Where's Chip?

7 08, 2009

Where's Chip?

By |2012-01-27T22:10:00-05:00August 7th, 2009|Chip Falcon Road Trip, Funky Applications|5 Comments

For all of you loyal late Friday afternoon and weekend blog readers, here's another opportunity to win something from the Ingersoll Rand prize vault.  This morning, Chip visited the statue at left - where are we?  If you think you know, click here and scroll down to leave a comment with the answer.  I will hold all of the answers until the end of Chip's Road Trip and then choose one lucky winner from all of the correct entries.  If you need a hint, the statue is located at the end of a bridge that leads to a set of *keys*.  Hey wait!  Is that a FALCON on his arm patch??  ;-)

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6 08, 2009

Home of the Falcons

By |2013-10-29T13:40:59-04:00August 6th, 2009|Chip Falcon Road Trip, Funky Applications|0 Comments

When Chip heard that we'd be passing through Atlanta he insisted on visiting the Georgia Dome, home of the Atlanta Falcons. We stopped for a look around, and he gawked at the banks of multiple exit doors, all equipped with Von Duprin 99 devices.  It was a proud moment for Chip, especially since the Falcon 24/25 and Von Duprin 98/99 were designed by the same engineers and share the Ingersoll Rand name.

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3 08, 2009

All Aboard!

By |2017-05-01T09:33:37-04:00August 3rd, 2009|Chip Falcon Road Trip, Means of Egress, Panic Hardware|0 Comments

Yesterday we drove from Front Royal, Virginia to Grassy Cove, Tennessee, which is a VERY long drive.  We usually plan on stopping somewhere for the kids to burn off some energy, and yesterday's stop was at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke.  I can find an interesting (to me) hardware application just about anywhere, and the most interesting hardware I found was in the President's One train car, which was built in 1916.  There were double-acting spring hinges, a sliding door on a curved track, and some double-acting deadlatches - all still in working condition.  Pretty cool.  Click any of the thumbnails below if you're interested in seeing larger views of the photos.

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2 08, 2009

Welcome to Paradise

By |2012-01-27T22:10:00-05:00August 2nd, 2009|Chip Falcon Road Trip, Doors Gone Wrong|26 Comments

We continued our road trip yesterday with a visit to the zoo and a drive through Amish Country.  A stop in Paradise confirmed that they could use some Falcon 24/25 exit devices out there, and Chip's up to the challenge.  As I've said before, I'm very picky about which products I specify, and after taking this new device apart and learning more about it I would be comfortable specifying it for a school project, especially when the budget is tight.

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31 07, 2009

Chip Off The Old Block

By |2013-10-29T13:40:59-04:00July 31st, 2009|Chip Falcon Road Trip|0 Comments

I guess it's only fair.  If my family welcomes the new Falcon exit device along on our summer road trip, it should have a name that's a little easier for the kids to remember than 25-R-L.  The first thing we had to determine was the gender of our device.  Although boats and cars are generally female, apparently door hardware is typically male because it was unanimous.  Given the fact that the Falcon 24/25 has some similar features to his relative, the Von Duprin 98/99, and considering the absolutely horrendous names chosen by my kids, our device has been christened...Chip.  Chip Falcon. Sounds like a character Pierce Brosnan would play.

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30 07, 2009

"Honey…Did you pack the Falcon exit device??"

By |2018-05-25T11:25:45-04:00July 30th, 2009|Chip Falcon Road Trip|3 Comments

I really enjoy blogging because I can talk to my fellow door and hardware professionals in a more personal way, without all the corporate-speak that makes my eyes glaze over (no offense, corporate speakers).  Well, this conversation is about to get a lot more personal.  I'm leaving on a family road trip tomorrow and I'm taking you with me.

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29 07, 2009

9 Out of 10 Birds Surveyed Prefer LCN

By |2014-10-08T09:24:45-04:00July 29th, 2009|Door Closers, Funky Applications, Reader Photos|1 Comment

I have a lot of pet peeves - just ask my family.  One of my pet peeves is when I see a door closer on the "wrong" side of a door.  It could be the corridor side of an electric room, the outside of a bathroom, or, like the photo to the left, the weather side of an exterior door.  I just don't understand how a closer ends up on the wrong side of the door, especially when many of them (the one at left included) come packed with all of the parts and pieces required to install it three different ways.

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27 07, 2009

Pocket Pivots

By |2015-09-09T11:32:15-04:00July 27th, 2009|Funky Applications, Hinges & Pivots, Panic Hardware|2 Comments

I recently received this photo from an architect who wanted to use the Von Duprin Inpact devices pictured here on another museum I'm working on.  I've used these several times when an architect wanted the panic device powder coated a similar color to the door.  As with LCN closers, Von Duprin panic hardware can be powder coated in a multitude of colors (refer to the Tiger Drylac brochure called RAL Exterior/Interior).

