Doors of River Street – Savannah, Georgia
Before anyone says, "Why didn't you stop and see me??", we were only in Savannah for a quick lunch break. :)
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01, 2014
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01, 2014
WW: Pool Access and Egress
Happy New Year!!!
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12, 2013
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12, 2013
Doors and Codes in the News
Open fire door killed 2 at Mont Blanc - The Free Press Journal
27
12, 2013
FF: Exit Alarm
I just realized that this post had not been published yet...but it's still Friday! Enjoy the weekend!
24
12, 2013
Happy Holidays!
And if you decide to decorate your door this holiday season, make sure you don't create a problem with egress, fire-resistance, or accessibility!
23
12, 2013
WWYD? Museum Gates
I'm looking for some ideas to help a designer with the gates in the sketches below. Here’s the scenario:
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12, 2013
18
12, 2013
WW: Overlapping Astragal
Last week on The Building Code Forum, one of the members mentioned that their local police department recommended the installation of overlapping astragals on the exterior pairs at their schools. This left me WORDLESS! It definitely feels like 2 steps forward - 1 step back some days.
17
12, 2013
WWYD? Connecting Classroom Doors
Many classrooms have a door connecting to the adjacent classroom. Correct me if I'm wrong, but since most classrooms do not require a second means of egress, I think those doors are typically there for convenience. I tried to find something in past codes that would have required the second door, but so far I only see the requirement for a second means of egress when the occupant load reaches 50 or more. (Note: There are some situations where a classroom may need to have a second means of egress because it is not located on the ground floor.)
16
12, 2013
School Security in the News
If you search Google News for the words "school" and "security", the search engine will return millions of results. There are stories about many cities, states, and school districts working on plans and funding to increase the safety and security of their schools. There are reports about incidents at schools, and products that may help improve security. It's tough to wade through it all. The following articles address the topic with a slightly different focus.
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12, 2013
School Security After Sandy Hook
Saturday, December 14th, marked the one-year anniversary of the senseless violence that took the lives of 20 children and 6 staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. I don't think there's any doubt that the tragedy has resulted in increased focus on the security of our schools.
13
12, 2013
FF: Lock Fix
I will admit...new mortise locks can be pricey. Luckily they usually last for decades. But there comes a time when even a heavy duty mortise lock needs to retire.
11
12, 2013
WW: Ice Time
This photo, from an ice arena, gives me the chills. Ice rinks are notoriously difficult locations for doors and hardware...lots of abuse, often a high occupant load, humidity and corrosion issues, and other contributing factors. In case you don't see the problem right away, look at the top of the mullion. Angle brackets have been bolted to each door, and there is a pin inserted through one bracket, through the mullion, and through the other bracket. Someone trying to exit through these doors would likely have no idea why they won't open.
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12, 2013
Swing Free in School?
Over the weekend I visited a local high school for a swim meet. Right away I noticed MANY pairs of fire doors equipped with LCN Sentronics, which are designed to hold the doors open until the fire alarm sounds and then close the doors to deter the spread of smoke and flames. Some of these doors were propped open with wood wedges (uh-oh). When I took a closer look, I realized what the problem was.
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12, 2013
FF: STOP!
When you're faced with an opening where a floor stop or wall stop just won't work, you could use an overhead stop. If that's not enough protection, you could use a door closer with advanced variable backcheck (AVB), which starts the backcheck (cushioning effect) earlier in the opening cycle and keeps the door from gaining momentum. Or you could get creative and make your own stop, cover it with carpet so it looks pretty, and then buy a new door...
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12, 2013
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12, 2013
27
11, 2013
WW: Chair Lift
This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for industry colleagues who share their expertise, code officials who try to answer questions even when I'm way down into the nitty gritty, people who read this blog (or at least come to look at the pictures), and for photos like this...
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11, 2013
Sandy Hook Elementary School Report Released
The Connecticut State's Attorney has released a report on the December 2012 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut (full report available here). Although it details the actions of the shooter, Adam Lanza, there are still many unanswered questions.
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11, 2013
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11, 2013
FF: What Happened Here?
