NFPA 101 – TIA 1436
This is an important post about a change that has been made to NFPA 101-2018, regarding the allowable number of operations to unlatch a classroom door.
22
08, 2019
21
08, 2019
WW: Library Theater
This is the only door leading to a small auditorium located in the children's section of the local library. I don't have a problem with the castle theme, since this is the outside of the door. Anyone see the issue?
20
08, 2019
Back to School – Part 2
This presentation - WN@TL - School Safety in America: Rhetoric vs Reality - David Perrodin - is well worth a listen. It supports the concerns about classroom barricade devices and school security decision-making.
19
08, 2019
Back to School
Why are the security measures in these two school districts so different? In your opinion, what are the most important physical security measures for schools to implement?
16
08, 2019
FF: Classroom Storage
Today's Fixed-it Friday photos were sent in by Colin Watson of Allegion. I'm sure some of you must have theories on why this storage closet opening was detailed this way. I can't wait to hear them!
15
08, 2019
ASHE on Fire Door Inspections
The first step in improving fire door safety is identifying the problems that are consistently seen in the field. How can the industry help improve the durability and performance of opening protectives?
14
08, 2019
WW: Wowza.
Steve Griffis of Federal Lock and Safe sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos. There's not much else I can say. How about you? #wordless
13
08, 2019
WWYD? Double-Core Cylinder
I know there is someone out there reading this who can tell me more about this type of cylinder. How does it work? What's the purpose? WWYD?
12
08, 2019
Vision Panel Alert
Here's a heads-up going out to all of the detailers, architects, and door manufacturers out there...double-check the vision light locations for classroom doors.
9
08, 2019
FF: EO Retrofit
Pat Filholm of All Secure Inc. sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," I always say, but luckily in this case Pat will be upgrading their security.
8
08, 2019
Two Schools of Thought
Wilson County Schools: “We don’t use barricaded door hardware,” Wilson County Director of Safety Steve Spencer said. “The reason is...
7
08, 2019
WW: Huh?
What is this exit sign in a convention center trying to tell us? Which way is the exit? I'd love to hear your theories, because I don't have any.
6
08, 2019
QQ: Existing Frame, No Fire Label
Regarding an existing fire door assembly - the door has a fire label but the frame does not. Is the frame required to have a label?
5
08, 2019
NFPA Journal – Learn Something New: Special Amusement Buildings
This post links to valuable information from NFPA about life safety requirements for escape rooms and other special amusement buildings, along with proposed code changes.
2
08, 2019
FF: Italy Finale
Yesterday I posted a Fixed-it Friday photo even though it was Thursday, but don't worry! I saved up some FF photos during my trip to Italy, and I'm sharing them all today!
1
08, 2019
Today is the day!
I know...things look different, but everything should be in its usual place. If not, let me know and I'll do what I can to make this a painless change!
31
07, 2019
WW: Function Fix
Check out this Wordless Wednesday application from our hotel in Milan. This could end badly if there is ever a fire within this area which has a handful of hotel rooms.
30
07, 2019
Push Button to Retract Latch
Continuing on the theme of Italian hotels (spoiler alert - there's another one tomorrow), what do you think of this lock on our hotel room in Montecatini?
29
07, 2019
Flush-Mounted Doors
What do you think of doors and frames that are flush with the corridor wall on the push side? I like the clean look, but the door-operating part of my brain was not a fan.
26
07, 2019
Top-10 – FF: All-Time Fave (so far)
Here it is - my favorite Fixed-it Friday photo of all time (so far)! If you have any interesting door photos from your summer vacation, I'd love to see them!
25
07, 2019
Top 10 – Decoded: Calculating the Occupant Load
The most popular post on iDigHardware in the last 10 years is an article that isn't even about doors or hardware. That may be the reason for it's popularity.
24
07, 2019
Top 10 – WW: School Security and Safety
This is one of the most egregious examples of a non-code-compliant egress modification that I've ever seen, and yes, it was in a school.
23
07, 2019
Top 10 – Panic Hardware
I don't think it's a coincidence that panic hardware was one of the reasons I started learning about codes in the first place.
22
07, 2019
Top 10 – Decoded: Smoke Door Requirements of the IBC
Answers to questions about smoke door labels, closers, latches, and gasketing AND...in a labor of love, I have updated the references in the article to include the 2018 IBC. You're welcome. :D
19
07, 2019
Top 10 – FF: Communicating Door Closers
Many of my Fixed-it Friday posts show creative attempts at what-not-to-do, so as #6 in the Top-10 series I wanted to highlight another type of Fixed-it Friday post.