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26 07, 2009

Violators Will Be Fined!

By |2012-07-26T18:02:55-04:00July 26th, 2009|Funky Applications, Means of Egress, Reader Photos|4 Comments

When a delayed egress lock is used on an egress door, the codes require signage instructing the building occupant to "PUSH UNTIL ALARM SOUNDS, DOOR CAN BE OPENED IN 15 SECONDS." When the code official approves a 30-second delay, the signage must reflect that increase.  At least the signage on this egress door (yes, there is an exit sign which is not visible in the photo) will keep the person occupied while he or she waits for 30 seconds to pass.  ;-)

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22 07, 2009

Accessibility by State

By |2013-09-01T09:09:32-04:00July 22nd, 2009|Accessibility|0 Comments

Here's a great list of accessibility code requirements and contacts by state.  It lists the accessibility code or standard for each state, as well as the contact information for the state agency that oversees the accessibility requirements.  The list was compiled by the United States Access Board, an independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities.  There's a wealth of other information on their website, so check it out!

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21 07, 2009

Where there’s a will, there’s a way…

By |2014-10-08T09:20:25-04:00July 21st, 2009|Door Closers, Funky Applications, Reader Photos|0 Comments

I love seeing the inventive ways people install door hardware, and it seems like the product with the most creative installations is the door closer.  LCN thought their stick-on installation templates would take the creativity out of door closer installation, but there are still plenty of inventive installations out there.

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14 07, 2009

Clear Opening Width

By |2013-10-18T15:01:33-04:00July 14th, 2009|Accessibility, Means of Egress|4 Comments

Back in the 80's, there was a lot of confusion about how to measure the clear opening width of doors. The codes and standards weren't clear, so on doors with panic devices the fire marshals were looking for 32" between the panic device and the stop on the strike jamb.  As each code and standard was revised to include information clarifying this requirement, I would periodically call the State Fire Marshal's office in the state where we most often had the problem. They stopped taking my calls but they eventually changed the way they measured clear opening width.

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13 07, 2009

Rod Guards

By |2012-07-27T00:00:11-04:00July 13th, 2009|Funky Applications, Panic Hardware, Reader Photos|0 Comments

I'm a big fan of creative hardware applications like these PVC rod guards on an exterior pair in a high school, but I think they should have considered adding some bottom latch guards.  The latches don't even have their covers!   FYI...Von Duprin does manufacture rod and latch guards - the RG-27, also available as a rod guard only (RGO), a latch guard only (LGO), or an extended latch guard only (LGO-3' or 4').

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7 07, 2009

Special Template Update

By |2012-01-27T22:10:01-05:00July 7th, 2009|Door Closers, Reader Photos|1 Comment

If you're a frequent visitor to this site you probably know the story...I posted a photo of a concealed closer that is installed so that it's visible through the frame face, and the hardware supplier/installer saw the photo on my site and emailed me to tell me the situation.  Apparently it was not a mistake - it was an ingenious solution to a problem, and they used it on 15 pairs of doors in a hotel.  I asked the supplier to send me a photo of the completed installation with the custom cover plates in place, and he recently emailed me to say that he "drove down to the Dead Sea and took pictures..."

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6 07, 2009

Astragals with Vertical Rod Panics

By |2012-01-27T22:10:01-05:00July 6th, 2009|Doors Gone Wrong, Gasketing & Thresholds, Means of Egress, Panic Hardware|7 Comments

An astragal is a piece of molding used on a pair of doors or between the top and bottom leaves of a Dutch door, to provide security, protect against weather conditions, prevent light or sound transmission, or to retard the passage of smoke, flame, or gases during a fire.  On a Dutch door the astragal is used to close the bottom leaf in conjunction with the top leaf.  An astragal should not be confused with a mullion, which sits between (fixed) or behind (removable) the meeting stiles of a pair.

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5 07, 2009

Moroccan Doors

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00July 5th, 2009|Beautiful Doors, Funky Applications|0 Comments

I have visited 10 countries in Africa, so in honor of the first African country to host a visitor to this website (the 38th country to visit the site!), I decided to post an African door photo from my collection.  I searched through the albums of my trips and found hundreds of photos of elephants, lions, and my fellow campers behaving badly, but hardly any photos of doors!  I will eventually find and post my photo collection called the Doors of Zanzibar, but in the meantime, here are a few shots of the doors of the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca Morocco.  To give these openings some scale, that's me sitting in front of a GIANT door, beside a door similar in size to the one in the close-up.

