Escape Room Tragedy
When we think about code-compliance, it's not just about lines on a page in a book. It's about reducing the risk of tragedies like this one.
7
01, 2019
4
01, 2019
FF: Top Jamb Closer
This is why I prefer parallel arm door closers over top jamb or regular arm.
3
01, 2019
QQ: Field Painted Panic Hardware
Can panic hardware be painted in the field without voiding the label?
2
01, 2019
WW: Fire Hose Security, Revisited
As I've said before...as a last resort anything goes, but THIS SHOULD NOT BE PLAN A! Do you agree or disagree?
24
12, 2018
Happy Holidays!
Thank you for being part of the iDigHardware community - in total, iDH readers have spent more than 12,500 hours reading the content on the website in 2018. That's amazing!
21
12, 2018
FF: Fight Your Way Out
This Fixed-it Friday photo is of an egress door serving a martial arts studio. It's a good thing the students have special skills they can use in an emergency.
20
12, 2018
Final Report of the Federal Commission on School Safety
Some thoughts about the newly-released federal report, and some of the documents that are referenced in the report...have you read it yet?
19
12, 2018
WW: What’s Wrong?
Eric Laidlaw of Jensen Hughes sent me these Wordless Wednesday photos...I'd love to hear your theories/analyses of what's going on with this opening.
18
12, 2018
Etched Labels – UL 305 / UL 10C
On numerous occasions I've gotten the call - a painter/cleaner/mischievous kid peeled the UL label off of the panic hardware or fire exit hardware.
17
12, 2018
Campus Safety Takes Stand Against Non-Code-Compliant Door Barricades
Campus Safety will no longer accept ads or sponsorships from companies whose door barricades don’t comply with ADA and NFPA codes.
14
12, 2018
FF: Sobriety Test
So many people sent me this Fixed-it Friday photo from Reddit (thanks to all!) that I knew the rest of you would want to see it too. BTW...this is clever, but not code-compliant!
13
12, 2018
More on GWB Penetration – Fire-Rated Frames
Have you ever run into a situation where a piece of hardware or a mortar box in a fire-rated frame prevented the GWB from penetrating 1/2-inch into the frame, as required by NFPA 80?
12
12, 2018
WW: Door is Broken
The sad thing about situations like this is that they often stay as-is for YEARS. In this particular case, the sign appears to be laminated or in a plastic sheet protector.
11
12, 2018
PASS Guidelines – 4th Edition
The Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) has released the fourth edition of its Safety and Security Guidelines for K-12 Schools - visit PASSK12.org to download the guidelines!
10
12, 2018
Decoded: Potential Automatic Operator Changes (January 2019)
We could soon see a code change that would require automatic operators for public entrances. Here's the current status.
7
12, 2018
FF: Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign
For everyone who has asked, I'm feeling quite a bit better - thanks! The cough is still lingering a bit, but hopefully it will clear up before I head to Carmel next week.
6
12, 2018
QQ: Job-Site Preps for Fire Doors
Follow-Up #1: For which types of hardware does NFPA 80 allow job-site preparations to be made in fire door assemblies?
5
12, 2018
WW: Sorties, ou non?
Thank you to Frederic Horrell of Allegion Canada, for today's Wordless Wednesday photo!
4
12, 2018
New: Maximum Hole Size for Job-Site Preps
If you're not in the habit of reading NFPA 80 cover-to-cover each time it is updated, this one might have slipped by you. It's an important change.
3
12, 2018
Our Lady of the Angels – 60 Years
Saturday, December 1st, 2018 was the 60th anniversary of the fire at Our Lady of the Angels School in Chicago, where 92 students and 3 nuns were killed.
30
11, 2018
FF: Not Punny
I thought of so many titles for this post that would have been apropos but might have offended someone, so I'll let you come up with your own.
29
11, 2018
Amazing Lock!
Recovery in progress - I promise I will eventually get back to you if you are waiting for an answer from me! Meanwhile...is this lock amazing or what??
28
11, 2018
WW: Von Duprin 44s!
I admit it. I have a thing for old hardware - especially when it's still functional, and even better when it's ours!
27
11, 2018
WWYD? School Security in the News
I'd love to hear your opinions on some of the recent media coverage that presents the school security industry negatively. Are they talking about US? If not, how do we make that clear?
26
11, 2018
What the world needs now…
I am still alive, but I'm going to need your positive healing vibes and tolerance for the foreseeable future.
