Access Control Lock Guide
In this guide, we examine locks; critical elements of any security system, and fundamental parts of every access control system.
Two fundamental classes of locks are used in access, electrified locks, and mechanical locks. But with thousands of lock options in the market, understanding the basics and when to use either is crucial for successful systems.
This report covers the factors driving selection, including:
- Codes Impacting Which Options You Can Use
- Why Electric Strikes Are So Common
- Understanding 'Fail Safe vs Fail Secure'
- Using Maglocks The Correct Way
- Why 'Request to Exit' Hardware Is Critical
- Using Electric Lock Bolts or Other Electric Locks
- Other Electrified Hardware, Like Standalone Locks
- Understanding Mechanical Hardware Options
- Cylindrical vs. Mortise vs. Surface Mounted Hardware
- Why Deadbolts Are Dangerous
Inside we examine where you should pick strikes, maglocks, or something else altogether to keep doors secure, legal, and reliable.
Electrified *****
******* ******* ******** *******, ******** *****, electronic *****, *** ******** ** * complex ********. *** ******** ***** ******** the ***** *****:
- ******** *******
- ********
- *********** *****
- ********** *****
Electric *******
******** ******* *** * ****** *** favored ****** ** ******** ********** ******-********** doors, ********** ********, ******, ** ****** door ********** ******** ***** ****** ******** like**** ********** ******* *********.
******* *** ***** **** * ********** latch ** **** **** ***** *** of *** *** **** * **** opens. **** ** ** ********* ************** of *******; **** *** **** ** secure ** *** ************ **** ********. The ****** ****** ** ******** ** permit ****** **** **** *** ********** hardware ** ****** *** *** **** is ******.
******* *** ** ******* ******* ** the ***** (********* ******** **** **** with ***-******* ******** **** ***** ****) or ******** **** **** ******. * variety ** ***** ****** ******* ********** can ** ********* ** **** **** of ********, ********* ***** ******** ******* and **** *******.
**** **** ** ******** *** ** bought ** * ******* ** ********, power *******, ******** **********, *** ********* options. *** **** ******** ******* ******** of *** ******** **** ***** $*** - $***, *** ******* ******** *********** (cleaning *** ***********) ** ****** ***********.
*** **-***** ******* ***** **** ****, read ************ *** ***** ******** ***********.
'Fail ****' ****** '**** ******'
***** **** ****** ** ******** *******, these ***** ******** *** ******* ******** of *** *********** **** **** ***** drops **** *** ******. ** * device ** ********** *** '**** ****' operation, **** ***** **** ** ***** is ****, **** *** **** **** fail ** ** ********* ********.
**** *** **** *** **** *** freely ***** **** ** *****, *** an ********* **** ***** ********* ****** through *** *******. ** ********, ** a ****** ** ********** ** '**** secure', **** ***** *** ****** **** default ** ******* *** **** ****** when ***** ** ****. *******, **** behavior ** ********* ** ******* ********** or ** ***** ******* ** *** door ******** ***** ********* ****** ******* the ******* ** ** *********.
Magnetic *****
**** ******** ****** '********', ***** ******* are **** ** *** ********* *** most ******* ****** ** ******* ******** available. ******** *** ***** **** *** perimeter ***** ** **** ** ***** where ***** ************ ** *********. **** consist ** *** ************ ****** ********** (the **** ******** *** *** ******* magnet ***), ********* ******** ** * bond ***** ******** **** ******** ** several ********* ** ******.
**** ** ** ***** ** * maglock:
* ******** ** ***** ***** ** devices ** **** **** ****** **** be ******* ** *** ******* **** of *** ****. **** ** *** to *** ************* ** ******* ***** connections ** *** ****** ** ****** knocking *** ****** *** *** ***** from *** ********* ****. **** *********** may ******** **** ******** ** *** ****** ** ******* ** *** *****, but * ******* ** ******* ****** are **** ** ********** ******** *********.
***** ******* **** ******* ******** *** uninterrupted ***** ** ****** ******. '**** Safe' ********** *** *** ****** *******, so ******* ****** ** * ****** feature ** *** ***** ******** *** these *****.
* ****** **** *********** *** ***** devices ** **** ***** ** **** to **** ******** **** * **** alarm ******. ** ** **** **** common ***'*******-**-****' (***) *** ******* *** ********* Exit ********* ** ******** *** ***** ******* that *** * ******* *********. *** more, *** ********** ** **** ********.
