Jun 24

Sliding Doors: An Enduring Choice

Sliding Doors: An Enduring Choice

Sliding doors have been an essential part of architectural design dating back to the Roman Empire. Although their popularity has fluctuated through the years their valuable space-saving feature makes sliding doors an enduring choice.

After experiencing a decline in popularity since the 1920s, the rustic barn style design has recently propelled the sliding door back into fashion. And although the rustic design trend is giving way to a more modern appearance, the sliding door isn’t going anywhere. The reason is simple: sliding doors offer unparalleled space-saving benefits, making them an enduring choice for both residential and commercial projects.

In an ArchDaily article, Valeria Montjoy says, “These sleek, sliding doors can efficiently divide rooms, create seamless transitions, save space and contribute to a unique, sophisticated and stylish look.”

Maximizing Space with Elegance and Versatility

In modern design, the efficient use of space is paramount. Sliding doors excel in this regard by eliminating the need for the swing space required by traditional hinged doors. This space-saving feature is particularly valuable in smaller rooms, narrow corridors, and urban environments where every square foot counts. Sliding doors seamlessly integrate into the architecture, providing a clean and minimalist aesthetic that enhances the overall design.

The versatility of sliding doors is another factor contributing to their sustained popularity. They can be used in a variety of settings, from sleek, contemporary homes to sophisticated hotel suites. Sliding doors can be wood, glass or metal with a variety of hardware applications.

Innovative Solutions for Modern Needs

More proof of the staying power of sliding doors is the fact they have not been overlooked by innovation and smart solutions. Sliding door hardware has come a long way from flush pocket door pulls. Modern advancements include keyed locksets, electrified locksets, access control solutions and of course, automation.

Looking to the Future

As we look to the future, it’s clear that sliding doors are more than just a trend. The combination of space-saving benefits, versatile applications and smart innovations make sliding doors an enduring choice for architects and designers.

As a manufacturer representative my principals offer a range of products that cater to different design needs, ensuring that architects and designers have the tools they need to bring their creative visions to life.

Falkenstein, is at the forefront of modern interior sliding door solutions. Operating from Hövelhof, Germany, the company takes pride in its meticulous development and production of state-of-the-art products.

Falkenstein, a German manufacturer of sliding door hardware systems, is transforming the perception of sliding doors. Moving beyond the usual swing door, Falkenstein systems bring forth imaginative and versatile design solutions: Their products reimagine a room’s essence, maximizes wall space utilization, and its myriad options effortlessly align with any interior style. Notably, their products are recognized for their simplicity, rich features, and lasting performance.

Trimco, an American manufacturer located in California, is a global leader in architectural hardware solutions. Trimco’s sliding door hardware offering includes an array of architectural and industrial solutions for sliding doors.

Our solutions are not only aesthetically pleasing but also engineered for durability and ease of installation.

Connect with me for your sliding door solutions, amanda@wilsonbuildingsolutions.com

Jun 10

Hotel Fire Door Violations: A Concern for Family Safety During Travel Season

Bringing Awareness to Hotel Fire Door Violations: A Concern for Family Safety During Travel Season

As someone who has traveled extensively for work over the last several years, encountering a fire door violation in a hotel is not uncommon. However, during a recent stay, I was alarmed to find several fire door violations in the same hotel. This experience reminded me of the critical importance of fire safety in public spaces, especially as we approach the busy summer travel season.

Fire doors are a crucial component of a building’s fire protection system. You can identify a fire door by a label on the hinge edge of the door. When fire doors are not working properly, they cannot perform their essential function, putting lives at risk.

Each violation compromises the integrity of the fire safety system and increases the danger to guests. As families prepare for vacations and getaways, it’s imperative to be aware of these potential hazards and take steps to ensure safety.

Why Are Fire Doors Important

Life Safety: Fire doors are designed to save lives by creating a barrier, slowing the spread of smoke and fire providing the critical time needed to safely evacuate

Protect Escape Routes: Fire doors are designed to ensure that corridors and staircases remain passable during a fire, offering safe evacuation paths.

