Americans with disabilities make up about 18 percent of the population right now, and that number is only expected to grow. That’s why the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets standards for public buildings. People with disabilities need to be able to access buildings without requiring additional assistance. That’s why ADA compliant locks and hardware are so important when getting your building up to standards.
Traditional door knobs that require gripping and twisting are not ADA compliant—the force they require people to exert is not compatible with many disabilities. Lever-style door handles are the most common ADA compliant lock. Read on to find out more about your options.
What are ADA compliant locks?
ADA compliant locks should be easy to open with one hand, requiring minimal grabbing or pinching. Unlike traditional round knobs, the user shouldn’t have to twist their wrist to be able to open the door. Many manufacturers make ADA-compliant locks for a variety of applications, including the indicator locks you might see on a public restroom (the type that say “occupied” or “vacant,” depending on whether the lock is engaged).
Why do I need ADA compliant locks?
If you run a business or operate a building open to the public, you will probably fall under the ADA’s compliance guidelines. Generally, unless it’s prohibitively expensive to make alterations, your existing building can’t have barriers to access for people with disabilities. Similarly, new construction must be built to be ADA compliant. Not only is it the law—which means you could be hit with serious fines for noncompliance—it’s also just good business. Why bar almost 20 percent of your potential clients and customers from visiting if it can be avoided?
Are there ADA compliant home security locks?
If your household includes people with disabilities, you’ll need ADA compliant home security locks. Although the ADA doesn’t apply to private residences, it’s important that every member of your household be able to get into and out of the home safely. There are many home security lock options available—consider browsing a selection in person to see which type works best for you or your loved ones.
Other ADA lock compliance considerations
When installing an ADA compliant lock, be sure to thoroughly review the building standards. For example, the door should require no more than five pounds of weight to successfully open with one hand. A person should be able to operate the door with a closed fist or open hand.
Similarly, the locking handle may not be more than 48 inches (four feet) above the ground, and no less than 34 inches (nearly three feet). This allows people with wheelchairs to open the doors, and the average person won’t need to bend down too far to use the door handle.
If you have questions about ADA compliant locks, talk to a locksmith—they’ll be familiar with the type of locks you need. Reach out to the experts at Artie’s Lock and Key to learn more about options for your home or business.
Locking yourself out of your home or vehicle is inconvenient at best, and downright panic-inducing at worst. The last thing you want to do is call for a locksmith, only to find out that you’ve been scammed. Here are our best tips to help you avoid common locksmith scams:
Find a locksmith before you actually need one. You’re not going to be at your best during an emergency, which is why it’s a good idea to find a reputable locksmith when you don’t need one right away. Spending a few moments asking for recommendations or Googling locksmiths will pay off later.
Check their address: If your locksmith doesn’t have a physical address, that’s a big red flag. It could mean that they’re scammers and don’t want to deal with angry “customers” showing up to ask for their money back.
Look at their online reviews: Review sites like Yelp and Google allow users to post reviews for businesses. Check a locksmith’s online reviews before you hire them. Look for patterns and recurring themes, good and bad—a few negative outliers may not be red flags if the rest of the reviews seem positive.
Ask for an estimate: Before you hire the locksmith, ask for an estimate. When the work is done, be sure to compare their quote to the actual estimate. If they vary wildly, find out why before you fork over your credit card.
Ask about any additional charges: When you’re getting your estimate, be sure to ask if there are any additional charges you should expect. That way, you won’t be surprised if the bill is suddenly a lot higher than you were anticipating.
Get it in writing: Getting the estimate and charges in writing is important—in case you do end up becoming a scam victim, you’ll have written proof of the transaction.
Watch their vehicle: When the locksmith arrives, look at their vehicle. Professional locksmiths often advertise their business on their vehicles. If yours doesn’t, that may be a sign that they’re not running a legitimate business.
Trust your gut: If a locksmith tells you that they’ll have to break a door or window to get in—unless you pay a lot more money for another option—don’t believe them. Approach all similar claims with extreme caution.
Make sure your keys work: Before they leave, make sure your keys work in the lock. Test them several times before you pay.
Don’t pay until you’re happy: Finally, if you’re not happy with the service, don’t pay. Contact the company and let them know what the problem is, such as scratching your doors or vehicle, and refuse to pay until they fix it. If you think they might be scamming you, pay with a credit card so you have some financial recourse.
Locked out? Avoid common locksmith scams by trusting qualified professionals to do the job. Get in touch with Artie’s Lock and Key to learn more about our services. Our friendly, reputable locksmiths are standing by to help.
Many home and business owners hesitate before purchasing a home alarm system. That’s because there have been numerous reports about problems with these systems. They may fail just when they’re needed most, or may even malfunction regularly, leading to a constant annoyance. Some people also mistakenly believe that only a top-dollar security system can be effective.
What is most important is making certain that the entire system is compatible and has been installed and maintained by professional security specialists. Read on to learn more about home security issues in Fairfax, VA.
False alarms
One of the most commonly reported problems with home and commercial security systems is false alarms. These are typically caused because the system has not been installed properly. They may also be caused by a sound that triggers the alarm. This can be a constant irritation for homeowners. However, getting a season pro to complete the installation process and handle routine maintenance can virtually eliminate this issue. The fact is that a high-quality security system won’t cause problems via false alarms.
The security system doesn’t work
Another leading issue is that the security system simply doesn’t perform its main function. While companies all claim that their systems are easy to install, easy to use and flawless in their functionality, this is rarely the case. There are a number of issues that may be the root cause of this. Incompatible cameras, motion sensors, alarms and sound detectors could all be the culprit. That’s why it pays to bring in a pro to install a security system and maintain it.
