UL Fire Doors <32" Wide
UPDATE: As of October 4, 2012, UL has reversed this directive. The bulletin can be downloaded here.
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08, 2012
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08, 2012
Worcester State Hospital
In addition to beautiful doors and interesting locks, I love old architecture and the amazing photography that captures the decay of these crumbling structures. I look forward to new photo essays posted on the Kingston Lounge site, and the most recent was especially exciting because it's very close to my town and an important part of Worcester, Massachusetts history.
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08, 2012
Aurora Apartment Fire Follow-Up
Earlier in the week I published a post about a fire in Aurora, Colorado. Today I ran across this news report which shows an apartment where the door was open, vs. an apartment where the door was closed. The reporter states that the doors were 2-hour rated, which is not typical, but some good publicity for fire doors regardless.
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08, 2012
WW: This Door is Not Ajar
Anybody see the problem here?
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08, 2012
Aurora Apartment Fire
This morning I read about a fire in Aurora, Colorado, at a 4-story apartment building. The fire occurred Monday night, and it's possible that it is the result of arson. Sadly, there were two fatalities - a couple who had lived in the building since the 1970's.
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08, 2012
WWYD? Double-Egress Pair
This is an actual problem on a current project, and I'm hoping some of you will have ideas to help out. The doors and a portion of the hardware have already been installed, and the remaining hardware is on-site. It's a double-egress pair in a health-care facility, and it is equipped with a system to prevent patients with Alzheimer's Disease or other conditions from "eloping". There is a sensor in the vicinity of the doors which detects an approaching occupant wearing a transmitter bracelet, and when an occupant is detected the system automatically arms the delayed egress locks, which prevent the patient from leaving the unit before staff members can arrive.
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08, 2012
Coming Soon! Image Search
I am frequently asked if I have a photo of a particular application. There are almost 2,500 images on this site, so it's likely that I do have the photo someone is looking for, but finding it is not easy. As the number of images grows, it will get worse.
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08, 2012
Locks Make Great Gifts
No, really! They do!
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08, 2012
Moroccan Lock Shopping
Here are some of the lock shops I visited while shopping for the locks in this post.
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07, 2012
WWYD? Theater Security
As I read about the terrible movie theater tragedy in Aurora, Colorado, I thought about things from a door hardware consultant's perspective. Could future tragedies be prevented by changing the way we think about the hardware on movie theater exits? Because the suspect allegedly propped open the exit door so he could return during the movie with guns, explosive chemicals, and a protective vest, would monitoring or alarming the emergency exit have thwarted his attack?
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07, 2012
Q&A: Panic Hardware vs. Fire Exit Hardware
Question: What's the difference between panic hardware and fire exit hardware? And what's an exit device?
26
07, 2012
Decoded: Doors with Access Control (October 2012)
This post was printed in the October 2012 issue of Doors & Hardware
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07, 2012
Glaoui Kasbah, Telouet Morocco
I know what you're thinking..."Another day, another kasbah." :-) I sincerely appreciate the chance to enjoy my vacation while still keeping up with my blog, email, etc., so thanks for bearing with me!
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07, 2012
Glaoui Kasbah Part II
I've had a request for photos of Morocco besides just the beautiful doors, so here are some from the Glaoui Kasbah:
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07, 2012
Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca Morocco
I mentioned these gigantic doors in an earlier post, but I went back to see them again since we're in the neighborhood. The mosque wasn't open for tours when we were there (the only way non-Muslims can go into a mosque), but I sent my husband in with a camera and he came back with photos of panic hardware. He's learning! :-)
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07, 2012
Bahia Palace, Marrakech Morocco
I hope you're not getting tired of posts about beautiful Moroccan doors because I know I'm not tired of seeing them. There are amazing doors EVERYWHERE in Morocco - adorned bronze, carved wood, hand-painted...absolutely gorgeous. Yesterday I dragged the family to Bahia Palace in the 100-degree heat. They were good sports about it and I think they actually like roaming around old architectural marvels with me. Once we finally find them in the depths of the medina, that is. It's not easy to get around in the old city, or the ville nouvelle for that matter.
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07, 2012
King Mohammed V Mausoleum, Rabat Morocco
Here are some photos of the beautiful sliding bronze doors at the tomb of King Mohammed V. It was built in 1971, adjacent to La Tour (Tower) Hassan. The minaret stands amidst support columns which were once part of a huge mosque destroyed in an earthquake.
