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According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), approximately 33% of break-ins in commercial properties during were due to inadequate door security, often pointing to the absence of a strong commercial door lock. Could this alarming statistic be attributed to businesses not investing in the right commercial door locks, or is it simply a lack of proper knowledge about commercial lock standards?
In this guide, we will dive into the significance of choosing the appropriate commercial door lock. By exploring the various types, standards, and grades of commercial door locks, we will create a roadmap for you to effectively secure your commercial property.
Commercial door locks are high-performance security systems developed to offer advanced protection against break-ins and withstand heavy daily use. The key aspect distinguishing commercial door locks from residential ones is their resistance to tampering and wear and tear.
Furthermore, these top-quality commercial door locks and heavy-duty lock sets are designed to accommodate a higher traffic volume, making them ideal for areas accessed frequently throughout the day. Often, these devices also feature more complex locking mechanisms, functions, and higher-grade materials, ensuring both durability and a higher level of security to meet the stringent demands of commercial settings.
Heavy-duty security door lock systems, are a fundamental part of workplace security, fire ratings, codes, and standards. Door locks come in various grades, denoting durability, quality of construction, and security level. These grades, standardized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA), play a major role in guiding users to select the most appropriate hardware.
The safety of your business, its assets, and your properties is critical in maintaining your company’s security posture. Thus, choosing heavy-duty commercial door locks that align with your business’s security and compliance requirements is of great importance. The BHMA and ANSI enhance the reliability and security of commercial door locks by setting industry-leading standards.
While BHMA certifications indicate a product\'s safety and reliability, ANSI standards define performance, durability, and security norms for American products. Several important international standards, like Euro Norms (EN) and Singapore Standards (SS), set high-security standards worldwide. These play an important role in today\'s interconnected economy. Commercial door locks are classified into three grades by the BHMA:
Grade 1: The highest grade, intended for high-traffic commercial areas like hospitals and schools. Key characteristics include exceptional durability and resistance to intensive use.
Grade 2: Designed for lighter traffic environments such as small offices. Offers reliable security and quality construction for moderate use.
Grade 3: Provides a basic security level for residential or low-traffic commercial areas. Offers sufficient durability and complexity for fundamental security needs.
You must consider factors such as traffic levels, security requirements, durability requirements, and budget when choosing the best type of commercial electronic door lock for your business or office. While higher-quality locks may be more costly, they also offer higher levels of durability and security, ensuring a balance between the cost and functionality of the lock.
Choosing the right type of commercial electronic door locks for your business or office is crucial for establishments with a focus on securing their premises effectively. Each of the commercial door lock and access control solutions serves specific needs, offering various advantages depending on the application and the level of security required. Here’s a closer look at the diverse range of commercial door locks available, their uses, and their advantages:
Cabinet Locks:
Specialized for cabinet security, these types of commercial door hardware protect sensitive documents and valuables. They range from simple cam locks for basic protection to advanced electronic systems for heightened security needs, making them essential in offices, retail stores, and healthcare facilities.
Cylindrical Knob and Cylindrical Lever Locks:
Essential for interior doors, knob locks balance accessibility with security for low to medium-protection areas. Sargent Grade 1 10x line, 11 lines, and Grade 2 7 line, Schlage ND Series Grade 1 Cylindrical Locks, Grade 2 ALX Series, or Grade 1 Corbin Russwin CLX Series, CL Grade 2 lever locks are suitable options. These locks meet ADA requirements, provide enhanced usability, and are ideal for offices, hospitals, and schools, catering to environments with moderate security needs.
Deadbolt Locks:
Creating a robust barrier against forced entry, deadbolts anchor doors to frames with unmatched resilience. They are the gold standard for exterior door security in retail spaces, office buildings, and commercial properties requiring strong protection. Schlage B60 Series and Sargent Series Locks are excellent options for exterior doors.
Electromagnetic Locks:
Utilizing magnetic force, these locks offer superior security and convenience while integrating seamlessly with access control systems. Perfect for secure entrances in commercial buildings and data centers, they ensure that controlled access is maintained.
Electric Push Button and Keypad Locks:
These locks provide keyless entry through pin codes, eliminating the need for physical keys and enhancing security. Ideal for controlled access to storerooms, server rooms, and various commercial areas, they effectively prevent unauthorized entry. A popular option for keyless entry solutions is the Schlage ALX Series and Sargent KP 10 Line Locks.
Commercial Hospital Push Pull Locks:
Designed for ease of use, these locks can be operated by pushing or pulling which is beneficial in high-traffic or emergency situations. They are predominantly used in healthcare settings, offering accessibility without compromising security.
Mortise Deadlocks:
Embedded directly into the door, a mortise deadlock allows for manual locking with a key or thumb turn from both sides. These devices are suited for high-traffic commercial environments, retail, educational institutions, and exterior high-security doors.