Property Protection: Fire doors help to contain the fire to its point of origin, avoiding wide spread property damage.

Legal Compliance: Adhering to fire door regulations is not onlly a safety measure but also a legal requirement.

Common Fire Door Violations

Propping Open Fire Doors: Whether by installing improper hardware or by other obstruction, fire doors should not be propped open

Fire Doors Not Closing & Latching: Door hardware must be adjusted and in proper working order so that after being opened, a fire door closes automatically AND latches securely

Holes or Gaps: There should be no holes or excessive gaps in either the door or frame that would allow flames or smoke to penetrate to the non-fire side of the opening.

Removed or damaged labels: Fire Doors should be labeled and easily identified as such. Damaged or missing labels are a violation

Here are a Few Tips for Staying Safe While Traveling

1. **Inspect Your Hotel Room**: Upon arrival, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the fire exits and ensure that fire doors are not obstructed and close and latch automatically.
2. **Report Violations**: If you notice any fire door issues, report them to hotel management immediately. Your vigilance can help prevent a potential disaster.
3. **Have an Evacuation Plan**: Know the nearest exits and have a plan for evacuating quickly in case of an emergency.
4. **Educate Your Family**: Make sure everyone in your family understands the importance of fire doors and knows how to respond in the event of a fire.

Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility

As a manufacturer representative specializing in commercial doors and hardware, I am passionate about promoting fire safety and ensuring that fire doors are properly installed and maintained. Throughout the week, I will be sharing more insights and real-life examples of hotel fire door violations to raise awareness and encourage better safety practices in hotels.

Stay tuned for more posts and remember: Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Let’s work together to keep our families safe during this travel season.

Jun 03

Child Safety Week

Child Safety Week is an annual campaign dedicated to raising awareness about child safety. It provides an opportunity for us to come together as a community to share practices that help protect children from harm. It is a great way to kick off summer. I will be sharing posts throughout the week to encourage a conversation so that we can all learn from each other.

Like many of you I am a parent and grandparent. Thirty (or so) years ago when I was raising young children I was (and still am) a worst case scenario thinker. I agonized over the littlest things. For instance, every night I would leave our bedroom doors open so that I could hear my children if they needed me. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I learned that was not the best decision. I am so grateful that I did not have to learn that lesson the hard way. Now, I am sharing the practice of closing your bedroom doors at night with you in an effort to keep your children safer in case of a house fire.  

The Underwriters Laboratories’ Firefighter Safety Research Institute urges everyone to close their doors at night as part of their bedtime routine. They created the “Close Before You Doze” public safety education program to spread the word.

Understanding the Message

The “Close Before You Doze” campaign emphasizes the importance of closing bedroom doors at night to enhance fire safety.

Here’s why:

1. **Slows the Spread of Fire**: A closed door can significantly slow the spread of flames, smoke, and heat. This delay can provide precious extra minutes for escape or rescue.

2. **Reduces Toxic Smoke**: Closed doors help to reduce the levels of toxic smoke that can seep into sleeping areas. Smoke inhalation is often more dangerous than the flames themselves during a fire.

3. **Increases Survival Chances**: Studies show that a closed door can dramatically increase the chances of survival during a house fire by creating a barrier that protects sleeping individuals from immediate danger.

For more information and some pretty cool pictures and videos, visit https://closeyourdoor.org/resources/

Additional Fire Safety Tips

Implementing these simple yet effective safety measures can save lives:

– **Close Before You Doze**: Make it a nightly routine to close all bedroom doors before going to bed.

– **Install Smoke Alarms**: Ensure that smoke alarms are installed in every bedroom and on every level of your home. Test them regularly to ensure they are functioning properly.

– **Create a Fire Escape Plan**: Develop and practice a fire escape plan with your family. Make sure everyone knows how to get out safely and where to meet once outside.

