AP News: ‘It doesn’t open’
Fifty people died in the shootings at the two mosques in Christchurch. How many could have survived if the egress door had allowed immediate evacuation?
1
04, 2019
29
03, 2019
FF: Richland Two Institute of Innovation
If our industry is so complex that the students' research didn't turn up existing products or a hardware advisor, we need to get more user-friendly.
28
03, 2019
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Tragedy
This week marks the anniversary of a tragic fire that heavily impacted life safety codes and requirements for worker safety. It's important to understand these tragedies, to avoid repeating them.
27
03, 2019
WW: Cold as Ice
It's been a long cold winter in many parts of the US, but I think spring is on its way!
26
03, 2019
North Tunica County Fire Department
Someone recently asked me...if residential bedroom doors do such a great job of keeping the fire out, why bother with fire doors? What's the difference?
25
03, 2019
Decoded: Why Barricade Devices? (May 2019)
Why would a school district consider using unregulated security devices, given the associated risk and liability? The answer may surprise you.
22
03, 2019
FF: Out of Alignment
I've seen a lot of fix-it attempts. But I don't think I have ever seen one quite like this.
21
03, 2019
QQ: Panic Hardware on Residential Occupancies
This question keeps coming up...Is panic hardware required for the residential floors of hotels and apartment buildings?
20
03, 2019
WW: Please use other door.
When my coworker mentioned this door to two different employees, they said they have brought it up with the manager, but the decision was "above their pay grade"...
19
03, 2019
Wicked Local: School’s Locks Violate Codes
A news report hit my inbox a few days ago, which discussed a security situation in a Massachusetts elementary school; some classroom barricade devices had been installed in 2014...
17
03, 2019
Johnson Security Lock
I need some help tracking down this lock (if it's still available) for a current project. Have you run across anything like this before?
15
03, 2019
FF: Hard-Wired Exit
Take a look at these egress doors serving a large arena. The struggle for security is real, but we can't forget about life-safety in the process!
14
03, 2019
Training Alert: Taming Tornado Alley
On Tuesday, March 19th, there will be two opportunities to earn AIA continuing education credits and learn about an important code-related topic.
13
03, 2019
WW: Solve for Tomorrow Competition
I love the idea of putting our heads together to search for solutions, but inventors need to consider authorized access, free egress, and accessibility, in addition to security.
12
03, 2019
QQ/WWYD?: Old Fire Doors With 2 Hinges
Is an existing fire door assembly with 2 hinges acceptable, or should it be noted as a deficiency during a fire door inspection?
11
03, 2019
University of Tennessee – Knoxville
Do you know what this is a picture of? The Schlage AD lock on my oldest daughter's dorm for next year, at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville!
8
03, 2019
FF: Screwy Armatures
As the saying goes..."'A chain is only as strong as its weakest link," and this applies to mag-lock installations as well. I've seen some creative mounting efforts, but these have me shaking my head.
7
03, 2019
PASS Whitepaper on Classroom Security
If you are looking for one document that explains the concerns associated with classroom security methods, the recently-updated PASS white paper is a great tool!
6
03, 2019
WW: Trampoline Park
I get it. The trampoline park needs to keep kids from eloping. What would you propose as a solution?
5
03, 2019
Alert: Clear Opening Height Conflict
When you have a project with 6'-8" doors, it's important to think about the clear opening height and the hardware that projects down from the frame head.
4
03, 2019
Locksmith Ledger: Electromagnetic Locks – 7 Applications and the Codes That Apply
How do you choose which code section to use?
1
03, 2019
FF: Corn Cob Core
Bill Cushman of Genesis Door and Hardware sent me this link to a door with an unusual core...I was Wordless even though it's Fixed-it Friday!
28
02, 2019
WWYD? Arched Brick Opening
The fire marshal wants these stairwell doors to close more reliably than they do with the original system. Note the arched brick "frames" and the swing-clear strap hinges (cool, right??). WWYD?
27
02, 2019
WW: Ladder Lock
Sometimes when Wordless Wednesday rolls around, I really am Wordless. Today is one of those Wordless Wednesdays.
26
02, 2019
Guy Grace on Classroom Barricade Devices
Guy Grace is the Director of Security & Emergency Planning for Littleton, Colorado - the school district where Columbine High School is located. Here is his stance on classroom barricade devices.
