The job's not done until the locks are on the door. A beautifully designed and quality built commercial building requires a variety of quality door locks like the ones from Schlage. Careful selection should be made to install the best locks for entryways, fire doors, office doors, restrooms, utility closets and any other location within the building where access and privacy need to be controlled. Contractors should take time to discuss with the client the variety of locks available to meet their security requirements.
The exterior entrances of the building can be secured with a range of deadbolt locks. Security needs will determine whether to use standard or heavy duty lock construction. Standard duty commercial deadbolts work well for office buildings. Heavy duty commercial deadbolts provide the best security. Consider Schlage locks that includes a concealed wood frame reinforcer that prevents kick-ins.
You'll probably want to pair a cylindrical lock with a deadbolt to allow ease of entry. Your choices include lever style locks and knob locks. A heavy duty lever lock is suitable for hospitals, factories and even schools. Buildings with less stringent security needs may opt for standard or medium duty lever locks. Some lever locks are also UL listed for use on 3-hour fire doors. Knobs are the traditional doorknob design. These are also available in medium and heavy duty designs. Knob locks are typically reserved for interior doors of commercial buildings
Interconnected locks are an attractive choice for exterior doors of offices, hotels and light-duty commercial buildings. These locks are called interconnected because the handicapped compliant handles unlatch both the handset and the deadbolt when it's depressed. The best interconnected locks have a reinforced deadbolt strike to prevent an intruder from kicking the door open.
Interior doors of the building can be secured with a mortise lock. These locks are both attractive and functional. Heavy duty mortise locks are dependable and designed to withstand high-usage and abuse. This makes them ideal for hospitals and schools. When choosing mortise locks, look for designs that include a free-wheeling lever that resists force when locked.
No matter what types of locks are required in a building, Schlage offers a variety of finishes that can be matched across all styles. This allows for a consistent aesthetic appeal throughout the building. Finishes typically include brass, bronze and stainless steel. Expect to pay from $25 for a simple cylindrical lock and up to $200 for the finest interconnected locks.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
No Need to Panic
The panic bar was invented in the early 1900s to prevent people from being trapped inside a building during a fire. Panic bars are now a required safety feature in all commercial buildings. Von Duprin is a leader in modern panic bars that can be used on fire doors, time-delayed doors, and delayed exit systems. Mechanical and electric exit devices offer superb security and safety.
A basic, mechanical panic bar can be installed on fire exit doors or any door that needs the security of being locked on the outside but able to open from the inside. For example, back doors of offices, warehouses and retail business may opt for this type of locking mechanism. Von Duprin panic bars meet ANSI A156.3 – 2001 Grade 1 criteria. For the greatest security, choose panic bars that offer more than 2,000 pounds of static load force resistance. This prevents intruders from pulling or prying the door open from the outside.
Electric panic bars can be tied into a fire alarm system to automatically unlock when the alarm is tripped. In addition, some models can be programmed to trip the alarm system when they are pushed open from the inside. Typically, these types of panic bars are used on buildings with high occupancy levels that utilize a fully featured fire and security alarm system. Another function of electric panic bars is to control exit through a delayed exit system. These mechanisms allow security personnel to monitor access to and from the facility.
Expect to pay $600 and up for quality panic bars; electric options raise the cost to $1000 and up.
A basic, mechanical panic bar can be installed on fire exit doors or any door that needs the security of being locked on the outside but able to open from the inside. For example, back doors of offices, warehouses and retail business may opt for this type of locking mechanism. Von Duprin panic bars meet ANSI A156.3 – 2001 Grade 1 criteria. For the greatest security, choose panic bars that offer more than 2,000 pounds of static load force resistance. This prevents intruders from pulling or prying the door open from the outside.