***** ******* *** **** ******, ***** selling *** $*** ** **** *** lock. *******, ***** ********* ****** ** equipment **** ***** ******** *** *** devices **** *** *********** **** ** this **** ** ******* *******. ** is *** ******** ** ***** $*,*** on *** ****** ** ******** *** this **** ** *******. **** *********, due ** **** ** ****** ** wearing *****, ***** ******* *** ********** maintenance-free *** ******** *** ***** ***.
*** **-***** ******* ***** **** ****, read ********** ********* *****.
Electronic **** *****
**** **** ** **** ******** ********-******, hardened ***** ***** **** ******* **** the ***** ******** *** **** ** swing ****.
***** ***** *** **** ******** ******** into *** *****, *** ************* ***** be ******* ** *** ******* **** of * **** (*** ****** ****), the ***** **** ** *** ****, or **** *** *** **** ** the ****. *******, ***** ***** *** seldom ******* ** *** ****** (***** side) ** *** ****, *** ** how ************* ***** **** **** ** and *** ** *** ****** *** mechanical ******** ** *** ****.
**** ** ** ***** ** ** electronic **** ****:
**** **** ** ******** *** ** bought *** $*** *** *** ******** periodic *********** (******** *** ***********) *** door ********** ** ****** ***********.
Standalone ********
**** **** ** ******* ****** ** more ** * ******** ******** **** a ******** ******.
***** ***** ***** ******* *** ********** required ** ** * ***** **********, self-contained ****** *** ******** * ****. Everything **** * **** ****** ** a ***** **** ** ******** **** these *******, *** **** *** ******** to ******* ******** ********* ********. ***** units ***** **** **** ********* *** wireless ********** ***** **** *** ******, and **** *** **** ** * true '****-**' ****** ******* ******** **** no ********** ******* ** ****** ********.
*** ******** *** ******* ** ***** units *** ****** ******, *** ** intend ** ***** *** **** ******* types ** ****** *******. *** *** sake ** *********** ** *** ***** device *****, *******, *** **** ** these ******* *** ** ******** **** $500 ** $*,*** *** *** ******.
*** ********* *** ***** ** ****** for ***** ***** ******* *** **** commonly ****:
- ******** *******, ****** **** ******** ********: Electric ******* *** **** ******** ****. These ******* *** * **** ********* for ******** ****** *****, ******** *****, and ******* *******. ************ *** *****-**** versions ** **** ******** ***** *** applications **** ******** *****.
- **** *******, ****** ** ****** **** exterior ********: ******** ***** *** * good ***. **** '**** *****' ******** are ******* **** ********. ***** ******* are **** ******, **** * *** operation ****, *** ******* ******* ***********. Higher **** *** **** ******** ******** options ***** ***** ***** *** ******* application.
- ***** ******** ****** ** ******, ********** Bolts *** ** ****. **** **** of ******* ******** ** **** ****** but ******** **** ********* ** **** maintained *** ******* ******** **** ******* or ********.
- '******* ********' ******* *** ************ * door: ********** ******** *** **** ****. Units *** ********* **** *** **** single *** ****** **** ********. ***** 'all-in-one' ********* *** **** ****** **** building * ******** **** ********* *****. However, ***** ********* *** *** **** answer **** * ***** *********** ** required.
Mechanical **** *****
****** ******* ** **** **** **** electrified ********. ** **** *****, ******** locks ****** **** ***** ********** ****** control ** *****. ************* *** ****** of ********* *** ********** **** ***** is ******** *** ***** ********, *********, or ***-**** ** ****. ***** ** take * **** ** *** ***** types ** ******* ********, ***** ***** of ******** *** **** *** ******* a ******* ******** ** *** ** install ****.
Major *****
*** ***** ** **** ******** ** broad, **** **** **** ****** *** own **** ***' *** ******** *********. The ***** ***** **** ** ********** buildings *** ***** *****:
** *** ******** *****, ** ******* where **** **** ** **** *** how ** **** *** **** ****** depending ** *** ***********.
Door ***** ******* ****** **** ******
*** **** ********* ****** ******* **** lock ********* ** *** *** '**** is*******', ** *** ** *** **** fabricated ** **** **** *****. ********* forms ** ***** ******* ********* ************** of ***** *** ******* *** **** the ****, *** ** **** *****, these ***** *** **** ** *** manufacturer **** ****** **** *** ****.
