Ogunquit, Maine
We headed to Ogunquit, Maine for Father's Day...Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!
19
06, 2011
17
06, 2011
Hotel Vendome Fire, Boston
Today is the 39th anniversary of the fire at the Hotel Vendome, in which 9 firefighters lost their lives when the building unexpectedly collapsed during mop-up operations. Stephanie Schorow, author of 4 books about Boston, spoke about the Hotel Vendome fire, the Cocoanut Grove fire, and the Great Boston Fire of 1872 in this video made in conjunction with the NFPA. There was also an article in the May/June 2011 issue of the NFPA Journal - "The Boston Fire Trail - A walkable guide to the city's fire and disaster history."
17
06, 2011
Look what I saw on the Jersey Turnpike…
I saw this keypad lockset in a rest area on the Jersey Turnpike recently. Can you identify it?
16
06, 2011
iDigHardware Top-10s
Some interesting stats...if your state isn't in the Top 10, tell your friends to come visit iDigHardware!
16
06, 2011
E.R. Butler & Co.
I've been in the door and hardware business for a long time - almost 25 years. While I'm still passionate about the products, the industry, and our customers, there are some days when I'm not quite as excited as I once was. It's kind of like the old, "I love you but I'm not in love with you," line. I'm sure you can relate...we all have those days.
15
06, 2011
14
06, 2011
Door to Nowhere
This photo of a door in a city hall came from another blog, A Firefighter's Own Worst Enemy. The blog is written by Jason Hoevelmann, a Deputy Fire Chief / Fire Marshal with the Sullivan Protection District. Jason and the firefighters who frequent his site have a totally different perspective on doors than we do, but it's really interesting to read. Firefighters need to be able to get through a door during a fire, and do it safely. Imagine a firefighter with limited visibility forcing this door open from the other side. The results could be tragic.
12
06, 2011
Rainy Relay
<--- You know what that's a photo of??? Rain - torrential rain, at our Relay for Life event this weekend. It rained on and off for most of the relay, but it was REALLY bad at night. Even the die-hard high school kids in the campsite next to ours ended up sleeping in a friend's living room (all 24 of them!!). Because we didn't sleep overnight in our soaking wet tent, there were a couple of hours that we didn't have someone walking the track, but I think we had people walking for more hours than any other team. There were several hours that our team was almost alone on the track. Yes, we're crazy! :-)
10
06, 2011
Relay for Life
Update: Relay for Life is tomorrow, so if you would like to make a donation, today's the day! Luminarias in honor, memory, or support of a loved one are available for $10 by following the link below. I'm a little over $100 away from my goal. I appreciate your help!
10
06, 2011
Unidentified Closer(?)
I received these photos a couple of weeks ago and we've been trying to determine whether this is a door closer, or possibly a lever-action shock for an old car. It was being used in an underwater application and needs to be replaced. Does it look familiar to you? If you know someone who might recognize it, please forward!
9
06, 2011
Decoded: Opening Protectives (June 2011)
This post was printed in the June 2011 issue of Doors and Hardware
8
06, 2011
7
06, 2011
Black Tie Affair
You just never know what's going to show up in my inbox. Last week I received the clipping below from Jim Bystry of Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies. Jim said he received it from Sue Shapiro of Bell Hardware in Klamath Falls, Oregon. I'm guessing Jim's had it laying around for a while because it's dated February 14th, 2005.
6
06, 2011
Construction Specifier Article
I was pleasantly surprised to open my June issue of the Construction Specifier this morning, and find an article called "Architectural Hardware Specifications," by Joseph D. Calvert, CSI, CDT, AHC of Calvert Independent Hardware Specifications. The article does a great job of explaining the value of an AHC. Joe describes the coordination that we manage between various trades, the complex hardware sets and riser diagrams that we produce for openings with electrified hardware, and the detailed analysis that we perform when creating the hardware sets and reviewing the submittal - including the required function, durability, codes, and aesthetic requirements.
3
06, 2011
WWYD? – Pediatric Unit Egress Doors
Last week I posted a photo of a deadlock on a pair with panic hardware, and I included a poll to find out what you all thought should be done about the problem. I received some photos yesterday that gave me the idea to make this a regular feature of the blog - "What Would You Do?" (WWYD). Check out the photos, the code excerpts, and scroll all the way down to vote in the poll.
2
06, 2011
Reader Photos
All of today's reader photos came from my compañeros at Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies:
1
06, 2011
31
05, 2011
Carteret Arms, Trenton NJ
Still plagued by problems: Nearly a year after new ownership, troubled city apartment buildings remain in bad state
30
05, 2011
Memorial Day
I hope you are all enjoying a safe Memorial Day weekend.
27
05, 2011
Hardware Man
OMG - I LOVE this video. Maybe I'll get inspired to do a series of "Hardware Gal" videos. :-)
27
05, 2011
Upside Down Doors – Why?
Jon Dudley of Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies sent me these photos of a school in West Virginia, where apparently this was not a mistake - it's the way the school wanted them. For the life of me I can't figure out why. Any ideas?
26
05, 2011
WWYD? – Restaurant Egress (Again)
I'd love to know who did this, so I can give them a good talking-to (maybe they'll read this and track me down like the semi-concealed closer installer).
