FF: Light Duty Hold-Open
This problem-solving application was found in a school, but at least the door is not fire-rated...
28
04, 2017
27
04, 2017
I need you.
Let's not look back on this moment in history and think, "If only we had done something..."
26
04, 2017
WW: Brussels Hotel
This is not the first time I've thought to myself...I hope everyone knows how lucky we are to have (mostly) code-compliant exits in the US...
25
04, 2017
QQ: Does the Joint Commission require fire door inspectors to be certified?
I have received several calls from people who are interested in becoming fire door inspectors or who are wondering if an inspection by their in-house staff is acceptable to the Joint Commission...
24
04, 2017
QQ: Can fire exit hardware be installed on a non-fire-rated door?
What if a facility locksmith has fire exit hardware on the shelf and considers installing it on a non-fire-rated door? Or maybe a fire door is no longer needed...
21
04, 2017
FF: Do Not “Prop” This Door Open
Rick Jermain of Allegion sent me this Fixed-it Friday photo. Very cute. :D
20
04, 2017
2-Operation Follow-Up
When a proposal was made to add a reference in Chapter 7 to the exceptions for 2 operations, the Technical Committee on Means of Egress almost unanimously opposed this change...
19
04, 2017
WW: Exit Bolt
My husband: "Do other people cry on Wednesdays or is it just you?"
18
04, 2017
Fire Door Inspection Checklist
A long, long time ago, I created a fire door inspection checklist; it was even published in a book. Given the new requirements for health care facilities...
17
04, 2017
Amazing Lock From The 1600s
I'm having a "staycation" this week so I probably won't add any new (old) locks to my collection, but I saw this AMAZING lock...
13
04, 2017
Another Fire Door Win!
Readers often ask me to share photos of fire door assemblies that have helped to prevent a fire from spreading. I just received the photos below...
12
04, 2017
WW: BLOCKED Exits
These are truly some of the best Wordless Wednesday photos I've ever seen, and I even got the backstory...
10
04, 2017
Decoded: Panic Hardware Refresher (May 2017)
It has been a while (6 years!) since I have written about the code requirements that apply to panic hardware in my Decoded column, so it’s time for an update...
10
04, 2017
Cross-Corridor Pair Follow-Up
So far, there are 20 comments on the Fixed-it Friday post from last week, so I think a follow-up is in order...
7
04, 2017
FF: Cross-Corridor Pair
Today's Fixed-it Friday photo came from Revelation Door Inspections. This is a pair of fire doors in a university education building. See any problems?
6
04, 2017
Just close the door!
It has taken a looooong time to get the general public to listen, but people are finally talking about the importance of closed doors...
5
04, 2017
WW: Convention Center
I need to make an avatar of me crying, to include with these posts.
4
04, 2017
WWYD? 1 Operation, or 2?
I need your help. The topic of today's post could affect life safety for decades, and I hope you will read it and leave some feedback...
3
04, 2017
Do you have a smart home?
It made me wonder...with all of the hardware lovers and tech-savvy people who read iDigHardware, how many of you live in a "smart home"?
31
03, 2017
FF: Ax Handle
This photo showedup in my Google Alerts 3 times this week, so I had to share it. It's from a blog post called "Fire Station 4's cool front door"...
30
03, 2017
UL 294 Follow-Up
The access control hardware on your project is up and running (phew!), and then you are asked to provide evidence that every piece of electrified hardware on the job is listed to UL 294...
29
03, 2017
WW: Army/Navy Store
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photo from Charles Anderson, and yes - he contacted the fire marshal...
28
03, 2017
Looking Back: Nickel Mines PA School Incident
From the moment a gunman began shooting 10 girls in an Amish schoolhouse last year, 2½ agonizing minutes ticked by before state police were able to force their way into the barricaded building...
27
03, 2017
QQ: Panic Hardware – Touchpad Length
This question has been raised a few times over the years, and it looks like we will have a clarification soon - What is the required length of the touchpad or crossbar for panic hardware and fire exit hardware?
24
03, 2017
FF: Instructions for Operation
I have to agree with Behrnt Aaberg of Aptus Group, who sent me this Fixed-it Friday photo...signage like this is a sure indication of a Norman Door.
23
03, 2017
Decoded: Egress Requirements for Door Openings (video)
Our next group of whiteboard animation videos is ready!
