Codes to Know: Automatic Doors
With the current focus on how to limit the spread of germs, many facility managers are considering the addition of automatic operators so doors can be operated "hands-free."
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05, 2020
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05, 2020
WW: Knockoff
At first glance, this might look like an LCN 4040 closer that has suffered an extreme failure, but it is actually a knockoff. Make sure you're getting the real deal!
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05, 2020
QQ: Field Labeling of Fire Doors
Today's Quick Question: Can an existing fire door be labeled in the field for a higher rating than what it was originally listed for?
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05, 2020
Webinar Recording Available! Paul Timm on Improving School Access Control
The recording of Paul Timm's webinar on access control best practices for schools is now available!
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05, 2020
FF: ADA Turn
Today's Fixed-it Friday photo shows someone's attempt at solving the problem of a non-ADA-compliant thumbturn in a veterans' home. Fortunately, the locks have since been replaced.
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05, 2020
WWYD? School Security Design Trends
Please share any trends you have seen on new school projects or existing buildings...the safety of all students will benefit from shared best practices (and there's an iDigHardware Yeti travel mug up for grabs!).
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05, 2020
WW: Another Day…
Raise your hand if you've seen a fire door like this. Now wave a virtual hello! :D A fire barrier can't do its job with a big hole in it!
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05, 2020
Resource: DHI Glossary of Architectural Hardware Terms
Anyone know what "loiding" is? How about a "mute"? To find out, click here to download the DHI Glossary of Architectural Hardware Terms.
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05, 2020
Allegion Webinar Series: Designed for Access Control Integrators
This Friday, May 8th, Allegion will be presenting the second in a series of six 30-minute webinars designed with integrators in mind. If you are an access control integrator, please join us!
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05, 2020
FF: How to Build a Better Mousetrap
I received today's Fixed-it Friday photo from Ken Sako of Lazzaro Companies, and I'm wordless. Maybe y'all can think of something to say.
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04, 2020
Decoded: International Energy Conservation Code Requirements for Vestibule Doors (June 2020)
My next Decoded column for Door Security + Safety magazine addresses the requirements for vestibules mandated by the IECC.
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04, 2020
WW: High School Main Entrance
Just a friendly reminder to go one step further and ensure that the egress requirements are met while exits are being modified or other construction projects are in progress.
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04, 2020
WWYD? Retail Exit Routes
Are AHJs allowing retail stores to make temporary changes in their egress routes to help slow the spread of COVID-19? If yes, are there some guidelines to help ensure safe egress?
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04, 2020
Webinar This Wednesday! Paul Timm on Improving School Access Control
While COVID-19 restrictions are a form of forced access control to school facilities, timeless issues must be addressed. Join DHI and the Door Security & Safety Foundation for this webinar...
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04, 2020
FF: Exit Extensions
I don't know about y'all, but I needed a laugh today (I know - odd things make me laugh). Happy Fixed-it Friday - I hope you are all staying safe and well.
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04, 2020
Webinar 2 Follow-Up: Panic Hardware – When, Where, and Why?
Thank you to those who attended the live webinar last week! The webinars page has been updated with the recording, a list of resources, a short survey, and information about Webinar 3!
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04, 2020
WW: Electrical Room
Craig Gaevert sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo...there must be a rule against this, right? There's even a sign! :\
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04, 2020
Updated: Hands-Free Door Pulls
Someone asked me last week whether a door pull operated by the user's foot would be considered accessible. The answer seems obvious, right? Read on...
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04, 2020
Allegion Webinar Series: Designed for Access Control Integrators
This Friday, April 24th, Allegion will be presenting the first in a series of six 30-minute webinars designed with integrators in mind. If you are an access control integrator, please join us!
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04, 2020
WW: Middle School Closer
I know that some architects would rather not see thru-bolts for closers, but I think they should be standard for every school specification. Do you agree?
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04, 2020
WWYD? Isolation Rooms in Health Care
I'd like to compile some information about how hardware for an isolation room is currently being specified/supplied. What are the current recommendations or requirements?
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04, 2020
WW: More Wordless Warehouse Exits
Remember last week's Wordless Wednesday photos of warehouse exits? Well, I received some more from Johnson Controls. #wordless
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04, 2020
Push Button to Exit
In case you can't read the sign on the door, it says, "Push the red button and the bar on the door at the same time to exit." THIS IS NOT OK!
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04, 2020
Last Call For Webinar 2
Many of you probably know a lot about panic hardware already, but maybe you have colleagues who could benefit from Webinar 2 which I'll be presenting this Thursday. Please share!
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04, 2020
FF: Legit Fix?
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos show a situation found at a state college. I'm curious whether any of you can come up with examples of when this "fix" would be acceptable.