Multi-Point Locks:
These locks enhance security by engaging the door at multiple points, distributing locking force for increased resistance to forced entry. Ideal for external doors in high-risk areas, they provide comprehensive protection.
Padlocks and Pocket Door Locks:
Offering flexible and space-saving locking solutions, padlocks are portable for securing gates and storage units, while pocket door locks are designed for sliding doors, maximizing space efficiency in commercial and residential settings.
Unit Locks:
Common in older buildings or historic properties, these locks consolidate all locking components into a single unit, simplifying installation and maintenance. They are a practical solution for preserving the integrity of traditional doors while ensuring security.
Dead Latches:
They employ a latching mechanism that automatically secures a door upon closing, providing both convenience and enhanced security. Ideal for busy commercial settings where doors must remain securely closed without constant manual locking, dead latches are perfect for offices, public buildings, and residential complexes seeking efficient security solutions.
Mortise Locks:
Combining strength and precision, these locks are installed within the door itself, offering superior protection against forced entry. With options for keyed entry and thumb turn from the inside, they are extensively used in commercial, institutional, and high-end residential settings for their reliability and robustness in securing doors. Popular mortise locks include Sargent’s Series, Schlage\'s L Series, and Corbin Russwin ML Series.
Ligature Resistant Locks:
Suited for healthcare facilities, hospitals, and behavioral health facilities. Also known as anti-ligature locks, these locks ensure patients\' safety by preventing any self-harm. Popular ligature-resistant locks include Sargent’s mortise lock with a BHW trim, ALP Trim, BHL Trim, Marks USA 195SS Locks, Townsteel MRX and TRX Locks.
Businesses can effectively enhance their security measures by understanding the distinct features and advantages of each type of lock. This ensures protection and accessibility that is tailored to specific requirements.
Selecting the right commercial door locks and access control solutions requires a thorough understanding of your property’s security requirements. Here are some factors that should be considered to ensure the highest level of security and efficiency:
Security Needs: Evaluate unique threats based on location, crime rate, and industry risks. Security demands vary widely between high-risk retail settings and safer office environments. Sargent’s 10X line is a suitable option designed for high-security applications.
Durability and Reliability: Commercial locks must withstand heavy usage without failing, ensuring they remain operational under stress. It\'s always advisable to purchase commercial door locks like Series Mortise Locks from reliable distributors that offer manufacturer warranties, ensuring both product reliability and access to support should any issues arise.
Accessibility: Ensures that locks offer easy access for authorized users without compromising security, balancing operational efficiency with safety protocols.
Compatibility: New locks should integrate with existing systems without extensive modifications. Users can find out more about recent market trends by checking with any popular commercial door hardware seller in their area.
Budget: When purchasing locks, consider them an investment in security. Prioritize quality over initial cost to prevent future costs associated with maintenance or risks. QDH, for instance, is an authorized dealer of commercial door hardware and accessories that provides substantial discounts on bulk orders.
Awareness of Local Crime and Risks: Adapt security measures to local and industry-specific threats, especially in high-risk areas.
Regulatory Compliance: Follow local building codes and regulations, including fire safety and emergency exits.
When evaluating commercial door locks, understanding the key features that contribute to their effectiveness can help in making an informed decision.
Anti-Pick: These locks are designed to resist lock-picking attempts, using complex keyways and pin configurations.
Anti-Drill: Constructed with hardened steel components, these locks are built to withstand drilling attempts.
Anti-Bump: Locks with this feature are designed to prevent the use of a “bump key,” a common tool for burglars trying to defeat a lock without visible signs of entry.
The practical benefit of these features is significantly increased security against some of the most common methods of forced entry.
Keyless Entry: Enables access without traditional keys, often through codes, cards, or biometrics, enhancing security by eliminating the risk of lost keys.
Remote Access: Allows doors to be locked or unlocked remotely, providing convenience and the ability to respond quickly to security threats.
The evolution of technology has led to more sophisticated access control options, improving security while offering businesses greater flexibility and control over their premises.
Commercial locks should also be resistant to environmental factors and tampering attempts. Weather-resistant locks ensure functionality in various conditions, while tamper-proof features prevent unauthorized modifications or bypassing of the lock mechanism.
Commercial door lever locks that can integrate with broader security systems, including alarms and surveillance, provide a holistic approach to security. This integration can lead to more effective monitoring and quicker responses to potential breaches.
Selecting the right commercial door lock requires a comprehensive understanding of a multitude of factors, from assessing unique security needs to considering compliance and compatibility issues. By prioritizing high-security features, advanced access control options, and integration capabilities, businesses can significantly enhance their security posture. Remember, investing in high-quality commercial door locks is not just about protecting assets but ensuring a safe and secure environment for everyone associated with the business.
