The code requirements related to doors serving roofs have long been a source of confusion, but changes made in the last few editions of the model codes have helped to clarify the intent. Today's post answers a few of the most frequently asked questions about roof doors.
My next Decoded column addresses important code clarifications related to electrified hardware used in access control systems. I hope this article will help with more consistent interpretations of the requirements.
I saw these beautiful doors and glazed walls in the Mexico City airport last week. While they are gorgeous, this application requires careful attention to the hardware - especially the pivots used to hang the doors. What would you recommend?
I have added a new link to the Codes page on iDigHardware, where you can find information about code adoption as well as links for free access to some of the codes and standards that we refer to regularly. Thanks to John Woestman of BHMA for the tip on FEMA's BCAT!
Remember last month when I mentioned that I might question the condition of a restaurant's kitchen based on their doors and hardware? Well, the same goes for hotels, and these Wordless Wednesday photos of my hotel's fire doors from last week's trip are a compelling example.
Back in 2016 (where does the time go??), I answered a Quick Question: Does every component of a fire door assembly have to be listed/labeled? Today's post includes some updated information found in the enhanced content for NFPA 80.
Over the last few weeks I have spent a lot of time in airports, and I saw several family restroom applications "in the wild," including a restroom door with an automatic operator and an electrified locking system for privacy. Check it out!
Kristi Dietz of LaForce sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, taken in a convenience store. When asked to look at this door due to water intrusion, a LaForce employee mentioned the code issues and was told that the door had not been cited for any egress violations.
Specifiers are involved during the construction process—not throughout the life of the building, but there are many ways the choices made during the specification process can affect the durability and function of fire door assemblies for years to come.
What can I say about today's Wordless Wednesday photos from Kevin Doerr, other than a) this is Falcon panic hardware, b) the break-in attempt was unsuccessful, and c) the panic still operated correctly for egress.
Quick Question: For delayed egress locks, the model codes require the activation of the 15-second timer to be an irreversible process. Is it acceptable for an authorized person with a key or credential to rearm the lock during the 15-second period?
The difference between delayed egress and controlled egress systems can be confusing...hopefully this new infographic will help. It explains how these systems work, where they are used, and how to choose the correct application.
On our field trip to the high school last week, we saw this secondary entrance where two different creative solutions had been incorporated. Check them out and let me know what you think...what would you have done differently?
Yesterday, the Today Show on NBC ran a story about how school districts are addressing security - including the role of the doors and locks. With mainstream media covering physical security, this important information will reach millions of people.
Last week I spent a couple of days in Minnesota with our new specwriter apprentices and members of our sales development program. I LOVE working with this group as they begin learning about doors and hardware.
In yesterday's post I wrote about new text that was added to the 2021 IBC Commentary, clarifying the intent of the code regarding "normal locking arrangements." The requirements related to UL 294 listings have also been clarified.
For years, I have been struggling with a common code interpretation related to electrified hardware, and I know that some of you have too. With the release of the 2021 IBC Commentary, this just got a lot easier.
Chuck Strauss of Allegion sent me this Fixed-it Friday photo from a recent trip to Shannon, Ireland. Pretty cool, don't you think? Don't forget to send me photos of any interesting applications you see during your summer vacations!
Electrified hardware can be particularly hard - especially when it comes to codes. To try to reduce the confusion that may result in inconsistent interpretations, I have created a new page called Special Locking Arrangements.
Anthony Gugliotta of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos of some egress doors he saw at a science center during a recent vacation. What do you say?? OK? Or NO WAY?
Would a pair of doors with a hollow metal removable mullion and locksets on both door leaves be more reliable and require less maintenance than a pair with flush bolts and a lockset? What are the challenges with this application? WWYD?
Today is my birthday and I will be spending the day flying to Minneapolis to work with the members of our Specwriter Apprentice Program and Sales Development Program. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we have 2 Webinar Wednesdays this month!
This Fixed-it Friday photo from David Seeley of Anixter is not the first zip tie "fix" we've seen, but it might be the yuckiest. I may be one of the few people who would look at a restaurant's door and question the condition of the kitchen, but I think this would be a no for me.
There has been a lot of confusion over the last decade or two about smoke barrier doors in hospitals, nursing homes, and other types of health care facilities. The answers to these FAQs should help to clarify the requirements.
