iDigHardware is 15!
I can hardly believe that my "4th baby" - iDigHardware - is 15 years old. During this milestone year, we will be making some changes to iDigHardware, and I need your help!
11
03, 2024
8
03, 2024
FF: Transom Bar
I saw this interesting Fixed-it Friday transom bar application posted by Jeremy Guthrie of Omega Door & Hardware...what do you think?
7
03, 2024
AIA Webinar – The Essentials of Fire Door Inspections
Are you familiar with the annual inspection criteria for fire door assemblies? Join us on Thursday, March 14th, for an AIA-approved webinar presented by Jeff Batick of Allegion.
6
03, 2024
WW: Courtyard Exit
I just love when I receive a photo that gives me the opportunity to explain something from a different angle, and today's WW photo from Marc Zolner of Allegion is a great example.
5
03, 2024
Decoded: Classroom Barricade Devices
This month’s Decoded question is a common one related to classroom doors in educational facilities: Are classroom barricade devices allowed by the model codes and accessibility standards?
4
03, 2024
Questions About Fire-Rated Glass?
Questions continue to arise regarding fire-rated glass and framing, and TGP has recently updated a page on their site that answers a couple dozen of the FAQs.
1
03, 2024
FF: What’s the weakest link?
Barricade devices that attach to the inside lever handle of the lockset rely on the connection between the lever and the lock. And I'm sure that's not even the weakest link in today's photos.
29
02, 2024
WWYD? Obstructed Exit
Paul Timm of Allegion sent me this photo, and it illustrates a really great question about doors in a means of egress. Is there something specific in the codes that would prevent this?
28
02, 2024
WW: Wordless.
What can I say about today's Wordless Wednesday photo, taken by an AHJ? I'm sure it's the result of a renovation, but I wonder how long it will stay this way.
27
02, 2024
WWYD? Locked Classroom Doors
Some states and local jurisdictions have already adopted requirements for classroom doors to be lockable. Should the model codes require locks on classroom doors? WWYD?
26
02, 2024
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 10
In the tenth episode of Paul Timm's podcast, he talks with John-Michael Keyes of I Love U Guys, a foundation dedicated to school safety, preparedness, reunification, and the joy of youth.
23
02, 2024
FF: Restroom Retrofit
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos came from a retired AHJ...continuous hinge retrofits can be a great way to address field problems, but this one needed to go (at least) one step further.
22
02, 2024
QQ: Modifying UL Listed Products
Today's Quick Question was prompted by a recent post about a continuous hinge retrofit on a fire door: If a UL Listed product is modified in the field, does this void the listing?
21
02, 2024
WW: Delays on the NYC MTA
I recently received a link from a New York City architect and public transportation commuter to a news article about a plan to use delayed egress locks on subway gates. Thoughts?
20
02, 2024
WWYD? Stairwell Reentry, Part 2
Today I have a follow-up question to yesterday's post about stairwell reentry. Neither of these questions is addressed in the codes, so I am looking for any insight from the field.
19
02, 2024
WWYD? Stairwell Reentry
In some buildings, a stairwell may have more than one door serving a floor. In that case, are all of the doors required to allow reentry, or could one door be designated for this purpose?
16
02, 2024
FF: Gym Exit Upgrade
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos are a great "before and after" example from a high school gymnasium. If you have photos you'd like to share, there's an upload link in today's post.
15
02, 2024
Creating Clarity: Are there disadvantages to fire-rated glass?
A recent article from David Vermeulen, North America Sales Director for Technical Glass Products (TGP) does some myth busting about fire-rated glass...check it out in today's post!
14
02, 2024
WW: Movie Theater Exit
Last weekend I took my daughters and their friends to the movies, and that's where I saw today's Wordless Wednesday application on the theater exit.
13
02, 2024
WWYD? Locking Stairwell Doors
When a stairwell door unlocks (or is always unlocked) to allow building occupants to leave the stairwell if it becomes compromised during a fire, what happens next? WWYD?
12
02, 2024
USGNN: Quick Code Q+A
When a controlled egress lock is installed in a health care unit where patients require containment for their safety or security, which release methods for egress are required by the model codes?
9
02, 2024
FF: Mullion Cylinder
Earlier this week I shared photos from a college visit with my youngest daughter. I also saw this mullion on campus with a key cylinder...is anyone familiar with the purpose of the cylinder?
8
02, 2024
QQ: Empty Silencer Holes
Today's Quick Question: On a fire door assembly where adhesive smoke gasketing is installed, is it acceptable to have open silencer holes under the gasketing?
7
02, 2024
WW: What’s the MATter?
Normally I'm extremely focused on door-related problems, but this one left me Wordless because the photo was taken in a fire department training facility.
6
02, 2024
Delayed Egress Locks in the Wild
I found the doors in today's photos on a recent trip to Indianapolis with my youngest daughter. Many of iDigHardware's long-time readers will remember her from the Olden Days.
5
02, 2024
QQ: Continuous Hinges on Existing Fire Doors
Today's Quick Question: When a continuous hinge is installed on an existing fire door assembly, the labels on the fire door and frame are often covered by the hinge. How should this be handled?
2
02, 2024
FF: Hex Key Dogging
I received today's Fixed-it Friday photo from Jim Elder of Secured Design, LLC - it was taken in an elementary/middle school. While this seems like a simple and common fix, it can severely impact security.
