FF: Fragile Door
Don't worry about this fragile door, the "fix" has completely solved the problem. Thank you to Colin Watson of Allegion for today's Fixed-it Friday photos!
Fire Door Latching – After the Fire
What happens to fire exit hardware during a fire test, and why doesn't the force of the hose stream actuate the touchpad and cause the door to unlatch?
FF: Pair Power Transfer
This pair of doors had one of my least favorite applications to begin with, and then access control was added. It's a challenging modification, and something is missing here.
WWYD? Library Entrance
Do these doors on a college library meet the requirements of the International Building Code (IBC)? Why or why not? WWYD if you were the AHJ?
FF: Pocket Pivots
If you can prove to me that you were the detailer for this project (or otherwise responsible for the details), I'll send you something from the iDigHardware prize vault!
Security for Higher Ed
Imagine that you work for a university, you read iDigHardware, and you find out that I'm wandering around your campus. I'm guessing there were some mixed emotions...
Mini Doors
What do you think about these mini doors? Any code issues?
WW: What’s wrong with this picture?
See anything odd in these Wordless Wednesday photos from Scott Straton of Allegion?
FF: Foolproof Dogging
Before someone else says it...at least this isn't a fire door.
FF: Definitely Not an Exit
#Wordless Friday from Gregory Kelly of Allegion...
WWYD? Panic Hardware, No Closer?
Have you ever run across this application in the field or been asked to specify or install panic hardware on a door with no closer? What is your response to this request?
WW: Is this panic hardware?? (no)
This type of lock is not panic hardware. We need to be aware of these claims and prepared to address them when questions arise.
QQ: Panic Hardware and Mag-Locks
The 2018 edition of the IBC includes an important clarification regarding doors with panic hardware and electromagnetic locks.
FF: Latch Retraction
Where have you seen this type of "fix"? What was the cause and what would have been a better solution (that didn't involve tape and cardboard)?
FF: Panic Protector
Jon Millsap posted this Fixed-it Friday photo on his Facebook page (Locksmith's Journal), and he gave me permission to share it here. What do you think? Yea or nay, and why or why not?
FF: Branching Out
Howard Krutzler of Mr. K's Lock and Key sent me this photo of a panic hardware modification he found. For the record, panic hardware is UL listed and can not be modified except as allowed by the listings.
QQ: Airport Jet Bridge Doors
Yesterday someone asked me about hardware requirements for doors serving the jet bridge - the walkway leading from the airport terminal to the door of the plane.
FF: Pin-Removable Mullion
Today's Fixed-it Friday photo is from Jason Relyea of Allegion...I've seen keyed removable mullions, and removable mullions that are secured with screws, but this one must get removed A LOT.
Decoded: Panic Hardware Requirements for Rooms Housing Electrical Equipment
NFPA 70 – National Electrical Code (NEC) has been adopted by most US states, and includes requirements for panic hardware or fire exit hardware on certain rooms housing electrical equipment; the voltage and amperage thresholds that determine which rooms require panic hardware were changed in the 2017 edition of this code.
FF: Locks and Chains
Thank you to Brendan Daley for this Fixed-it Friday photo. I could fix this pretty quickly with a set of bolt cutters.
Fuzzy Wuzzy
I'm very curious to know what happened here. I've never seen anything quite like it. Any ideas?
FF: LTR Panics
Well, this is one way to solve the problems with your panic hardware - NOT! Thanks to Charles Anderson for these Fixed-it Friday photos!
Guest Post: Electromagnetically locked egress doors: Safe or unsafe? – David Glorioso
I occasionally publish a post from a guest blogger – if you have a post you’d like to share, drop me an email. Today’s post is from David Gloriso of Allegion...
Specifying Zombie-Resistant Door Openings (Update)
While ensuring code-compliance, of course!
WW: School Entrance Security
Today's Wordless Wednesday photos were sent by Austin Bammann of Central Indiana Hardware. This is NOT the way I would provide security at the entrance to a school. :(
FF: Doggie Door?
Guess what this is for. And once you figure it out, what do you think about the potential impact on free egress?
FF: Fork Fix
Jeff Dunham of BEA sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos. While this fire door looks pretty good at first glance, a closer look reveals someone's creative and inexpensive method of keeping the latch retracted...
FF: Find Another Exit
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos are from Leo Lebovits at M&D Door & Hardware. Someone had the forethought to remove the exit sign...I wonder if this was approved by the AHJ...
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...
WW: Emergency Exit
I. Have. No. Words.
Decoded: Securing Parking Garages (September 2017)
Without proper planning, parking garages can present security and life-safety challenges. People who are authorized to use the parking area – or unauthorized people who are able to enter an open parking garage – may attempt to gain access to other floors of the building...
WW: Too Short
The most amazing thing about today's Wordless Wednesday photos is that the panic hardware has been installed this way for YEARS, and on a fast-food restaurant!
WW: Mall Exit
Why is it that when something goes wrong with the existing hardware, some facilities use the hardware equivalent of a band-aid rather than repairing or replacing the hardware?
The Story Behind Von Duprin
Many of you have heard this story before, but this video is terrific! See if you can catch the original price of panic hardware in the catalog shown in the video! :)
FF: Custom Rod Guide
This Fixed-it Friday photo is from Paul Goldense of Goldense Building Products. Paul will be teaching a fire door class with Jeff Batick of Allegion at the NFPA conference next week...
WW: Mall Exit
What do you think? Is this Wordless Wednesday exit visible enough?
WW Follow-Up
Last week I posted a photo and asked if the signage made the door code-compliant. As many people commented, the short answer is "no." It's hard for me to resist a "teachable moment"...
WW: This door to remain unlocked…
Austin Bammann of Central Indiana Hardware sent me this Wordless Wednesday photo. You may notice that there is signage above the door stating, "This door needs to remain unlocked during business hours." Does this signage make the opening code-compliant? Why, or why not?
WW: Brussels Hotel
This is not the first time I've thought to myself...I hope everyone knows how lucky we are to have (mostly) code-compliant exits in the US...
QQ: Can fire exit hardware be installed on a non-fire-rated door?
What if a facility locksmith has fire exit hardware on the shelf and considers installing it on a non-fire-rated door? Or maybe a fire door is no longer needed...
WW: Exit Bolt
My husband: "Do other people cry on Wednesdays or is it just you?"
Decoded: Panic Hardware Refresher (May 2017)
It has been a while (6 years!) since I have written about the code requirements that apply to panic hardware in my Decoded column, so it’s time for an update...
WW: Convention Center
I need to make an avatar of me crying, to include with these posts.
QQ: Panic Hardware – Touchpad Length
This question has been raised a few times over the years, and it looks like we will have a clarification soon - What is the required length of the touchpad or crossbar for panic hardware and fire exit hardware?
WWYD? Panic Hardware Corrosion
An architect recently sent me a question and I could use some suggestions from y'all. I know what I would do, but I'd like to hear other ideas...
WW: Less Bottom Bolt
I have no words, except "thank you" to Fred Phillips of Interior Supply for this Wordless Wednesday photo...
WW: Retail Exit Pair
Tim Weller of Allegion sent me this Wordless Wednesday photo. I have nothing to say about it. I'm just going to cry now.
LetsFixConstruction.com
Each of us has experienced the difficulties that often arise in construction, whether it's specification issues, product problems, or confusion about materials or methods...
FF: Duct Tape
Am I the only one who is curious about whether the tape is to keep the bolt projected for security, or retracted for safety? (I have my suspicions.)
WW: STOP! And I really mean it!
Thank you to David R. Defilippo AIA for today's Wordless Wednesday photo...