A commercial locksmith service can help secure your business, find out how
Most commercial businesses at one time or another will need to have their locks changed or replaced. While the average business owner already knows that a commercial locksmith is the one to call in this case, many business owners/managers are unaware of all the other security related services that a commercial locksmith can perform. That is why we will briefly detail the most common services that a commercial locksmith can provide below.
For starters, as stated above, a mobile commercial locksmith can rekey locks and produce keys on site. Some of the most common reasons for this include employee turnover, lost keys, and change of ownership or management. Often there are too many doors with their own keys and it all comes down to the desire to keep things simple. In this case, it may be time to introduce a master key system. A simple master key system allows the owner or manager access to all offices and areas of the business while limiting others to their own offices. By using a master key system, a commercial locksmith can provide a level of simplicity and key control.
Key Control is a major security concern for many companies; If you don’t know who has the keys to your business then you can’t go to sleep with confidence knowing that everything will be as you left it the next day. Furthermore, one cannot have key control unless one knows beyond a doubt that unauthorized copies of their keys will not be made. The most rudimentary way to prevent unauthorized duplication of your keys is to have the keys marked “Do Not Duplicate”. Unfortunately, although it is illegal in many states to do so, hardware stores and others ignore this meager request and produce copies regardless of what you say. A very effective way to gain full key control is to request that your locksmith replace all exterior lock cylinders with a restricted range of keys.
A restricted key is one that is registered to a specific locksmith. This means that no one else in the area will be able to obtain the blank keys, therefore no copies of the keys can be made unless it is done through your designated locksmith.
Restricted keys and key fobs are one way a commercial locksmith can provide access control to a business. There are also other ways. For example, electronic locks could be installed. These locks require users to know a combination or code in order to gain entry. There are also biometric locks that require a fingerprint or retina scan. Turnkey systems are another option; these require everyone to carry some sort of credential to scan in order to gain access. All three of these approaches offer the advantage of producing an audit trail. An audit trail can indicate who has come or gone and when.
Another valuable service that a commercial locksmith can provide is the repair or installation of emergency exit devices. In most commercial buildings, if the expected occupancy is above a certain level, based on square footage of the area, a single function egress device is required by law. If, for example, it is the back door of a restaurant and the door is considered an emergency exit, then the door must be equipped with a panic bar. An anti-panic bar allows, in the event of a fire, that a person can get out simply by hitting the unit. If the door is an exit in a small office or business, such as a unit in a shopping mall, then a single function lock may be the best solution. These locks incorporate a deadbolt and lever handle; once the lever handle is pushed down, both locks release simultaneously. These locks are advantages over a panic bar because they offer the security of the deadbolt while maintaining emergency exit requirements. Whether you need to install a panic bar or a single action lock, it’s a good idea to have a latch guard installed by a commercial locksmith, which makes the door resistant to door opening and latch attacks, such as cut the latch
Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter all the safety in the world if the door doesn’t close well or completely. To make sure it works, a locksmith can adjust, replace, or install a new door closer. When working properly, a door closer will ensure that the door closes and is fully secured each time it is used. Door closers are an essential component to the security of any building and are therefore an important service to be provided by a locksmith.
ADA compliance is an important factor and an important consideration for all public buildings, whether you are a private business or a government-operated facility. Laws vary from state to state, but as a general rule, it’s best to err on the safe side to avoid a lawsuit. A commercial locksmith can help inform and guide your business in becoming ADA compliant. For example, if the door currently has a knob and the door is a public entrance, then the knob must be replaced with a lever handle. In addition, all entrance doors must be accessible to people with disabilities; therefore, all store doors must be equipped with a pull handle on the outside and a push bar on the inside. These are just a few of the ways a locksmith can help your business become ADA compliant.
The last area of service that a locksmith can provide is that which has to do with commercial safes. Any properly structured business should have considered the importance of securing their valuable documents or cash. Theft isn’t the only concern either; Statistically, thirty percent of businesses do not recover after a fire. So be proactive and help protect the future of your business. A business locksmith should be considered your go-to man for all your business safe related needs. A professional locksmith will sell safes, deliver and install safes, open and repair safes, change the combination and update the lock if necessary. In short, when it comes to commercial safes, a locksmith should be the first professional you consider.