31
01, 2024
WW: “After-Hours” Security
Today's Wordless Wednesday photos were taken in a packed high school gym during a competition. The non-code-compliant security devices that were in place at the time illustrate one of the reasons why egress doors should comply with the codes at all times.
31
01, 2024
WWYD? Fail Safe or Unlock Upon Loss of Power
As I mentioned a while back, Mark Kuhn of Allegion will be helping me out with some code development work and other duties, including an occasional blog post. In today's post, Mark shares some thoughts on a term found in the model codes.
30
01, 2024
Decoded: Controlled Egress Locks
This month’s question is a common one related to egress doors in memory care units. If you have a code question you’d like to see answered in my column, you can submit it by clicking the link in today's post.
26
01, 2024
FF: Key-Operated Lock
Michael Conn of Allegion sent me today's thought-provoking Fixed-it Friday photo, of a restaurant's main entrance door that has been equipped with a key-operated lock (double cylinder deadbolt). "Thought-provoking?" Read on...
25
01, 2024
QQ: Component Materials for Fire Door Assemblies
Today's Quick Question came up recently with regard to the materials of components used on fire door assemblies: Are all products installed as components of a fire door assembly required to be made of steel?
24
01, 2024
WW: Screwy
Assuming that the screws in this fire door assembly are steel, and considering that NFPA 80 doesn't limit the number of holes or screws, do you think this repair is compliant with the standard?
23
01, 2024
WWYD? Building Bridges
The doors on this hotel bridge could be lockable if they met the requirements of the new section of the I-Codes addressing egress doors serving exterior spaces. Does anyone want to take a guess on what would be mandated by that section?
22
01, 2024
Von Duprin Self-Releasing Fire Exit Latches
During an ongoing organizational project in my house, I found an amazing original advertisement for Von Duprin, and coincidentally today I am on my way to the home of Von Duprin - Indianapolis - so I'm posting this here for you all to enjoy.
19
01, 2024
FF: Use What You’ve Got
I received today's Fixed-it Friday photo from Peter B. Walker, of P.B. Walker & Associates. It's not a code violation, but there are definitely more attractive ways to handle this situation.
18
01, 2024
QQ: Dogging Feature on Pool Gates
Today's Quick Question: Is it acceptable by code to supply the dogging feature on panic hardware installed on a door or gate serving a swimming pool enclosure? What do you think?
17
01, 2024
WW: Multipurpose Hardware
I don't think the use of the door hardware in today's Wordless Wednesday photo is part of the cycle testing for durability - not to mention the stored materials blocking the exit!
16
01, 2024
Closers for Arched Doors
Tim Weller of Allegion sent me a photo recently that reminded me about a past post addressing door closers for arched doors. I went back to find the post, and I can hardly believe that I wrote it in 2011!
15
01, 2024
USGNN: Quick Code Q+A
In my current column in USGlass Magazine, I addressed electromagnetic locks released by a switch in the door-mounted hardware. Do you know the difference between the requirements for this application vs. sensor-release locks?
12
01, 2024
FF: Fixed Forever
Joe Phillips of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, and I'd love to hear from iDigHardware readers - under what circumstances (if any) would you install a closer this way? The photo was taken in a high school.
11
01, 2024
QQ: Pocket Door Pulls
A Quick Question came up the other day about the door pulls used for sliding doors, including pocket doors: Where in the codes or standards does it specify the required amount of clearance around the surface-mounted pull handle?
10
01, 2024
WW: Truck Stop Exit
Jon Payne sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo of the secondary exit in a busy truck stop. This is why I firmly believe that AHJs should not allow non-code-compliant security measures "after hours"...those devices often end up installed 24/7.
9
01, 2024
Classroom Security Function Panic Hardware
I recently saw a photo in a door and hardware installer's group on social media, with a question about the purpose of the cylinder on the head of the panic hardware. Was it supposed to lock the latch? Or control the locked/unlocked indicator?
8
01, 2024
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 9
In the ninth episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, he talks with Dr. Melissa Reeves, Ph.D., NCSP, LCMHC about the mental health of students and the value of a behavioral threat assessment model.
5
01, 2024
FF: Band-Aids (Literally!)
At first glance, it looks like these Band-Aids could have been added to keep the lockset from latching, but I'm thinking maybe this is the doctor's office staff's version of the "Quiet Feature." What do you think?
4
01, 2024
WWYD? Grocery Store Egress
This grocery store's manager stated that the justification for this closed exit was that people were walking out of these doors without paying for their merchandise. I have my own thoughts about this situation, but I'm wondering...WWYD?
3
01, 2024
WW: Under Construction
I don't know what's on the other side of this door (is this a required exit from the area under construction?), but the idea of someone using this type of temporary hasp - possibly without evaluating the egress path, makes me nervous. How about you?
2
01, 2024
Decoded: NFPA 80 Requirements for Hinges, Pivots, and Continuous Hinges
Happy New Year! Throughout 2024 I will continue to update my library of Decoded articles, in preparation for some upcoming changes. Let me know if you have suggested topics for my Decoded Q&A series, published monthly.
21
12, 2023
“Tis the season to decorate your doors….BUT WAIT!”
Mark Kuhn's latest post is a great reminder about holiday decorating and the considerations for fire doors and other doors in a means of egress. Happy Holidays!