Because it holds back flames and smoke for an extended period, a fire door can be the difference between life and death in an emergency. But there’s a lot more that goes into fire doors than the door itself. To be an effective fire door, it must also have the proper type of lock.
Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about fire door locks and choosing the right locks for fire doors.
Why are different locks required for fire doors?
Fire door panels can be made of several different materials like timber, steel, aluminum, gypsum (for a filler) or Vermiculite boards. Regardless of the material, they must adhere to safety ratings imposed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for 20-, 45-, 60- or 90-minute fire protection. The door components, including locks, hinges, handles and more, must also meet these fire ratings.
If the door components, especially the locks, don’t meet the NFPA protection requirements, the door can fail and won’t protect the building’s occupants from smoke or flames. Fire door locks are typically made of high-quality steel, as this metal has a much higher heat tolerance than metals used for traditional locks, like brass or die-cast zinc.
When choosing the right locks for fire doors, it’s a good idea to consider a lock that’s attached to your building’s fire security system. When the door is opened, an alarm is triggered that alerts all building occupants and the local fire department that there is a fire somewhere in the building.
Balancing safety and security
A fire door lock must also be able to function as a standard lock to keep intruders out while allowing for easy exit in the event of a fire. So, building managers and property owners must find a way to balance occupant security with their safety should a fire ever break out. It’s essential that you hire a professional to not only install the fire door, but also to fit it with a lock that defends against intruders and flames.
Let us handle your fire door needs
As we just mentioned, you should always leave fire door installation to the pros—and when you need help, call our team at Artie’s Lock and Key. Here are a few reasons to choose us:
Wide range of services: Our services extend beyond traditional locksmithing. On top of opening your business, home or car locks, we’re capable of installing and repairing fire doors with the proper locks.
Forty years of experience: We have over four decades of experience performing all of our services. When you choose us, you can rest easy knowing the job will be done right the first time.
Fast response time: There’s no need to wait around for someone to install your new fire door or open a lock. We’re dedicated to arriving ASAP to meet your needs.
Whether you need a team to install fire door locks or open up your locked car door, we’re standing by to assist. Give us a call today to see what we can do for you.
There’s nothing more important than safety in a school environment. Unfortunately, many schools aren’t properly equipped with the safety measures and protocols they need to keep students and staff as safe as possible. The good news is that there are lots of options for schools to boost security, including access control systems. Keep reading to learn more about how to optimize school security in VA with access control.
The importance of access control for schools
It’s essential to keep schools protected from security threats, and access control systems can improve safety significantly. There are a lot of different ways to boost VA school security with access control, but every option offers some key benefits. Access control systems can put the minds of school administrators and parents at ease by restricting access to school grounds and improving the safety of a school facility. Ultimately, an investment in an access control system is an investment in safety, security and peace of mind.
Access control options for schools
If you’re interested in boosting school security in VA with access control, it’s worth it to consider the different options out there. Here are a few of the most common types of security systems in use at schools:
Video surveillance systems: One security option for schools is video surveillance. Video surveillance systems allow school administrators to monitor who is coming and going and ensure that only authorized persons are entering schools. In addition, video surveillance gives schools extra security by providing documentation in the event of a break-in or criminal activity so law enforcement has video evidence of the incident.
Door barricades: Another popular way to improve school security in VA with access control is by installing door barricades that automatically lock down a school facility in the event of an emergency. These systems can be very helpful in allowing administrators to quickly and effectively secure a school and address whatever emergency situation is at hand.
Electronic access control systems: One of the most effective options for schools is electronic access control. An electronic access control is designed to limit access to school facilities by ensuring only authorized individuals are able to gain entry to the school premises. Anyone with permission to enter can be given a key fob or code to gain access. As an added benefit, electronic access control systems can be personalized and programmed to limit access to different areas of a school to certain faculty members or teachers and ensure students, parents and authorized visitors only have access to certain doors.
Want access control? Call a locksmith today
Learn more about optimizing security in your school buildings with help from an access control locksmith by reaching out to Artie’s Lock and Key. With decades of experience providing our customers with comprehensive locksmithing services, our team has the expertise necessary to assist you with all your security needs. Give us a call today to find out more about everything we have to offer and to get started with a consultation and quote.
Safety is an essential thing for business owners to consider when making decisions about their businesses and their properties, but it can be difficult to keep track of every little detail related to safety. Door access and security is very important to maintaining the overall safety of a commercial property, and panic bars can improve security significantly. Keep reading for some panic bar education to help you understand more about how to keep your property secure.
What are panic bars?
Most people have seen panic bars in commercial buildings on sets of swinging doors and on emergency exits. Panic bars are horizontal accessories that make emergency exits easily accessible. When a person pushes on the panic bar, it triggers a mechanism that opens up the door. Panic bars allow people inside to exit a building while keeping the door locked from the outside, which makes them very popular in commercial settings.
Panic bars are often necessary to keep commercial facilities and businesses compliant with local codes and fire regulations. Regardless of whether they are required or not, lots of business owners opt to have panic bars installed because of the benefits they offer when it comes to safety and security. Panic bars can also be installed on emergency doors to trigger fire alarms when the mechanism is activated.
Deciding whether to install a panic bar
If you’re trying to optimize the security of your business, but you aren’t sure whether it’s necessary to have a commercial locksmith install a panic bar in your building, here are a few considerations to keep in mind:
Regulations and requirements: One of the best reasons to invest in a panic bar is because it might be required for your business. Do some research to find out if panic bars are necessary to keep your building compliant with local codes and regulations. If they are, it’s important to have them installed as soon as possible to avoid any fines or citations for non-compliance.