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2 07, 2009

Index

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00July 2nd, 2009|General Info|0 Comments

I've added a new page to help you find what you're looking for - the Index tab above.  There are already 76 posts (!) and I'll be adding two new features shortly.  One will be a series called Industry Profiles - to help you get to know some of the great people who work in the door & hardware industry.  The other is in response to your requests...a series called Basic Training.  Our office periodically offers a 5-week course by the same name, which is a pretty generic introduction to doors & hardware including mechanical and electrified hardware, codes, and blueprint reading.  Many of our current customers are Basic Training alumni.  Quite a few people have found this website and asked for more information on the basics, so they can learn about hardware from the ground up.  I hope to have the first posts of both series ready next week.

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1 07, 2009

Manual Flush Bolts

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00July 1st, 2009|Funky Applications, Reader Photos|1 Comment

Here's a little reminder to make sure you size the top rod correctly when using manual flush bolts on doors that are over 7' tall.  Most manufacturers offer a top rod that is 12" (standard), 24", 36", or 48" long.  In this application, I would have probably specified panic hardware on both leaves depending on the door height and vertical rod capabilities, or an automatic flush bolt for the top bolt, which would be projected by the active leaf.  I'm not a big fan of automatic flush bolts, but a 48" long top rod might not be quite long enough to bring the bolt down to an operable height.  I have also seen hardware suppliers buy threaded rod to increase the top rod length, but at some point the rod gets too long to operate smoothly.

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29 06, 2009

Hollow Metal Standards

By |2016-07-20T10:57:31-04:00June 29th, 2009|Doors & Frames|3 Comments

I recently needed to refer to a copy of HMMA-850, the NAAMM/HMMA standard for fire rated doors and frames.  I was pleasantly surprised to find this standard on-line as a free download.  Upon further digging, I found that almost ALL of the HMMA and SDI publications can be downloaded for free from their websites.  There is a wealth of information there, including free downloadable specifications and ANSI standards.  If you're an architect or specwriter, you can even request a complimentary bound copy (or CD) of the SDI Fact File which includes all of their publications.  Click the links below to check out the list of standards available for download.

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24 06, 2009

Doors Gone Wrong

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00June 24th, 2009|Doors Gone Wrong|0 Comments

After over 20 years in the hardware industry, my family has grown accustomed to me taking photos of doors.  They still think it's strange, but it's no longer surprising.  Last weekend we were on a Fathers Day outing and I saw this sad door on a gas station ladies' room.  I couldn't help but wonder...who would be this desperate to get into the ladies room?  I guess someone REALLY had to go. 

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18 06, 2009

Exit Enclosure

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00June 18th, 2009|Fire Doors, Means of Egress|0 Comments

My last post referenced the term "exit enclosure", and I received a few questions about its meaning.  An exit enclosure is the enclosure around an exit.  For our purposes it usually refers to a stairwell.  According to the IBC, exit enclosures connecting 4 or more stories require a 2-hour fire resistance rating, and those connecting less than 4 stories require a 1-hour fire resistance rating (IBC-2009-1022.1).  Exit enclosures must lead directly to the exterior or to an exit passageway, which will typically have the same fire resistance rating as the exit enclosure.  The IBC includes some exceptions for exits which do not need to be enclosed, such as stairs in parking garages.

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16 06, 2009

Temperature Rise Doors

By |2022-07-05T13:47:05-04:00June 16th, 2009|Doors Gone Wrong, Fire Doors|6 Comments

A temperature rise door is a fire-rated door which limits the heat transfer through the door for a period of 30 minutes.  Temperature rise ratings indicate the maximum rise above ambient temperature on the non-fire side of the door, and will be either 250°, 450°, or 650° F.  The 250° door is the most restrictive because it limits the heat transfer to only 250° for a 30-minute period.  A typical hollow metal door would reach approximately 1400° F in the same time period.  By minimizing the transfer of heat, a temperature rise door could protect an exit enclosure, allowing people to pass below the floor of fire origin.

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15 06, 2009

Temperature Rise Doors

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00June 15th, 2009|Doors Gone Wrong, FDAI, Fire Doors|0 Comments

My only hesitation in posting these photos is that they are probably the best photos of Doors Gone Wrong that I have ever seen, and any future photos will pale in comparison.  These are the holy grail of bad door photos, which I received from Eyal Bedrik of Entry Systems Ltd. in Israel.  According to Eyal, these are temperature rise doors, which you can learn more about in my next post.

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11 06, 2009

Small World

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00June 11th, 2009|General Info|0 Comments

I started this website a few months ago as a way to connect with our customers and help them find answers to their code questions.  I have been amazed at the response to the site, from all over the United States and 18 other countries (and counting!).  It really is a small world.

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9 06, 2009

ADAAG Manual

By |2013-02-09T00:40:02-05:00June 9th, 2009|Accessibility|0 Comments

The ADAAG Manual was created by the Access Board of the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board as companion information to the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG).  It explains and clarifies many of the requirements of the ADAAG, and gives insight on the intent of the requirements.  I recently found a downloadable version available online.  You can download it here by clicking on the link at the top that says "ERIC Full Text".