21
11, 2018
WW: Happy Thanksgiving!
iDigHardware will be on break until Monday, so enjoy the holiday weekend (if you're celebrating), and don't forget the rules of holiday door decorating!
20
11, 2018
Hard Corners
Are these safe areas identified in each of the classrooms in the schools that you work with or visit? What do you think of this security measure?
19
11, 2018
QQ: Posted Occupant Load
When are facility managers and building owners required to post signs stating the occupant load of a room or area?
16
11, 2018
FF: Social Hall
In the US we often take life safety for granted, and non-compliant door openings stick out like a sore thumb. In other countries, stringent codes and enforcement are less common.
15
11, 2018
TEDx: “Stupid School Security and Discipline Policies”
This TEDx speaker has an interesting perspective on school security. It's not all about hardening, monitoring, defending. The decisions made now could have lasting effects on kids.
14
11, 2018
WW: What in the world?
I wonder how many people look at this door and wonder what the reasoning was behind this installation. Maybe we're the only ones.
13
11, 2018
School Security on Election Day
Were schools in your city or town used as polling places in last week's election? What precautions were taken to maintain security and safety while allowing access to all registered voters?
12
11, 2018
Favorite Posts
Have you ever been reading a post on iDigHardware and wished you could save it to refer back to later? In the Olden Days I used to keep printed articles in my binder called "Important Stuff" (no lie). Here's an alternative.
9
11, 2018
FF: WWYD?
What would you do if you were in this situation? It's not always easy to do the right thing, but could you live with yourself if something happened?
8
11, 2018
Fire Marshal Guidance for Unplanned Fire Alarms
Remember when a fire alarm during the school day meant exiting immediately in an orderly fashion and enjoying a few minutes away from our desks? Times are changing.
7
11, 2018
WW: Woops!
When I started this series 7 1/2 years ago, I had no idea that it would go on this long. Until my dying breath, I will love Wordless Wednesday.
6
11, 2018
Which code, when, and where?
When you're interpreting the code requirements for a particular building, how do you know which code or standard to reference?
5
11, 2018
QQ: What’s new? And what’s existing?
When applying NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code, how do you determine whether to reference the chapters for "new" or "existing" occupancies?
2
11, 2018
FF: Employees Only
How does a building owner or property manager justify locking and partially blocking a door that is clearly marked with an exit sign above it? #wordless
1
11, 2018
Decoded: Where are fire door inspections required by code?
The answer: In almost every US state. With that said, having it required by code and having it enforced by the AHJ are sometimes two different things.
31
10, 2018
WW: Happy Halloween!
It's that time of year again...when teachers get creative and their classroom doors become the canvas. Don't forget the rules of holiday door decorating!
30
10, 2018
Editorial: The Security Industry’s Role in School Safety and Security
Recent news reports have questioned the motivation behind the security industry’s involvement in improving school security. This editorial represents my perspective.
29
10, 2018
Bullpen Doors
In case you haven't had enough baseball, John Cohrs of Central Indiana Hardware sent me this photo of the bullpen door from last night's World Series game (nice hardware!).
26
10, 2018
FF: Classic Fix
Fire marshal to restaurant owner: "This door requires panic hardware because the occupant load is over 50 people." Restaurant owner: "Done!"
25
10, 2018
School Safety Specialist Academy
Requiring each school district to employ a certified school safety specialist seems like a great way to ensure that the right information gets to each community. Does your state have such a program?
24
10, 2018
WW: I’m at a loss for words…
I'd love to hear your thoughts on today's Wordless Wednesday photo. This is in direct conflict with everything I learned about life safety in hardware school.
23
10, 2018
FEMA PrepTalks: Rethinking School Safety
Michele Gay is the mom of Josephine Gay, a first-grade student who was killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Michele brings a different perspective to what we do every day. Please watch.
22
10, 2018
Classroom Security – 4 Questions
It has been 74 days since I have written about classroom barricade devices. This refresher is posted by request, and in honor of Safe Schools Week.
19
10, 2018
FF: Put a cork in it.
The accessibility standards require sliding door hardware to be "exposed and usable from both sides" when the door is open. Here's a creative solution...
18
10, 2018
QQ: Field Preps for Auxiliary Fire Pins
Can less-bottom-rod (LBR) fire exit hardware with an auxiliary fire pin be installed on an existing fire door? If you have anything to add, please weigh in!