As a business owner, one of the things that you should prioritise is the safety and security of your establishment. There are many advancements in security technology. However, tried and tested lock and key remains to be one of the most effective and efficient ways to protect your business.
There are various types of locks that you can get. However, security gurus from All Coast Locksmiths say that some suit commercial properties better.
If you’re on the lookout for a massive security update, consider getting one of these 5 locks.
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Mortise Locks
When it comes to durability, you should choose mortise lock. These lock come in two parts. First is the cylinder that holds the keyhole. The other is the body which contains the locking mechanism. This type of lock uses a deadbolt mechanism which makes it great for preventing forced entry.
This is popular for business establishments that get constant foot traffic. That’s because mortise locks are well-known for withstanding regular use. The downside to this, however, is that mortise lock are more difficult to install and will require many tools.
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Keypad Door Locks
One of the modern solutions to security problems is the keypad lock. This is the perfect type of lock to get for businesses that want to provide specific personnel access to secure areas in the establishment.
Let’s look at it from a corporate perspective. A server room is a high-value area and must not be accessed by people unless they are authorised to do so. Traditionally, you can give persons their own key to access the room. With keypad locks, you can provide access to employees without having to give them keys.
While functional, secure, and productive, keypad door locks are expensive and complex to install.
A recent upgrade to keypad door locks is fingerprint door lock. What’s good about these locks is that it’s more secure as there’s no risk of getting the code leaked. On the other hand, these locks require specific software to operate.
- Panic Crash Bar
Not all commercial locks are intended to protect the business. Panic crash bars, for instance, are often installed in emergency exits. To open these lock, you simply have to push the bar and the door will easily open. Since they’re easy to use, they’re really helpful in emergency situations such as fires.
Panic crash bars are expensive but they’re well worth the investment especially if you’re out to comply with safety standards. They also require a bit more maintenance than other locks because you have to constantly make sure that they’re working properly.
- Electric Strike Locks
This type of lock isn’t functional on its own. Instead, it’s often used alongside other types of locks – typically, a panic crash bar.
An electric strike lock remains inoperable unless it’s opened by an authorised person. In most cases, that authorisation comes in the form of a card that needs to be swiped at a nearby mechanism.
- Lever Locks
The mechanism of a lever lock is a bar that travels through the entire door. This reinforces the door significantly and it makes forced entry nearly impossible. It’s one of the most secure commercial locks available.
It’s popular with business owners because lever locks are easy to install. What’s best about these locks is that they can be partnered with other types of locks as well.
Picking The Right Lock
Finding the perfect lock for your business requires a lot of planning. Ideally, you should answer these questions first:
- What’s the lock for?
- What are you trying to protect?
- Can you install the lock?
For the first question, think of the purpose of the lock first. For instance, if you’re looking for a lock for your emergency exit, go for a panic crash bar. On the other hand, if you want to secure an area with high foot traffic, then the best option would be a mortise lock.
Know what you are trying to protect. If you’re protecting highly valuable assets, it’s a must that you get a lock that’s very secure. Rooms such as server rooms and file rooms need to be safeguarded with something that’s foolproof. For this, a keypad door lock might do the trick.
Some locks are hard to install but some are easy, too. If you aren’t confident with your skills, you should have professional locksmiths install the lock instead. It doesn’t matter how high quality the lock is. If it’s not installed properly, it’s not going to protect your business as well.
Picking the perfect type of lock for your business is a must if you want to keep your assets, employees, and customers safe. If you want to safeguard your business even further, don’t be afraid to reach out to security experts to ask them about which types of locks fit your business better.