*********, ** **** *****, **** ********* is ******* ** *** **** ****, and *** **** ** ********* ** finding ***** ******* *** ** ********* without ********* ** ********* *** ****. In *** ******** *****, ** ******* the ***** ***** ** '**** *****' and ***** ****** ** ******** **** accept.
***********
**** **** ** **** ** **** called * "*****" ****, ***** *********** is ******** ** **** ****** * 2 */*" **** ******* **** *** door. *** ***** ******** ** *** this **** *********** *** ***** ** shape *** ********* *** *** **** to ******* *** **** ** *** door. ***** *** ******** ** ***** include **** ****, ** ** *** the **** ******** **** ** ********** Access *******, ******* **** ** *** time ***** ***** *** **** *** interior, ** ***-******** *****.
***** ***** ***** ** ***** *** well ****** *** *****-**** ***, **** contain **** *** ***** - *** piece **** ****** **** *** *****. High-security ***** ***** ******* ******* ****** of ******** *** **** **** * cylindrical **** ** ***** ** ********* many ******, ** ***** ***** *********************** (**** * ********) *** ****-******** applications.
- ****:*********** ($** - $***), **** ** install
- ****:****** ***** *** ** ****** ** other *****, *** ** ******* ** mortise *****
- ***** ****:******** *****, *******, ***********, ***-****** ****** Doors
*******
*** ** *** ****** ***** ** locks ** **** *** **** ******. Compared ** * *********** ****, * mortise **** ** ***, ***** *** full ** ******* *****. *******, ***** properties **** ** **** *******, ******, and **** ** ********* ******** ***. Mortise ***** ******* * ****** *** into *** **** ** *** ****, which ******** **** ***** ***** **** a ****** ***** ****. *******, ******* that ****** ** ****** **** * cylindrical ****, ******** ******* *** ******* features ** ******* ********.
*** **** ** ******** ***** ***** into *** *****, *** ******* ***** support ****-**** '**** ********' ******* **** cylinders ********* '****/**** **********', ******* ******** pinning, *** ***** ********* ***********.
******* ***** *** ******** **** ** doors ********* **** ******** *** **** volumes *** *** ********* *** ********* to *** ** ******** ***** ** light-duty ******/ ********** ********. ***** ***** mortise ******** **** ** ********* ** handle **** *** **** *** ****** of * ******* ****:
- ****:**** *******, ******* ******** ******** *******
- ****:********* ($*** - $****), ***** ******* a **** ** ******* * ******* lock ** *********
- ***** ****:******** *****, **** ****** *****, **** Security *****
*******
**** ****** '*** *****, ** ****-******* Locks', ***** ***** ********* ******* ******* door ****, *** **** ***** ** not **** ****** *** **** ** a **** ** ***. *** **** common **** ** ******** ** **** category ******* *******, * ******** ** ****-******, ********* egress ********. ** *** ******* *****, notice *** ***** ** *** **** is ******** ** *** '*******' ** the ****, ***** *** ****:
******* **** ******** ** ********* ******* with ******* ******* (*** ******* *******) or************* *********. **** ******* *** ****** but *** **** ******* *** ********* withstand **** ******* ** ***** *** tampering.
- ****:***** ****/****** ********* ****** *****, **** *****, ********** ** ******* prep, ******* ******* ******** ************
- ****: ********* ($*** - $*,***), *** potentially ********** ** **********. ********* ** hang ** ***** *****.
- ***** ****:****** *****, ****-******** *****
*********
**** **** ** **** ** ****** used ***** ******* ********** ******** *******, and ***** ** ********* ****** ************ *** **** ********* ******** ******** of * *** ************* *******. **** *********** *****, ********* are **** ** *******, ********* **** a **** ** ** ******* ******* the ****. *******, ******* ** ***** limited ***********, ********* *** ********* **** to ******* *** ******** ** ***** locks **** ** *** ****.
*** *******, **** **** **** * cylindrical ****, * ******** ***** ******* independent **** **** ** ******** ** gain ******* ******. ********* *** ********* used ** ******** ******** ****** '**** hours' - **** **** * ******** is ****** ** *** *** ***** or **** ** ** **********.
- ****:*********** ($** - $***), **** ** install
- ****:****** ** ********* ** ****** *****, separate **** **** ** ****** ** match ***** ***** ** ***
- ***** ****:********* **** ** ******** ******** ****************** ******** *****.