Electric panic bars can be tied into a fire alarm system to automatically unlock when the alarm is tripped. In addition, some models can be programmed to trip the alarm system when they are pushed open from the inside. Typically, these types of panic bars are used on buildings with high occupancy levels that utilize a fully featured fire and security alarm system. Another function of electric panic bars is to control exit through a delayed exit system. These mechanisms allow security personnel to monitor access to and from the facility.
Expect to pay $600 and up for quality panic bars; electric options raise the cost to $1000 and up.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Selecting Exit Devices
Exit devices are commonly installed on aluminum and hollow metal doors in commercial buildings, including schools, retail stores, hospitals and office buildings. Most people are familiar with both types of equipment – the crossbar rim device and the pushpad rim device. The crossbar rim device has classic styling while the pushpad rim device has a more modern appearance. Regardless of which style is preferred, there are some design factors to consider when purchasing exit devices.
The first consideration is safety. When choosing an exit device, make sure it conforms to ANSI Grade 1 specifications. Also, look for hardened steel latches, adjustable strikes, concealed mounting screws and hex dogging. On pushpad rim devices, look for designs without openings for chains so you can reduce the risk of code violations. Pushpad devices should also be designed to resist tampering or forced entry, even if the intruder has a coat hanger or other tool. Dor-O-Matic, as an industry leaders, offers exit devices that meet these criteria.
Next, choose exit devices that are easy to install, maintain and adjust. Crossbar rim devices are the simplest and easiest to work with. Most can be installed on stiles as narrow as 1 3/4 inches and are easily converted for left-hand or right-hand operation. Choose the latest pushpad rim devices, such as the Dor-O-Matic 1790, which have fewer parts and thus require less maintenance. This is especially important on doors in high-traffic locations.
The best exit devices come with a variety of options. Crossbar rim devices like the Dor-O-Matic 1990 are popular since they are available in numerous painted and architectural finishes. This is a nice feature in upscale offices and retail establishments. In addition, crossbar styles should be field adjustable to fit the width of any door. Pushpad devices don't normally come in as many finishes as crossbars, but the best companies still offer variety in metal finishes. Pushpads are typically available in 30-inch, 36-inch, 42-inch and 48-inch lengths and may include electrical options for added security. Some pushpad rim devices are also designed for use on fire doors.
Finally, you'll need to decide on the exterior options for exit devices. If the door does not need to be opened from the outside, no trim is required. Otherwise, you can install a pull handle, pull handle and cylinder lock, or a cylinder lock only.
The first consideration is safety. When choosing an exit device, make sure it conforms to ANSI Grade 1 specifications. Also, look for hardened steel latches, adjustable strikes, concealed mounting screws and hex dogging. On pushpad rim devices, look for designs without openings for chains so you can reduce the risk of code violations. Pushpad devices should also be designed to resist tampering or forced entry, even if the intruder has a coat hanger or other tool. Dor-O-Matic, as an industry leaders, offers exit devices that meet these criteria.
Next, choose exit devices that are easy to install, maintain and adjust. Crossbar rim devices are the simplest and easiest to work with. Most can be installed on stiles as narrow as 1 3/4 inches and are easily converted for left-hand or right-hand operation. Choose the latest pushpad rim devices, such as the Dor-O-Matic 1790, which have fewer parts and thus require less maintenance. This is especially important on doors in high-traffic locations.
The best exit devices come with a variety of options. Crossbar rim devices like the Dor-O-Matic 1990 are popular since they are available in numerous painted and architectural finishes. This is a nice feature in upscale offices and retail establishments. In addition, crossbar styles should be field adjustable to fit the width of any door. Pushpad devices don't normally come in as many finishes as crossbars, but the best companies still offer variety in metal finishes. Pushpads are typically available in 30-inch, 36-inch, 42-inch and 48-inch lengths and may include electrical options for added security. Some pushpad rim devices are also designed for use on fire doors.
Finally, you'll need to decide on the exterior options for exit devices. If the door does not need to be opened from the outside, no trim is required. Otherwise, you can install a pull handle, pull handle and cylinder lock, or a cylinder lock only.
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