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07, 2012
Medersa Abu al-Hassan, Salé Morocco
As many of you know, I am in Morocco for some vacation time combined with some work, and also working on some family issues with my mother-in-law's estate. We have made the most of each day, and I have seen (and photographed) lots of amazing doors. I hope you don't get sick of seeing them..."Darn! Not another beautiful door!!" I have also had requests for non-door photos so I will show you some of this beautiful country too.
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07, 2012
Reader Photos
I'll be posting some Moroccan door photos soon, but here are some reader photos to tide you over.
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07, 2012
2
07, 2012
St. James Cathedral, Seattle
Last week I was a panelist for the BOMA Every Building Conference and Expo in Seattle. It was a pretty busy couple of days but I was able to sneak out each day to see a little of the city, or visit the guy who was LockedInAHouse. I LOVED the Pike Place Market...I was there early in the morning as the vendors were bringing in their flowers, seafood, vegetables, etc. for the day, and it was a sensory feast! I wish I could start each day that way.
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07, 2012
Decoded: Fail Safe vs. Fail Secure – When and Where?
This post was printed in the August 2012 issue of Doors & Hardware
27
06, 2012
WW: 15 Minutes to Freedom
If you don't know why this sign leaves me wordless, read this post.
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06, 2012
Q&A: Electric Latch Retraction on Fire Doors
Question: I was told that I couldn't use dogging on panic hardware installed on fire doors. Is it acceptable to use electric dogging?
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06, 2012
@LockedInAHouse
Just before I flew to Seattle for the Every Building Conference & Expo this morning, I read about a very unusual challenge being run by Schlage, coincidentally also in Seattle. With his consent, they locked a guy named Joshua in a tiny house (174 square feet), and it's up to the locals to follow clues, find the key, and set Joshua free. The first person to find the key and let Joshua out wins $5,000! There are prizes for the 10 runners up as well. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to go see this crazy guy Joshua, so it was my first stop upon arrival.
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06, 2012
WW: Raceway
I received this photo from Nancy Bailey of Girtman & Associates, a division of Bass Security Services. I'm guessing that the slack in the wire is so that it can be run around the outside of the glass kit. If this was a fire-rated door, would this method be acceptable?
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06, 2012
Retail Store Entrance – Fire Doors?
If you've been reading this blog for a while, you may remember that our annual Fathers Day tradition is to go to Ogunquit, Maine, walk along the Marginal Way, do some shopping, have lunch, and then play on the beach (here are some photos from last year).
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06, 2012
Let’s look at the world a little differently…
I love this video. And if you were getting ready to say it's "off topic," the first word in the first frame is Security, and I saw several doors while watching it. :D AND...I'm pretty sure I spotted some footage from Morocco, which coincidentally is where I'm headed on this year's summer road trip with my family. Yes, Morocco, and no, I haven't finally lost the rest of my mind. I've mentioned before that my husband is originally from Morocco, and that my mother-in-law passed away last year. We'll be spending some time there this summer to get her estate squared away, and of course, look for some interesting doors. Maybe I'll even see if I can hunt down a Moroccan locksmith or hardware supplier. That would be pretty cool, right?
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06, 2012
Cafeteria Door – Follow Up
Remember this door from my trip to the science museum last week? I asked what was wrong with it and several of you had good ideas.
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06, 2012
Decoded: Mounting Heights for Door Hardware
This post was printed in the July 2012 issue of Doors & Hardware
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06, 2012
WW: Unhinged
I'd like to tell you where I got these photos but then I'd have to kill you and that would be bad for business. :D
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06, 2012
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06, 2012
Science Museum
My youngest daughter graduated from kindergarten today, so we played hookey and took her to the Museum of Science. I didn't forget about y'all though. Here are a few photos from the trip.
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06, 2012
WW: Visible Exit?
What do you think of this exit from a large Assembly occupancy in England? Are the operable doors visible enough for egress purposes?
5
06, 2012
Keyes Life Safety Compliance
I met Brad Keyes a couple of years ago when he emailed me to ask about the requirements for the annual inspection of fire doors. Since then, Brad has become my trusted resource on health care life safety requirements. He has started a blog for his health care consulting firm (KeyesLifeSafety.com), and covers various topics related to health care, including some posts about doors. If you have a question for Brad and don't find the answer on his blog, he is very generous with his time and will likely answer your question if you submit it using the link on his site. He is an expert on NFPA 101 - The Life Safety Code, and is my go-to guy for all things health care.