18
07, 2019
Top 10 – Fail Safe vs. Fail Secure
In this article, I covered not only how fail safe and fail secure electrified hardware products operate, but which type would commonly be used in various types of systems.
17
07, 2019
Top 10 – WW: Close the Door
This Wordless Wednesday photo is one of my favorites because it was part of the early inspiration for a topic that has become an important part of my work - the protection offered by a closed door.
16
07, 2019
Top 10 – Back-to-Basics: Hinge Types
For wide-throw hinges on a door that swings 180 degrees, where 2 inches of clearance is required behind the door to accommodate the trim, what is the required hinge width?
15
07, 2019
Top 10 – Flush Bottom Rail
If you're wondering whether you need to read this article, ask yourself this question: Are the doors in the photo compliant with the flush bottom rail requirement?
15
07, 2019
Arrivederci!
In honor of the 10th anniversary of this site (and to celebrate my oldest daughter's graduation), I have escaped to Italy. Do not panic...
12
07, 2019
FF: Gas Transfer Modification
This Fixed-it Friday modification must be against the law in the US, but just about anything goes in Mexico.
11
07, 2019
Allegion Code Reference Guide
The day has finally arrived. The updated Allegion Code Reference Guide is ready - 40 pages of code information that you can download for free!
10
07, 2019
WW: Temporary Locking Devices
Do you see what I see? THIS is why temporary locking devices should not be approved for doors serving a means of egress. They often become permanent locking devices!
9
07, 2019
Classroom Lockdown Modification
Will this screen door latch keep out a school shooter? Or maybe two would be sufficient? Hopefully we'll never have to find out.
8
07, 2019
Now Available – LifeDoor!
We know we should close the bedroom door before we go to sleep ("Close Before You Doze"), but it doesn't always happen.
4
07, 2019
July 4th – Independence Day
I'm off for the holiday weekend and I hope you are too! Next week I'll have a long-awaited gift for you all! Be safe, and Close Before You Doze!
3
07, 2019
WW: Fire Door Smoke Test
Much of the work to replace deficient fire doors in London residential blocks has not been completed, so one man decided to take matters into his own hands to prove a point. Don't do this.
2
07, 2019
BGSU: Active-Shooter Response
This video from Bowling Green State University gives some good background on the ALICE program and on the university's emergency response protocols. Check it out and let me know what you think.
1
07, 2019
UHO (Unidentified Hardware Object)
'Enquiring' minds want to know...what was this used for? It's in the closet of an apartment building built in 1919, in St. Paul, Minnesota.
28
06, 2019
FF: Lift Bar to Exit
This is an egress door serving a stadium. Someone "fixed-it" from a security standpoint, but what about egress? This requires a key AND special knowledge and effort!
27
06, 2019
QQ: Fire Test Standard for Sliding Doors
An architect is interested in specifying a sliding fire door assembly for a project, but I see that the product is listed to UL 10B. I thought fire doors were required to be listed to UL 10C?
26
06, 2019
WW: House Bill H3871
This is not a typical Wordless Wednesday post. In fact, there are a lot of words, but this is an important topic. If this can happen in Massachusetts, it can happen anywhere.
25
06, 2019
WWYD? Is a 15-second delay too long?
Should the model codes be modified to require immediate egress through doors with delayed egress locks during emergencies other than fires?
24
06, 2019
Decoded: Update on Roof Doors
A change to the 2018 edition of the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Fire Code (IFC) helps to establish the intent of these codes with regard to roof doors.
21
06, 2019
FF: Make it Work
Today's Fixed-it Friday photo is from Nolan Thrope of Allegion. What's the old saying..."necessity is the mother of invention"?
20
06, 2019
WWYD? Standby Power for Auto Operators
How do you provide the required standby power for an automatic operator if there isn't building-wide backup power? WWYD?
19
06, 2019
WW: WOW!
This is a different kind of Wordless Wednesday photo - what a cool door! WOW!
18
06, 2019
PBS New Hour: Securing the Classroom
If a school is equipped with security cameras and access control on the main entrance, it's just one more step to allow law enforcement to remotely unlock the doors for emergency response.
17
06, 2019
PASS Guidelines Recognized by State, Federal School Safety Commissions
In recent months, the PASS guidelines have been recognized by several state and federal organizations aiming to improve school safety and security. Read more about it in today's post.
14
06, 2019
FF: Panic Privacy
This door - yes, with panic hardware - is on a restroom in Italy. The non-code-compliant hook modification solves the privacy problem. :|