FF: “Overhead” Holder
These "overhead" fixes are trending! Today's Fixed-it Friday photo from John Danes of Allegion reminds me of a recent Wordless Wednesday submission.
12
06, 2026
11
06, 2026
Decoded: Mounting Heights for Door Hardware
I made some quick updates to this Decoded article on required mounting heights for hardware, with current code references.
10
06, 2026
WW: Ballroom Egress
I understand that this is a historic (and beautiful!) property, but it's surprising to me that an update to the egress doors has not been required at some point since 1933. What do you think?
9
06, 2026
Visual Communication
There are many types of communication barriers, including language, literacy and visual challenges, and today's guest post discusses a multi-faceted approach to overcoming these challenges.
8
06, 2026
Decoded: Delayed Egress Locks
My next Decoded article looks at the delayed egress requirements of both sets of model codes - there are some important variations to be aware of.
5
06, 2026
WW: “Overhead” Stop
I received today's Fixed-it Friday photo from Paul Hawley of P.H. Hawley Associates - he saw this door on a cruise ship. Although this is a stop and it's "overhead", it's not what we would typically call an overhead stop!
4
06, 2026
Tactile & Auditory Feedback
Textures and auditory cues in door hardware can convey important information about an opening and its surroundings. Read more in today's guest blog post by Colleen Furlong of Allegion.
3
06, 2026
WW: Another Hotel Problem
Lloyd Raforth of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, from a hotel in Texas. I don't think it needs any explanation. #wordless
2
06, 2026
Decoded: Actuators for Low Energy Operators
Last week I posted a photo of an actuator in the wild, and I received several questions about the required actuator location. Time to update this past Decoded article!
1
06, 2026
QQ: Opposite-Swinging Doors
Today's Quick Question is answered in a 2027 model code change: On a double-egress pair, does each leaf have to provide the required clear opening width of 32 inches?
29
05, 2026
FF: What seems to be the problem here?
Kurt Stoll of WPI sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, which has been waiting in my giant pile of future posts for a good long while. Can you spot the problem?
28
05, 2026
Decoded: Egress Terminology
Where does the time go?? I'm continuing my project of updating the Decoded articles that I've referenced in training or other resources, to make sure the information is current.
27
05, 2026
WW: Excessive Undercut
A retired AHJ sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos showing one of several exterior doors in this space with a VERY large undercut...can anyone think of a functional reason for this?
26
05, 2026
Less Force, More Seamless Access
Optimizing the performance of an opening is a delicate balancing act. In today's guest blog post, read more about the importance of making openings easier to use for a larger portion of the population.
22
05, 2026
WWYD?/FF: Auto Operator Actuators
Curtis Meskus, Town of Charlton CBO sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos of a vertical actuator he spotted in the wild. What do you think about the actuator location?
21
05, 2026
Fire Door Inspection – Top 10 Deficiencies
BIG NEWS - I just updated the Allegion Code Reference Guide and it will be ready for print and download soon! In the process I updated this article, which is included in the guide.
20
05, 2026
WW: Hospital Fire Door Win! (video)
Mark Kuhn just reminded me that I had not yet posted one of my favorite videos on iDigHardware. It's a video of a fire door in a hospital that did its job during an electrical fire.
19
05, 2026
Why Ergonomic Door Hardware Matters in Designing for Everyone
A door handle might seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference in whether a space feels welcoming or frustrating. Read more in today's guest post by Colleen Furlong of Allegion.
15
05, 2026
FF: Break the Chain
I've posted about this in the past, but I still don't know of a code requirement that specifically prohibits or permits the application shown in today's Fixed-it Friday photo. Thoughts?
14
05, 2026
LCN celebrates 100+ years of innovation
LCN is celebrating 100 years since the launch of Norton-Lasier Company in 1926 and the introduction of door closers under the “LCN” trademark. Read more about the history in today's post!
13
05, 2026
WW: Special Knowledge?
Kelly Reese of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos...what do you think? Does this door require special knowledge for egress?
12
05, 2026
How Automatic Operators Support More Inclusive Doorway Design
With today's guest post from Colleen Furlong, we are kicking off a special focus on Accessible and Inclusive Design, with a series of six articles, bring together perspectives from across Allegion.
11
05, 2026
Nursing Room
Ten - YES 10! - years ago, I wrote a post asking what lock function readers recommended for a lactation room or nursing room. What do you think of this application I saw in an airport?
8
05, 2026
FF: Swing-Clear Hinges
I walked into my hotel room the other night and was surprised to see swing-clear hinges on the bathroom door. Check out the photos in today's Fixed-it Friday post for more info on this application.
7
05, 2026
QQ: Flush Bottom Rail on Gates
Are manually-operated swinging gates on accessible routes subject to the requirement for a flush, smooth surface on the push side, measured 10 inches up from the floor or ground?
6
05, 2026
WW: Airport Exits
By the time this week is over I will have visited five airports - these are just two of the many doors I've seen so far. What problems do you notice in these Wordless Wednesday photos?
