Update: Allowing Barricade Devices by Law
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.
5
08, 2024
2
08, 2024
FF: Unequal Pair?
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."
1
08, 2024
Yes…I’m offended, but I’ll be OK.
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.
31
07, 2024
WW: Push to Lock!
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...
30
07, 2024
BHMA Codes in Context: 2024 I-Codes
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!
29
07, 2024
What’s that? Thick Hub Shoe
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?
26
07, 2024
FF: I’m wordless.
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!
25
07, 2024
High School Secure Entry Vestibule
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!
24
07, 2024
WW: Going Nowhere
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...
23
07, 2024
Hold-Open Application
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?
22
07, 2024
What’s that? Rachet Release Assembly
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.
19
07, 2024
FF: Wheelies
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.
18
07, 2024
Plan Your Escape: High-Rise Apartment Fire (video)
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!
17
07, 2024
WW: Missing Mullion
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.
16
07, 2024
Legends of the Lock Industry – 2024
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!
15
07, 2024
Old Buildings, New Assembly Occupancies
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...
12
07, 2024
FF: Iglesia del Santo Niño de Portezuelo
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!
11
07, 2024
Are you (still) a subscriber?
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!
10
07, 2024
WW: Iglesia de San Cristóbal, Cardonal Hidalgo
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!!!
9
07, 2024
Panic Hardware Styles – Push Pad vs. Crossbar
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?
8
07, 2024
Accessible Storeroom Function Lockset
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.
3
07, 2024
WW: Snowed In
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!
2
07, 2024
Decoded: Accessibility Standards – Keys and Credentials
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.
1
07, 2024
Life Safety Digest: Health Care Corridor Doors and Smoke Barrier Doors – What’s the difference?
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.
28
06, 2024
FF: Las Puertas Pintadas
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.
27
06, 2024
Allowing Barricade Devices by Law
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?
26
06, 2024
WW: Unstaffed Facilities
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?
25
06, 2024
Do assisted living units need fire protection?
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?
24
06, 2024
Wide doors and panics don’t mix.
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.
21
06, 2024
FF: Un-Dogging for Lockdown
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.
20
06, 2024
Indicators – When, where, and why?
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?
19
06, 2024
WW: Custom Window WOW!
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!
18
06, 2024
Decoded: Vision Lights and Viewers
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?
17
06, 2024
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 13
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.
14
06, 2024
FF: Mag Holders
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...
13
06, 2024
Decoded: Door and Gate Closing Speed
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?
12
06, 2024
WW: Education and Awareness
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?
11
06, 2024
If it were easy, they’d call it EASYware!
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!
10
06, 2024
AMA on Fire-Rated Glazing
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!
7
06, 2024
FF: There were signs.
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.
6
06, 2024
PSA: Accessibility Terminology
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.
5
06, 2024
WW: Alien Attack
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!
4
06, 2024
Retail Access and Egress Control
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.
3
06, 2024
WWYD? Glazing Films
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.
31
05, 2024
FF: Parallel Arm Shoes
I received today's Fixed-it Friday photo from Eyal Bedrik and Danny Estryk of Entry Systems Ltd., and I'm a bit Wordless. Have you seen any creative fixes lately?
30
05, 2024
Will Generative AI make us obsolete?
Imagine how great it would be if you could ask a computer a code question, and feel confident about the answer!! I would actually welcome that technology if it was accurate!
29
05, 2024
WW: Hitch Lock
Brian Messina of Kamco Supply sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, and he had to educate me on what I was looking at. #WORDLESS
28
05, 2024
Decoded: Elevator Lobby Exit Access Doors
Calling all architects! I am looking for a partial plan similar to the image in this post to use with a print article about a change to the I-Codes addressing elevator lobby security. Can you help?
24
05, 2024
FF: It’s the little things…
There's (almost) nothing I love more than casually checking out fire door assemblies with someone from a fire test lab, and I recently had a chance to do just that! :D
23
05, 2024
QQ: Panic Hardware Dogging
An architect recently asked me today's Quick Question...How do the various dogging options for panic hardware operate? What are the pros and cons of the different types?