When securing a commercial property, the choice of locks is pivotal due to the unique security requirements compared to residential spaces. Brands like Schlage, Corbin Russwin, Arrow, Sargent, and ABH are at the forefront of the commercial door lock industry, offering reliability, durability, and cutting-edge security features. These top brands have a reputation for evolving with advancements in technology, including IoT integrations, to ensure enhanced security and operational efficiency. The selection of these brands represents an investment in not just a lock but a comprehensive security solution tailored to the complex needs of commercial properties.
Investing in high-quality commercial door locks is more than just protecting assets; it\'s about ensuring a safe and secure environment for everyone associated with the business. These locks serve not only as a cornerstone of business safety but also to support the uninterrupted flow of daily activities. By prioritizing high-security features, advanced access control options, and integration capabilities, businesses can significantly enhance their security posture.
Door locks for commercial buildings each possess different locking mechanisms, door hardware and finishes. While some require a conventional key, others are electronically powered and rely on a numbered code. Aside from those features, you may also consider variables like cost, level of security and aesthetic. The following list describes several types of commercial door locks, how they function and where they work best.
Cylindrical styles are commonly used as office door locks or locks for business doors. Conventionally, cylindrical locks are easy to use but offer greater security than mechanical keys. Aesthetically, they comprise a long handle lever visible from either side of the door. It is best to avoid using round commercial knobs to ensure your entry complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Heavy-duty cylindrical locks use thicker metal hardware with a cylindrical lockset inserted through the lock’s center. You can release and close the lock’s hub via a conventional key. They’re popular among small and medium commercial businesses, but larger companies may use them to protect individual offices or limit access to certain rooms of a high-rise building.
Within this category, there are several types of locks:
Deadbolt locks: A commercial building is most likely to use a double-cylinder deadbolt to ensure key holders can maintain security from either side of the door. Single-cylinder locks may work in classrooms and business storerooms, with the lock placed on the room’s exterior.
Lever handle locks: Doors with lever handle locks are lockable from the inside with a turn button, for example. They’re ideal for spaces that require good accessibility during an emergency, such as a fire or evacuation.
Mortise locks offer high-level security, as they’re integrated into the body of a door rather than getting installed on a door’s surface. Although this attachment style is trickier to install, mortise locks provide a strong sense of safety, as the lock is more difficult to break. You’ll typically find mortise locks at hotel complexes, office buildings and multi-family living areas, like apartment complexes.
A mortise lock comprises a latch bolt with keyholes on either side of the door. You can open and close the lever by turning the key. Mortise locks graded one and above use a complex leverage system, making the lock nearly impossible to pick.
Electronic locking systems of electric door locks for commercial buildings use a wired or battery power supply to control the locking mechanism instead of a physical key. Some electronic locks, also called electronic smart locks, can use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection to devices like smartphones, tablets or computers. Electronic locks for commercial doors should either have a backup battery installed or a backup manual locking system in the event of a power outage.
Electronic locks offer a modernized approach to security, providing keyless entry and remote door lock commercial management. Here are seven examples of electronic door locks for your commercial space:
An automatic commercial electronic door lock system for business complexes is an excellent security measure, as they lock after each use, removing the need for manual locking. You can also connect automatic locks for business doors to alarm systems to alert a building manager when a door has been left open for a prolonged period. Using video security cameras pointing toward that door can help you identify who is responsible for setting the alarm off.
An electronic smart lock is another type of keyless locking system. Commercial smart locks are predicted to become a more popular option, with more businesses looking into this technology in recent years.
Commercial smart door locks connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to an electronic device such as a smartphone. Before installation, consider the strength of your internet connection and whether Bluetooth-enabled programming would be more stable. Using a commercial Wi-Fi door lock is an excellent choice for business owners looking to manage a building’s accessibility remotely. A smart lock for commercial glass doors operate with the same credentials as those fitted to wood or metal doors.
Smart locks for commercial doors with cameras offer a self-sufficient and reliable security solution for commercial and residential buildings. Advanced electronic locking systems have video security features and can store footage of who has entered the building on an app or in cloud-based storage. There are two types of commercial smart locks with cameras: one with a built-in still camera and a smart lock with a video camera. Many smart locks allow users to activate and monitor the camera via smartphone or computer. Some models may use motion sensors to alert the camera and start recording.
Keypad door locks provide keyless security to commercial workspaces, offices containing sensitive data and private areas within a medical facility. Schools may also use keypad entry at the front door or staffroom to ensure only authorized personnel can enter.
Users require a numeral code to enter any space guarded by a keypad commercial door lock. When users enter a personal identification number (PIN) to the keypad, the internal lock, such as a deadbolt, will be released. Some users may describe this lock as a combination door lock.
Electronic commercial door lock systems with keypads provide enhanced security. Eliminating the need to have physical access keys removes any chance of someone losing it or copying the key with malicious intent. Property owners and senior management professionals can alternate the PIN code on a timely basis to ensure only authorized personnel have access to the space.
