by James Gammon
July 18, 2025
Reading Time: 3 minutes
If you’ve ever walked through a door in a commercial building—a hospital, airport, office, or arena—you’ve experienced what we do at the Door and Hardware Institute® (DHI).
The truth is that doors aren’t just doors. They’re engineered to save lives. In a crisis, the way a door opens, closes, and holds up under pressure can make the difference between life and loss.
That’s the heart of what we do: we educate, certify, and support professionals who design and install life safety openings.
Doors That Tell a Story
It might seem drastic to say a door could change history, but it has.
In 1903, more than 600 lives were lost in a fire at the Iroquois Theater in Chicago—largely because the doors opened inward, and people couldn’t evacuate fast enough. Fast forward to 2001. After the attacks on the World Trade Center, 99% of people below the impact zones were able to evacuate. Why? Because the building’s exit systems had been improved over decades by professionals who knew how to design for emergencies.
When we do our jobs well, no one notices. That’s the goal.
A Safer Way Forward
In the last 18 months, we modernized our education programs and strengthened our connection to members. It was a big lift, and we knew we needed an experienced partner to help get us there. That’s where Smithbucklin came in.
Together, we revamped our curriculum to align with today’s codes, standards, and emergency safety needs. We updated certification pathways and increased our presence in areas like first responder access, fire suppression, and active shooter prevention. We found new ways to serve our members and the public even better.
To achieve this, we had to stay open-minded. We focused not just on what needed to change, but why it matters. We supported and challenged one another to move forward with purpose.
What We Learned
Change isn’t always easy, but it’s necessary and possible with the right people around you. Here are a few things I’m carrying forward from this experience:
- Keep your training rooted in real-world risks.
- Don’t lose sight of the human impact behind every technical detail.
- Choose partners who listen, guide, and help you grow.
Most importantly, this journey reminded me of DHI’s true purpose: to prepare for the moments no one wants to think about, so that if they come, we’re ready. Every time a certified professional installs or inspects a door, they’re making someone’s life safer.
DHI has picked up speed, and we’re not slowing down. We’ve strengthened our foundation, expanded our reach, and renewed our commitment to our members and mission.
Because when it comes to life safety, the details aren’t small, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Meet the Author
James Gammon
Executive Director
Association Management
Smithbucklin