About the Foundation

The Door Security & Safety Foundation offers individuals and organizations the opportunity to learn and experience the vital role that the architectural opening plays in life safety and security.

The Foundation’s on-going objectives include raising AWARENESS, supplying EDUCATION and RESEARCH and providing OUTREACH programs to those in need.

Awareness

  • Increase awareness of the importance of The Foundation’s life safety and security mission and the critical role architectural openings play in safely securing the built environment.
  • Create awareness with building owners, code officials, and fire officials for the inspection process.
  • Generate awareness with school officials for the fire-door inspection process.
  • Raise awareness of the value that electronic hardware and access control brings to the built environment.

Education

  • Continue to position The Foundation as the spokesperson and visionary as it pertains to the architectural opening and life safety and security in the built environment.
  • Through Foundation education, the architectural openings industry will be considered an exciting career opportunity for those interested in participating in building safety through the development, design and construction industries.
  • Provide education to the public, including DHI members, fire and school officials, architects and to those that have an interest in the architectural opening and the impact on life safety.
  • Provide education to interested parties for the fire-door inspection process to support adherence to the NFPA 80 code requirements.

Research

  • Develop access to strong research and data gathering capabilities.
  • Support, through research and education, the development of life safety and security guidelines for use by the general public.
  • Offer an educational scholarship program.
  • Develop position papers and supporting research on key issues of interest to the public, design professionals, building managers and those with an interest in architectural openings that pertain to life safety and security.

Outreach

  • Build strong strategic alliances with trade associations and organizations (resource sharing).
  • Create recognition programs within The Foundation that will recognize and attract organizations that support life safety.

Through our relationship with the Door and Hardware Institute (DHI), the Foundation is able to provide instructors with the qualifications and insight to train fire and building code officials in a classroom setting. This training is important as it provides the means for a greater understanding of the life safety and security that each door opening potential provides.

The Foundation works with recognized experts who have designed the specifications for approximately 95% of the door openings in U.S. commercial buildings and schools. Organizations rely on the advice and expertise of a door and hardware consultant to keep them current on standards and technology as it pertains to safety and security. These current standards and technology need to offer a combination of the best possible fire protection and reasonable amount of security.

Through our relationship with multiple organizations and the generous time and financial support of many companies and individuals, the Foundation is also able to provide programs that reach out into the community by providing life safety inspections and door related products that enhance the safety and security of existing buildings.

With continued support for the Foundation, it is our hope that we can continue to reach out to all types of organizations and individuals that have an interest in maintaining the integrity of the safety and security of every door opening across the country.

Foundation Leadership & Staff

Board of Trustees and Development Committee

Jerry Heppes, CAE – Special Consultant
Bill Johnson – Executive Vice President
Cathy Jones – Executive Assistant
Keith Pardoe, DAHC/CDC, CDT – Vice President of Technical Services, Foundation