WW: Closed and Locked
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo was posted by Ben Turner on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page, and he (enthusiastically!) gave me permission to share it here.
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08, 2026
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08, 2026
Decoded: Fire-Protection-Rated vs. Fire-Resistance-Rated Assemblies
After yesterday's post, some questions came up about fire-resistance-rated assemblies, so I have updated this Decoded article on the topic.
24
08, 2026
TGP: Texas Christian University; Hill Hall & Walsh Hall
A recent case study from TGP highlights study rooms that were constructed with a combination of fire-resistance-rated and fire-protection-rated products. Do you know the difference?
21
08, 2026
FF: Here’s what’s wrong with this picture.
In today's Fixed-it Friday post I take a closer look at this fire door in a hotel stairway and I have a question for all of the fire door inspectors out there...would you cite this as a deficiency?
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08, 2026
Places We Keep – Schlage in San Francisco (video)
I don't know about you, but I LOVE old buildings and the stories they hold. The video in today's post tells a touching story of community, hope, and never giving up.
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08, 2026
WW: Whoa.
Michael Wallick of DH Pace sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos, and I really have no words. If you see something that leaves YOU wordless, send me a photo! :)
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08, 2026
What’s wrong with this picture?
Steve Quinn of Flylock Security Solutions just sent me these photos, and they're a great example of the little details that can affect a fire door. Can you see the problem (other than the obvious one!)?
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08, 2026
QQ: Nuisance Alarm on Delayed Egress
Today's Quick Question is one that I had not given a lot of thought to: When a delayed egress lock has a nuisance delay and then goes into alarm, is the total time to release the lock 15 seconds?
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08, 2026
FF: Hungerford Nature Center
I love this Fixed-it Friday story from Stanley Access Technologies, about helping to make the Hungerford Nature Center more accessible for their visitors.
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08, 2026
REPLAY: Live With Lori, Session 1
I so appreciate having a network of people all over the world to share code information with! In today's post you can replay my recent live session on access control hardware.
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08, 2026
WW: Fire Door Clearances
Nikolaus Wegner sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo of a hotel fire door that looks like it has some clearance issues. There's more info in the linked Decoded article.
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08, 2026
QQ: Fire Door Bottom Clearance
Where is the bottom clearance of a fire door measured? From the bottom of the door to the bottom of the frame, the slab, the top of the flooring or threshold?
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08, 2026
Decoded: Securing Parking Garages
A question about this topic came up in the Live With Lori session on access control doors, so I've made some updates to this article, and the Live session recording is now available!
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08, 2026
FF: Auxiliary Fire Pin
Ryan Krakowsky sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos of an improper installation of an auxiliary fire pin for less-bottom-rod fire exit hardware. Do you know the correct mounting location?
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08, 2026
UPDATE!/QQ: Electric Latch Retraction & UL 294
Is the UL 294 listing required by the model codes for panic hardware with the electric latch retraction / electric dogging feature (EL/QEL)?
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08, 2026
WW: Egress Fail
Andrew Haring of Frameless Hardware Company sent me a reel for today's Wordless Wednesday post, and there are several problems with the application featured in the video.
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08, 2026
What’s that? NL Drive Screw
A recent question took me back to The Olden Days when I was a manufacturers rep for LCN and Von Duprin. I had a supply of parts in my desk, including a stash of NL drive screws...
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08, 2026
Decoded: I-Code Requirements for Interlocks
This month's Decoded question is related to a new section of the I-Codes: In which use groups is an interlock permitted by the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Fire Code (IFC)?
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07, 2026
FF: Through Bolts, Revisited
Last week I shared a post about the requirements for through bolts on fire exit hardware, and Ryan Krakowsky of Harvard University sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo.
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07, 2026
Decoded: Access Control Update
This Decoded article 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.
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07, 2026
WW: Worst One Yet?
Michael Metzen of Walsh Door and Security sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos of a hotel fire door, and these might take the cake for the worst WW fire door ever!
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07, 2026
QQ: Existing Fire Door Frames Without Labels
If an existing fire door assembly has a hollow metal frame in perfect condition, but the frame is missing the label, is this compliant with NFPA 80?
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07, 2026
ADA Anniversary Spotlight: Allegion’s Inclusive Design E-Book
Thirty-six years ago, the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. Allegion’s exclusive e-book, “Accessible & Inclusive Design: Elevating Compliance,” goes beyond baseline requirements.
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07, 2026
FF: UL Listed End Cap Protection
I can't count the number of times I've seen missing or damaged end caps on panic hardware and fire exit hardware - those carts and gurneys can be brutal! So what's the Fixed-it Friday "fix"?
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07, 2026
QQ: IBC/BHMA “Power Assist” vs. LCN “Power Assist”
Today's Quick Question: I see that LCN offers a power assist feature on some of their operators, can these operators be used on doors serving accessible public entrances?