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04, 2020
Hazard Planning? NFPA Can Help
I find information and a solid plan helpful to me in uncertain times, and I hope that NFPA's guidance is useful to you. Stay safe!
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04, 2020
WW: Broken Streaks?
One of the side-effects of staying at home is that we're not out-and-about to run across Wordless Wednesday and Fixed-it Friday applications. Can you help save my streaks?
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04, 2020
WWYD? Arched Storm/Screen Door
This is a beautiful residential door with a problem caused by the brick reveal combined with the arched top. Can you help? WWYD?
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04, 2020
QQ: Sealant/Caulk Around Fire Door Frames
Today's Quick Question: Is sealant required around a fire door frame - where it meets the sheetrock?
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04, 2020
FF: Be Careful Out There
Facility managers need to carefully consider changes made to prevent virus transmission, which could affect egress, fire protection, and accessibility.
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04, 2020
TGP University Training with AIA LU
Here's another training opportunity - this time from TGP University. Learn about fire-rated glazing and how the model codes affect the design options. April 14th!
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04, 2020
WW: Wordless Warehouse Exits
I've been trying to put myself in the shoes of the person who made the modifications to these exits, and I just can't imagine any conditions that would make this seem like a good idea.
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03, 2020
Webinar 2: Panic Hardware – When, Where, and Why?
My next webinar is coming up on Thursday, April 16th. The topic will be panic hardware - where it is required and the related code requirements - including the electrified options.
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03, 2020
QQ: Antimicrobial Coating
Today's Quick Question: Can door hardware with an antimicrobial coating prevent the spread of COVID-19 or other viruses?
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03, 2020
Decoded: Doors Provided for Egress Purposes
If it looks like a door and swings like a door, building occupants (and the code official) will probably think it’s a door, and it should operate like doors are supposed to.
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03, 2020
FF: Hands-Free Hardware
Covid-19 has inspired new "inventions" to help people avoid touching door hardware with their hands, to limit the spread of the virus. How can the hardware industry help?
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03, 2020
WW: Stay Inside
It's Wordless Wednesday and my 10th day of staying inside the house. I hope you are all safe and healthy - and code-compliant!
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03, 2020
NFPA Learn Something New: 3D-Printed Buildings (video)
Next up in NFPA's series of short videos...Are 3D-printed buildings safe and code-compliant? What do you think? Would you live in a 3D-printed house?
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03, 2020
QQ: Astragals, Rabbets, Bevels
Today's Quick Question: Is an astragal required for double-egress cross-corridor pairs in health care smoke barriers? The answer surprised me.
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03, 2020
FF: Not. O.K.
Seriously...how does anyone justify this Fixed-it Friday "fix"? If someone tells you this was approved by the fire marshal, I wouldn't believe it.
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03, 2020
WCID2HU? (What can I do to help you?)
I don't know about you, but I've had a little trouble staying focused in recent days. I'd love to come up with some ways to use this time wisely. Any ideas?
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03, 2020
WW: Another Restaurant Exit
Thank you to Chad Jenkins of the National Locksmith Institute for today's Wordless Wednesday photos. And yes, the restaurant was open for business.
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03, 2020
WWYD? Standard Mounting Height
Several people have asked me lately about the standard mounting height for two products - deadbolts and hospital latches. WWYD?
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03, 2020
QQ: Manufacturing Tolerances on Fire Doors
If NFPA 80 requires 1/8-inch or 3/16-inch maximum perimeter clearance for fire door assemblies, is it acceptable to add the manufacturing tolerance to that dimension?
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03, 2020
FF: Delayed Egress Modification
You may have to zoom in and look around to see exactly what's happening in this Fixed-it Friday photo. All I have to say is...there are better ways to transfer power.
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03, 2020
Closed Doors in the News
Three recent news stories - two illustrating the benefits of closed residential doors, and one from Kristin Bigda at NFPA regarding fire door operation and the Coronavirus.
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03, 2020
WW: Guess What Happened Here
This Wordless Wednesday photo is an unbelievable example of the abusive conditions a door might face in a school. What do you think happened here?
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03, 2020
WWYD? Vestibule Pair
For aesthetic purposes, a change is being considered to the configuration of this swinging pair of doors - each leaf would be increased from 36 inches wide to 62 inches wide. WWYD?
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03, 2020
WWYD? Memory Care “Signs”?
One side of this device is attached to the door with double-sided tape, and the other side is magnetic. It is used in a memory care facility to indicate whether a resident's room is vacant or occupied. WWYD?
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03, 2020
FF: Profile-Cut Glass Door
Matthew Stonebraker of Allegion just sent me this Fixed-it Friday photo of a glass door at the Mexico City National Museum of Art, and it's so cool! Have you seen a modification like this before?