WW: Rest Area Hardware Modification
I'm guessing this was not what the architect had in mind when he or she designed this rest area lobby with pairs of all-glass doors. Why have a vestibule at all?
22
08, 2018
21
08, 2018
Texas State Capitol Building – Austin
I could tell by reading the first paragraph of the article that David and I shared some of the same feelings when asked to work on these "special" projects...the struggle is real!
20
08, 2018
WWYD? Frame Elevations
Someone just asked me about software for creating shop drawings, elevations, and details. It's been a really long time since I've done submittals, so I told him that I'd ask the experts - YOU!
17
08, 2018
FF: Mag-Lock TJ Mount
Top jamb brackets for mag-locks are not the most aesthetically-pleasing application, and this installation has some extra modifications that will definitely affect the strength and durability.
16
08, 2018
Dwelling Unit Clarifications
While most dwelling units and sleeping units are allowed to have hardware on the entrance door that requires two operations to unlatch, there are a couple of important considerations.
15
08, 2018
WW: Mortised Parallel Arm Shoe
I've never seen this particular closer mounting before...how about you? I wonder about the strength of anchoring the shoe to the top of the door, and the critical tolerances of the mortise.
14
08, 2018
Sill vs. Threshold
During the discussions about yesterday's post someone mentioned the "sill" of the fire door assembly, which reminded me of a clarification that has been made in NFPA 80 in the 2016 edition.
13
08, 2018
QQ/WWYD? Door Bottom Clearance
When inspecting a fire door assembly, how do you measure the clearance at the bottom of the door when the clearance varies between the push side and the pull side?
10
08, 2018
FF: WWYD?
The director of maintenance for some nursing homes in NYC sent me this photo and asked how to avoid this problem in future installations. Any constructive suggestions?
9
08, 2018
What is NFPA’s stance on barricade devices?
During a segment of NFPA Live, Robert Solomon, Division Director of NFPA, was asked about barricade devices on egress doors.
8
08, 2018
WW: Seem legit to you?
This door with a mangled fire door label on the latch side was seen in a nursing home. Any theories about what happened here?
7
08, 2018
QQ: Gasketing Continuity
During a fire door assembly inspection, should a flashlight be used to verify whether the gasketing is continuous?
6
08, 2018
Pocket Pivot Follow-Up
After last Friday's post about pocket doors, several people asked for more information about this application. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions...
3
08, 2018
FF: Pocket Pivots
If you can prove to me that you were the detailer for this project (or otherwise responsible for the details), I'll send you something from the iDigHardware prize vault!
2
08, 2018
Security for Higher Ed
Imagine that you work for a university, you read iDigHardware, and you find out that I'm wandering around your campus. I'm guessing there were some mixed emotions...
1
08, 2018
WW: Exit Alarm
Today's my birthday and I've got a Wordless Wednesday present for you. Look closely at this grocery store exit...any theories about what is happening here, or how it operates in an emergency?
31
07, 2018
I’m stumped.
I don't get stumped very often, but I've never seen this before. What can you tell me about this mysterious contraption? How does it work?
30
07, 2018
Decoded: Deterring Elopement in Health Care Facilities
Elopement is a real concern for certain health care facilities, and there are more options than there were 10 years ago.
27
07, 2018
FF: KittyKorner
Creative, but I have a few concerns. How about you?
26
07, 2018
Oversized Jamb Depth
If I found this application in the field, I would contact the frame manufacturer and see if the application is allowed by their listing. I'm pretty sure the answer would be "no."
25
07, 2018
WW: Shhh…nobody will ever know!
Just because closer reinforcements are not visible doesn't mean they aren't necessary! Yes - this is a fire door.
24
07, 2018
Mystery of the King Eddy’s Fire Door
It's not often that I see a news story about a missing fire door that doesn't involve a tragic outcome or at least a code violation, so this one caught my eye.
23
07, 2018
Murals in Memory Care
Because of some photos and videos making the rounds on social media, I've received quite a few emails about the use of murals to disguise doors in memory care units.
20
07, 2018
FF: Jacked Up
I love this Fixed-it Friday photo - it reminds me of my husband's efforts to secure one of our doors.
19
07, 2018
Health/Life Safety Glossary
One of the difficulties faced by those of us advocating for code-compliant school security is the public perception that many states are allowing classroom barricade devices. This is not true...
18
07, 2018
WW: Hanging by a Thread
Jess Dey sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo...SCARY!
