QQ: Closer Covers on Fire Doors
If a door closer on a fire door is missing the cover, is that a deficiency that should be noted on a fire door inspection report?
10
06, 2019
7
06, 2019
FF: Just wrench it open.
Got any old locksets, deadbolts, panic hardware or electrified hardware laying around? It would be a great help for firefighter training! Oh - and it's also Fixed-it Friday!
6
06, 2019
Key Boxes – Crucial Life Safety and Security Equipment
Media outlets have reported that locked electronic doors hindered law enforcement response in the recent Virginia Beach shooting. Authorized access should be addressed in each facility's emergency plan.
5
06, 2019
WW: Push Button to Exit
Warning: Today's Wordless Wednesday post is not wordless. Check out the video and scroll down for the words.
4
06, 2019
Construction Specifier: Smoke Doors vs. Fire Doors – What’s the Difference?
I receive so many questions about fire doors vs. smoke doors; my article from the June issue of Construction Specifier answers many of them.
3
06, 2019
Sprinklers in Schools
In the almost-5,000 schools that experience structure fires each year, what percentage of the buildings are equipped with sprinkler systems?
30
05, 2019
FF: Why ask why?
This is the door hardware equivalent of whodunnit...maybe I should start calling these "whydunnit."
29
05, 2019
WWYD? Indicating the Active Leaf
Calling all architects...we need your help with this one! Do you indicate on the drawings which leaf of a pair should be active and which is inactive?
29
05, 2019
WW: (Very) Temporary Door
I wonder how long this temporary door will last. Any wagers?
28
05, 2019
Door Security + Safety – May Issue
The May issue of Door Security + Safety Magazine is available for members and non-members to read online! Will you become a Lock Don't Block Ambassador?
27
05, 2019
Have a safe Memorial Day
I'll be out of the office for the Memorial Day holiday. See you tomorrow!
24
05, 2019
FF: Low Light
Any theories about what happened in today's Fixed-it Friday photo?
23
05, 2019
WWYD? Tenants Sue for Physical Keys – and Win
I can definitely see how a lock that is only controlled by a phone could be a problem, and the court agreed - the tenants now have keys. WWYD?
22
05, 2019
WW: Making a Case for Mullions
Back in 1993, Bill Elliott told me to always specify rim panic hardware with a removable mullion on exterior pairs that require panics. It was good advice.
21
05, 2019
QQ: Coordinators on Fire Doors
When a pair of fire doors has manual flush bolts and no closer on the inactive leaf, is a coordinator required?
20
05, 2019
QQ: Vision Lights in Automatic Doors
Does the vision light height requirement apply to automatic doors as well as manually-operated doors?
17
05, 2019
FF: State House
There are Fixed-it Friday applications everywhere...you just have to be on the lookout.
16
05, 2019
Colorado State Capitol Building – Denver
Have you visited your state capitol building to check out the doors and hardware? I'm adding locations to my bucket list!
15
05, 2019
WW: I think I’ll call it a night.
Where do people get these ideas? #wordless
14
05, 2019
A Little Help?
One of the things that I love most about iDigHardware is the readers' willingness to help each other. I hope you have some insight to share on these two questions.
13
05, 2019
WWYD? Delayed Egress Pull Station
This application was found in an airport, and requires building occupants to use a pull station to initiate a delayed egress lock. Is it code-compliant?
10
05, 2019
FF: Wheelie
I have a theory about what happened here...what's yours? This "fix" shows the importance of making sure the correct hardware is specified from the get-go.
9
05, 2019
Decoded: Locks Used Only for Security Purposes
The IBC exempts locks used only for security purposes from the mounting height requirement. The accessibility standards exempt locks operated only by security personnel. What's the difference?
8
05, 2019
WW: Action News
When I mentioned that people must be getting tired of hearing me talk about school safety, the response was, "If people can die without our voices, we kind of need to keep talking…"
7
05, 2019
QQ: Door Closers on Exterior Doors
Quick Question: Is it a code requirement for non-fire-rated exterior doors to have door closers? The answer may surprise you.
6
05, 2019
UNCC ‘One-Button’ Lockdown
When a shooting occurred at the University of North Carolina Charlotte last week, an electronic locking system was already in place that allowed the campus to be locked down in seconds.
3
05, 2019
FF: Sweet Spot
When classroom doors are kept locked all the time, it can be inconvenient for teachers and for students trying to enter the classroom when the door is closed. This is one school district's solution.
