Keeping employees safe and company assets protected are prime concerns for any business owner. In today’s world, threats come from all directions and while some of us may be busy focusing on cyber threats, we could be missing those walking right through our front doors.

Staying apprised of the available commercial locks will help assure you and your staff that everyone is as safe as they can possibly be from unwanted intruders. So, which type of commercial lock is best for your business?

Commercial Strike Locks

Electric strike locks are locking systems which require visitors to be “buzzed” in. Generally, you’d need to install a doorbell or an intercom system for the person to announce themselves, but this type of locking mechanism is perfect for organizations working with sensitive or confidential information (like a law firm or doctors office) or for companies that house high value items inside their building (think on premise data centers … or daycares!).

There are two types of strike locks with the most popular being a fail secure system, which stays locked even in the case of a power outage.

Keyless Entry

A keyless entry lock requires a passcode to access the interior of the building. The beauty of this system is not only its simplicity but also the amount of control you have over who has access to your building and when.

Most keyless entry locks are programmable, allowing you to set time restrictions in which your building may be accessed. Another perk? They’re able to keep track of who accessed the door and when by logging times and employee access codes at the time of use. Having this type of information allows you to track who is coming and going and goes a long way in preventing employee theft.

Magnetic Locks

This is the type of lock you see on doors without functional door knobs or levers. Picture an interior glass door with nothing more than a handle to push or pull it open. Generally installed at the top of the doorframe will be a magnet with its compatible partner attached to the actual door.

Electromagnetic locks, like strike locks, come in a fail secure system design wherein the door will remain locked if the power goes out. This locking method is usually accompanied by a release system to disengage the magnetic charge allowing people in and should have a release button inside the door in case the sensor, which tells the door someone’s coming (just like the automatic doors at the grocery store have), is on the fritz.

Restricted Key Systems

“Restricted” key system couldn’t be a better name for this type of lock. Basically, it limits the places your key may be copied to an authorized locksmith and must be signed off on by an approved individual. These high security key systems offer the added peace of mind that your keys may not be copied at your local hardware store.

The keys you get with a restricted key system are more durable than typical keys and will normally be replaced at the manufacturers expense should they become damaged. If, however, you find that a key is lost or stolen, the only way to secure your building is to have the place rekeyed.

Door Closers

This should be a standard for any commercial building. A door closer guarantees that any door that is open will be closed whether the individual who walked through it participates in the process or not! A good door closer will not only shut any door automatically but will also insure the door is properly latched and locked. You can invest in all of the locking systems you want but they won’t do you much good if you leave your doors wide open.

Master Key System

Implementing a master key system allows you do designate who has access to what in and outside of your building. Master key locking systems are designed to open with both 1) specific keys, allowing you to control access to various areas, and also with 2) a “skeleton”, or master, key which unlocks all doors in the ecosystem.

The benefits of this type of locking system are vast. It allows you to keep record of who exactly has been given access to specific doors, you can cut down on the number of keys on your keyring, and duplicating a master key is regulated as they are patent protected.

Of course, no system is foolproof which is why we always recommend taking extra precautions like a safe when there are sensitive items inside your business or home. But, choosing the proper commercial locking system will absolutely be a step in the right direction toward safe-guarding your property.

Implementing a master key system in a commercial building is like creating a puzzle using keys and only you have the secret key.

Master key systems also happen to be one of the most popular keying strategies for commercial locks in Boston.

What is a Master Key System?

Master key systems are like hierarchy systems where you can carefully plan out which keys will access different parts of your building. By using a master key system, building administrators are able to dole out keys to employees and guarantee limited access for certain individuals. Master key systems are a great way to ensure security to areas of your building which only the building management has approved.

For instance, you may have one set of keys for your office manager which opens utility closets and all of the conference rooms—but not the CFO’s office. Alternatively, you’d provide a key to your CFO opening their office, the back room holding all of your financial documents and the business safe, but restrict access to the electrical room.

Of course, the business or building owner would receive a master key which would open all doors within the building. Additional master keys can be made if multiple people require unrestricted access to the entire property.

