-27T20:44:33-04:00July 25th, 2010|Doors Gone Wrong, Glass, Panic Hardware|5 Comments
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“EL” vs. “E”

Last week I got a compliment about this site from a security consultant, and I asked him if there were any topics he'd like me to do a post about.  He said that a post on electrified lever trim (E) vs. electric latch retraction (EL) would be helpful since he spends a lot of time explaining the difference to his clients.  So Michael, this is for you, and everyone out there who has been wondering how to choose between the two.

By |2013-02-09T01:11:45-05:00July 2nd, 2010|Electrified Hardware, Panic Hardware|6 Comments
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Retrofit Dogging Pin

I've seen lots of creative ways of dogging fire exit hardware, but this one gets an "E" for Effort (along with an "F" for Fail).  These devices are on fire doors in a hotel ballroom, and while someone went to great lengths on this modification, these doors are supposed to be self-latching to compartmentalize the building during a fire.  The doors also had kick-down holders, so they're not self-closing either.  :-(

By |2012-01-27T22:07:33-05:00May 24th, 2010|Funky Applications, Panic Hardware, Reader Photos|0 Comments
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Middle School Entrance

Last night I went to a presentation at one of our 3 local middle schools, which I'm guessing was built in the 70's.  What struck me right away was that the exterior doors are all about 10' tall, and the interiors are about 9' with a transom panel above.  What a strange application for a school.  They still seem to be working pretty well though.

By |2012-01-27T22:07:34-05:00April 13th, 2010|Automatic Operators, Electrified Hardware, Funky Applications, Panic Hardware|7 Comments
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Tubular Panics on Wood Doors

Here's another photo from my day at Build Boston.  You don't see this application often - Blumcraft or CR Laurence tubular exit devices on wood doors.  I think they look pretty nice.  I would have done something different with the closers, and I wouldn't have specified a key cylinder (the chunky square thing above each pull) for each of the 4 leaves, but hindsight is 20/20.

By |2015-11-11T10:32:59-05:00November 22nd, 2009|Panic Hardware|1 Comment
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Build Boston

I spent 10 hours yesterday attending seminars (or waiting for the next one to start) at Build Boston, the largest regional convention and trade show for the design and construction industry. There were over 200 workshops and 250 exhibitors, and I saw lots of architect and specifier friends, not to mention enough door and hardware applications to get me through the next week of blog posts.

By |2015-11-11T10:32:59-05:00November 20th, 2009|Funky Applications, Panic Hardware|5 Comments
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Panic Hardware on Balanced Doors

Last week, someone asked me about code requirements related to panic hardware on balanced doors.  The project in question is in Israel, and apparently the code requirements there do not include any specific requirements for panic hardware on balanced doors.  However, the codes used most often in the U.S. do contain applicable requirements.

By |2019-08-06T08:48:42-04:00October 11th, 2009|Means of Egress, Panic Hardware, Reader Photos|9 Comments
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Restaurant Egress

I'd be rich if I had a dime for every time I explained that panic hardware is required for Assembly and Educational occupancies with an occupant load of more than 100 people (per IBC 2000 or 2003, NFPA 101) or more than 50 people (per IBC 2006 or 2009).  Well, maybe I'd just have a bunch of dimes, but I've said it lots of times and sometimes people still have a hard time remembering it.  Here's a true story that will help.

By |2014-04-26T19:26:59-04:00October 8th, 2009|Means of Egress, Panic Hardware|2 Comments
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What’s wrong with this picture?

If you regularly check this site to find out what's new and exciting in the world of doors and hardware, you may have occasionally experienced a server error.  Yesterday I asked the web hosting company to move the site to a more stable server to avoid these errors, which they agreed to do at midnight.  I was very surprised to go to the site this morning and see the website for the Philanthropy Advisors of New York at our URL!  Everything seems to be working now, so thank you for your patience.

By |2018-10-18T11:25:19-04:00September 24th, 2009|Funky Applications, Panic Hardware|12 Comments
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Footpull

When this photo arrived in my inbox, I immediately thought the panic was mounted in that position to be operated by someone's foot.  I couldn't quite wrap my brain around the latching/unlatching situation...I really think it's just being used as a pull bar and that there's no strike installed.  On my next road trip maybe I'll swing through Alabama so I can check it out.

By |2015-07-02T10:54:30-04:00September 1st, 2009|Funky Applications, Panic Hardware|5 Comments
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Give Peace a Chance

We had planned to get on the road early yesterday afternoon but we ended up leaving Williamsburg around 5 p.m., about the same time everyone else coming home from everywhere decided to leave.  The traffic was terrible, and after 6 hours of driving we had gone as far as Elkton, Maryland and couldn't stay in the car for one more mile.

By |2018-05-25T11:48:45-04:00August 17th, 2009|Chip Falcon Road Trip, General Info, Panic Hardware|0 Comments
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Cracker Barrel Shocker!!!

There are almost 600 Cracker Barrel restaurants in the United States and I've been to most of them.  Well...not most, but a bunch.  The kids like the food and there's a lot of miscellaneous stuff on the walls that we can use to play, "Who can find the _______?"  When you drop a whole cup of milk on the floor (like this morning) they don't bat an eye.  At least you always know what to expect...every Cracker Barrel has basically the same menu, the same "country store" selling stuff my kids can't live without, the same rocking chairs and checker boards on the porch, and the same entrance doors.

By |2023-12-14T10:54:29-05:00August 8th, 2009|Chip Falcon Road Trip, Funky Applications, Panic Hardware|7 Comments
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All Aboard!