For the record, I DO know what happened here...do you? I've only seen this one other time in my travels. This photo is from Lloyd Seliber of Keying Solutions from Macau, China.
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11, 2013
Big News: Vancouver Bans Doorknobs
The Canadian news networks are all abuzz with the latest code change for the city of Vancouver, Canada. As of March 2014, doorknobs will not be allowed on new construction - including single family homes. Here's where you can read all about it:
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11, 2013
WW: Look Closer
I just had an idea. I'm putting together an online code class for my coworkers, which will be available to others outside of the company next year. The way I like to teach about codes is to explain the intent behind the requirement, show examples, reference the applicable section of the code, and preferably to break up the education into small chunks so it's easier to absorb over time. The way I initially tried to learn was to read the code books and highlight the sections, but it didn't really stick with me. So many people email me to say, "I know the code says something about *this*, but where is it?"...something they have read or heard may have left an impression on them about the requirement, but it didn't settle into their brain for the long haul.
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11, 2013
Schlage CO-220 Standalone Classroom Lockdown Solution
Are you interested in trying a sample of Schlage's new CO-220? Read on.
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11, 2013
FF: Lockdown
Eric Paul of Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies sent me these photos of another school lockdown product that a local school was using. The lock is kept locked, and the add-on product keeps the latchbolt retracted until there's an emergency and the teacher needs to lock the door. This product can not be used on fire doors, which need to latch. Have any of you ever seen or used this product? Comments?
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11, 2013
WW: Less Top Rod
In case you were wondering, this is not an acceptable application for a fire door. And I'm not sure if/how it's working properly, or what's under the big plate.
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11, 2013
Traditional Wired Glass Will Not Stop a Bullet
Most days, I feel like the information I send out into the cosmos helps to make the world a little bit safer. But every so often I want to cry from frustration, because misinformation can travel just as quickly and send unsuspecting readers down the wrong path.
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11, 2013
FF: High-Security Louvers
Today's Fixed-It Friday photos are fabulous!! Maybe I should add another F. :)
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11, 2013
Reader Photos
It's been a while, so here are some of the many photos I've received from y'all...
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11, 2013
WW: Down at the DMV
I find the Department of Motor Vehicles so frustrating that one year I actually cried because after waiting over an hour they said I didn't bring the right utility bill. AND...my car got hit by someone taking his driving test in the parking lot (he failed). It might have all been worthwhile if I could have spotted an exit at the DMV like this one, sent in by Lisa Augerson of Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies. According to Lisa, the DMV person said they keep it unlocked during business hours.
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11, 2013
Hobbit Doors
Hobbit doors are all the rage right now...you can find hobbit door jewelry, cookies, outlet covers, ice cream sandwiches...I would like a real one. Not a tiny real one - a 5-footish, round hobbit door with a knob in the middle. Now I just have to figure out where to put it. If I made a hobbit hole in the back yard I could hide from the kids in it.
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11, 2013
Back-2-Basics: Door Closers
Hello Readers! This is my next "Back-2-Basics" piece...if there is anything I should add/change, please leave a comment. And have a great week!
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11, 2013
FF: Custom Latch Prevention
Depending on where this door is located, this creative solution either creates a security breach, or indicates that the wrong lock function was specified. Thanks to Greg Koers of Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies for sharing!
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10, 2013
Stats
I don't usually post twice in one day, but I wanted to share today's stats (so far). Zombies are obviously a very popular topic!
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10, 2013
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10, 2013
St. John the Baptist School – Peabody, Massachusetts
Yesterday was the 98th anniversary of a tragic school fire that took the lives of 22 children between the ages of 7 and 17, who were burned or crushed to death while trying to escape. The 3-story brick and wood building was engulfed within 5 minutes, and it's miraculous that more of the almost 700 children and staff in the building were not killed. The fire began in the basement, and traveled through the building as the basement doors were left open. The oil finish used on the wood floors contributed to the toxicity of the smoke. The stairs were not enclosed, and did not discharge to the exterior. Almost all of the victims were found just inside the main entrance. As a result of this fire, Peabody became the first city to pass a law which required egress doors in public buildings and schools to swing in the direction of egress.
