Survey Q4: “What are some ‘rules’ regarding fire doors?”
This is the 4th post in a series about fire doors and the results of a recent (unscientific) survey.
European Aluminum Doors
I have recently run into aluminum doors on a few different projects which have unusually small jambs - the jamb depth of the aluminum extrusion is very close to the door thickness. So imagine a 2" thick aluminum door and a jamb that is just a little wider than that.
Not a Door
The cool thing about writing a blog from my little office within a very large company is that I write about whatever strikes me at the time. Unlike many corporate bloggers, I am not told what to write about and my posts aren't approved before they're posted. I'm grateful that I have that freedom, because I use this forum to teach people about doors and hardware, and my favorite topic - codes related to openings. At the same time, I am constantly learning by answering questions, looking at applications, and researching new requirements.
Happy Thanksgiving!
In honor of *Turkey Day*, here are some absolutely gorgeous "Doors of Turkey":
In Case of Smoke…
I've seen plenty of inventive hold-open devices on fire-rated doors, but I've never seen instructional signage to go along with them! Coincidentally, I received photos of a chain hold-open and the signage for a chain hold-open on the same day from two different people. The photos are not from the same facility or even the same country for that matter.
“Look Out Beloooow!!!”
Just when I think I've seen it all, someone always surprises me. I received this photo today, and at first I couldn't really tell what was going on. Then I realized that the pipe has been cut to length to act as a hold-open. That's a first! When I asked what was holding the pipe in place, I was told that it's the pressure from the door closers! I pity the fool who leans against the door (especially if his friend leans against the other one)! BONK!
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.
9 Out of 10 Birds Surveyed Prefer LCN
I have a lot of pet peeves - just ask my family. One of my pet peeves is when I see a door closer on the "wrong" side of a door. It could be the corridor side of an electric room, the outside of a bathroom, or, like the photo to the left, the weather side of an exterior door. I just don't understand how a closer ends up on the wrong side of the door, especially when many of them (the one at left included) come packed with all of the parts and pieces required to install it three different ways.
Violators Will Be Fined!
When a delayed egress lock is used on an egress door, the codes require signage instructing the building occupant to "PUSH UNTIL ALARM SOUNDS, DOOR CAN BE OPENED IN 15 SECONDS." When the code official approves a 30-second delay, the signage must reflect that increase. At least the signage on this egress door (yes, there is an exit sign which is not visible in the photo) will keep the person occupied while he or she waits for 30 seconds to pass. ;-)
Where there’s a will, there’s a way…
I love seeing the inventive ways people install door hardware, and it seems like the product with the most creative installations is the door closer. LCN thought their stick-on installation templates would take the creativity out of door closer installation, but there are still plenty of inventive installations out there.
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').
Special Template Update
If you're a frequent visitor to this site you probably know the story...I posted a photo of a concealed closer that is installed so that it's visible through the frame face, and the hardware supplier/installer saw the photo on my site and emailed me to tell me the situation. Apparently it was not a mistake - it was an ingenious solution to a problem, and they used it on 15 pairs of doors in a hotel. I asked the supplier to send me a photo of the completed installation with the custom cover plates in place, and he recently emailed me to say that he "drove down to the Dead Sea and took pictures..."
Manual Flush Bolts
Here's a little reminder to make sure you size the top rod correctly when using manual flush bolts on doors that are over 7' tall. Most manufacturers offer a top rod that is 12" (standard), 24", 36", or 48" long. In this application, I would have probably specified panic hardware on both leaves depending on the door height and vertical rod capabilities, or an automatic flush bolt for the top bolt, which would be projected by the active leaf. I'm not a big fan of automatic flush bolts, but a 48" long top rod might not be quite long enough to bring the bolt down to an operable height. I have also seen hardware suppliers buy threaded rod to increase the top rod length, but at some point the rod gets too long to operate smoothly.
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.