Benefits of Commercial Master Key Systems

The benefits of a commercial master key system are far reaching.

Security

First and foremost, it provides you additional control and peace of mind knowing that only authorized personnel may access pre-approved areas which can help prevent employee theft or unauthorized use of the building. 

Flexibility

Also, it’s simple to organize and provides flexibility in designing the workflow of your office.

Ease of Use

Master key systems also offer security without needing to create a separate key for every door in the place, which can be cumbersome and confusing. No one likes to jingle when they walk—limiting the number of keys helps streamline your keying system and frees up your pockets for better things.

Boston Commercial Locksmith

If you have a commercial property that needs locksmith services in the Boston area, Kenny’s Lock offers a wide range of commercial keying services.

Schedule an appointment with a trusted locksmith for an experience that will make you feel good about securing your business’s assets.

After thoughtfully choosing the best security measures for the entrances to your commercial property, the last thing you want to do is unintentionally wreck them.

Much of the standard door etiquette we’re used to isn’t actually good for doors. If you’re propping your business doors open or slamming them shut, you could be doing some major damage. Here are some ways to protect the doors that are protecting your business. 

Paint the Door

No, we’re not trying to improve the door’s self-esteem. Painting your exterior doors prevents rust and uneven closure, two things that reduce the security of your business’s exterior doors.

Painting over a material that is prone to rusting, like steel, prevents the underlying metal from oxidizing. If you have painted doors, check them regularly for peeling paint or bald spots. Many times, the paint will start to wear around the edges of the door and handle first simply due to constant contact with the door frame and peoples’ hands. Make sure to paint over these uneven spots so that your doors don’t rust. 

Be Gentle 

It’s very tempting to kick a door open if you’ve got full hands, but using force on a door can do a lot of damage. Inflicting a striking force on a door, repeatedly, can damage not only the integrity of the door itself but also the mechanisms used to lock and latch the door. Although it might be easier to let your doors slam or kick them open, do your best to handle with care.

Keep Doors Dry

In addition to handling doors with care, be sure to keep your doors, interior and exterior, as dry as possible. You may not be able to protect them from the elements, but avoid power-washing and, if possible, add awnings over exterior doors to offer additional protection. Even if you’ve painted your doors you’re still susceptible to warping and rust in unpainted areas like locks and hinges.

Dog Down Doors

If you can get away with keeping your doors unlocked during business hours you’ll increase the longevity of its locking devices. Dogging down your doors means that you depress the locking device keeping the lock withdrawn and the door free swinging. Put simply, while you’re at work, this gives the moving pieces inside of the doors a break.

If you’d like to leave your doors unlocked during business hours but keep sensitive information or valuable items on site, invest in a safe for your business and keep any items you want out of reach and tucked safely away.

Adjust Doors

Pay attention to your doors. If they’re slamming shut or if the mechanisms don’t perfectly align, have a professional locksmith adjust them. Letting your doors bang against their frame multiple times a day does damage not only to the door but also the door frame and the surrounding insulation. Ignoring small things such as this could end up costing you hugely in repairs down the road.

Skip the Decal

Leave the exterior doors to your business blank. It’s tempting to post business hours or showcase your logo on your front door, but you could be doing more harm than good.

Door decals can bubble or peel which puts you at risk for water damage and rusting issues. Post pertinent business information on a separate sign and place in the window. Leave your exterior door as a blank canvas.

Call a Locksmith

Commercial security doors can be complicated. If you find that you’ve got an issue with one, don’t try to DIY. Call a locksmith you can trust that knows how to work on the various devices that make your doors secure in the first place.

Sometimes we underestimate how much TLC we should be giving the things we use daily and it can be difficult remembering to give them a once over now and again. Make sure that you’re checking your doors on a regular basis. Many of our clients set calendar reminders to check their doors monthly when they have other obligations like making a rent or mortgage payment. Catching problems before they start will ensure that you’re getting the value you deserve for your commercial security doors.