QQ: Automatic Operators on School Entrances
According to the 2024 IBC, would an accessible public entrance serving a school auditorium with an occupant load of 400 people require doors with automatic operators?
11
12, 2025
10
12, 2025
WW: En El Mercado
I've said it before and I'll say it again, in the U.S. we are very fortunate to have such strong codes and enforcement. Check out this electrical room door I saw in Mexico City. #wordless
9
12, 2025
Catching up…what has changed in the I-Codes?
With the new year comes the adoption of new codes in many states, and given the length of time between state adoptions, it can be difficult to keep up with what’s new. Here's a summary!
8
12, 2025
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 9
In this guest post, Sarah Finley Gilman of Allegion shares some important considerations for the hardware that provides positive latching for fire door assemblies.
5
12, 2025
FF: Dramatic Exit
Chris Clark sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo, taken in a cafe in Canada. I'm curious...what makes this a dramatic exit? Any theories?
4
12, 2025
What’s that? Drop Plates
I remember learning about drop plates for door closers because of my failure to detail them on a project back in the late 80's. Today's post takes a closer look at these accessories.
3
12, 2025
WW: 4-Inch Head (or Jamb?)
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo got me thinking...what do you think about a new series on iDigHardware about the mistakes we've made and the lessons we've learned in the process?
2
12, 2025
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 25
In this episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, he talks with Devin Bowman of TGP about the important role that glass plays in school security.
1
12, 2025
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 8
This guest post by Ian Heckman of Allegion covers the basics of coordinators - the function, available types, and other considerations for pairs of fire doors.
26
11, 2025
WW: En El Circo
Last week at a circus in Central Mexico, my daughter asked: "Are you concerned about that heater under the exit sign?" Happy Wordless Wednesday and Happy Thanksgiving!
25
11, 2025
Decoded: Fusible Links and Smoke-Activated Hold-Opens
I've updated this Decoded article with the current code references from NFPA 80, the International Building Code (IBC), NFPA 101, and NFPA 72.
24
11, 2025
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 7
This guest post by Adam Fisk of Allegion helps to sort through some of the available options for LCN products that may be installed on fire door assemblies.
21
11, 2025
FF: Movie Theater Panics
I saw today's Fixed-it Friday photo posted by Jason Stayton on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page, and I asked if I could share it here. What I want to know is...WHY?
20
11, 2025
WWYD? Stockyards Follow-Up
Last week I posted some photos that I took during my recent trip to Fort Worth for the DHI ConNextions conference, and in today's post I want to follow up on a question I received.
19
11, 2025
WW: Central Whidbey Island Fire & Rescue
If you and your family are not yet following UL's Close Before You Doze public safety campaign, I hope today's Wordless Wednesday post motivates you to sleep with your bedroom doors closed.
18
11, 2025
Can an automatic operator solve the problem of seasonal adjustments?
In today's guest blog post from Adam Fisk of Allegion, Adam addresses an operational issue that many end users struggle with - seasonal adjustments.
17
11, 2025
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 6
Are you aware of the current clearance requirements of NFPA 80, which allow up to 3/16-inch clearances on 20-minute fire doors in hollow metal frames?
14
11, 2025
FF: Convenience vs. Security
The struggle is real! I took today's Fixed-it Friday photos at our hotel near DFW. Typically a credential would be needed - at least at night, but this "fix" allows free access 24/7.
13
11, 2025
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 24
In this episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, he talks with three of my favorite safe schools crusaders - Michele Gay, Missy Dodds, and Molly Hudgens.
12
11, 2025
WW: The Stockyards
The more I look at today's Wordless Wednesday photos, the more deja vu I'm feeling. Do these doors at the Stockyards look familiar to anyone else?
11
11, 2025
Fort Worth INPACT!
I spent last week in Fort Worth, Texas, at the DHI ConNextions conference. The schedule was jam-packed, but there's always time to check out the hardware!
10
11, 2025
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 5
In today's guest blog post, Tim Murfin, Manager, Commercial Product Support for Allegion, discusses how our tech support team can help keep fire doors code-compliant.
7
11, 2025
FF: Holes
My daughter spotted this Fixed-it Friday door modification on the streets of Fort Worth - and check out the door closer - an old LCN potbelly on a corner bracket!
5
11, 2025
WW: Obstacle Course
Paul Timm of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, taken in a school. This door is clearly marked as an exit, but egress will definitely be a challenge!
4
11, 2025
Bill Elliott, Mentor and Friend
I am sad to say that Bill Elliott, mentor to many in the industry and beyond, has passed away. For those of who knew him as a teacher, coach, colleague, and friend, we're all "lucky guys."