*********
**** **** ** ******** ** * hybrid ******* * ******** *** * mortise*******. *********** *** ******** **** ** glass ********** ***** **** **** ******. Most *************** ********* ******** ***** *** ******** during ******** ***** [**** ** ****** available], *** **** ****** *** ******** are *********. *********, ************ **** **** ** **** * door ****** **** ********* *** ****. Like * ********, **** ****** **** handles ** ******* *** *****, ******** some ***** *******'**** ******'-**** *********** ******** ** ****. ****** * deadbolt, * **** ***** ****** ****** have * ***** **** **********, *** *** ***** **** ** prepped ********* ** * *******-***** ****. Most ***** ***** *** **** ******, and *** ******* ******** ******* ****** **** ***** **** ****** ****** into *** ********* *****.
- ****:******** **** *********** *********, *** ***** architectural/security ********** *** ***** *****
- ****:******* **** ** ********* **********, ********** functions **** *** ****. ***** ********* to ***** **** ** *** ***** bolts.
- ***** ****:**** ***** (*****) ***********
Lock *********
***** ******* ***** *** ***** ** locks **** *** ** **** ** secure ****. **** ** ***** ** selecting *** ******** **** ** **** to *******, ***** *******:
- *** ** *** **** *******?*** ******* ***** ******* ******* *** door **** ********** **** ******** *********. Taking **** ** *** **** **** narrow ********* ******** ** * *** basic *****.
- *** ***** ** *** ****?***** **** ******* ***********. ** *** Americas, ***** ******* *** *.**" ** 1.375". *******, ******** ****** ***** ******* 30mm *** **** *****. **** *********** is ******** ** *********** *** ***** position ** *** **** *** *** limit *** ******* ********* ** *** lock.
- ** **** ** ****** ****?** *** **** ***** ** ** egress ** ********* ****** ****, ******* lock ***** (**** *********) ****** *** be ****. ******** **** **** ******* maybe ** ********, ********* *** ********* of ***** *****.
- *** ** ***** ****** **** *********?**** ************** **************, ******* **** '*********** ******** ** strikes **** ** ****. ***** **** interpretations ***** ******* ***** ** *****, or ********* ************* ******* ***** *** depending ** ******** **************.
- *** ********** **** **** **** ** used?*** ***** *** **** *** **** are **************** ******** *******. *** *****-**** ********** ***, ****/**** Grade * ******** ** *****, ***** an ************ **** ****** ** ******* door ** ****** ****** ** *** economy-grade ***** * ********.
******** *** ***** **** ** ********* driven ** *** '*******' ********** ** the *******, ****** **** ********* *** lock ***** *** ****** *** ******* to ***.
[****: **** **** *** ************* ******* in ****.]
**** ** **** **** ** ************** unlocking ********* ******* **** ** *** have * *****-** **** **** *** be ********* ** **-*********?
**'* **** ******** **** ** ***** tricky. ** ***** ****** ********* ****** ******* ********, *** ******* *** ***** *********/********** by ******** ********* *** *** ************* for ****** ** * *** ***** integrator *** **** *** ******** ** cause ******* ***** ** *********.
******* ***** ** ******** ** *** life-safety ****** ****** ** *** *******, and ******* ** *** ******* **** somehow ***** **** *********. *** *******, some *** ******** **** '***** ****' sections *** *********** **** *** **** the **** ** ***** ****** ** achieve.
*******, **** *** **** *** ** the ***, *'* ****** ****** ****** a ********** **** **** * *******, for ***** **** **********. ** **** as ***** ****** ***** *** *********, using *** ********** **** ***** * slider ****** **** ***** ***** ****** than * ******* **** *********** ******* useless **** ** ***** *****.
***** *** **** ******* **** *** influence **** ******, *** * ***** start *****. **** **** *****!
*** *****, **** ** **** ******* and **** ***********. ** **** ** interfaced ** *** **** ***** ** well ** ******** ****** *******. **** need ** **** *** **** ******* figures *** ** ***** ***** ***. They *** ******** ***** ** ********** deadbolt-hook **** *** ******* *** ***** together ***** ***** ***** ** * no-no ***-**** ******, ***** **** ***** require.
***** **** *****: "*******, **** *** that *** ** *** ***, *'* almost ****** ****** * ********** **** over * *******, *** ***** **** conditions."