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10, 2013
FF: Classroom Security
Every school is looking for affordable ways to lock their classroom doors in an intruder situation. A group of students at Benjamin Banneker High School in Washington, D.C. have designed the "DeadStop", a device that clamps onto the door closer arm to prevent the door from being opened.
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10, 2013
RPM Special Edition on School Violence
This week, two teachers have been killed on school grounds, allegedly by students. Michael Landsberry, a teacher from Sparks Middle School in Sparks, Nevada, and Colleen Ritzer, a teacher at Danvers High School in Danvers, Massachusetts, are remembered as wonderful teachers, beloved by their students and colleagues. Yesterday an 11-year-old boy brought several knives, a gun, and 400 rounds of ammunition to Frontier Middle School in Vancouver, Washington. Two weeks ago, an ROTC student in uniform brought a gun into Hickman Mills Junior High School in Kansas City, Missouri, even though the school was equipped with metal detectors. Thankfully, noone was injured in either of those cases.
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10, 2013
WW: Oh Chute!
Hotels seem to be notorious for fire door issues...here's a perfect example that was found by Chad Jenkins of the National Locksmithing Institute. Chad wrote:
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10, 2013
Should teachers be trained to fight back?
After yesterday's tragedy at the Sparks Middle School in Nevada, some reports have stated that implementing physical security for schools is not enough. From a column in today's edition of USA Today...
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10, 2013
Knock the Vote
A couple of weeks ago someone commented on one of my posts that he really liked the article but didn't know who the author was. Many of you have been part of the site's evolution, and some of you know me personally. When I write these posts I feel like I'm talking to you...either explaining a difficult code-related topic, or chuckling with you over a creative solution. So unless I state otherwise, the author is me! Same with the photos. I try to be very careful about giving proper photo credit, so if you don't see a mention of who sent me the photo, the photographer is usually me.
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10, 2013
FF: Strike Latch Guard
Thank you to everyone who left suggestions for the name of the new Friday series. I've settled on Fixed-it Friday! With all of the creative hardware "fixes" out there, I think this series could run until I retire (don't worry, that's not for about 20 years unless I win the lotto). If you see an FF in your travels, send me a photo!
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10, 2013
Special Egress Locks in I-2 Occupancies
This article was published in the October 2013 issue of the Locksmith Ledger:
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10, 2013
WW: Conflict Resolution
This was found in a school, by A&L Doors & Specialties. I have no words, except "thank you." Maybe some of you have words...if you do, leave a comment.
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10, 2013
Back-2-Basics: Panic Hardware
Panic hardware, also known as an exit device (or fire exit hardware when used on fire doors), is designed to provide fast and easy egress to allow building occupants to exit safely in an emergency. Code publications define panic hardware as, "a door-latching assembly incorporating a device that releases the latch upon the application of a force in the direction of egress travel.” Panic hardware may also be used because of durability or ease of use, even when it is not required by code.
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10, 2013
FF: More Velcro
People always tell me how much they love Wordless Wednesday - the day I post photos that leave me wordless (speechless). I think the steady stream of creative applications I'm receiving would support a Friday series to help ease us into the weekends. I need some help with a catchy name for this category of posts (that doesn't contain any inappropriate language). So think about a name that goes with "Friday", and conjures up visions of creative, although sometimes misguided "solutions". If I use your idea, there's a $25 Amazon gift certificate with your name on it. Freaky Friday? Friday Funnies? Help?!
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10, 2013
WW: Well, that’s one way of doing it.
To all of the architects out there...this is what can happen if you forgo the hardware consultant and let the electrician work out the details on-site. Call us - we can help! ;)
8
10, 2013
Reader Photos
It's time to clean out my inbox again! Here are some of the reader photos I've received. Thanks to all who sent them!
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10, 2013
Music City Center – Nashville, Tennessee
I know what you're thinking..."When is she going to stop talking about Nashville and get on to something interesting like gasketing or clear opening width?" :D