Final Thoughts

As we promote Child Safety Week and the “Close Before You Doze” campaign, let’s take this opportunity to educate and protect our loved ones. A simple action like closing a door can be a life-saving measure.

Thank you for reading about this important cause. Together, we can spread awareness and make our homes safer for our children and grandchildren.

May 24

Mesker will operate as Mesker MBM LP

Mesker MBM LP

SEAS is excited to learn that Mesker Door and HMX have been acquired by a newly created entity: MESKER MBM LP.

On May 3, 2022 dormakaba announced that an agreement had been signed to divest its Mesker business. Below is the official announcement.

dormakaba has signed an agreement to divest its Mesker business Dear dormakaba Associates:As you know, we announced our intent to divest our Mesker business in November 2021. Today, I share with you that dormakaba signed an agreement to sell the Mesker hollow metal doors business to the key Principals of Trimco (Oceanside, California) and Metal Manufacturing Industries/MMI (San Luis Potosi, Mexico). The sale is expected to close by June 30, 2022. After, Mesker will operate under a new entity known as Mesker MBM, LP.

Trimco is a recognized leader in the North American market for innovating, designing, and manufacturing architectural hardware solutions. MMI is the premier hollow metal doors and frames manufacturer in the Mexican market and exports its products to both Central and South America. The key principals from both companies have the expertise needed to enable the historic Mesker hollow metal doors brand to thrive.

The sale of Mesker is in line with our Shape4Growth strategy to generate sustained, profitable growth. It allows dormakaba Americas to focus on our core businesses of Entrance Systems, Access Control Solutions, Door Closers and Services. The sale of Mesker hollow metal doors is not a reflection on the commitment or quality of work by Mesker employees.

Our sales and customer service teams will be working with Mesker customers to support a smooth transition. Although we will no longer sell hollow metal doors, our specifications team will continue to support the Mesker brand product portfolio when writing door schedules. Furthermore, Mesker MBM will be an addition to the successful PROAlliance Partnership.

​​​​​​Please contact your manager with any questions. Thank you for your support of dormakaba and your patience during this transition.

Sincerely,

Alex Housten, President Americas

Craig Gilmour, Vice President, Mesker

Message from new leadership team

Jason Bennett, President and CEO at Trimco Hardware and the “B” in MBM, shares that “the ultimate goal is to build on what dormakaba has started in motion and continue to enhance and improve the oldest hollow metal manufacturing company in the industry “Mesker” and to put back the Service in the HMX brand that customers have come to know and trust over the years.

Michael Burtt will continue to be the national sales lead for Mesker. He will be instrumental in bringing back the Mesker Magic!

Moving Forward

We at Southeast Architectural Solutions look forward to continuing our support of Mesker and our loyal customers.

Nov 08

How to Replace a Door Closer

How to Replace a Door Closer

Need to know how to replace a door closer quickly and cost effectively? Design Hardware’s 316R series closer makes replacing a door closer a breeze. 

First the Closer 

The 316R is a heavy duty door closer that meets ANSI A156.4 Grade 1 standards. It has a rack and pinion design and a cast aluminum body. It is a non-handed closer with adjustable spring power from size 1-6.   

The 316R has a UL Listing “A” label and can be installed onto a 3 hour fire rated door. It also meets ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act, requirements 

This closer has independent latch and sweep speed controls, as well as back check. The valve are staked to prevent backing valves out too far.  

As a standard, it comes packed with all screws and brackets for regular, top jamb and parallel arm mounting options. 

Finish options include painted aluminum/dark bronze/gold as well as Polished Bright Chrome and Polished Bright Brass. 

As with most Design Hardware products, the 316R Closer comes with a limited life-time warranty. 

Now the Magic, the Mounting Plate 

When you order the Design Hardware 316R, you’re not just getting the heavy duty Grade 1 closer detailed above. The 316R features a special patented mounting plate that enables the 316R closer to retrofit 32 different door closer series from the top manufacturers without having to drill new door prep holes. 