Business traffic: If you have a business where a lot of people congregate, it’s a good idea to invest in panic bars for your doors. Panic bars make it much easier for patrons to exit a business without allowing anyone from outside the building to get inside, so it’s a great option for businesses that see heavy foot traffic and want to provide convenient exit points.
Hazardous working conditions: If you have a commercial or industrial facility where there’s a risk of chemical exposure, gas leaks, fires or other emergencies, panic bars are wise investments. Installing panic bars gives employees and customers a reliable emergency exit point to keep them safe in the event of an emergency.
Call a commercial locksmith to install your panic bar
If you’re looking for a commercial locksmith to provide panic bar installation, reach out to Artie’s Lock and Key. We’ve been offering comprehensive locksmith services to the area for decades, and continue to offer the best services possible to commercial and residential customers alike. No matter what your particular needs may be, our team is here to assist you with high-quality locksmith services. Find out more about everything we have to offer by giving our team a call today.
Locksmiths do a lot more than just help you out when you’ve locked your keys in your car. There are many types of locksmith specialties, including residential security and commercial security. If you own a business, a commercial locksmith is an important partner in keeping your premises, and any inventory, safe and secure. Read on to learn about some of the most basic FAQs on commercial locksmiths.
What are a commercial locksmith’s primary responsibilities?
While technology has made it easier than ever to secure your business premises, thieves are always working to take advantage and exploit new technologies. No matter what industry you serve, it’s always important to be a few steps ahead to keep your investments secured. Primary responsibilities of commercial locksmiths include:
Installing new locks: If you’re building a new business from scratch or you have an existing business in need of new locks, you need the help of a professional commercial locksmith. This is especially important if you’re taking over a new space for your business. Since you don’t know who the previous tenant or owner may have handed spare keys to, it’s important to change the locks as soon as you take possession of the property.
Rekeying locks: Losing a key isn’t an uncommon occurrence. When this happens, a professional locksmith needs to rekey the locks in order for you to regain entry. An experienced locksmith is able to remove pins and springs from the lock cylinder, replacing them with new ones that will only open with a brand-new key. Many companies rekey locks when they need to let go of employees, especially when that employee may still hold keys to the building.
Repairing locks: It takes the expertise of a professional to repair broken keys or locks. Whether caused by general wear and tear or a faulty lock, a commercial locksmith can ensure locks operate as they should and can replace them when pins and springs start to wear out. In the case of commercial locks, an experienced locksmith can troubleshoot any issues, including those related to faulty wiring.
What situations require the assistance of a commercial locksmith?
There are two main reasons to call a commercial locksmith. Make a service call immediately to address the following problems:
Lockouts: Every minute you or your employees don’t have access to your building results in a loss of productivity and money. Instead of destroying your lock, call the locksmith to handle a repair without requiring full replacement.
Broken front door security locks: When locking up for the day, pay attention to whether the lock is working properly. Call a professional commercial locksmith immediately if the lock seems faulty—don’t leave it to chance, and get the problem handled before leaving the premises.
Now that you understand some of the basic FAQs on commercial locksmiths, you can use this knowledge to find the right professional to help you add security and safety to your business to protect your inventory and your commercial building itself. Contact Artie’s Lock and Key today to learn more about the benefits of hiring a professional commercial locksmith to secure your premises.
Many businesses have adopted automatic door technology to ensure ADA compliance and to create a more accessible environment for their customers. People with mobility issues can also benefit from adding this technology to their own homes by installing a handicapped door opener.
Since your home is where comfort matters most, investing in this convenient upgrade is incredibly important for people with mobility issues, and even for seniors or children who may have challenges opening standard doors. Here are just some of the benefits of installing handicapped doors at your residence.
Improves livability
Easy entry or exit from a home is essential for everyday comfort, and this can be a challenge for people who have limited mobility or are confined to a wheelchair. One of the key benefits of having handicapped doors at home is that everyone, including wheelchair users, can enter or exit the home easily and go about their daily routine as efficiently as possible. Instead of struggling to grip a door handle, the handicapped door opener automatically opens the door for you. It’s not just the front door that can benefit from an automatic opener, but also interior doors like bedroom and bathroom doors.
Automatic door openers are also incredibly helpful for pet owners. As part of a home automation system, doors can be outfitted with technology to detect your pet’s microchip and open or close accordingly, or in some cases they can be remote control activated with a smartphone or other device. This is especially helpful for pet owners who have difficulty making it to and from the door due to mobility issues or pet owners who are often away from home.
Enhanced security
Automatic door openers can be programmed as part of an access control system, improving the safety and security of your home. Since they can be installed in virtually any room of the house, their addition can make every room of the home more secure. You can also ensure that doors throughout the home are truly closed, which is especially important for exterior doors.
Increased privacy
Home automation technology can actually make everyday life more private, since automatic doors aren’t only for garages and entry doors anymore. Many people with mobility issues find that automatic doors for bathrooms are extremely convenient and practical. There are several different types and sizes of automatic doors on the market to install in the home, as well as automatic openers for every type of door. Some people choose to install a wall keypad to open and close the door, or a smartphone operated opener. Both are excellent options that provide you with the privacy and independence you need to live comfortably at home.
An automatic handicapped door opener can make living at home much easier and safer for those with limited mobility or any other disability. They’re easy to install and work exactly when you need them to, ensuring you’re fully able to move about your home with ease. Contact Artie’s Lock and Key today to learn more about automatic door openers for the interior and exterior doors of your home.