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07, 2026
WW: Wordless…and Wonderful!
I recently received a forwarded email from a medical school's safety compliance officer to its faculty and staff, that made my little fire-door-loving heart skip a beat.
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07, 2026
QQ: Through-bolts on Fire Exit Hardware
This question often arises when a fire door inspector is on-site or when the top latches have become detached: Is fire exit hardware required to be attached to a fire door with through-bolts?
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07, 2026
Live With Lori – July 29th
Our live session on access control systems/normal locking arrangements and the requirements for UL 294/UL 1034 listings is next week...there is still time to register and submit your questions!
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07, 2026
FF: Secondary Exits for Retail Spaces
A couple of weeks ago I posted some photos from a retail store with multiple blocked exits. The topic of today's Fixed-it Friday post...how do we know whether the second exit is needed or not?
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07, 2026
Decoded: Small Assembly Occupancies
Questions about this topic have come up twice in the last two weeks, so I've updated this Decoded article about small assembly occupancies with current code references.
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07, 2026
WW: “…and LATCHED!”
Adam Fisk of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo...it's kind of ironic that someone went to the effort to make a sign for this fire door, which is equipped with zip tie dogging.
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07, 2026
Ethan Loves Automatic Doors
I love kids who love doors! I saw this story about Ethan's visit to Stanley Access Technologies and I knew I had to share it here on iDigHardware!
13
07, 2026
PASS ’26 Summer Camp!
The Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) is presenting their third annual Summer Camp Webinar Series: a three-part series for anyone involved in securing our schools.
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07, 2026
FF: Wire Run
Bass Security was called out to this site because the electrified panic hardware was no longer working, and this Fixed-it Friday photo shows what they found. YIKES!
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07, 2026
WW: What in the world?
I saw today's Wordless Wednesday photo posted by Robert Gaiter on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page...is this some new attachment method I don't know about?
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07, 2026
UPDATED: Allegion Code Reference Guide
I usually have great ideas, but occasionally I have one that doesn't go over so well. I thought it might be time to retire the Allegion Code Reference Guide, but I was wrong.
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07, 2026
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 28
This episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, features Mo Canady of NASRO and a panel of school resource officers.
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07, 2026
Decoded: Dead Bolt Mounting Height
I've been talking about this month's Decoded question for a while now...maybe seeing it in print will help get some traction. What do you think about this issue?
1
07, 2026
WW: Retail Secondary Exits
Whenever I post photos of a blocked retail exit, someone says, "It's not a required exit...it's just an extra door." So this is my question for you...when does a mercantile space require a second exit?
30
06, 2026
STUDY: The Role of Locked Doors and Access Control in School-Based Active Shooter Events
In today's post, more on the school security study conducted by the ALERRT Center at Texas State University in partnership with the Security Industry Association (SIA).
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06, 2026
STUDY: An old school solution saves lives (video)
This is a fantastic news story on school security from ABC 7 News - WJLA. In tomorrow's post I'll share more information from the study conducted by the ALERRT Center at Texas State University.
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06, 2026
FF: Unintended Consequences of Creativity
When I shared this week's Wordless Wednesday photos and videos, I said I'd come back and explain some of the code issues that I can see. That info is in today's post!
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06, 2026
Ask Me Anything – July 29th
I decided to try something new, a series of live sessions where I do a short presentation followed by Q&A, to address the codes that apply to electrified hardware. All are welcome!
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06, 2026
WW: Creative, but not compliant
The photos and video for today's Wordless Wednesday post came from Zachary Bass, Deputy Fire Marshal with the Asheville NC Fire Marshal’s Office. What problems can you spot?
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06, 2026
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 27
In this episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, he talks with Dr. Kathy Martinez-Prather, the director of the Texas School Safety Center.
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06, 2026
QQ: Closing Speed & Delayed Action
Today's Quick Question still comes up on occasion: Is a delayed-action door closer required by the accessibility standards?
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06, 2026
FF: Made it Work
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos were sent by Keith Krienke of the University of Calgary (his team was not responsible!). At some point I think it's a better idea to replace the door!
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06, 2026
Latching of Corridor Doors in Health Care
Today's question has two parts - one is important for anyone who works in health care to keep in mind. The second gets into the weeds but is a good opportunity for a code change proposal.
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06, 2026
WW: THIS IS NUTS!
Steve Swertfeger of Isenhour Door sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos of a loading dock door they were called to work on, and this is truly one of the worst panic hardware installations I've seen.
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06, 2026
Reducing Physical Barriers
In today's guest post, Colleen Furlong of Allegion explores how a doorway may be designed to be more inclusive, with the goal of removing friction and providing safe and easy access for all users.