WW: Access Control(ish)
Colin Watson of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos, reminiscent of the days when a locked door would have a key hanging on a nail nearby.
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04, 2025
22
04, 2025
What’s that? Mullion Stabilizer
Continuing with my "What's that?" series highlighting pieces and parts that might not be recognized by those who haven't spent 30 or 40 years in the world of hardware...
21
04, 2025
LaForce Blog: ADA Standards in Partitions and Accessories
Toilet partitions and accessories are way more complicated than one might think, so when I saw a recent post on the LaForce blog I asked if I could share it here. Check it out!
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04, 2025
FF: Oopsie Daisy
It's a good thing that the problem with this frame prep was noticed before the frame was installed...can you tell what's wrong with today's Fixed-it Friday photo?
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04, 2025
TBT: “Safe exit is a universal demand.”
Ron Cramer of Security Door & Hardware sent me something even more exciting than the 1887 door handing info I shared recently - a Von Duprin Catalog from way back in the day!
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04, 2025
WW: Oh dear.
I had the hardest time deciding whether this should be a Wordless Wednesday or Fixed-it Friday post...what do you think? Thank you to Steven James Rone for sharing this classic!
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04, 2025
WWYD? Escape Rooms
I'm working on a presentation for an escape room conference (cool, right?!), and I'm wondering what y'all are seeing out in the real world with regard to the required means of egress.
14
04, 2025
DoorCheck: K–12 Exterior Door Labeling Guide
I recently received a very clear and concise guide for door numbering from DOORCHECK, and I'm sharing it here with their permission. Take a look, and let us know what you think!
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04, 2025
FF: Rain Drip
The beautiful colors in these photos from Scott Foley of Advanced Door Solutions might draw your eye (ok, mine too), but check out that rain drip! :D
10
04, 2025
What’s that? Detention Hardware
I will admit, I have not had a lot of experience with detention hardware. An iDigHardware reader is looking for help in identifying this product. Any ideas?
9
04, 2025
WW: Screwy Hinge
Randy Dial of the Door Safety & Security Group sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo, and I HAVE NO WORDS! Seen any good ones lately?
8
04, 2025
Feedback Please! Egress Capacity Estimator
Please check out the new IBC and NFPA Egress Capacity Estimator and let me know what you think. I can make modifications so that it is easier to use and/or understand.
7
04, 2025
Decoded: Calculating the Occupant Load
In preparation for a new estimator that I'll be sharing tomorrow, I've updated the very popular IBC Occupant Load Estimator, and the accompanying Decoded article.
4
04, 2025
FF: This is not an exit.
If you have a door that looks a lot like an egress door, but for whatever reason you don't want it to be code-compliant, how do you prove that the door is not provided for egress purposes?
3
04, 2025
TBT: Door Handing
Ron Cramer of Security Door & Hardware sent me these door handing instructions from Orr & Lockett Hardware Company, dated 1887! Pretty cool, right?!
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04, 2025
WW: Well…that’s one way to ‘handle’ it.
I looked at this Wordless Wednesday photo sent by Shannon Ballard of Allegion and thought, "hmmm...another door that requires two releasing motions for egress." Shannon dug deeper.
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04, 2025
Decoded: Code Update on Flush Bolts
In this month's Decoded column for Door Security + Safety Magazine, I covered a code update that should be helpful in avoiding misinterpretations related to flush bolts.
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03, 2025
TGP: More on Scaife Hall
When Jonathan Edly was asked about a recent project that was memorable to him, he talked about Scaife Hall. As a former specwriter who still has a mental list of favorite projects, I can relate!
28
03, 2025
FF: Path of Least Resistance
I guess I don't need to ask why, but I'm still scratching my head. Thank you to Rich Engel of Highland Hospital for today's Fixed-it Friday photo, taken at a post office (not at the hospital!).
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03, 2025
History Facts: Why are historical doors so large?
Andy Lindenberg of King + King Architects sent me an article that answers a question I've pondered on occasion...why are there so many giant old doors?
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03, 2025
WW: Hairy Situation
Today's Wordless Wednesday photo was taken in a hair salon, and clearly demonstrates the need for continued education of employees on the egress requirements.
25
03, 2025
Fire Doors – Everything you always wanted to know (but were afraid to ask)
I'm in the process of archiving some older articles and updating the ones that are still applicable...this one was due for an update - it's an oldie but a goodie!
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03, 2025
Security Today: Creating a Safer World
There's another new voice on iDigHardware! Karen Keating is Allegion's Senior Manager, Brand & Solutions Marketing for the locks category, and today I'm sharing her recent article published in Security Today.
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03, 2025
FF: Can you help me out?
Tim Chow sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo of a pair of doors with access control, and I can't figure out what those little wires are for. Any ideas?
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03, 2025
TBT: LCN
If you have been reading iDigHardware for a long time, this 1943 LCN ad from Architectural Record might remind you of a story that one of my own kids wrote back in 2010 - she's now 23 years old!
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03, 2025
WW: Two halves make a whole.