Unless you are replacing with the exact same model and series as the old closer the process of replacing a door closer can be labor intensive. 

When you take the existing closer off the door you are left with the old  mounting holes. Drilling new holes takes time and equipment and often leaves the old holes visible and unsightly. You could be left with a mess.  

Design Hardware’s 316R closer eliminates this concern by including a patented mounting plate that is pre-drilled with mounting holes of the top 33 closers on the market. 

You simply remove the existing closer, line the patented mounting plate up to the existing holes and install the plate to the door. 

You can then easily install the new closer to the mounting plate eliminating the need to drill new holes.

Make the necessary latch & sweep speed and back check adjustments.

Lastly, snap on the cover that is included with this closer for neat, streamlined finish. 

With its 24 strategically placed holes the mounting plate is designed to retrofit Regular Arm, Top Jamb and Parallel Arm installations for the following door closer models: 

  • Corbin Russwin 3200, 3600, 6200, 6400 
  • Design Hardware 116, 316, 416 
  • Dorma 7200, 7300, 8600 
  • Dor-O-Matic SC60, SC70, SC80 
  • LCN 4041, 4110, 1460 
  • Norton 1600, 7500, 7700, 8100, 8300, 8500 
  • Ryobi 1650, 3500, 4500 
  • Sargent 1430 
  • Yale 50, 150, 400, 3100, 3300, 3500, 4400 

This product greatly reduces time on the job not to mention seriously cuts down on the amount of door closers you have to inventory. Both keep more profit in your pocket! 

Contact me for more information and how to purchase this great product so will know how to replace a door closer cost and time efficiently! 

Sep 17

FireSafe20 Fiberglass Fire Rated Doors

Special-Lite Introduces New FireSafe20 – Fiberglass 20 minute fire rated

one cute dalmatian dog with open mouth isolated on whiteSpecial-Lite’s new FireSafe20 fiberglass fire rated doors provide 20 minute fire protection. FireSafe20 complements their current fire-rated offerings as well as the growing Special-Lite interior architectural product line.

The addition of 20 minute fire rated doors round out Special-Lite’s fire rated product offerings and allows you to source fiberglass doors from one manufacturer. FireSafe20 FRP doors offer you longer life, less maintenance, while still looking beautiful.

FireSafe20 doors add durable structural benefits for high abuse openings while maintaining the fire rating requirements. The FireSafe20 door is perfect for classroom doors, hotel entry room doors, office doors and more.

Several finish options are available to match the aesthetics of your project. Choose from a modern contemporary wood grain to Special-Lite’s most durable pebble grain skin, featuring SpecLite3 for unmatched graffiti resistance.

Benefits

  • The use of resilient materials and carefully engineered features ensure durability and reliability in all our products, helping you avoid extensive repairs and replacement costs—Saving you time and money.
  • The details are essential to your design. That’s why our contemporary wood grain uses patented Nickel Vapor Deposition (NVD) Technology for authentic woodgrain replication. Beauty and durability in every door.
  • Designed for highly abusive environments, the FireSafe20 door features standard painted fiberglass door edges, an optional stainless steel edge is also available.
  • All of our fire-rated doors are smoke rated with the use of the provided frame applied intumescent and smoke seals.
  • One source for all your door needs—from safety-rated doors to customized front entrances to storage closet doors, we have a solution that perfectly matches your needs and code requirements.
  • We stand behind all of our products with a 10-year 100% parts and labor warranty

Visit the Special-Lite FireSafe20 webpage for additional information. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions or for an estimate for your project. amanda@wilsonbuildingsolutions.com

Dec 19

Classroom Barricade Devices Are Not The Answer

warning-general-2The Door Security & Safety Foundation has launched a campaign to warn about the dangers of classroom barricade devices.

Sadly, the growing number of school shootings have prompted the public to come up with solutions to locking down a classroom door without rconsidering the additional problems that these devices create.