25
05, 2011
Accessible Doors & Maneuvering Clearance Webinar
AccessibilityOnline's next webinar is on June 2nd from 2:30 - 4:00 Eastern Time, and the topic is Accessible Doors & Maneuvering Clearance. If you can't attend the webinar, there should be an archive recording available sometime after the 2nd.
25
05, 2011
WW: Roman Hardware Identification
Scott Foley of JC Ryan EBCO sent me this photo he took in Rome and wondered what the decorative metal components in the corners are. Anybody know? What's their purpose and what are they called?
18
05, 2011
Town Hall Entrance
Can you believe I'm STILL attending town meeting 3 nights per week for 3 hours each? This was our 10th night and it will take a few more to get through all of our warrant articles. I'm sorry if I've been less productive than usual - I'm spending my blogging hours doing my civic duty. Feel free to talk amongst yourselves. :-)
18
05, 2011
16
05, 2011
Yet Another Apartment Fire
How many more fires is it going to take before people understand that closed and latched doors save lives, code-compliant fire doors are self-closing and self-latching, and annual fire door inspections will make sure they stay that way?
12
05, 2011
Reader Photos
I'm still spending my Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday nights at town meeting, so I REALLY appreciate all of the great photos that have been sent in lately.
10
05, 2011
New York Chapter DHI
I had a great time at the New York DHI Chapter meeting tonight! I was so impressed with the attendance, the food, and the engagement at their chapter meeting, and they are very excited about the upcoming DHI conference in NYC in October. Public speaking isn't my favorite thing to do, but they were a fabulous audience for my presentation on social media and professional networking, which made it easy for me.
10
05, 2011
Decoded: New Occupant Load Requirements for Panic Hardware (May 2011)
This post was printed in the May 2011 issue of Doors and Hardware
9
05, 2011
Mag Holder Extensions
I'm getting ready to head to NYC to do a presentation for the DHI chapter there, so here are some quick photos of a cross-corridor fire-rated pair sent in by Andy Olson of Reliable Glass and Door. There has to be some sort of rule against this.
5
05, 2011
4
05, 2011
29
04, 2011
Fire and Egress Doors in the News
Feeling the Heat: Fire Doors - Building.co.uk
27
04, 2011
WW: Hollow Metal Doors (Literally)
I saw both of these doors today, in two different facilities. Yes, they are both fire rated. One is a cross-corridor pair and one is a stair door.
26
04, 2011
Leather-Wrapped Doors
I was recently elected as a town meeting member for my town (a pretty large town - 68,000 people), and tonight I attended my first-ever town meeting. It was pretty interesting to see government in action, but I also found time to hunt down some old doors for you all.
24
04, 2011
The National Zoo
On our way home we had great weather while we were in the DC area, so we decided to stop at the zoo and let the kids get some of the crazies out. The lions were my favorite...a pride of 2 lionesses, 1 lion, and 7 cubs - just gorgeous. I could have watched them all day. At one point a lioness went to the door and I thought maybe she could smell food or hear someone making preparations. Apparently big cats can open doors, because the knob had a shield around it. The door in the tiger exhibit was the same, except that the tigers must be more impatient because instead of waiting and watching they're trying to dig their way in (see below).
21
04, 2011
BuildingProductMarketing.com
Another blogger wrote about iDigHardware! Check it out!
20
04, 2011
Hello Subscribers!
I guess the blog's subscriber system decided to go on vacation too, and I just realized that you weren't receiving notification emails! There are a couple of posts waiting for you, and I'd also like to announce the winners of the "A Penny for Your Thoughts" contest!
19
04, 2011
WW: Vacation Home Neighbor
We're still on vacation and saw almost no doors today, but we did meet our neighbor. Creepy!
19
04, 2011
United States Institute of Peace
I've been looking at this building on paper for at least 5 years, and although there were days when I wished for the fun to end, I knew it was going to be something special.
16
04, 2011
Which way to the exit?
I wrote this post on Saturday but because of technical difficulties I couldn't get it uploaded until now. Sorry!
15
04, 2011
14
04, 2011
Reader Photos – 2 of 2
Here's the second batch of reader photos. My emailbox is empty now. Not.
14
04, 2011
Reader Photos – 1 of 2
I've received lots of reader photos lately...thank you, and keep 'em coming!
13
04, 2011
12
04, 2011
Waiting for a Transplant
Anyone who knows me personally, knows that I'm a helper. I like to help. I'm always organizing collection efforts for one thing or another, donating items for our local schools, pitching in when I can. There are so many people in need, and if we all help a little, the world will be a better place for everyone.
11
04, 2011
A Penny for your Thoughts…
A penny won't get you too far these days...I have to bribe my kids with at least a dollar to get them to do anything. So I'm going to up the ante. I'm offering a chance to win 10,000 PENNIES!
8
04, 2011
Decoded: Closers on Classroom Doors (April 2011)
This post was printed in the April 2011 issue of Doors & Hardware
7
04, 2011
RU@ISC?
I got this text message this morning, and alas, I'm not at the ISC West show in Las Vegas. If you're not at the show either, you can still visit the Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies booth there.