17
07, 2018
Elevator Hoistway Doors
I just saw these doors in a hotel, so it seems like a good time to write about the requirements for doors at an elevator hoistway.
16
07, 2018
WWYD? Auto Operator App
I recently came across an app that literally "opens doors" for people who have disabilities that make it difficult or impossible to initiate an automatic door by pushing an actuator.
13
07, 2018
FF: Louvers
One more photo from our time in Asheville...this is not how I would have handled the need for additional airflow at this church entrance.
12
07, 2018
QQ: Mag-Locks on Fire Doors
1) Are electromagnetic locks allowed to be used on fire door assemblies? 2) Do electromagnetic locks installed on fire door assemblies have to be labeled?
11
07, 2018
WW: Big Box
Jim Elder of Secured Design not only saw this situation and sent me these Wordless Wednesday photos, he alerted employees of the store about the problem. Kudos to Jim!
10
07, 2018
Doors of Asheville, NC
When I started iDigHardware, my oldest daughter was 7, and on this summer's road trip we're looking at colleges for her! EEEK!
9
07, 2018
Sharing is Caring
Many people have asked if they can share my content in their newsletters, on their blogs, or in hard copy. In my quest to become irrelevant before I reach retirement age, I say YES!
6
07, 2018
FF: Hospital Latch Extension
Is it just me, or does this seem questionable on several levels (encroachment, projection into the clear opening width, potential for damage)? Is this an actual product or a creative modification?
5
07, 2018
Advisory – School Emergency Planning and Door Locking
Over the past year I've been collecting school security information from various states, and adding links to the school security page of iDigHardware. Last week I received an advisory from Greg Thomson of Allegion, that made me so happy I got a little misty.
4
07, 2018
WW: Happy 4th!
Technically these classroom doors were probably decorated for Veterans Day but they're the most patriotic doors I could find. What do you think...code-compliant or not?
3
07, 2018
Mini Doors
What do you think about these mini doors? Any code issues?
2
07, 2018
WWYD? Tripping Hazard
Last week an architect asked whether there is guidance in the codes or standards regarding the mounting location/maximum height for floor-mounted door stops, to ensure that the stop is not a tripping hazard. WWYD?
29
06, 2018
FF: Surface-Mortise
I saw this photo posted by Stephen Connor on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page, and it left me Wordless even though it's Fixed-it Friday.
28
06, 2018
QQ: Manual Rearm for Delayed Egress
Does a delayed egress lock have to be rearmed manually after power failure and fire alarm release, or only when the 15-second timer is activated by an attempt to exit?
27
06, 2018
WW: What’s wrong with this picture?
See anything odd in these Wordless Wednesday photos from Scott Straton of Allegion?
26
06, 2018
QQ: Elevator Lobby Egress
Can elevator lobby doors be locked, and only allow egress through the tenant space when there is a fire alarm?
25
06, 2018
State Funding for School Security
In the last year or so, much more funding has become available for school security upgrades - millions of dollars. But how should the money be spent?
22
06, 2018
FF: Pool Access
I'm curious about what age children are prevented access by the 54-inch mounting height, and whether that jives with the age of children who can read the sign and enter the code.
21
06, 2018
Decoded: NFPA 3000 (August 2018)
Given that NFPA 3000 is a standard for preparation and response to an active shooting, how does that affect the door and hardware industry?
20
06, 2018
WW: “Bulletproof” Backpacks
"The concept of bullet-resistant shields is unsettling to school stakeholders, because esoteric products such as this make no real contribution to a safe learning environment."
19
06, 2018
School Superintendents Association Shares Information on Barricade Devices
The School Superintendents Association (AASA) is sharing safety concerns about classroom barricade devices with their 13,000+ members. Visit iDigHardware to get a copy of the document that is being distributed.
18
06, 2018
WWYD? Key-Operated Surface Bolt
These doors are serving a church, and currently have key-operated deadbolts at the bottom of each leaf. The deadbolts are too low for the reverends to reach comfortably.
15
06, 2018
FF: Don’t let the door hit ya…
While this may seem like a great idea at first glance - a wireless actuator mounted on the door to open the door automatically - this does not meet the recommended guidelines for actuator location.
14
06, 2018
WWYD? Impact-Resistant Glazing/Film
The glazing goes hand-in-hand with the door hardware - even the most secure hardware can be overcome by breaking the glass.