Rethinking Magnetically Held Open Fire Doors are they a Solution or a Problem ? Take a look at a recent situation I witnessed when the power went out.

Magnetically or Mechanically held open doors have been around almost as long or in some cases longer than fire protection systems have been around.

They can be a very good way to prevent Fire doors from being blocked open with objects  and preventing there closing when there is a fire .

There is either a very simple magnet  or solenoid set up behind door to hold it and then release it when fire alarm or power goes out door drops closed

https://www.beaconcdl.com/basics-of-commercial-door-holders/

 A Mechanical door holder uses a Thermal Link  which went it melts drops the door closed or similar arrangement either arrangement works well and does it job  

with mechanical links being used mainly on big Roll up and Sliding doors in commercial and Industrial Buildings but I have seen them used on single man doors .

So ran across an interesting situation which could be catastrophic  if emergency lighting is not properly maintained in a building  and fails to come on when there is a fire. 

A customer of mine has a 3 story Office Building I maintain for him and power had been  out all day 

and at that point battery's in emergency lights which are designed for 90 minutes had drained .

the hall ways have no windows so there is little to no light available .

I took a flashlight with me as I went in to check building but unknown to me a mailman had come in front door was delivering mail to offices and got himself trapped in the 2nd floor hall when exit door inadvertently closed behind him and he was in total blackness. He could not find the door.  luckily he did not panic and yelled for help and found him. 

OK so here we have the door with magnet holding it to the left

OK here is the door now closed if your where in this building and power went off or Fire Alarm  and Emergency Lights failed to come on for what ever reason could you find your way out even if you knew this building ?

I could because i do not panic easily and would feel around till I found the door but precious minutes would be lost especially a hall filling with smoke.

This code section has never ever really been looked at or addressed by code since first ut in code  and thou doors could be held by battery for small time if code is properly meet  if battery's in lights have not been changed guarantee door battery's are dead too.

The other answer is Melting link but by time fire gets that hot it usually too late to save building and big issue is stopping smoke spread.

There has got to be a better answer

How Safe are Homemade Masks ? Ask your self these questions befoe you make or use one

For those putting forth the effort to make homemade mask  I commend you for your true American spirit of we can do it.

But are you putting your self Your Family and Neighbors at Risk  trying to be a Good Citizen ?

I ask you to look at and answer these very serious questions because it is well known the dangers of improperly wearing and using a mask as far as causing a host of lung diseases and illness

.Because of the bacteria that builds on the mask from all the moisture  and warmth your mouth produces .

That's why OSHA the Occupational Safety and Heath Administration has very strict rules and guidance on what is to be used in approved masks and face coverings for employees who wear them all day, and how they are to be worn  and handled  and cleaned  and disposed of.

IF YOU ARE AN EMPLOYER OR AND EMPLOYEE HOMEMADE MASKS ARE A VIOLATION OF OSHA RULES EVEN PAPER MASKS MUST BE OSHA APPROVED  ALL FACE COVERINGS COME UNDER OSHA 

If you own a business and have employees  I strongly advise contacting a Labor Attorney to make sure you are not getting into bigger issues following some governors emergency mandate . State laws normally do not supersede or override OSHA .

Could you be contributing  to harm to those you make mask for ?

1- is the material you are using 100% natural fiber or synthetic you are breathing thru

Its one thing to wear synthetic against your skin and sweat and not absorb chemicals from it easily thru your skin .
But when your breathing thru mask and making moisture and warmth  you release chemicals in the fibers  as a vapor directly into your lungs  almost all materials off gas in one way or another .

2- What kind of dyes are being used in material your making mask of could they be dangerous when moist and inhaled  this goes for natural fiber as well.

A lot of material comes from China and other 3rd world country's we know all about issues of cheating and clothing being recalled and kids toys and dog food etc.

Remember the Cheap Crocks burning peoples feet.

 Remember the Heavy metals they warned about in dyes used in Tattoos and what about all the chemicals in Vaping

Its one thing to throw a bandana on temporarily cutting the grass  making dust
its a whole different story wearing daily for long periods of time and now washing which every time releases more chemicals from the dye .

Plus what are you washing it in plenty of bad chemicals in some detergents which cause rashes and bad reactions due to off gassing and chemical bleed    .

So has government even looked into this issue and done any study's before recommending people make them and use them at home ?   and what type of material to use

Not that I can find  for home made and i see all kind of stuff being used

But I know there are all kind of standards have to be meet to supply cloth face masks to surgeons and dust masks for construction workers  why would they not want same rules followed for public?

 Because those homemade masks will not be used at hospitals because there not allowed by law because they do not meet OSHA and NIOSH  standards  the National Institute of Safety and Health .

So now your donating and or selling to recoup cost you just did a legal sale and are  liable for providing a safe product under Consumer Safety Protection Act  if  90 a 120 or more days from now people do get sick with lung issues they trace it back to your mask has the Government given you any immunity protections during this pandemic emergency .


Absolutely not you can and will be sued for everything you own.

It one thing to make for family but give to a neighbor or stranger 

The argument government recommended it well not a good argument in court especially if there was a cash transaction.

I wont make them I wont sell them I wont promote them till I have assurances from Government they are safe.

I'm a stage 4 Colon Cancer Survivor and an asthmatic I take this kind of stuff very seriously as I see cancer exploding  and all the chemicals we use daily in our lives which could be contributing .

I am not saying not do it  and I don't want to scare you but if you are ask yourself am I doing it right am I protected?

And yes I have been sued  and I know what im talking about just dealt with a fraudulent case against my business where some one claimed they where hurt. but facts say otherwise .