Do you know the 4 D's of physical security? An article in Security Journal Americas written by Karen Keating of Allegion addresses these key considerations - deter, detect, delay, and deny.
My Fixed-it Friday photos from last week raised a great "Quick Question"...Is braille signage required for doors that are equipped with delayed egress locks?
One of my favorite retired AHJs sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos, taken in a new grocery store. Can you spot the problem? (Hint: This is delayed egress panic hardware.)
In the latest post from Mark Kuhn he answers the question: "Why do you teach about codes that we haven’t adopted yet?" The situation described in the post is a great example of why.
Take a look at today's Wordless Wednesday photos from Colin Watson of Allegion, and tell me (in the comments) what's wrong with this installation.
Last week I wrote about comments left by a barricade device manufacturer here on iDigHardware, and I was reminded of a tragic example of the misuse of non-code-compliant security.
Today's post is an update about a set of bills in the Massachusetts State Legislature that would have allowed temporary door locking devices, AKA barricade devices.
Take a closer look at these Fixed-it Friday photos sent by Robin Greenberg of Perkins Eastman...I'm interested to hear your theories about the thought process behind this "fix."
Today is my birthday and I'm going to take this opportunity to say a few words about a topic that is extremely important to me...my integrity.
Now that my kids are adults, they are sick and tired of my "teachable moments," but I can't let an opportunity pass! Today's post is another lesson in turn buttons...
I love this resource from BHMA and I'm excited to share the news that the 2024 edition of Codes in Context for the IBC and IFC is now available on BHMA's website!
Continuing with my posts on "unidentified hardware objects," the hub on this closer shoe is much thicker than on a typical arm, AND...the arm has an extra bend in it. But why?
When I saw today's Fixed-it Friday photo posted by Darren Nash on the Crap Locksmithing Facebook page, I knew I had to ask if I could share it here. Yikes!
On a recent field trip with the members of Allegion's Early Careers Program, I saw a fantastic example of a secure entry vestibule in a high school. Check it out in today's post!
Last week, I got stuck in the great software debacle that affected most airlines and had me "sleeping" on a cot in the airport, next to a lady traveling with her very unhappy cat...
There's (almost) nothing I love more than seeing our Early Careers cohort checking out doors! What do you think about this hold-open application we saw on our field trip last week?
Have you ever seen a piece of hardware "in the wild" and wondered about its purpose? I think this happens a lot, so I'm starting a new type of post on iDigHardware to answer these questions.
I'm sure someone thought this was an ingenious Fixed-it Friday "fix" to prevent the use of these doors, but blocking the egress route is never acceptable.
This week I'm in Denver with the current members of Allegion's Early Careers Program, and I found a fantastic video from the Fire Safety Research Institute to share with them. Check it out!
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo was sent to me by Daryl Benish of TMP Architecture. This is a great reminder that no matter how hard we try, it's impossible to control what happens in the field.
I recently found out that I had received a Legends of the Lock Industry Award, in memory of the late editor-in-chief of Locksmith Ledger, Gale Johnson. What an honor!
Mark Kuhn and I are in Golden, Colorado this week, doing some training for our Early Careers Program. Mark's latest post looks at a common problem with assembly occupancies...
Last week I visited this church that has been under construction for more than 20 years. The doors aren't in yet, but I'm sharing it anyway because they don't build them like this any more!
Several people have recently mentioned to me that they have not been receiving their email notifications of new posts on iDigHardware. The good news is...it's an easy fix!
Last week on a family trip we saw THE MOST AMAZING gigantic church, which was enough to leave me #wordless since it's located in a town with less than 400 residents...but THE DOORS!!!
Mark Kuhn's latest post looks at the advantages of push pad style panic hardware vs. crossbar style. Can you think of any other advantages or disadvantages to add?
A traditional storeroom function lockset may be difficult for some users to operate, and could be prohibited by local codes. Today's post explains the operation of a new accessible storeroom function.
I know it's July and probably not snowing where you are, but Deviant Ollam recently sent me these photos taken by Harrison Sobczyk, and I'm Wordless!
How do the accessibility standards affect the use of keys and electronic credentials? Find out in this month's Decoded column for Door Security + Safety Magazine.
Check out my article in the Summer issue of Life Safety Digest, which answers the common questions about corridor doors and smoke barrier doors in health care facilities.
I recently walked by some of my favorite doors in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, just as they were getting a new coat of paint. I'm sharing these doors in today's Fixed-it Friday post.
Urgent: A set of bills that will allow temporary door locking devices is successfully moving through the Massachusetts Legislature. How will this law affect life safety and accessibility?
Today's Wordless Wednesday photos show the main entrance of a gym that is open 24 hours/day, where there is no staff present. The question is...how do members exit after their workout?
A code change proposal has been submitted that would remove the self-closing/automatic-closing requirement for assisted living unit entry fire doors. I OBJECT! How about you?
In Mark Kuhn's next post, he writes about a problem many hardware specifiers have faced...a conflict between door width and the code requirements for panic hardware.
A while back, I taught a class at a large university and was fortunate to have access to their fantastic training room. As with other doors on campus, they had a lockdown strategy.
In his latest post, Mark Kuhn explores lock status indicators...where are they required by code, and when are they just a good idea? Where do YOU specify or supply indicators?
I saw a video of some amazing hollow metal work posted on social media, and I was Wordless! I asked Brian Lavallee of Doors by LAVA if I could share it here, and he said yes!
I am working on a new series of Decoded posts, which will be compiled into a reference library addressing each of the code requirements related to door openings. What do you think?
In the next episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, he talks with ME! - Lori Greene, Manager - Codes & Resources at Allegion.
Erich Russ of Jeske Hardware sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos and I'll admit, at first I thought this was just another pair of fire doors with kick-down stops. But take a closer look...
I am working on a new series of Decoded posts, which will be compiled into a reference library addressing each of the code requirements related to door openings. What do you think?
Today I am Wordless in a positive way, about this photo that was sent to me by John Lozano of Allegion. It was taken in a high school. What do you think?
The funny thing about writing a hardware specification is - EVERYONE has their own way of specifying hardware for a door opening. The even crazier thing is - most of those ways are CORRECT!
One of my colleagues, Dave Vermeulen of TGP, recently did an AMA for Construction Specifier about fire-rated glazing. You can watch the recording in today's post!
It's hard to believe, but my third (and final) child is graduating from high school today - WOOHOO! I'll be playing hookey to enjoy the festivities, but first, here's today's Fixed-it Friday post.
Not much to see here, right? What caught my eye was the signage on the bottom of the glazing, directing people to the "handicapped accessible entrance" around the corner.
One of the things I absolutely love the most about iDigHardware is that it keeps me connected to people from throughout my career - I've been at this a long time!
Today's post from Mark Kuhn addresses an interesting application that I hadn't thought about before - a combination of electrified hardware and a key-operated lock on the same door.
I'd like to compile some information on glazing films that can be used on glass in doors and sidelights, including fire door assemblies. I'm hoping that some of you have insight to share.