An AHJ sent me this photo from a fire door in a health care facility, and as you can see, a portion of the fire door label is missing. Check out what makes this a great Wordless Wednesday example...
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03, 2025
UL: Locking Configurations for Access and Egress Control
UL has recently updated an article that will be helpful when conducting a search for product listings in UL Product IQ. Check out today's post for an example of how to use this directory.
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03, 2025
BHMA Codes in Context: NFPA 101-2024
In past posts I've mentioned a valuable resource offered by BHMA, called Codes in Context. Today's post highlights an update to the 2024 edition of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code.
14
03, 2025
FF: Irish Ingenuity
Dave Cox sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos from his trip to Ireland - I love to see everyone's vacation photos, so send them along!
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03, 2025
WWYD? Standby Power for Automatic Operators
I need help with this question: When is a low energy automatic operator required by a code or standard to have standby power, to allow it to operate automatically during a power failure?
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03, 2025
WW: “Before”
Jim McDonald of TCH Co., Inc. sent me today's Wordless Wednesday "before" photo, of an existing opening that was replaced with a code-compliant door, frame, and hardware. How many problems do you see?
11
03, 2025
Podcast: The Changing Face of School Security 18
In the next episode of Paul Timm's podcast - The Changing Face of School Security, he talks with the Jason Stoddard, Director of School Safety and Security for the Charles County Public Schools.
10
03, 2025
WWYD? Egress from the Lions’ Den
In Mark Kuhn's next post, he writes about one of his specification projects where he needs to balance containment for lions(!) with the egress requirements of the model codes. WWYD?
7
03, 2025
FF: Hide-N-Seek
Hal Kelton of DOORDATA Solutions sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos, taken in a school. After a detailed analysis, the main problem I can see is one of my pet peeves!
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03, 2025
Decoded: Locking Stairway Doors in Schools
In this month's Decoded column for the School Security + Safety edition of Door Security + Safety Magazine, I address several considerations for securing stairwell doors.
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03, 2025
WW: If you know, you know.
Joe Phillips of Allegion sent me this Wordless Wednesday photo of a fire door assembly in a school, that has been equipped with brackets for the installation of a barricade device. #wordless
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03, 2025
QQ/WWYD? Hold-Open Devices on Health Care Corridor Doors
This Quick Question came up last week, and it's a good one! According to the model codes, is it acceptable to install hold-open devices on corridor doors in a health care facility?
3
03, 2025
Campus Safety: Functional Locks or Security Illusions?
I recently updated an article for Campus Safety Magazine, and I am sharing a few of the statistics and sources with you in today's post. You might find some of them surprising.
28
02, 2025
FF: Iglesia del Carmen, Tlalpujahua
The church in today's Fixed-it Friday photos had a rustic but effective "fix" for locking the front doors, and some less fantastic fixes in the interior. It's a spectacular building!
27
02, 2025
iDigHardware: Sweet 16!
Sixteen years ago this week, iDigHardware was born. I'm feeling a little nostalgic, so today's post is a bit of a look back along with a note of thanks - to YOU!
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02, 2025
WW+WWYD? Arena Security
Lee Frazier of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos, taken while attending a hockey game at an arena with a capacity of more than 20,000 people. WWYD?
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02, 2025
Locksmith Ledger: Codes in Context
If you're a frequent reader of iDigHardware, you've heard me mention the work of the BHMA CGIA. Check out this article published in Locksmith Ledger for more on this important industry organization.
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02, 2025
Decoded: Calculating the Egress Width of Door Openings
I can't believe I first wrote this article 10 years ago! An AHJ recently asked me about calculating the egress width of a door, so I've updated this article with current code references.
20
02, 2025
Code Adoption – Skipping Editions
Last week, someone asked me about information addressing the changes for door openings between the 2018 and 2024 editions of the IBC. Thanks to BHMA, the answer was easy!
19
02, 2025
WW: Hotel Round-Up
I'd be surprised if I could go into a hotel and NOT find an egress, accessibility, or fire door problem, but this one had several. Have you seen any Wordless Wednesday doors lately?
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02, 2025
WWYD? Apps, Sites, Software
iDigHardware Readers - I need your help! Someone recently asked me about options for software to do fire door inspections, but I've decided to expand the question.
14
02, 2025
FF: Mexican Dutch Doors
Technically the doors in today's Fixed-it Friday photos are probably wicket doors, but they serve the same purpose as a Dutch door. What do you think?
13
02, 2025
Decoded: Listings for Electrified Hardware
My next Decoded article covers one of the more confusing topics related to electrified hardware - are these products required to be listed to UL 294, UL 1034, neither, or both???
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02, 2025
WW: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
I just finished writing a super technical Decoded article and my brain is tired, so enjoy today's beautiful Wordless Wednesday photos from San Miguel, city of amazing doors. :)
11
02, 2025
TGP: Improving Health Care Design with Specialty Glass
Requirements for openings in X-Ray rooms and PET scan facilities have always been a bit mysterious for me, especially when combined with my other Achilles heel - glazing.