There are specific life safety and fire codes that door openings must comply with to ensure the safety of building occupants. Classroom barricade devices violate these life-safety and fire codes.

Please watch and share this Door Security & Safety Foundation video and discover why classroom barricade devices are not the answer.

 

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DSSF is asking for your help in spreading this important message.  They are asking us to:

  • WATCH – the above educational video
  • SHARE – The video and online resources on your website, social media, and messages to schools. Use the hashtag #LockDontBlock
  • GIVE – Your financial support helps this message go further and supports other important program.

Thanks for any assistance you can provide in furthering this agenda!

Save

Nov 28

Fiberglass Ballistic Doors

Fiberglass Ballistic Doors by Special-Lite

The AF-100BR3 Door is the first ballistic door manufactured using fiberglass pultrusion technology. This process produces a smooth-faced, corrosion and bullet resistant fiberglass door, with incredible strength and fully sealed for easy cleaning.

  •  Independent lab tested

ANSI \ UL-752, Level 3

NIJ-STD-0108.01, Level 3A

  • Bullet resistant panel surrounded with 7.2 lb/ft3 PET, wrapped in 4 layers of glass fire reinforcement and resin encapsulated to ⅛” thickness at door face for excellent impact resistance.
  • Supports increasing need for security in public buildings
  • AF-100BR3 door and frame increases occupant safety in government and education buildings.

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Visit the Special-Lite website for additional information

Aug 30

Frames Twisted or Set Out of Square

Frames Twisted or Set Out of Square

If you need installation or troubleshooting information, The Steel Door Institute has you covered. If you have not checked out the instructional videos  you are missing out.  These are a great resource for your team or to pass along to a contractor or customer.

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Jul 11

DOL New Overtime Regulations

DOL New Overtime Regulations

Stressed Business ManAre the DOL new overtime regulations stressing you out?

Relax, you have a few months to prepare.  The new regulations go into effect December 1, 2016.

You have probably heard that the new regulation significantly increases the minimum salary for employees that are classified as white collar and highly compensated, exempt from overtime pay.

These exemptions were originally created for highly-paid workers who had better benefits, job security and opportunities for advancement than those in hourly positions.

Since the 1970s there has been only one update to the minimum salary requirement which occurred in 2004 to its current amount of $450 per week, or $23,660 annually.

Effective December 1st, the minimum salary threshold increases to $913.00 per week, or $47,476 annually, more than a 100% increase.

These changes are sure to profoundly affect those in our industry. DHI has recently made available to its members a webinar put together by the Small Business Legistlative Council to help navigate through these changes. Click on the pic below to access this webinar.

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If you are not a member of DHI a simple google search will result in multiple sites offering advice on how to navigate the DOL new overtime regulations. The best that I have found is from Paychex, they have put together a comprehensive paper on dealing with the changes.  Check out “Section IV Making A Plan” to alleviate some of that stress!

Overtime-Regulations-Guide-2016-by-Paychex-1

Comment below with your experiences dealing with these new regulations, I’m sure others would be interested in hearing how your business is coping.

Jul 05

How Long Is It Going To Last

How Long Is It Going To Last?

ArrowBid requests are rolling in, contracts are being signed and backlog is finally notable. The year started with good predictions and hasn’t disappointed.

Dodge Data & Analytics’ 2016 Construction Outlook report predicted 6% growth, with the value of construction starts reaching an estimated $712 billion.

Distributors are busy, most are confident enough to hang out the help wanted sign. A few are holding off retirement plan one customer said to me. Another is willing to “ride out this wave” before putting up his board. Definitely a refreshing change from conversations of recent years past.

It is evident though, that the scars from those lean years are still visible. As conversations about the current good conditions slow they immediately shift to ones of concern. Everyone is asking the same question, “How long is it going to last?”

Predictions and theories are many. Most distributors fear that we will be repeating the whole nightmare again, and soon.