5
05, 2026
What’s that? Von Duprin Safety Glow (SG)
I updated yesterday's post so I could answer a question about the Von Duprin Safety Glow (SG) option. When would you specify this "glow-in-the-dark" coating on the touchpad?
4
05, 2026
Decoded: Luminous Egress Path Markings
This article was published in the first year of my Decoded column...15 years ago! It was due for an update, and I'm guessing there are still people who are not aware of these requirements.
1
05, 2026
FF: Dogging Device
I love receiving Fixed-it Friday photos, but I ESPECIALLY love receiving them from my own kids! My oldest daughter sent me today's photo from New York City..."Hey Mom - What's this thing do?"
30
04, 2026
TBT: Von Duprin Magazine 1932
Kelly Reese of Allegion sent me this really cool piece of Von Duprin marketing memorabilia from 1932. Thank you to Lyman Door & Hardware for keeping it around for all these years!
29
04, 2026
WW: What’s that?
I might have to do a "What's that?" post to explain what we're looking at in today's Wordless Wednesday photo sent in by Paul Hawley of P.H. Hawley Associates. Any guesses?
28
04, 2026
What’s that? Remote Chexit Module (RCM)
My recent posts about delayed egress locks have raised a question from a reader about the Remote Chexit Module (RCM). What is this component used for and when should it be specified?
27
04, 2026
QQ/WWYD? Delayed Egress on Electrical Rooms
Today's Quick Question is not specifically answered in the model codes as far as I can tell: Are delayed egress locks permitted on doors serving electrical rooms where panic hardware is required?
24
04, 2026
FF: The Doors
I love this Fixed-it Friday photo, sent by JB Ford of PSI Doors and Hardware. It was taken in a really cool entertainment venue in Natick, Massachusetts. Zoom in!
23
04, 2026
Decoded: Projections into the Clear Opening Height of Doors
I have updated this Decoded article to include the most recent code requirements, as the I-Codes now permit additional types of hardware to project into the clear opening height.
22
04, 2026
WW: Fire Door vs. HVAC
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photos from Ruth Neeman - they were taken in a public building in Massachusetts. Since when does HVAC take priority over fire protection??
21
04, 2026
Case Study: Care Center in the Park
In today's post, read about how Von Duprin panic hardware contributed to code compliance, ease of use, durability, and design flexibility for Altru Health System.
20
04, 2026
WWYD? Panic Hardware on Electrical Rooms
Today's question is whether one or both of the highlighted doors on this partial plan require panic hardware in order to comply with the IBC or NFPA 70. If you have info to share, please leave a comment!
17
04, 2026
FF: Hamilton, Bermuda
My old pal, John Linehan, sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo along with a note that cracked me up: "I found this in an alley in downtown Hamilton, Bermuda and thought of you." :D
16
04, 2026
Yes – Auto operators are required.
Today's guest post from Adam Fisk of Allegion shares a helpful resource for understanding and applying the code requirements for auto operators on certain buildings. Thanks Adam!
15
04, 2026
WW: Wow!
Maybe I should start a series called "My Neighbors' Doors." I saw this beautiful door while walking home the other day, and I was wordless! I'd love to see your beautiful door photos!
14
04, 2026
PASS: NEW Digital School Safety and Security Checklist
As part of a collective effort to improve their safety and security guidelines, the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) has launched the highly anticipated digitized security checklist.
13
04, 2026
What’s that? Gang Bus Option
I was working on a presentation the other day about questions on delayed egress locks, and I came across the term "gang bus" related to the Von Duprin Chexit. When would you use it?
10
04, 2026
FF: Trimco Cool Touch Finish
We've all seen creative methods of protecting users from touching hardware that has been heated by the sun, but did you know that Trimco has an actual solution to this problem?!
9
04, 2026
QQ/WWYD? Roof Doors
For a roof door that allows access to mechanical equipment on the roof, what are your preferred locking methods or functions - both electrical and mechanical? What would you do?
8
04, 2026
WW: Oak Hinge Reinforcement
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo was taken by Justin Lambert of Goldense Building Products, who arrived to check out a "sagging door" and was left wordless by the previous repair.
7
04, 2026
QQ: Push Plates and Door Pulls
A post from last month has raised another Quick Question: Why would a push plate or door pull require a UL 10C listing, when fire doors need to having latching hardware?
6
04, 2026
Large Language Models in AEC: Transforming Workflows, Not Replacing Expertise
I've been doing some research into the use of AI - I find it fascinating! But will it eventually replace us??? Check out this article from Unicel Architectural, an Allegion company.
3
04, 2026
FF: Arched Door Potbelly
In 2012, I shared some photos from a trip to Universal Studios, and this week, Todd Bushmaker of Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction, Inc. sent me some photos of a door that I missed.
2
04, 2026
Decoded: Locks on Dwelling Units and Sleeping Units
Are the electromechanical locks typically used for individual residential entry doors required to be listed to UL 294 or UL 1034 in order to comply with the model codes?