25
02, 2019
QQ: Hinges for Fire Door Assemblies
Quick Question: Are steel, ball-bearing, butt hinges for fire door assemblies required to be UL listed?
22
02, 2019
FF: Mama Mia
I saw this last night at a local hang-out called Mama Mia, and I thought of y'all. Happy Fixed-it Friday!
21
02, 2019
Decoded: Signage for Automatic Doors
My next article for Door Security + Safety Magazine addresses the signage required for automatic doors. It will appear in the April edition.
20
02, 2019
WW: Rocky Mountain Mercantile
The horizontal bars on this "emergency exit" are padlocked to hasps welded to the door - likely to prevent theft - AND EGRESS!
19
02, 2019
Do you sleep with the door closed? Your life could depend on it.
As long as there are still people who haven't heard this message, I'm going to keep sharing it.
18
02, 2019
WWYD? Deadbolt + Mag-Lock
Is it code-compliant to add a deadbolt to a door with a mag-lock, that can be used to lock the door during a power failure?
15
02, 2019
FF: Double-Sponge Door Stop
Yes, you are looking at two kitchen sponges wrapped in a washcloth. Whatever works - Happy Fixed-it Friday!
14
02, 2019
MSD Public Safety Commission Report
We must continue to learn from this research, to help avoid or reduce the effects of future active-shooter incidents. Please invest some time today, in memory of the MSDHS victims.
12
02, 2019
My Appreciation
I will get back on track with doors and hardware tomorrow, but today I want to give thanks. First, a little story that might initially sound strange, but does have a point...
10
02, 2019
My Apologies
It may be a few days until I publish a new post...I appreciate your patience.
8
02, 2019
FF: Electric Strike Mismatch
This one is a real head-scratcher. How did this happen, AND what's the card reader for? #hardwaremysteries
7
02, 2019
Lead-Lined Closer Covers
What do you know about lead-lined doors, frame, and hardware? Here's one little tidbit, but I'd appreciate it if you would share your insight!
6
02, 2019
WW: Wordless
I have spent two days trying to figure out what to write in this post. I'm still thinking.
5
02, 2019
Maintained vs. Momentary Switches
Maintained and momentary switches are both used with electrified hardware - do you know when to specify or install each type?
4
02, 2019
QQ: Extended Latch Guards
A follow-up to an earlier post...Can extended latch guards be installed to bring doors with surface vertical rods into compliance with the accessibility standards?
1
02, 2019
FF: Southeast Asia Airport
A knob, lever, AND a mag-lock? And what's with the stainless plates? Are they covering old vision lights or do you think they were "original equipment"?
31
01, 2019
WWYD? NFPA 80/105 Updates
It's almost time to submit change proposals for NFPA 80 and NFPA 105 - tell me what's on your wish list and I'll see what I can do to help!
30
01, 2019
WW: Take a Closer Look
Sometimes door problems are not evident until you take a closer look. I wonder how many people have walked past these doors and never noticed...
29
01, 2019
QQ: Monitored or Recorded Egress
Quick Question: Is it code-compliant for a card reader on the egress side of the door to be used to monitor who uses the door?
28
01, 2019
Enforcement of 5-Pound Operable Force Limit
Heads up - the 5-pound force limit on operable hardware is something everyone should be aware of long before the final inspection by the AHJ.
25
01, 2019
FF: Rim Strike
There is actually a strike designed for this purpose, but without job-site creativity I wouldn't have any posts for Fixed-it Friday.
24
01, 2019
Michele Gay on Classroom Security
This video from Michele Gay of Safe and Sound Schools is a great tool for educating parents, teachers, and school administrators about school security and safety. Share it!
23
01, 2019
WW: Delayed Egress Retrofit
Joe Fazio of Precision Doors & Hardware sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo. I don't know what to say. How about you?
22
01, 2019
NFPA 3000 Webinar – Archived Recording
One part of this webinar that got my attention was the EMS perspective on how a delay in accessing the classroom could affect the medical outcome. The archived webinar is linked in this post.
21
01, 2019
WWYD? Classroom Exit Alarm
I really need your expertise on this one...talk to me about exit alarms to deter the use of classroom doors, or to at least notify the teacher that someone has opened the door.