3
11, 2025
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 4
In today's guest blog post, Jason Allen, product support representative for Allegion, discusses the importance of maintaining fire doors in proper working order.
31
10, 2025
FF: Fire Exit Hardware
John Danes of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo...I'm sure someone thought they were solving a problem with this "fix", but they've created a big problem!
30
10, 2025
AD Systems: Care Center in the Park
A recent case study by AD Systems highlights some of the many considerations for modern health care facilities, and has me reflecting on my own hospital experience a few months ago.
29
10, 2025
WW: Elopement Prevention
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photo from an AHJ - the photo was taken in a school, where the mag-lock was added to deter elopement. Note the height of the push button!
28
10, 2025
In-Person Code Updates – Next Week!
I'll be heading to DHI ConNextions in Fort Worth next week, where Mark Kuhn and I will be conducting two training sessions with some help from our Allegion teammates.
27
10, 2025
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 3
In today's guest blog post, Devin Bowman, General Manager of Technical Glass Products (TGP) and AD Systems, shares information about glazing in fire door assemblies.
24
10, 2025
FF: What would you specify?
The added surface bolts in today's Fixed-it Friday photo are a common (and non-compliant!) "fix" for vertical rod panic problems. What would you have specified instead, and why?
23
10, 2025
PASS: Why School Administrators Should Avoid Using Barricades for Emergencies
The topic of school security and safety has been mentioned several times at this week's BHMA conference, and coincidentally, this is America's Safe Schools Week!
22
10, 2025
WW: Nothing to see here
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photo from Thomas Reinhardt, an AHJ. In addition to the obviously blocked exit, he also noted a few other issues with this "exit."
21
10, 2025
BHMA: Unlocking the Past
It's finally here! I'm in Lake Tahoe for the BHMA 100th anniversary celebration - 100 YEARS! I've completed my series for the BHMA Challenge, but I wanted to share one more post...
20
10, 2025
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 2
In today's guest blog post, Marilyn Latham, senior engineer for hollow metal at Steelcraft and Republic, shares information about how to address holes in fire door assemblies.
17
10, 2025
FF: Another Gate
At least they tried…finding panic hardware with an actuating portion that measures half the width of the gate in today's Fixed-it Friday photo would be quite the challenge!
16
10, 2025
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 23
In the next episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, he talks with Dr. Michael Lubelfeld, superintendent of North Shore School District 112 in Illinois.
15
10, 2025
WW/WWYD? Golf Entertainment Center
The question is - is this gate required for egress? The panic hardware tells me yes, so the bike lock is a problem. But could this space be considered a safe dispersal area? What do you think?
14
10, 2025
QQ: Gasketing Requirements of NFPA 101
Which door openings are required to have gasketing, according to NFPA 101 - The Life Safety Code? The answer is not easy, but you can follow the bread crumbs.
13
10, 2025
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 1
Continuing the FDAI series, Marilyn Latham, senior engineer for hollow metal at Steelcraft and Republic, shares information about fire door assembly labels in today's guest blog post.
10
10, 2025
FF/WWYD? Unauthorized Use Prohibited
I know at least one AHJ who doesn't like signs like this which deter use of the exit, but as far as I know, the codes do not prohibit them. Should a code change proposal be made? WWYD?
9
10, 2025
Fire Door Latching
In order for a fire door assembly to perform as designed and tested, it's critical for the door to be closed and latched if/when a fire occurs. Today's post looks at latching considerations for fire doors.
8
10, 2025
WW: Dinner Deterrents?
Check out the restaurant exits in today's post and let me know what you think. One is a definite "no" but the other I'm not sure about. It looks like an exit to me - how about you?
7
10, 2025
BHMA Challenge: Built for Impact
For the 5th and final week, the topic of the BHMA Challenge is Built for Impact - how our company's work supports healthier, safer, and more connected communities.
6
10, 2025
NFPA: Charge Into Fire Safety!
To mark Fire Prevention Week, I've updated Allegion's fire door inspection checklist, a laminated card that includes important information from NFPA 80. The request link is in today's post.
3
10, 2025
FF: Frankenstein Door
Tim Weller of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo and I'm not sure what to think, between the sensor bar on an inswinging door and the deadbolt that overrides the electrified hardware.
2
10, 2025
BHMA Challenge: Built for Innovation
This is Week 4 of BHMA's 100th Anniversary Challenge, and the topic this week is innovation - from new designs and features to process improvements and standards leadership.
1
10, 2025
WW: Repetitive Retrofit
Sara Klapheke of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos of a residential application...I know there are fans of symmetry but this is too much!
30
09, 2025
Decoded: Electric Strikes on Fire Doors
I'm working on updating some past Decoded articles for a project that I'm working on...this one addresses the requirements for electric strikes installed on fire door assemblies.