2
05, 2019
Thermal Bow
When an exterior metal door binds on sunny days but works just fine at night, it's likely that the problem is caused by thermal bow.
1
05, 2019
WW: DIY Power Transfer
Electric power transfers, thru-wire hinges, and door cords are used to transfer wires from the wall/frame to the door for electrified hardware. Or you can be creative and DIY.
30
04, 2019
ABC15: Hundreds of padlocks installed on prison cell doors
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this news story from ABC 15 in Arizona, about the fire and safety concerns associated with installing padlocks on prison cell doors.
29
04, 2019
Kitsap Sun: Lawsuit alleges Bremerton teacher confined alone in classroom with violent student
It's only a matter of time before we see the unintended consequences of non-code-compliant, untested, unregulated security devices.
26
04, 2019
FF: Why is this unacceptable?
I received this photo from Audrey Weiser of DHI - she was looking for some code language that would clearly state that this application is not allowed. Unfortunately, there isn't anything specific (that I can think of) in the model codes.
25
04, 2019
NFPA 3000 – Training Opportunity!
Is your facility or community prepared for an active shooter / hostile event? NFPA has a great training opportunity coming up in June - learn more about NFPA 3000.
24
04, 2019
WW: Convenient Storage Space
Yes, this is supposed to lead to an exit - an exterior stair from the second floor of a function space. #wordless
23
04, 2019
Decoded: Thresholds and Gasketing for Fire Doors and Smoke Doors
Thresholds and gasketing are simple in comparison to other types of hardware, but the code requirements can make them difficult to properly specify and supply.
22
04, 2019
School Security and Safety in the News
Twenty years ago, I had no idea how the shooting at Columbine High School would affect our industry and my career. It was impossible to imagine that it was more than an isolated event. But here we are.
19
04, 2019
FF: Nailed It!
What in the world? How long could this Fixed-it Friday repair possible last?? I just love Crap Locksmithing's Facebook page!
18
04, 2019
Virginia Tech: Remembering the Lessons Learned
This week marks 12 years since the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech. Considering the lessons learned during that incident, it's surprising that the use of classroom barricade devices would be considered by state lawmakers.
17
04, 2019
WW: Shark Tank
I thought everyone in the world of hardware had already seen this video, but last night I ran across someone who hadn't, so here it is. I do feel bad for Alex, but LOCKS ROCK!
16
04, 2019
The Doors of Notre Dame Cathedral
As the world mourns the fire damage to the Notre Dame Cathedral, it turns out that the doors of Notre Dame are not just ordinary doors; there is a legend that dates back hundreds of years, to the 13th century.
15
04, 2019
CBYD Myth Extinguishers
UL's Firefighter Safety Research Institute has created a number of videos to help dispel some of the myths about closed doors. Here are a few of my favorites...
12
04, 2019
FF: Mag-Holder / Mag-Lock Conflict
I've heard it said that there are a thousand ways to screw up a door, and I think it's probably true. Here's just one of the many conflicts to watch out for.
11
04, 2019
Barricade Devices – Three Perspectives
These 3 perspectives showed up in my Google Alerts today - a school district using barricade devices, a man working in a school who wanted to use barricading when he committed a shooting, and the legal perspective. Powerful.
10
04, 2019
WW: Wordless…
Jeff Rapp of Wilkus Architects sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos. I hope whatever this facility is trying to protect is worth the risk. :(
9
04, 2019
New York in the News
These news stories both happen to be from New York City, and both address topics that made me go hmmm... What do you think?
8
04, 2019
EVFPD demonstrates closed doors save lives
I've posted several photos and videos showing what happens when a bedroom door is kept closed during a fire. Check out this demonstration with the bedroom door open.
5
04, 2019
FF: Kick-Up Stop
This isn't the best practice from a security standpoint, and would be an even bigger problem if this was a fire door, but it does qualify as Fixed-it Friday ingenuity.
4
04, 2019
QQ: Painting/Refinishing Fire Doors
Does painting or refinishing a fire door in the field void the label? The answer to today's Quick Question seems obvious, but can you prove it?
3
04, 2019
WW: Let’s Book!
I have had requests for help specifying doors like this, but not on a marked exit! This door is serving a business occupancy. What do you think - OK, or NO WAY?
2
04, 2019
WWYD? ‘Small Town at War Over Active-Shooter Barricades’
This is INSANITY! This is yet another example of seeking to remove the safety protocols of the adopted codes, in order to prioritize security at a perceived lower cost.