Practical Advice Regarding Glass Exit Doors and Thumbturns

Sometimes, I receive a call from a customer who wants to have an additional swing-bolt lock installed on the front door of their business.  Of course, there is always a lighted exit sign above the door which identifies this door as an emergency exit.

You cannot put two locks on a door that is designated as an emergency exit.  Why?  Because, in the event of an emergency, the emergency exit door must be able to be opened with one motion.  If there are two locks on the door, an person leaving the building will have to use two motions to leave the building.  This, as you can see, could be problematic.  Imagine, for example, that a disgruntled employee starts shooting after closing time.  Having to unlock two locks could mean the difference between life or death for a person trying to escape such a situation.  Imagine that a door does have two locks and that one is unlocked and the other locked.  In an emergency situation, a person trying to leave the building will unlock the locked lock and lock the other.

You must have thumb turn on the inside of your door if the door is a glass door using the Adams-Rite deadbolt.  In the event of an emergency, the person leaving the building can unlock the door in one motion.  However, the thumb turn is not intended to be used in banks, for the reason that bank robbers can conveniently lock the doors behind them.  Also, it seems to me, a person who runs a business alone should be exempt from the thumb turn requirement.  It could happen that a person wanting to commit a crime could easily enter, lock the door behind him, and proceed with his crime.

Although codes exist for good reasons, it is simply absurd for the local governing authorities to uphold codes if there are valid reasons why a code should, and must be, ignored.  In the event you have question on one of these issues, call your governing authority (perhaps your local fire marshal), tell him about your concerns, and ask him or her to waive the rule.  But, if he or she rules in your favor, be sure to get it in writing.

Emergency Exit Signs Must Be Lit Up! Pre-Inspection Tips For Businesses.

Just because you have emergency exit signs placed above your emergency exit doors does not mean that you are in code compliance in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, or anywhere else, for that matter.  In the event you are inspected by the fire marshal, he or she will check to see if your emergency exit signs have bulbs that work!  Before your place of business is inspected, here are some things you need to check.

1. Do your emergency exit doors have lit signs above them?  If not, call your electrician.
2. Is access to these emergency exits hindered by trash cans, merchandise, boxes, or equipment? If your doors cannot be exited in an emergency, there is really no reason to have them to start with.
3. Can a person fleeing your building exit the emergency exit door in ONE MOTION?  That is what codes stipulate for emergency exits.  A person fleeing the building for whatever reason should not have to remove a security exit device, unlock a deadbolt, and then turn a lever in order to escape.  Such a sequence would take three motions.
4. Are your exit alarms (Detex or Alarm Lock) working properly?  These devices incorporate a deadbolt that is retracted when a person leaving the building hits a paddle on the device.  Some inspectors will cite you for a violation if this alarm does not sound. (Call A-Best Locksmith if you need a Detex EAX-500 or the exit paddle model - I can beat anybody's price and have it drop shipped to you!)
5. Is the door sticking because of corrosion or rust?
6. Is the door closer functioning properly? (If not, get the name on it and call me for a cost-effective replacemement.)

I hope this information has been helpful. In the event you need locks, levers, panic bars, exit devices, or closers, please call David at 615-308-6794 and let me beat everybody's prices!

In Order to be Code-Compliant, Replace Those Knobs With Levers!

If your business is not equipped with handicap access locks, door closers, and ramps, then you may be losing business.  It has been popularly believed, and studies conducted by US Lock have shown, that businesses who make their stores handicap-friendly can expect as much as a 30% increase in business traffic.

Think about it.  If your front door has a door knob, then you are limiting your clientele.  Older people with arthritis and handicap people cannot open door knobs very easily.  A lever, on the other hand, is easy to open with an elbow, a fist or forearm.  In fact, at home, I often find myself wishing I had levers!  Especially when I am bringing in an armload of groceries!

If you have church building, then the codes people will probably never bother you.  But, why would you subject your older and handicap members to the pain and discomfort of using knobs?  It does not make sense. 

When you consider installing levers on your building, shop carefully.  I would avoid Yale and Corbin Russwin because of quality issues, and Sargeant and Schlage because of pricing issues.  Now, you can indict me for being self-serving here; but I install the LSDA medium and heavy grade levers for clients like General Mills and Pillsbury.  If you have a medium-duty application, like an office or a church, choose the medium grade.  For industrial areas and high traffic situations, use the heavy duty grade.

Yes, I do sell LSDA levers and I do sell them very cheaply.  They come with a manufacturer's warranty against materials and workmanship.  This warranty is for 15 years.  Call me at 615-308-6794 after you have shopped and give me the name of the lock you would like to purchase and I will try to beat that price!  Do note that there are two back sets for the latches. Most residential doors are 2 3/8 inches and commercial are 2 3/4 inches.  Give me a call!