Let’s face it, there are some valid reasons for these concerns. The upcoming presidential election, the effect foreign events like Brexit have on the global economy and the sharp increase in steel prices name just a few.

Advice? Expect the best, prepare for the worst. “They”, the all knowing experts, say to take full advantage of the many opportunities available, reduce debt and of course, store some cash.

The fact that we are all discussing these concerns while at the same time enjoying the feast can only mean that we will be better prepared if and when we face challenging times again.

I wish you all much success, we are in this together!

May 12

The Door Switch An Anti-Ligature Device

tds (1)The Door Switch An Anti-Ligature Device

The door switch is an over the door sensor that helps in alerting behavioral healthcare staff when an inpatient attempts self harm.  A top of the door safety alarm that notifies attending nurses when there is an inpatient hanging suicide attempt.  Due to the rising trend of inpatient suicide, behavioral health facilities are being urged to protect their doors.

The following information was shared in the April issue of The Official Newsletter of The Door Switch to assist you in the process of equipping your facility with The Door Switch.

Be sure to follow this link to The Door Switch website for additional information.

If you are interested in a Door Switch system for your facility but do not know how to begin the process, the first step is to call us at The Door Switch and describe your requirements. We are very proud of our system and look forward to answering your questions and offering information about it. We will email you a quantity of electronic documents that we provide to persons interested in our product. Those documents include our complete product book, architectural specifications, and a summary of the features of our system that set it apart from our competition. If after learning about The Door Switch, you believe that our system might be a solution to ligature risks at your facility, we will discuss with you in an in-person visit to your facility through which we can demonstrate our system and fully explain its features.

In determining which of your facility’s doors should receive Door Switch coverage, we recommend that you consider covering doors to which patients have unsupervised access. For most facilities, such doors consist of patient room and bathroom doors. In hospitals where patients undergo long-term treatment and may have unsupervised access to day rooms and laundry facilities, such doors should also be considered for coverage. Through a process of identifying specific requirements for your facility, we will assist you in determining which doors require coverage.

We are the manufacturer and seller of Door Switches. As such, we do not install systems. Installations are typically performed through the coordinated efforts of door hardware installers and security integrators. A door hardware company normally installs Door Switch materials on covered doors. Security integrators install electronic components and program the system’s control panel. However, for some installations, security integrators perform all aspects of the installation process. They occasionally perform this dual role because many security integrators with broad experience in access control possess the tools and skills required to install Door Switch door hardware.

If you determine that you would like an estimate for a Door Switch system for your facility, we will work with you to determine how involved you wish to be in the process of identifying and selecting installers. Some facility administrators prefer to use installers who regularly perform work at their hospitals. Others prefer to be more “hands-off” and opt for complete turnkey projects. In those instances, we can identify and fully vet for you any and all required material installers.

Once we have identified and/or agreed upon an installer or installers for your project, we will provide a quote for your project’s materials to a distributor. In most cases, that distributor will be an installer on your project. However, there are other projects in which one of our national distributor partners will be called upon to step in and conduct the transaction. If you choose to purchase a system, you will contract for the materials and installations with the appropriate parties, and we will initiate the manufacturing and purchasing of your materials.

The materials that make up a Door Switch system include Door Switches; continuous hinges or door pivots, strobes, key switches, audible alarms, and a supporting system of HoneywellTM and AltronixTM electronic components. Components by both of those manufacturers are considered to be the standards in their industry. The security integrator will provide additional, ancillary materials including electrical boxes, appropriate low-voltage wiring, and lock cylinders and cores for the key switches.

The key point that we wish to make through the explanation of this process is that designing and purchasing a Door Switch system need not be a task approached with trepidation. We will work to simplify the process for you and perform as many (or as few) of the required tasks as you prefer.

Please look for Part 2 of this article in the May edition of The Official Newsletter of The Door Switch. In the second part of the article, we will describe the processes of material delivery, installation, and system programming.

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