Commercial door locks protect property and inventory in many industries, including manufacturing, medical facilities, retail stores, and restaurants. The proper commercial door locks can help prevent theft and robbery, especially during non-business hours when staff is not present.
They are also ideal for preventing employees from accessing sensitive areas or confidential files without permission –for example, financial data, proprietary information, or trade secrets. Commercial door locks are available in a wide variety of styles and types, which can make the selection process somewhat confusing for business owners and managers.
A few guidelines can help with selecting the right commercial door locks:
The first step is to assess your security needs and determine what you want to protect your business.
- Are you looking for door locks to prevent theft? If your primary concern is avoiding inventory loss, then a security door lock might be appropriate. These door locks are often fitted with entry alarms that sound when the doors swing open. Not only will these discourage potential thieves from entering the building, but they can help in identifying the thief if they are apprehended by local law enforcement.
- Are you looking for door locks to prevent robbery? If your primary concern is avoiding losing money and other valuables, then a filing cabinet lock might be appropriate. These are designed to keep files and valuable confidential information from unauthorized access.
- Are you looking for a combination of the two? If you are worried about both theft and robbery, then a commercial door lock that contains both a security alarm and filing cabinet lock might be ideal. These can provide additional levels of protection for your business property or inventory.
- Determine whether keyless entry systems are desired. If you are looking for a lock that offers keyless entry, you will need to select the right type of control.
- How many commercial doors in the business require locking mechanisms, and how many doors require extra security? In some instances, commercial property owners may even need remote access to these security systems.
The most common types of controls include mechanical door locks with access cards, biometric fingerprint readers, or magnetic swipe cards.
Commercial door lock types
Security systems door locks
These are designed to prevent theft by keeping unwanted visitors from entering your business. They can also be used to add another layer of added security for valuable inventory or confidential documents locked in storage.
Security system locks that include an alarm can help deter potential thieves from entering your building, especially if you have installed additional cameras and other surveillance equipment. Security system locks that include a panic button can alert the police or fire department in case of an emergency.
Electronic locks & types of electronic door locks
These access control keyless systems are designed to grant access to cardholders without the need for a physical key. There are several types of electronic locks:
- Keypad locks – allowing access without using key cards by entering a PIN or other secret code.
- Biometrics – allowing access with fingerprints or palm prints, no need to issue keys.
- Magnetic card readers – these are often found in hotel rooms and allow access by swiping a card.
- Sensors – these are often found in office buildings and unlock the doors as an employee approaches.
Digital keypad locks with a touchpad instead of keys or cards
These locks may be less expensive to purchase and install than other electronic door locks, but they provide enhanced security through their ability to allow individuals to gain access only when they need it.
This eliminates the need for extra cards or keys and is especially useful for employees with multiple responsibilities within a business; they only have access to those areas where needed. Such locks can provide added protection if used in conjunction with surveillance systems that record who has entered or exited your building.
Recording who has entered or exited a building can help guard against theft and provide proof in the event of an incident involving personal injury. Entry systems may be controlled through computers, magnetic cards with encoded radio frequency, keypads, or touch screens. If used with security cameras and other recording devices, it can help identify.
Smart locks for business needs
Today’s smart locks allow occupants to gain entry with only a smartphone app or even voice-activated commands. They allow you to grant access to individuals or groups and even set up a time-sensitive entry for guests.
They also offer a variety of other valuable features, including:
- Security camera integration – can be remotely monitored by a mobile device with door lock status alerts.
- Auto-lock – doors will automatically lock if sensors detect a security breach.
- Deterrents – make loud noises or use bright lights to deter unwanted visitors from entering the building
- Doorway video – shows who is requesting entry from the outside.
Commercial door locks are designed to offer a variety of security levels. Some have added safety features such as window breakage sensors and smoke detectors, while others can be remotely unlocked for emergency evacuations or to allow access by firefighters.
Mortise locks
A Mortise lock comprises a “mortise,” which is the fixed part that attaches to the door frame, and a “tumbler,” which is the moveable part of the door lock that works in conjunction with a key to open and close the lock.
The function of a mortise lock is to keep the door closed until a key is inserted, which releases the latch and allows you to open it.
It offers the best security available since locksmiths have to drill the door lockout of the door to gain entry. Mortise locks are primarily used on commercial and high-security doors, such as for business or government buildings.
Cylindrical lever locks
A cylindrical lever lock is attached to the outer part of the door and mounted on a metal cylinder. This type of lock can be easily and quickly defeated with a credit card since it can be pushed in, and the lock slider can move freely. Therefore is not considered a very secure lock if you want to restrict access to particular interior doors in your business.
Mechanical locks
A mechanical lock is the most common type of door lock used in old commercial buildings. It is a traditional lock that doesn’t provide an extra layer of security. Security experts and locksmiths in Boston would never recommend installing it on any exterior doors of your business.
Door hardware for commercial applications
When looking for door hardware for commercial doors, look closely at the lock and the handle. The higher quality door locks have a tighter grip on the cylinder, which makes them harder to pick, keeping the door locked.
Strike plates
Strike plates are metal plates attached to a door jamb with holes for the bolt or latch of the lock. They have a hole called the “mortise,” where the cylinder of your lock attaches.