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9 06, 2009

Where's the Door?

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00June 9th, 2009|Funky Applications|0 Comments

I'll get back to the long, wordy posts about code questions soon, but in the meantime here's another cool door photo from Paul Goldense of Goldense Building Products. This opening is used by a water authority to access their pumps for maintenance. It's hung with continuous hinges on a channel iron frame.  As an extra challenge, the door is located at the top of a dam. Very cool!

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4 06, 2009

Electric Latch Retraction?

By |2012-01-27T22:10:02-05:00June 4th, 2009|Electrified Hardware, Funky Applications|0 Comments

Well...the latch is retracted and it involves a wire!  As a follow-up to yesterday's post about retrofit dogging accomplished with a tie-wrap, here's a photo from Brendan Daley of Horner Commercial Sales that was taken in a new hospital.  I'm guessing they weren't happy with the lock function so they came up with this ingenious solution.  I especially love the tape on the lever.  Thanks Brendan!

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3 06, 2009

Retrofit Dogging

By |2012-01-27T22:10:03-05:00June 3rd, 2009|Fire Doors, Funky Applications, Panic Hardware, Reader Photos|1 Comment

I've spent several phone calls this week discussing "dogging" with one of my favorite clients.  I guess it is kind of hard to keep straight if you're not a hardware person.  The term "dogging" refers to holding the latch(es) of a panic device retracted to create a push/pull function.  When the panic device is dogged, it is unlocked/unlatched and you can just pull on the door to open it.  When the panic device is not dogged, it is latched and you need an active trim (like a lever) or a key to retract the latch(es) and open the door.  In either case, free egress is achieved at any time by pushing on the touchpad or crossbar of the panic device.

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2 06, 2009

Combustible Floor Coverings

By |2012-01-27T22:10:03-05:00June 2nd, 2009|Fire Doors|0 Comments

I love it when I'm able to solve one of life's great mysteries.  Today I was asked whether a 90-minute fire rated door required a threshold.  The short answer is "no" but my coworker Greg chimed in to ask about fire rated openings with combustible floor covering running through.  There's a paragraph in NFPA 80 that I've wondered about in the past (for about 5 seconds), which says that combustible floor coverings can extend under doors that are rated up to 90 minutes as long as the minimum critical radiant flux is .22 W/cm2.  What that means, I have no clue, although Zeke tried to put it in terms of a lightbulb for me one time.

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1 06, 2009

Doors Gone Wrong

By |2012-01-27T22:10:03-05:00June 1st, 2009|Doors Gone Wrong, Panic Hardware|0 Comments

This is one of those openings that makes me cringe...yuck!  But I can't let a teachable moment go by.  Yesterday I got a call from an architect who asked whether it was acceptable to put a panic device on one leaf of a pair when only that leaf is required for egress width.  The codes aren't 100% clear on this, but I have had code officials require panics on both leaves of a pair even if only one leaf is required for egress.  You also need to consider the alternative to using panics on both leaves...a panic on one leaf and auto flush bolts on the other.  This application also requires a coordinator and overall it's a problematic application.

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28 05, 2009

Throughout

By |2013-04-03T15:15:37-04:00May 28th, 2009|General Info|0 Comments

1008.1.8.6 Delayed egress locks. Approved, listed, delayed egress locks shall be permitted to be installed on doors serving any occupancy except Group A, E and H occupancies in buildings that are equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or an approved automatic smoke or heat detection system installed in accordance with Section 907...

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26 05, 2009

Double Egress Pairs

By |2016-06-23T21:32:04-04:00May 26th, 2009|Electrified Hardware|4 Comments

Last week someone called me with a "quick question" about a double egress pair in a hospital.  The hospital wanted to install shear locks on a pair of double egress doors, to use during emergency lock-downs.  Unfortunately, as some of you have figured out by now, I don't usually have a quick answer.  There are actually two issues here:

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18 05, 2009

Door Pulls

By |2014-04-22T12:55:47-04:00May 18th, 2009|Accessibility, Push/Pull|6 Comments

Almost every week someone asks me about the clearance behind door pulls.  Many manufacturers' catalogs show certain pulls with a symbol indicating that they are accessible, and other pulls without the symbol.  About 10 years ago I called the Department of Justice (ADA), the International Code Council (CABO back then), and the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (521 CMR) to get the real scoop.  All 3 agencies told me that there was no specific dimension required for clearance behind a door pull.  I was recently asked this question about a cabinet pull, so I made all 3 calls again to make sure I wasn't missing something.  I was again told that you need to be able to slide a flat hand behind the door pull, and to open the door without gripping the pull.  During both research projects I asked about a closed fist and was told that the clearance was not required to be large enough for a closed fist.

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