Magnetic locks offer reliable security to commercial buildings, even during a power outage. This type of commercial door lock system responds to a fire alarm and releases the magnet to ensure user safety during emergencies. Maglocks and electromagnetic locks for commercial buildings are generally positioned along the top of the doorway, with two compatible magnetic pieces attached to the door’s face and frame.
Public and commercial spaces like libraries, galleries and agencies typically use maglocks. It’s easy to fit a magnetic lock on various wood and glass doors, offering enhanced aesthetics while still keeping the space secure. Maglocks offer entry to those with compatible credentials, like fingerprints, key cards or fobs.
An alarm lock offers advanced protection to commercial places like schools, hospitals and retail stores. Some commercial smart locks come with a built-in alarm system to alert people of a potential intruder inside the building. Commercial space owners can also attach an external alarm to the top of the door, which sounds if an unattended or vulnerable door is left open for a long period of time. Other alarm locks use cylindrical key access. Heavy-duty keypad locks may also display a quiet alarm sound when access is denied after a user enters the wrong PIN code to a keypad reader.
Commonly found in areas protecting valuable goods, sensitive data or industrial and medical equipment in hospitals, banks, museums and research facilities, biometric doors only allow entry to people with highly unique credentials. Fingerprints, facial recognition or eye scans of the retina are popular entry methods. These high-security areas may apply two-factor authentication (MFA) using mobile credentials through an app or a one-time PIN code to enter.
Selecting adequate security locks for your commercial space depends on several variables, including the volume of people accessing and leaving the building or room, what the building houses and the area where the commercial space is located. Other factors like budget and design can also influence your decision. Here are several steps you can take when choosing commercial door locks:
Determine the purpose of your building. For instance, retail stores require secure front door locks to protect the merchandise outside opening hours. Medical facilities need extensive locking throughout the building to protect confidential information, ensure privacy for vulnerable patients and secure state-of-the-art equipment.
It’s also worth conducting an internal security audit for physical security measures. For example, if you already have cameras installed around an office’s entrance and reception area, you may not need a smart lock with a built-in camera. During your audit, you can also check for vulnerabilities, such as a passage with minimal security camera visibility or storeroom and staffroom doors with weak locking security.
During this step, make sure you factor in location. BHMA considers traffic levels when grading locks. Grade one locks and higher offer heavier-duty protection in areas with medium to high traffic levels. If the building is in a quiet place or enclosed complex, you may only need commercial locking systems on external doors and use grade two locks on standard internal doors. You can enhance the security of areas using grade two locks by directing fixed IP cameras toward entrances.
Accessibility plays a vital role when selecting a commercial locking system. If you’re a medium-sized business, you may want credentials that are easy to distribute and adjust, such as a key card. Commercial spaces protecting highly sensitive customer information, banking details and cash or medical data may prefer keyless commercial door lock systems like keypads or combination locks.
Businesses implementing a hybrid working schedule may benefit from automated or smart locks with cameras, as there are more frequent comings and goings. Managers can keep track of which employees use the office space and identify whether visitors have the authentication to enter the building.
Modern lock systems for doors may incur higher costs as they offer more advanced features like wireless connection and cloud-based data storage. You could also measure cost-effectiveness by the longevity of a lock. For instance, although a mortise lock is more challenging to fit, it’s durable, reliable and offers high-level security, meaning you’re less likely to replace it soon after installation.
In the case where your commercial building is positioned in an area with low- to medium-level traffic, you may want to invest in commercial electronic locks for doors only around the building’s exterior. You can use heavy-duty cylindrical locks with physical keys for internal doors if the cost of your commercial door lock system is a concern. Consider allocating trustworthy keyholders who allow entry to specific departments to reduce the number of keys in circulation. You can enhance internal security by placing corner cameras in a busy passage or near vulnerable areas like a storeroom keeping cash.
Linking video security to your lock systems in and around a commercial building is an efficient way to boost protection around the clock, even when no one is on-site. It allows operators to identify authorized and unauthorized visitors visually. If an incident occurs involving unauthorized visitors, the system keeps video footage as evidence to streamline an investigation.
If your building operates a visitor system, you could install a smart doorbell with a keypad and video function to enhance security and offer more convenience for visitors. For example, a reader with a built-in camera, intercom and doorbell can streamline processes for visitors and make it easy for them to get in touch with the tenant or access the building when the tenant they are looking for is not available. The camera allows tenants to see who is at the door and verify their identity, while some systems with call routing and voice AI capabilities can direct visitors to predetermined user directory paths, increasing the chance of visitors getting in contact with the people they need to reach. Plus, with a visitor system with video function, the video security can link to an internal app, allowing receptionists to view visitors requesting entry, while authorized members can enter using a PIN code or other credential type.
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