I LOVE to receive Wordless Wednesday photos from readers' travels. This one is from Bill Dorner of Allegion, and was taken in a pub in Kinsale, Ireland. The problem of blocked exits is clearly a global issue.
After I posted my Decoded article about fire door clearance, I found out that Hal Kelton of DOORDATA Solutions is presenting a webinar TOMORROW (Wednesday) on how to mitigate problems with fire door gaps! Here's the info...
My next Decoded article addresses a recent study on clearances for fire door assemblies - the results of the testing may surprise you. Please share any input or questions before the article goes to print!
Does this coffee shop exit look weird to anyone else, or is it just me? Any theories about what happened here? Thank you to Charles Anderson for today's Fixed-it Friday photo!
Many school security experts advise schools to keep classroom doors locked at all times, but is that feasible? How do we overcome the challenge of security vs. convenience? WWYD?
Today's Wordless Wednesday post underscores yet again the value of closed doors during a fire. If you haven't heard about the "Close Before You Doze" educational efforts, you can learn more at closeyourdoor.org.
I get a lot of requests for training on fire door assembly inspection, and I just realized that one of my coworker Jeff Tock's sessions was recorded and made available on YouTube! You can check it out in today's post.
Last week, I received some photos of a pair of fire doors with LBR fire exit hardware installed without the auxiliary fire pin. Apparently the door manufacturer's listings did not require the pin, but the hardware listings do. WWYD?
Steven Wehofer of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo of a magnetic holder modification in a school, and the first thing I thought about was how many kids must be doing pull-ups on it every day.
When a good teaching tool comes along, I get really excited. Especially when the resource is shared in the mainstream media, so it's readily available to people outside of the door and hardware industry. Please share this widely.
Thomas Reinhardt sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo of a door with an egress problem. I can appreciate that someone manufactured a rolling rack for the AC unit and it can be moved out of the way if the exit is needed, but...no.
NBC News: “The moment she heard the first pops of gunfire, the teacher knew what she had to do: She needed to make sure that her classroom door was locked."
I received a Quick Question last week that has come up before: What is the difference between a roller latch and a roller strike? Are both prohibited on fire door assemblies?
John Lozano of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos, taken in a high school. There were several doors installed this way...you may have to look closely to see what's going on. Any theories?
While the installation of an electromagnetic lock can be relatively simple, the code requirements that apply to mag-locks are somewhat complicated and may be confusing. These answers to frequently asked questions should help.
Jeff Weller of Southwest Entrances sent me this Wordless Wednesday photo from a trip to Quebec City. I have to say...this was definitely a first for me. This "exit" leads to an exterior fire escape.
Because of the holiday weekend and the Webinar Wednesday sessions scheduled for the first week of the month, this is a last-minute notification of the online training available TOMORROW - I hope some of you can make it!
During the pandemic, many facilities changed to hands-free door pulls to minimize contact with the hardware. It was only a matter of time before someone found a way to make creative use of the touchless design.
There’s a rumor going around that I am retiring. I have to admit, there are days when I’m tempted to throw a big party and pretend to retire so I can go underground and get some work done, but my planned retirement date is still several years away.
When I was a specwriter, I dreaded having to tell an architect that their idea wasn't code-compliant, was not durable enough to hold up over time, or would not function in a way that would work well for the end user...
Although the model codes do allow turnstiles if certain criteria are met, egress and accessibility requirements must be addressed in order to ensure adequate life safety and access for all building occupants.
Last week I posted a photo that was submitted by Bruce Gill of North Central Supply as part of the 3,000-post celebration, and the photo raised a few Quick Questions about the mag-lock...
After writing countless times about fire doors needing to close and latch, and hearing about the impact of open fire doors during a Bronx apartment fire earlier this year, seeing a stairwell fire door permanently prevented from closing is just too much.
This deadbolt modification was found on an apartment entry door - the surface bolt prevents the deadbolt from being unlocked from the outside with a key. Pretty creative, but I hope no one ever has to enter to help during an emergency.
As we continue to celebrate the 3,000-post milestone, I don't know what to say about today's Wordless Wednesday photo sent by Bruce Gill of North Central Supply. SMH
When a lost key may have fallen into the wrong hands, and the maintenance staff needed to secure the door until the locksmith arrived, this was their solution. Photo submitted by Paul Linder of Hills Brothers Lock and Safe.
