WWYD? Security vs. Convenience
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?
21
07, 2022
20
07, 2022
WW: “Shocking video shows how fire burned all but one room of metro Atlanta home”
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.
19
07, 2022
Listen-In Video Lesson: Fire Door Inspections
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.
18
07, 2022
WWYD? Auxiliary Fire Pin for LBR Devices
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?
15
07, 2022
FF: Pull-Up Bar
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.
14
07, 2022
Bronx Fire Model
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.
13
07, 2022
WW: Cool Exit
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.
12
07, 2022
NBC News Reports on Uvalde School’s Classroom Security
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."
11
07, 2022
QQ: Roller Latch vs. Roller Strike
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?
8
07, 2022
FF: Funky School Door
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?
7
07, 2022
FAQs About Electromagnetic Locks
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.
6
07, 2022
WW: Overheated
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.
5
07, 2022
July Training – Last-Minute Announcement!
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!
1
07, 2022
FF: This is why we can’t have nice things.
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.
30
06, 2022
Today is the day!! What’s next??
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.
29
06, 2022
WW: Wired
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...
28
06, 2022
Decoded: Turnstiles in a Means of Egress
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.
27
06, 2022
QQ: Delayed Egress Mag-Locks
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...
24
06, 2022
Last Day!
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.
23
06, 2022
Almost to 3,000 Posts!
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.
22
06, 2022
WW: 3-Point Locks + Delay
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
21
06, 2022
Day 2 – Crescent Wrench Lockout
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.
20
06, 2022
Celebrating 3,000 Posts!
Sent in by Pak Keung Yip, this photo was taken on the back porch of a residential home, where the contractor provided a knife to cut out a screen that might block the exit. I love the creativity and thought that went into this solution, but I'm a little wordless.
17
06, 2022
FF: Baby Grand Hold Open
I spent a few hours yesterday on Cape Cod, and I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've seen a baby grand piano used as a hold open. Happy Fixed-it Friday! Send your photos before midnight tonight if you want them considered for the 3,000-post celebration!
16
06, 2022
QQ: Fire Door Alterations
A quick question came up yesterday during a code update class, as I was talking about a change to NFPA 80: Can a rectangular or oblong hole be prepped in an existing fire door in the field?
15
06, 2022
WW: Coffee Shop Exit
I didn't have to look far during my road trip to find an egress problem. The coffee was GREAT, but the rear exit would be confusing during an emergency. Maybe next time I will work up the nerve to pull back the curtain.
14
06, 2022
Upside Down?
My kids are well trained. Not to pick their clothes up off the floor or wash their dirty dishes, mind you, but after 13 years of taking iDigHardware readers along on vacation, they are very responsive when I ask them to help me find a door to share here.
13
06, 2022
On the road again…
As someone who regularly visits women's restrooms, and has spent the last 20 years trying to get 3 kids ushered through the process quickly and without accidents or meltdowns, I REALLY appreciate this application!
10
06, 2022
FF: Fancy Fix
I love creative door and hardware applications, especially when someone takes the time to add their artistic flair to the fix. Check out these Fixed-it Friday photos from my neighborhood.
9
06, 2022
Update – Temperature Rise Doors – WWYD?
Last week I received an email from an architect, asking if I would update a post from 2009. Naturally, I was curious about how this old information was being used.
8
06, 2022
WW: 3,000 Posts!
iDigHardware will reach a new milestone very soon, and you can help me celebrate! Submit your photos by Friday, June 17th, for a chance to win something from the iDigHardware Prize Vault!
7
06, 2022
FAQs About Low-Energy Automatic Operators
Low energy automatic operators are the type of automatic door operators that are typically actuated by a “knowing act.” There are several questions about these operators that come up frequently...
6
06, 2022
June Training
There is a new Security in 30 session coming up on June 17th, along with Webinar Wednesday on the 29th. Which of these educational presentations are you planning to attend?
3
06, 2022
Layered Security – Classroom Door Codes & Guidelines
Classroom doors are a critical point of security during an intruder situation, and today’s post (a continuation of this week’s series) will focus on just some of the many considerations related to classroom security, particularly door hardware.
2
06, 2022
Layered Security – Interior Compartmentalization Codes & Guidelines
Continuing this week’s series of posts addressing the use of layered security in schools, today’s post focuses on securing the interior perimeter, according to codes, PASS Guidelines and other best practices.
1
06, 2022
Layered Security – Building Perimeter Guidelines & Codes
As I wrote in yesterday’s post, this week I will be sharing some resources on layered security, to help decision makers learn about the physical security of door openings in schools and in other buildings. Today's focus is on exterior doors.
31
05, 2022
School Safety and Security Resources
I have not posted here on iDigHardware since the tragedy that occurred at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, last week. As a mom, I’m heartbroken and needed some time to process. As a security professional, I continue to be committed to school security that also prioritizes safety and accessibility.
25
05, 2022
Wordless
Today I am wordless for the 19 students and 2 teachers killed in the latest senseless act of school violence at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
24
05, 2022
QQ: Circulation Paths
Yesterday's post about protruding objects raised a related Quick Question: The IBC section addressing limitations on protruding objects references projections into "circulation paths." What is a circulation path?
23
05, 2022
Protruding Objects – Illustrated
I know that many of iDigHardware's readers are ultra-focused on door openings (me too!), but every so often I see a non-door application illustrating a code requirement that could also apply to doors and hardware.
20
05, 2022
FF: Custom Concealed Closer
David Seeley of WESCO | Anixter sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo of a door closer he saw in a Cape Cod restaurant...what do you think? Was it worth the extra effort to partially conceal the closer?
19
05, 2022
QQ: Fire-Exit Bolt
Last week I wrote about fire doors vs. fire exits, and I mentioned that I would try to change/clarify the Merriam-Webster definition for "fire-exit bolt." I received this Quick Question: What IS a fire-exit bolt?
18
05, 2022
WW: Schlage Phalanges 1000
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo came from Grant DeLay of Allegion (and he gets all the credit for the product name), but it looks like the photo originated with Brian Ingham of Integrated Design Solutions. It's a classic!
17
05, 2022
WWYD? Symbols of Accessibility
Every so often I ask the readers of iDigHardware to weigh in on what you are seeing in your state or local jurisdiction. Today I need your help on the topic of accessibility symbols - please share your insight in the comments.
16
05, 2022
Decoded: The Impact of Codes on Traffic Doors
Today's post is my next Decoded column for Door Security + Safety Magazine. I pulled together my past posts related to traffic/impact doors to create a comprehensive article to use as a reference.
13
05, 2022
FF: How high is too high?
I guarantee that thousands of people have walked by the doors in today's Fixed-it Friday photos without thinking twice about them. But a retired fire marshal took note of the panic hardware location and sent me the photos.
11
05, 2022
WW: Half-Baked Exit
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo came from one of my retired fire marshal pals, which reminds me how much I love the fact that people who have retired are still engaged with iDigHardware.
10
05, 2022
Wide Throw Hinges – Illustrated
Although today's wide throw hinges don't look like the ones on this door in France which serves a VERY old restaurant, these photos are a great illustration of the purpose of wide throw hinges.
9
05, 2022
AIA Webinar – Access Control: Where to Start, What to Ask, and How to Design
Along with our other online training scheduled for the month of May, we have a webinar on access control and electrified hardware that qualifies for AIA continuing education credit. Save your seat!
6
05, 2022
FF: No Clearance
I was going to post this photo from a retired fire marshal for Wordless Wednesday, but then I noticed the "fix" from when they electrified the panic hardware. Fixed-it Friday seems more appropriate.