*** ***** ** ******* *** **** blessed / ****** **** * ***** Fire ******* **** *** ****** **** banned ******** - ****** ** ******* limited *************. ***** *** * **** of **** ******* ******* ****'* ********* the ******* ***** ****** **** *** fire ***** ******. *** **** ****, but **** *** ****** ********* ** the ***** ******. ******* ***** ** that ***** *** ** ****** ******, the *** *** *** *******, *** access ******* ****** *** **** ****, the **** ***** *** ***** ***, the ******** ***** *** ***** ******* of *** ****** *********, ****** ******'* get ***, *** ************ ******'* *** in ******* ***** *** ** *** switch ** ***** ***** ** **** power ** *** ********. **** ******* power ** *** ******** ****'* ****. Can't *** * ***** ***.
**** ********* ********** *** ******* ** have **** ******* ***** ** * reader ** **** ***** ** **** controlled ****. ***** *** ** ****** batteries *******, *** **** ** ********** with *** ***** ********, *** *** placed ** ******* **/*.
**** ** * ****** ********* *** those **** **** ****** **** **** of ******* ******** ** ***.
** *** ****** **** * ******* cassette *** ** *** ***** *** put ** **** ******** ********* **** you **** ** ******** ***** ******* hardware.
**** ** ***.
** *** ****** **** * ******* cassette *** ** *** ***** *** put ** **** ******** ********* **** you **** ** ******** ***** ******* hardware.
** ********, * ********** **** ****** of ********** **** ***** ** ********** by ****.
* ***** **** ** *********. ***** is ** ****** *** ** ********** installing ****** ***** ** ********** * mortise ******* ** ***** ******** ***** their *****.
******, ** **** ** ** ********** knows ****** ** **** * ******* respect *** **** ******** *** ***** orientation ** *** ******* ********, **** goes * **** ***.
"
**** ** * ****** ********* *** those **** **** ****** **** **** of ******* ******** ** ***.
** *** ****** **** * ******* cassette *** ** *** ***** *** put ** **** ******** ********* **** you **** ** ******** ***** ******* hardware.
**** ** ***."
**, ** '**** *** ****' *** we *** ******* ** *** *****'* opinions, ***** ** *** ********? ** will **** ****** *** ****** *** anyways ** ****** **** ******** *** egress ********* *** ** ** ***** nice ** *** **** ****** *****. Its ** ****** * ********** **** mindset; **** *** **** ******.
* **** ****, ** ***** *** not ***** ** ** ********* ** those *** *** ********* *** **** a ********* ***** **** ** ***********.
****** *** ****, **** ** ***** forum ** ** **. **** ******** can ** ****** *** *** ************* and ****** ****** ******** ** *** long *** *** **** **** $$$. I ******* ***** ** ******* ******** stuff, ************ ** ******** ******* ****** to ***** ** *********** ** **** a ******* ******** *** *** ****. I ********* **** ** ****** ****** that * *** **** ** * different ******* **** **** ** *** other ******* ** **** ** ** comments *** *** ***** ** ***.
* ****** **** ** ******* **** hardware **** **** * ******* ******** by *** ****** * ********* ***** to **** * *****. * *** asked ** ** * ****** ******** change *** ********* ** ** ****** dumped ** ** *** ***** *** gave ** *** ** *** *** reference ** *** ******* ******. *** point *** **** *** ** ****** with ** ** ***** ***** ***** today.
* *** ** * *** *********** at *****, *** ** ** ***** qualities **** *** :-) * ***** try ** ** ***** ** **** of ******* **** * ***** ** thoughts, ********* ** ******* *** ** misconstrued ** **********.
**** ** * ***** *******. *'** found **** ****-**** *** ****-****** *** sometimes **********. ******* **** ** **** customers **'** ********, **'** ***** * handful ** *********** ******* **** ****** have **** *** ******** ** **** was ********* ** *** ******** ******** Vendor. *** **** *** *** ******** new ** *** ********* *** **** it ****** *** ****'* ** **** it *** ******** ** **. **** the ******* **** *** **** ** the ****** ******* ********.
**** ******* *****.
**** ** **** **** ** ************** unlocking ********* ******* **** ** *** have * *****-** **** **** *** be ********* ** **-*********? ** *********** where *** *** **** ** **** off *** ******* ** ********* **** PIR ** ******* *** **** **** opening *** **** ******* *** **** from ***** ***** **** **********, ******, with *******'* *****. *'** **** *** locks **** *** *'** **** **** drop-in ***** ********** **** ***** **** can ******* ** ******. **** *** your ********? **** ***** ** * retro *** **** ** ******** **** set *** *** ************ ***** ** would **** ******* ** ********* **** the **** *** *********.