22
03, 2017
WW: Blinds
A fire marshal sent me this photo, and I'm Wordless (again). How does anyone think this is acceptable???
21
03, 2017
Training Alert: Codes & Door Hardware for Accessible Openings
On Thursday, March 30th, there will be two opportunities to earn AIA continuing education credits and learn about an important code-related topic...
20
03, 2017
QQ: Accessible Mounting Height
Most of you know that operable hardware must be mounted between 34 inches and 48 inches AFF, but does the ENTIRE piece of hardware have to be mounted within that area?
17
03, 2017
FF: Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Happy Fixed-it Friday, and Happy St. Patrick's Day!
16
03, 2017
Tower of Babel – Sheldon Wolfe
On further thought, I realized I really don't know much about the countless codes and regulations that govern construction...
15
03, 2017
WW: Beer Run
How is it possible that NOBODY else seems to notice stuff like this??
14
03, 2017
Decoded: Recent and Upcoming Changes to the Model Codes (April 2017)
When I started increasing my focus on the code requirements that affect our industry, I looked forward to receiving the new editions of the model codes and standards, so I could page through them and find out what was new...
13
03, 2017
New York Times: Girls Killed in Guatemala Fire May Have Been Locked In
The idea of locking 52 girls in a classroom measuring 4 meters x 4 meters is something I hope would never happen in the US...
10
03, 2017
FF: Wobbly Door (video)
Today's "shoulda" Fixed-it Friday video came from Luis Gabriel Gonzalez, one of Allegion's specwriter apprentice. What happened here???
9
03, 2017
The Roots of International Women’s Day
It has been quite a few years since I faced discrimination because of my gender - if any of you have a problem with learning about codes from a woman, you've kept it quiet (good idea)...
8
03, 2017
WW: Blackout
I was checking out the iDH stats, and I noticed that there have been a few days lately when we've almost reached 2,000 visits. Today could be the day, because I KNOW you will want to share the link to today's Wordless Wednesday photo which was sent to me by Brent Kiernan of Allegion.
7
03, 2017
CMS Interprets Emergency Departments to be Healthcare Occupancies
Because there are so many iDH readers who work for or with health care facilities, I am sharing this information here...
6
03, 2017
In the News…
A code inspector in Schenectady, New York has been indicted along with the building manager, in connection with a 2015 apartment fire that resulted in 4 fatalities...
3
03, 2017
FF: Custom Mag-Holder Bracket
Frankly, I'm surprised this magnetic holder has enough strength to keep the door open, considering that the armature is mounted right at the closer instead of near the door edge...
2
03, 2017
WWYD? Panic Hardware Corrosion
An architect recently sent me a question and I could use some suggestions from y'all. I know what I would do, but I'd like to hear other ideas...
1
03, 2017
WW: Less Bottom Bolt
I have no words, except "thank you" to Fred Phillips of Interior Supply for this Wordless Wednesday photo...
28
02, 2017
QQ: Holding Force for Automatic-Closing Doors
I've received this question a couple of times lately...What is the maximum holding force allowed for an electromagnetic holder (or other automatic-closing device)?
27
02, 2017
Chardon High School Shooting – 5 years later
It's hard to believe that today is the 5th anniversary of the shooting at Chardon High School, where 3 students were killed and 3 others were wounded...
24
02, 2017
FF: Over the Railing, or Under?
Before any of you point out that we don't know whether this is a fire door - that is true. But it opens from a stairwell, so there is a high probability that it is a fire door assembly. And maybe the door is still in use...
23
02, 2017
Fire Door Inspection App
About 5 years ago I was in a large hospital that had just spent thousands of dollars (probably tens of thousands) to have a "pre-Joint-Commission inspection" done...
22
02, 2017
WW: Retail Exit Pair
Tim Weller of Allegion sent me this Wordless Wednesday photo. I have nothing to say about it. I'm just going to cry now.
21
02, 2017
LetsFixConstruction.com
Each of us has experienced the difficulties that often arise in construction, whether it's specification issues, product problems, or confusion about materials or methods...
20
02, 2017
Nightclub Tragedies Remembered
When a tragedy occurs, there is often an immediate response - a call for solutions to avoid similar incidents in the future...
17
02, 2017
FF: Duct Tape
Am I the only one who is curious about whether the tape is to keep the bolt projected for security, or retracted for safety? (I have my suspicions.)