Decoded: Electrified Locking Systems – Which code sections apply where?
Confused about the various code sections that apply to electrified hardware? These questions will guide you in the right direction.
25
08, 2020
24
08, 2020
Learn More: Back to School
I think it's safe to say that "back-to-school" looks different for everyone this year. This Thursday, Paul Timm will be presenting a webinar on adjustments to schoool security protocols.
21
08, 2020
FF: Alternative to Lock Picking
This was the result of a school maintenance manager’s attempt to unlock a door that was not on the key system. I think I would have broken the glass, but whatever works.
20
08, 2020
Hand Sanitizer Follow-Up – Schools
In the 2018 edition of NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code, requirements for alcohol-based hand-rub dispensers for new and existing schools are found in Sections 14.4.4 and 15.4.4.
19
08, 2020
WW: Thrifty Emergency Exit
Michael Wallick of Kelley Brothers sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo of an "emergency exit" in what looks like a thrift store (I love thrift stores!). What can I say? #wordless
18
08, 2020
Online Training This Week
Here's what our national trainers have on the online training schedule for tomorrow, and an additional webinar for security integrators on Friday.
17
08, 2020
WWYD? AAADM Requirements for Automatic Doors
Is it acceptable for a locksmith who is not AAADM certified to perform work on automatic doors - if the work is not part of the automatic operating system? WWYD?
14
08, 2020
FF: Covid-19 Precautions
If you see any situations like this, I'd love a photo to help share ideas for Fixed-it Friday "fixes" that ensure all safety requirements are met.
13
08, 2020
NFPA: Fire Safety Considerations for Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is not normally within my area of expertise, but I've been receiving questions about it so I checked to see what NFPA had to say.
12
08, 2020
WW: Stairwell Reentry
These WW photos illustrate a creative attempt at meeting the requirements for stairwell reentry, while inadvertently voiding the fire door label.
11
08, 2020
Listen, Learn, Grow
Last week I asked if you knew of any podcasts on codes, doors, or anything related to iDigHardware, and Facebook sent me a list!
10
08, 2020
PSA: “Please don’t kick automatic door buttons.”
I'll bet this is happening even more often now, due to concerns about the transmission of germs. Yet another reason to go to touchless actuators.
7
08, 2020
FF: Auditorium Fire Exit Hardware
If your fire exit hardware shows up on the job-site without the dogging feature, there's a good reason for that. Homemade dogging is not a valid fix!
6
08, 2020
QQ: Does NFPA 80 “trump” the ADA?
Today's Quick Question: Do the requirements of NFPA 80 "trump" the ADA requirements? Is fire protection more important than accessibility?
5
08, 2020
WW: E for Effort
Someone really went to a lot of trouble to turn this door from "exit" to "no exit", but they missed a few things. Like checking in with the local fire marshal.
4
08, 2020
More (and More) e-Learning
I think online learning is here to stay. Which doesn't mean that we'll never see each other in person again, but there's a lot we can learn in the meantime.
3
08, 2020
30 Years of the ADA – Part 2
Last week I posted about the 30th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), and I realized how many people were unaware of the history of the law.
31
07, 2020
FF: NFPA Dogging
Leave it to NFPA to come up with a new type of dogging that is guaranteed to keep a door with panic hardware unlocked indefinitely.
30
07, 2020
WWYD? Questions about Relabeling?
I have an opportunity to do a Q&A with a company offering field relabeling/recertification of fire door assemblies, and I want to make sure that I don't miss any questions you may have.
29
07, 2020
WW: Flash Flood
These are some of the most wordless Wordless Wednesday photos ever; I've never seen anything like this. The force of water is amazing.
28
07, 2020
Online Learning – Week 23
Yes, it's Week 23. So if you're feeling a little webinar-ed out, that's probably why. I get it - I've been in the house for 133 days with only brief trips out for errands...
27
07, 2020
The ADA Turns 30!
It must have been around 30 years ago when my boss sent me to a seminar held at a local hotel - the topic was a new federal law called the Americans With Disabilities Act.
24
07, 2020
FF: Sharpie Fix
Coming in just after duct tape and WD-40 in the lineup for must-have tools to fix door-related problems...the Sharpie!
23
07, 2020
Touchless Fire Doors
Several questions were prompted by my recent webinar on touchless hardware, about the requirements addressing automatic operators and non-latching hardware on fire doors.