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06, 2012
Everywhere I Go Again
More doors from my (local) travels...
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06, 2012
Von Duprin Concealed Vertical Cable Device
Fifteen+ years ago when I was answering technical support and customer service calls for the local Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies office, some of the most common complaints/questions were about concealed vertical rod exit devices. Installers HATED them because they were difficult to install and adjust. End users had a lot of problems maintaining them and keeping them properly adjusted, especially if they were installed by an inexperienced installer. So my early experience with the company, and prior to that with a hardware distributor, taught me that concealed vertical rods = problems. I developed a strong preference for removable mullions with rim panic hardware.
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06, 2012
Decoded: Electric Strikes on Fire Doors
This post was printed in the June 2012 issue of Doors & Hardware
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05, 2012
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05, 2012
Everywhere I Go
As always, I've been noticing interesting doors everywhere I go...
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05, 2012
WW: Problem Solved
This photo was sent to me by two different people and had made the rounds before it got to them, so I don't know who to give photo credit to. Anyone want to admit to coming up with this creative solution?
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05, 2012
Decoded: Opening Force and Closing Speed
This post was printed in the May 2012 issue of Doors & Hardware
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05, 2012
Creative Power Transfers
Every so often a set of photos comes across my desk and I don't know whether to laugh or cry (remember these?). The photos below left me speechless. I could have saved them for Wordless Wednesday since I have no words, but I couldn't wait to share. Thank you to Michael Glasser of Kroll Advisory Solutions for sending them.
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05, 2012
WW: Waldo Hotel, Clarksburg WV
Head over to the Kingston Lounge to read more about this historic structure and see the beautiful photos of its current sad state of decay. They don't build them like this any more.
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05, 2012
Prevention Points: Ripped from the Headlines
Sometimes I feel like maybe I'm a little *too* passionate (borderline weird) when it comes to doors and their code issues. Today I struggled with whether or not to call the fire marshal regarding the indoor playground I posted about earlier in the week. At the urging of some AHJs in other parts of the country, I did. It feels like tattle-taling, but I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happened. It probably won't, but what if?
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05, 2012
Indoor Playground
I realize that I'm probably pickier than most when it comes to doors. I notice things that almost nobody else does (except some of you!). Well, I recently attended a preschool function at a local indoor playground, and I was shocked by what I saw. The facility is relatively new and must have been inspected when it was renovated. The place is huge, and meant for zillions of kids and their parents to play indoors - therefore, it's an Assembly occupancy.
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05, 2012
Effects of Fire Doors on an Apartment Fire
On January 19th, 2011, Firefighter Mark Falkenhan was killed in the line of duty while fighting an apartment fire at 30 Dowling Circle in the Hillendale section of Baltimore County, Maryland. The fire was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the video below details the events leading to this fatality.
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05, 2012
Fire and Egress Doors in the News
The surprising and sad thing about these news stories that came across my desk this week is that none of these fatal fires were first-time occurrences. Four people were killed in the Ontario retirement home fire that is the subject of a current inquest, but a total of 45 people have been killed in Ontario retirement home fires since 1980 - the worst record in North America. There were fourteen people killed in a Peru rehabilitation center fire this week, and 29 more were killed in another rehab center fire in Peru in January. Nine people died in a karaoke bar fire in Busan, South Korea, and 15 more were killed in another karaoke bar fire in the same city in 2009.
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05, 2012
Universal Studios Orlando
When I was in Florida a couple of weeks ago for the IAPSC conference, it also happened to be school vacation week so I brought the kids along for a visit to my parents' house. They all survived while I was in Miami Beach, so when I got back from the conference I took them to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure in Orlando. One of our Florida specwriters, Steve King, had written the hardware spec for the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and I couldn't pass up the chance to check it out.
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05, 2012
ICC Code Hearings, Dallas
I realize that not everybody is as excited about new code developments as I am, but some of you might want to take a look or a listen...the code development hearings for the IBC/IFC are going on right now, and discussion on the Means of Egress proposals will be starting soon. The webcast is very clear and you can get a sense of what it's like to be at the hearings, if you're so inclined. :-)