The whole purpose of the strike plate is to support the weight of the commercial door and keep it closed until a key or lock cylinder is inserted to release it. The strike plate, together with the door frame, helps resist kick-in attempts and prevent forced entry.
Panic bars
A panic bar, also called a “panic device” or “panic exit device,” is hinged on the inside of the door, and when pressed, it releases the lock on a door and allows you to open it from the inside. Panic bars are mainly used on fire doors and exit doors, allowing you to escape in case of a fire, burglary, or other emergencies.
Exit devices
An exit device is designed to open a door automatically in case of an emergency or when smoke is present in commercial buildings. They are often combined with panic bars on fire doors to create an easy way to exit the building when there is a fire and are installed on exit doors.
Interchangeable core door locks
An interchangeable core is basically a cylinder with a locking mechanism that can be removed, thus allowing you to change the key. This also allows your locksmith in Boston to rekey all the door locks if needed or in case of a lost key. They are an excellent choice for businesses with frequent deliveries or deliveries to other locations.
Also called key in lever lock
A key in lever lock has a small slide on the outside knob of the door. This allows you to open it without inserting a physical key since all you need is to insert key cards with electronic chips and then swipe it simultaneously to gain entry.
These door locks are excellent workplace security for a small or medium-sized business, retail stores, and any other place where you need access control to your premises. They offer a level of security that is not available with the different types of door locks mentioned above.
Commercial door lock FAQs
Which locks are used for conference rooms?
Most conference rooms have a rotating door, and this makes the most sense to use a keyless entry system with full panic hardware. This gives you and your employees quick access in case of an emergency, but it also restrict access for unauthorized personnel.
What are the best building security locks?
The best building security door locks for commercial applications are, of course, composed of a lock and handle, but the whole system is attached to the door frame. The cylinder that comes with them has different types of cylinders.
There are mortise cylinders, rim cylinders, and night latch cylinders. They are used to lock the door from the inside or out, as well as secure it from forced entry.
The whole system is installed with screws that will hold everything in place and prevent them from coming loose during an attack on your building.
What are the different types of locking mechanisms?
- Rim Latch – This is a locking device that fits over the existing latch and both side handles. It prevents the door from being opened until you insert your key or card, which releases it to open all at once.
- Stub Latch – This is a locking device that fits over the existing latch but only covers one side. That side has the rear cylinder, which has a handle with the key to turn and open it.
- Mortise Cylinder – This lock system works by inserting the portion in the back of your door jam into a steel plate, then you insert the front into an opening on your door to lock it.
How do I choose a commercial door lock?
When choosing commercial locks, you need to understand what the purpose of your business will be, most of which have very different security needs.
For example, a store with large glass windows and is open during regular hours will need more security than a small-town store that is only open during afternoon hours.
Every business needs security solutions
Many companies have a high employee turnover rate and the need to change door locks and keys for them to enter their workplace. They usually have keyless entry systems that allow them to do this in a quick manner.
Companies with more significant buildings tend to use master key systems, which allow all door locks within a building or property to be rekeyed. This is important in the case of break-ins since most will have to change all their door locks.
What are some of the security benefits for businesses with commercial door locks?
Getting workable high security solutions from your locksmith Boston can significantly increase your business’s efficiency. Having an integrated security system that allows you to manage access control and grant access to a certain it can increase your employee’s work satisfaction.
Your building is more secure when you restrict access to specific times or doors and only allowing authorized personnel in. This reduces the security risks and will enable you to protect your business against robbery or break-ins at all times, no matter what time of day the break-in occurs.
ANSI and BHMA
The Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association and the American National Standards Institute are the two primary standards for commercial door locks on businesses.
The ANSI and BHMA are both an organization that controls building codes, as well as safety precautions a building owner must follow to remain compliant with those organizations’ regulations. This will ensure your building is up to code and is safe for your employees and customers at all times.
You can also apply these regulations to any building you intend to purchase, which will allow you to buy a property that already has commercial security measures in place. These standards are usually divided into two categories: the first one being “grade” and “series.”
A grade is a classification of the level of resistance a lock has to picking, drilling, or other forms of tampering. The different grades go from A – D, with A being the highest. This represents a security rating due to how it is designed or how resistant it is to door lock picking. The lower the grade, the easier it can be broken into.
The second category is series, which represents a standard of quality for doors and frames. These are different numbers with varying levels of security to ensure that any commercial door lock types you purchase are good enough for your business.
Some businesses have both aluminum and steel doors, which represent two different series. The ANSI/BHMA “b” series, which are the most common types of commercial entrance doors, and those of a heavier grade like “a” or “d,” which require more robust door locks.
The two standards also regulate how to build frames for specific styles of doors and windows. If your building doesn’t meet these standards, you will need to replace the old one with a new one.
Commercial door lock exclusive deals
Mobile Locksmith Squad in Boston MA offers very competitive prices for any commercial door lock solutions you may need. We’ve created a unique package that gives you savings up to 30 percent of the cost of hiring other companies while still providing you with high quality service!
When it comes to your company’s security, one of the biggest things you can do is ensure that all your door locks are up to code. This way, a burglar or robber will have difficulty getting in, and you’ll be able to focus on running your company without worrying about it being robbed at night.
If you’re interested in additional resources of security or need to replace all the locks for your business, call us today and consult with one of our security experts about secure door locks!