22
07, 2020
WW: Chain Reaction
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo shows an after-hours repair on a door that would not lock, as reported by the security department at a large university. Scary.
21
07, 2020
Mobile Credentials: The key to a seamless student experience
As many of you already know, my oldest daughter is starting her second year at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, an early-adopter of mobile credentials.
20
07, 2020
Last Call!
There are SO MANY great opportunities to learn something new this week! Please share this list with any of your colleagues who might be interested!
17
07, 2020
FF: Duct Tape Can Fix Anything
Speaking from experience, this repair method - which apparently spans across multiple industries - does not last long.
16
07, 2020
NFPA: The Future of Crowd Monitoring
On top of the threat of fires and active shooters, crowds themselves can be deadly. New technology for crowd monitoring is the topic of this episode of Learn Something New™ by NFPA Journal.
15
07, 2020
WW: Unauthorized Egress Problem “Solved”
I hope whoever thought today's Wordless Wednesday application was a good solution for preventing unauthorized egress also thought about checking with the AHJ.
14
07, 2020
Touchless Openings (and more!)
Many facility managers are exploring ways to reduce the transmission of germs in their buildings, but don't forget about the code requirements!
13
07, 2020
Tech Trends: The Door Hardware Dilemma
Brian Coulombe: "Door hardware is a tough subject: limitless part numbers, an evolving technology landscape, and a library of jargon unto itself..."
10
07, 2020
FF: Foamy Fix
Sometimes it's painful to see what people will do to their doors and hardware. Trying to solve one problem can lead to another...
9
07, 2020
QQ: Cladding on a Fire Door Assembly
Today's Quick Question is a very common one...Can cladding materials be applied to the face of a fire door assembly?
8
07, 2020
WW: Sweet Surprise
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo makes me wonder what other interesting things have been found inside of these enclosures...
7
07, 2020
Distance Learning
Don't miss this week's line-up of online classes...automatic operators, electrified hardware, hollow metal doors and frames, and school security.
6
07, 2020
Code Update: Refrigeration Machinery Rooms
Now that you've memorized the applications that require doors with panic hardware, a change to the 2021 IBC will add a new location that requires panics.
2
07, 2020
Code Update: Terminated Stops on Fire Door Assemblies
I have had quite a few questions about terminated stops on fire door assemblies, so this change to the 2021 IBC should help to clarify what is allowed by code.
1
07, 2020
WW: Bolingbrook F.D.
What I love about a post like this is that someone will see it - and GET IT. During the fire shown in today's Wordless Wednesday photos, a child was rescued from behind the closed door.
30
06, 2020
Decoded: Egress From Exterior Spaces
My next Decoded column for Door Security + Safety Magazine addresses an approved code change related to locking roof terraces and courtyards.
29
06, 2020
Distance Learning this Week
This is one of my favorite weeks of the year, but maybe for a different reason than you might expect. :-)
26
06, 2020
FF: Room With A View
Hardware sets in a specification look like a different language to most people, so sometimes there are surprises when the doors and hardware are installed.
25
06, 2020
QQ: Battery Back-up
Is it acceptable by code to provide battery back-up for an electromagnetic lock? What about other types of electrified hardware?
24
06, 2020
WW: Black-Out
Whether this Wordless Wednesday "exit" is serving a black-box theater or the church that is renting space to hold their services, it's extremely disturbing!
23
06, 2020
Tomorrow is Webinar Wednesday
Our national trainers are continuing with their Webinar Wednesday series - classes are currently scheduled into August. Feel free to share this information with your colleagues.
22
06, 2020
WWYD? Hotel Suite
How have you been specifying/supplying the hardware for hotel rooms that are sometimes used as a suite - with door closers on the individual doors, or without?
19
06, 2020
FF: Bleacher Seats
Where there's a will (and the AHJ is flexible), there's a way. It's clear that a lot of thought went into this opening, but I have a few unanswered questions...
18
06, 2020
Code Update: Egress from Exterior Spaces
The 2021 IBC will specifically address the acceptable means of locking egress doors that serve exterior spaces - like balconies and roof decks - where the path of egress goes through the interior of the building.
17
06, 2020
WW: AHJ Meeting Room
Sometimes Wordless Wednesday photos need a little context. Most of us have seen hotel meeting rooms with exits concealed by curtains...but during a class for code officials??
16
06, 2020
There’s always more to learn.
One thing I have found during my 35 years in the door and hardware industry is that there is always more to learn. Check out the online classes available this week!