The security system fails to cover the whole building
Whether it’s your home or your business, you need a security system that provides adequate coverage to the entire space. If you purchased the system on your own, you need to make sure it covers the entire square footage of the space. When it doesn’t, there will be areas that are vulnerable to a break-in. This is particularly a problem for those who have installed their security systems themselves.
The system fails to disarm
This is often the result of a door or window that has not been shut properly. If you try addressing that and it doesn’t work, then there may be a more serious problem with the system itself. In these cases, it’s best to trust a security company that can address any deeper issues.
If you ever experience malfunctions in home security in Fairfax, VA, check out what Artie’s Lock and Key has to offer. For over 45 years, we’ve been here with services for residential, commercial and automotive clients alike. Our professional locksmiths are here to handle any job. At Artie’s Lock and Key, we are fully equipped with the latest tools and are professionally trained to handle locks of all kinds. Contact us to purchase a new lock, new car key or remote, rekey your locks or schedule a job for repair or installation. We look forward to helping you keep your property safe and secure!
Smart locks sound great and convenient: you simply lock and unlock your door using your phone! There’s no hassle, no searching for your keys, and no jiggling the key around in the lock until it catches just right. A smart key won’t ever break in the lock and will never fall into the depths of your couch cushions.
But many people wonder about hackers and thieves finding a way around the system, as well as have concerns about how reliable this wireless technology is. If you have questions about smart lock safety in Fairfax, VA, read on for some insight.
How do smart locks work?
The basic idea behind a smart lock is that you can use your phone to lock and unlock your door. This technology utilizes wireless protocol and a cryptographic key, which sends signals to the device. This means you can give access to someone else even when you’re not at home. Beyond this, smart locks have functionality that monitors access to the home and can send alerts if there’s a problem.
What are the problems with smart lock security?
Smart locks work by sending a message from the smartphone to the lock and back via an encrypted message on the cloud. However, hackers are sometimes able to intercept that message and use it to gain access to your home. Hackers are able to do this via inexpensive network-sniffing devices. Other reported problems include the smart lock incorrectly reporting the door is unlocked and the smart lock failing to respond.
What should I look for when purchasing a smart lock system?
While there are security concerns when looking at smart lock systems, there are steps you can take to mitigate these issues. Many smart lock manufacturers allow users to monitor an activity log, which is very useful and will let you know immediately if your system has been compromised.
Some smart locks also have an auto lock function, which is a significant improvement over the traditional lock. Additionally, some smart lock manufacturers are addressing security problems via a firmware patch.
Just like when looking at any security product, you should be sure to ask plenty of questions and find out how exactly the manufacturer stands behind its product. Many homeowners also use a secondary physical lock just in case the smart lock is not functional. While developers and producers of smart locks still have work to do, there are already many people who prefer the convenience and ease of smart locks.
When you’re in the market for smart lock security in the greater Fairfax, VA and Washington, DC areas, Artie’s Lock and Key is here to help. For more than four decades, we’ve provided services for residential, commercial and automotive clients alike. We are proud to offer you the best locksmithing service in Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun and Prince William counties and the surrounding communities. Our professional locksmiths are here to handle any job. Contact us today for all your lock and key needs—we look forward to assisting you!
Increasingly common in today’s vehicles, key fobs make unlocking and starting your car easier than ever before. They can remotely unlock your vehicle without the need to insert a key into your lock, with additional features differing greatly depending on your vehicle. All that being said, a key fob can stop working after a time, and you may find yourself needing a key fob replacement in Fairfax, VA.
There are many reasons your key fob may have stopped working, so you may not need to replace the device entirely. Read on for information about some of the most common issues that prevent key fobs from working properly.
Is it the battery?
Key fobs are powered by a battery system located within the device and, as with most battery-powered devices, a dead battery will keep it from working. Batteries die after prolonged use. That’s just how it is, but being unable to open your car because of a dead battery can be extremely frustrating.
That said, you could contact a locksmith in Fairfax, VA to bring you a key fob replacement or help you open your car. Once in your vehicle, you could easily buy a replacement battery for your key fob.
In order to avoid getting locked out of your car in the first place, it’s a good idea to be aware of your key fob’s battery life. If you are having to press your key fob multiple times to unlock your car, then this could be a sign of a dying battery.
Is my key fob broken?
If it isn’t the battery, then your key fob may have just died entirely. After years of use, it’s possible that your key fob has broken and you will need to get a replacement. To find out if your key fob is broken, you could try replacing the battery to see if that fixes the problem. There are also professionals who may be able to diagnose any issues with your key fob.
It may also be a good idea to contact your dealership and see if they have any recommendations. If all else fails, you will likely need to invest in key fob replacement in Fairfax, VA.
Is the problem with the car itself?
There may not be a problem with your key fob at all. It’s possible that your vehicle’s battery may have died. It’s also possible that your car is experiencing an electrical or mechanical problem, which means you’ll probably have to bring your car to an automotive repair shop in the area.
How much is a key fob replacement?
Key fob replacements can vary depending on your vehicle’s make, model, year and a variety of other factors. Having a locksmith replace your key fob can be more cost effective in many situations.
At Artie’s Lock and Key, we will easily provide you with a key fob replacement in Fairfax, VA, as well as key fob programming services to ensure your new fob works perfectly with your vehicle. For any and all locksmith service needs, contact Artie’s Lock and Key today.
