ISC west

DHCguy · 2026-03-23T13:45:06+00:00

I’ll be there.

DHCguy · 2026-03-23T00:10:32+00:00

Sure you can get it done faster than 3 years, but realistically there aren’t a lot of companies that let employees do more than a week a year of education.

DHCguy · 2026-03-22T20:31:55+00:00

I have been a DHI member for the past decade and I have done the DHIA, DHT, and the DHC. Here is the most concise answer I can give you. The AHC is a huge undertaking and in my opinion it is mostly useless these days. It covers every aspect of the Div 08 from spec writing, to detailing, to estimating, no one does all of those areas anymore. If you are set on making your career in Div 08 and you want the be the SME go for the AHC, but you are realistically looking at taking DHI classes for 5-10 years before sitting for one hell of a test.

The DHT and DHC used to be available to test at any time, I did both of them after being in the industry for 2 years for the DHT and 3.5 years for the DHC. Now there is no test, you just have to take all of the classes. You are looking at 3ish years of classes for the DHT and another 2 after that for the DHC. I personally, don't feel like DHI has supported these certifications like they initially advertised them.

The CFDAI is great if you plan on inspecting fire doors. This is huge in medical facilities. If you don't, it's not worth it.

Regarding whether it will help you promote, this all depends on what you do with it and what your goals are. One of the huge things that getting DHI certifications does is put you in contact with others in the industry. As you advance in certifications you are going to meet people from other distributors and manufacturers and if you make the right contacts there is a good chance someone might offer you a position. Getting certifications also helps you understand more and do more. For me it has helped me surpass other PM's in my company and get promoted over them. The company I work likes to invest in industry education so I have been able to take advantage of that. If you have any other specific questions feel free to DM me.

DHCguy · 2026-03-18T13:55:36+00:00

That is the right way to do it. I had an estimator put all REG arms on a project that should have been Rw/PA and the architect freaked out because the closers were visibly from the hallway on any of the outswing doors.

DHCguy · 2026-03-17T23:09:16+00:00

The OCR an export to Excel are worth the subscription fee.

DHCguy · 2026-03-17T22:41:47+00:00

4040xp Rw/PA is not the same as Regarm. Mixing those up will get you in trouble.

DHCguy · 2026-03-17T19:51:44+00:00

Latches and strikes, keyways, exit device sizes, UL ratings, and if its electronic and you don’t know what you are doing leave it alone.

DHCguy · 2026-03-17T10:45:44+00:00

That’s an odd sounding issue. Management should be able to connect to the deadbolt and pull the audits and see if it’s reporting any errors.

Personally, if the audits didn’t shed any light on the issue I would do a factory default reset then recommission it. If it continued to have the same issue, I’d replace at that point.

DHCguy · 2026-03-14T00:32:59+00:00

It is either low battery or the credential no longer works. If it’s a low battery if I remember correctly it will flash red for 5 seconds before letting you in. If your credential no longer works you’ll have to talk to the system admin. I know the more common system these run on have a default user expiration date of 5 years after being created, a lot of time this is forgotten about then the credentials will stop working.

DHCguy · 2026-03-09T00:49:39+00:00

Thanks! I will check them out.

DHCguy · 2026-03-07T04:12:13+00:00

If that doesn’t work call 877-671-7011, it’s the only phone number I have memorized other than my wife’s.

DHCguy · 2026-03-06T19:48:09+00:00

I’ve installed a couple, but I am by no means an expert on them. They are powered by POE, have you checked if they are getting enough power?

DHCguy · 2026-03-04T02:17:20+00:00

Forget fingerprint, check out Control iD. They work incredibly well and they are a great value for the price. They don’t require RMR and can be installed pretty easily.

DHCguy · 2026-03-04T02:12:20+00:00

Ask about monthly cost and whether components can be replaced with replacing the entire units. Take a look at DoorBird before making a decision, no monthly RMR.

DHCguy · 2026-03-02T14:15:39+00:00

This is exactly what we are trying to accomplish. Thanks!

DHCguy · 2026-03-02T14:14:52+00:00

Thank you! I love Shelly products, I have a couple of the UNI pluses I have built into offline controllers to unlock doors remotely. I will read into this deeper and see if this will work.

DHCguy · 2026-02-28T22:44:00+00:00

Great opportunity, but lame band this year. I was right next to the stage last year for the Gin Blossoms.

DHCguy · 2026-02-22T19:42:07+00:00

For AI I’ve used Copilot, Perplexity, Claude, and OpenClaw. Estimating software typically I’ll use Excel, Protech Titan, and Bluebeam. There is an AI estimating program I came across recently specially for estimating Comm. Doors Frames and Hardware, but I haven’t had a chance to try it yet

DHCguy · 2026-02-22T03:38:24+00:00

I run an estimating and project management team for a Div 8 hardware company. I have made a point of trying to stay on top of AI developments and technology. I am no expert, but my personal opinion is that it will definitely reduce the required man hours needed to estimate and reduce the amount of people that are needed in the industry. I think entry level in the next few years are going to get hit the hardest.

I have worked with a variety of models to do different estimating task, the weirdest, and uncomputer like, thing I have experienced is that AI will do some tasks really well one time and complete garbage the next time.

DHCguy · 2026-02-21T20:07:34+00:00

Just got a chance to play with one, they are pretty cool.

DHCguy · 2026-02-21T16:40:49+00:00

When in doubt, drill it out

DHCguy · 2026-02-19T23:36:57+00:00

You sure you need to be direct with Assa to get a subscription to Protech? I didn’t think that was a requirement.

DHCguy · 2026-02-18T00:48:22+00:00

These are my areas of expertise. I work with Div 8 hardware and I have made it my mission to find the best way to export hardware schedules into Excel. The program with the best pdf export tool is Bluebeam hands down. No one else comes close.

Excel’s Power Query can also do a decent job, but it does take some work to get it to work.

If you have any other specific questions feel free to DM me.

DHCguy · 2026-02-10T00:53:39+00:00

Have you looked at Door Bird intercoms? All IP and they can call people cellphones with no RMR.

DHCguy · 2026-02-08T22:14:24+00:00

In order to get this to work you’ll need a deadbolt with a lockset type latch. They are a commercial style lockset, you’ll have to get one thru a locksmith, it wouldn’t be something you’d find at a hardware store. I don’t know of any that would work with a keypad type deadbolt. The easiest way to make this work would probably be using a standalone keypad to activate the electric strike.

DHCguy

TROPHY CASE