Yesterday we drove from Front Royal, Virginia to Grassy Cove, Tennessee, which is a VERY long drive.  We usually plan on stopping somewhere for the kids to burn off some energy, and yesterday's stop was at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke.  I can find an interesting (to me) hardware application just about anywhere, and the most interesting hardware I found was in the President's One train car, which was built in 1916.  There were double-acting spring hinges, a sliding door on a curved track, and some double-acting deadlatches - all still in working condition.  Pretty cool.  Click any of the thumbnails below if you're interested in seeing larger views of the photos.

By |2017-05-01T09:33:37-04:00August 3rd, 2009|Chip Falcon Road Trip, Means of Egress, Panic Hardware|0 Comments
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Pocket Pivots

I recently received this photo from an architect who wanted to use the Von Duprin Inpact devices pictured here on another museum I'm working on.  I've used these several times when an architect wanted the panic device powder coated a similar color to the door.  As with LCN closers, Von Duprin panic hardware can be powder coated in a multitude of colors (refer to the Tiger Drylac brochure called RAL Exterior/Interior).

By |2015-09-09T11:32:15-04:00July 27th, 2009|Funky Applications, Hinges & Pivots, Panic Hardware|2 Comments
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Rod Guards

I'm a big fan of creative hardware applications like these PVC rod guards on an exterior pair in a high school, but I think they should have considered adding some bottom latch guards.  The latches don't even have their covers!   FYI...Von Duprin does manufacture rod and latch guards - the RG-27, also available as a rod guard only (RGO), a latch guard only (LGO), or an extended latch guard only (LGO-3' or 4').

By |2012-07-27T00:00:11-04:00July 13th, 2009|Funky Applications, Panic Hardware, Reader Photos|0 Comments
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Astragals with Vertical Rod Panics

An astragal is a piece of molding used on a pair of doors or between the top and bottom leaves of a Dutch door, to provide security, protect against weather conditions, prevent light or sound transmission, or to retard the passage of smoke, flame, or gases during a fire.  On a Dutch door the astragal is used to close the bottom leaf in conjunction with the top leaf.  An astragal should not be confused with a mullion, which sits between (fixed) or behind (removable) the meeting stiles of a pair.

By |2012-01-27T22:10:01-05:00July 6th, 2009|Doors Gone Wrong, Gasketing & Thresholds, Means of Egress, Panic Hardware|7 Comments
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Retrofit Dogging

I've spent several phone calls this week discussing "dogging" with one of my favorite clients.  I guess it is kind of hard to keep straight if you're not a hardware person.  The term "dogging" refers to holding the latch(es) of a panic device retracted to create a push/pull function.  When the panic device is dogged, it is unlocked/unlatched and you can just pull on the door to open it.  When the panic device is not dogged, it is latched and you need an active trim (like a lever) or a key to retract the latch(es) and open the door.  In either case, free egress is achieved at any time by pushing on the touchpad or crossbar of the panic device.

By |2012-01-27T22:10:03-05:00June 3rd, 2009|Fire Doors, Funky Applications, Panic Hardware, Reader Photos|1 Comment
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Doors Gone Wrong

This is one of those openings that makes me cringe...yuck!  But I can't let a teachable moment go by.  Yesterday I got a call from an architect who asked whether it was acceptable to put a panic device on one leaf of a pair when only that leaf is required for egress width.  The codes aren't 100% clear on this, but I have had code officials require panics on both leaves of a pair even if only one leaf is required for egress.  You also need to consider the alternative to using panics on both leaves...a panic on one leaf and auto flush bolts on the other.  This application also requires a coordinator and overall it's a problematic application.

By |2012-01-27T22:10:03-05:00June 1st, 2009|Doors Gone Wrong, Panic Hardware|0 Comments
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Blumcraft Center Housing

I am running into more and more all-glass doors on my projects, and in the words of one of the contractors I'm working with, "Doors are being asked to do things they've never done before."  I've had large glass panels pivoting at the center, glass doors acting as opening protectives in fire-rated walls, and glass doors with all types of electrified hardware applications - all with invisible wires, of course.  Given the limited options available for glass door hardware, it's often a real challenge to specify hardware that meets the functional and aesthetic requirements for the project.  On one project I specified Schlage mortise locks installed in Blumcraft center housings and it was a great solution.  The glass door manufacturer had no problem accommodating them, the architect was happy with the way they looked, and I had the full range of lock functions to choose from.

By |2014-05-23T22:04:19-04:00March 27th, 2009|Glass, Panic Hardware|0 Comments
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New Requirements for Nightclubs in Massachusetts

In the Good Old Days when I was a more frequent nightclub visitor, I remember trying to exit through a club's main entrance at closing time and encountering a locked door. The manager had locked the door to prevent more people from coming in. The vestibule was dark, and the dark bronze storefront door had an Adams Rite deadlatch with a dark bronze lever. The lever was completely invisible and people started to gather behind me. If it had been a panic situation there could have been tragic consequences.

By |2012-08-22T08:33:15-04:00March 4th, 2009|Means of Egress, New England Codes, Panic Hardware|2 Comments
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Panic Hardware on Electrical Rooms

Beginning with the 2002 edition, the National Electric Code (NFPA 70) requires that certain types of electric rooms have doors that open in the direction of egress and are "equipped with panic bars, pressure plates, or other devices that are normally latched but open under simple pressure."  According to an engineer I spoke with at the National Fire Protection Association, the releasing device could be a hospital latch or paddle-type release, but the fact that the words "panic bar" are used in the Code has prompted many code officials to require panic hardware.

By |2022-06-27T00:19:29-04:00February 23rd, 2009|Means of Egress, Panic Hardware|8 Comments
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