Why it's Important to have Panic Bars at your Commercial Property

If you own a public commercial building of any kind, then you may be aware that “panic hardware” is required to provide proper emergency egress and ingress. A panic bar is the push bar that must be installed on each exit door to allow people to make a quick exit from the building. Then there must be an uninterrupted and unobstructed exit path to a place of safety. These doors are typically needed in restaurants, bars, and malls, and other public places such as schools. It is of utmost importance that you comply with the law when it comes to protecting your building’s occupants. You won’t pass inspection if you’re not up to code. With the installation of these vital devices, you’ll guard the life and safety of every occupant - employee, customer, and visitor alike.

Panic hardware consists of a latching device, with a touchpad or crossbar spanning across at least half the width of the door, which releases the latch if it’s pushed. Panic hardware may also be called an “exit device” or a “crash bar”; for fire doors, it’s called “fire exit hardware.” This specialized hardware is used where it’s required by code to make it possible for large groups of people to get out fast. It also provides increased resilience and reliability.

The International Building Code (IBC), the International Fire Code (IFC), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101 Code, are America’s most common building and fire safety codes. You’ll need to determine which code, and which edition of that particular code, applies to your building. Local codes in your area may compel you to adhere to additional requirements. Make sure you’re fully compliant.

The requirements affect doors that either lock or latch. For instance, panic hardware isn’t required for a free-swinging door with only a push plate and pull handle. Panic hardware is required by code for only certain occupancy types. In general, an “assembly occupancy” is a building or area where large groups gather, such as a gym or a theater. An “educational occupancy” refers to a school for children up to twelfth grade. A building used for college classrooms is considered a “business occupancy,” and some college classrooms are even large enough to be classified as an assembly occupancy. The NFPA 101 Code includes a separate occupancy classification for “daycare occupancy,” where daycare is provided to children or adults. A “high-hazard occupancy” (an area containing a high level of hazardous materials) is a space that is vulnerable to explosions. 

Whenever you install panic hardware on balanced doors, a touchpad-style device has to be used, and the touchpad should not extend more than halfway across the door. Code requirements normally prohibit the installation of any other kind of lock on a door with panic hardware, except for electromagnetic locks released by a sensor or by a switch. The bottom line is: Any person who must leave has to be able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times - without having to use any keys or tools, and without possessing any sort of specialized knowledge. 

The way panic bars are made, they prevent entry from the opposite side of a door. On the inner side, of course they ensure a speedy exit in the event of an emergency. A panic bar that locks only from the outside is permitted on exit discharge doors. Typically, rooms containing electrical equipment must have panic hardware or fire exit hardware that will allow a professional technician to escape in the event of a fire or explosion. 

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Proficient Locksmith Services For Your Enhanced Security

Advancement in technology leads to development in every domains and service of an establishment. Quality works cannot come for minimal costs but when you approach a best locksmith service, you can compare their fee structure to choose the right one. We all need to conserve our monetary value and budget moreover; we need to pick the budgetary services for our requirements. Approaching an affordable locksmith service and most of them use these both terms in their website and online listings. But inexpensive locksmith administers not necessary to be insured and licensed. So in addition to their affordability, their reputation and certification are more imperative in this regard. When you with your security lock, you ought to pick a perfect, reputed locksmith administration for a better purpose. 

Automobile locksmith services:

If there is a chance that you lose the car key or break the key of the ignition then you require calling automobile keymaker services. They have some proficient auto locksmith equipment and they can offer you the car opening facility. In addition to this, they can provide the alternate car key and restore the key of the ignition system.

Emergency locksmith services:

There may be an instance where people get stuck inside the room or residence. Then you can get the emergency facilitator to change the lock and provide the alternate key for your home. Even a commercial establishment that has been the sufferer of a robbery can contact these locksmith services to repair their security system. Emergency keymaker can provide 24 hours locksmith services with contact numbers which may help in time of emergency. They also offer you roadside help to unlock your car.

Residential and commercial locksmith service:

If you want to implement some safety locks in your home and at workplace then you can contact the necessary locksmith services for enhanced services. They can advise you the best type of security system, and they will initiate the necessary locks in your assets immediately to serve the purpose. In addition to that, some locksmith administers can also offer you electronic aided gadgets such as CCTV installation, residence alarm installation and electronic lock installation.

24/7 Locksmith Service By Skilled Technicians

Losing your key is not less than losing your safety. It is even more critical when you do not have spare keys! Locksmith is the leading technicians that help in replacing you lost key or lockouts through efficient methods of alternates. You need not worry anymore as regardless of whatever the time is best 24 Hour Locksmiths service is offered by experts. 

Emergency lockout service 

Licensed and well-skilled locksmiths are devoted to serving you with exceptional rekeying service assuring the safety of living and security of the asset. You are ensured to get immediate action soon after your call from well-versed locksmiths as they serve emergency cases well. 

Diverse varieties of lock administrations 

You can completely rely on locksmiths in case of any wrongfulness with your lock and key. There are several services and products consisted for rendering 24-hour locksmiths assessment that involves emergency lockout service, key cutters, replacement car keys, car unlocking, car door lock repair, new lock installations like home security locks, padlocks, window locks, door locks, and file cabinet locks.

Key cutting service – Looking to get your stuck key for cutting? Or for other lock repairs, lock rekeying service and lockouts? No matter, whatever the problem is, professional is committed to providing you a perfect solution within the required period of time at a suitable budget.

Old door locks if isn’t working anymore, experts will provide lock rekeying service that involves key duplication, creation of new keys, laser key cutting and other modern types of services assuring customers complete satisfaction. 

Car and door unlocking service – It is very annoying when you get stuck up in the car or home or office? We really do not have an idea of what to do next? Simply, we try if windows or anything is open to help ourselves get out this chaos. 

Understanding the impatience of being into this problem, experts see to that they offer to provide quick service employing modern tools to get the best result within a required period of time. Using the digital and modern techniques and tools affordable services are being offered.

Key replacement service - One of the most popular and an excellent method considered and offered by locksmith is replacement of your keys and locks. Technicians being highly equipped with modern tools they serve ignition repair, chip key programming, and replacement services within a periodic time. 

What Locksmiths Do

There are many locksmiths advertising services all over the country. But what many people want to know is, what does a locksmith actually do? Some people just believe that the job is as simple as creating key copies. Others think they only come out to help customers during lockouts. However, the list of what a professional lock and security provider can do is seemingly endless. Locksmith Tyler has come up with a brief list of services that they offer, and you are sure to find that whether you are in Tyler, TX or elsewhere in the country, you will be able to take advantage of relevant solutions. 

Lockout Assistance

This is a very popular solution that most lock and security providers will offer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Locksmiths have the ability to assist people when it comes to regaining access to their property. Most technicians are incredibly understanding because they know firsthand just how stressful these situations are. For this reason, they will work quickly when manipulating your locks to get you back inside. They can generally be called for car lockouts, home lockouts and even business property lockouts. 

Anything and Everything Key Related

Locksmiths create copies of keys so that homeowners can have spares; a lock and security professional can remove or extract keys that are stuck, whether they are stuck in the ignition cylinder of a vehicle or just stuck in a lock; locksmiths have the ability to professionally program transponder keys; they can rekey locks so that one can avoid lock replacement; and so much more. When it comes to keys, it seems that locksmiths can truly do just about everything. 

Residential Solutions

There are various residential solutions that a homeowner can take advantage of with a professional, to include mailbox locks, patio locks, key extraction, garage locks, rekeying locks, master keys, intercom systems, deadbolts installation, keyless entry and more. There are so many ways that a person is able to protect a home, beyond just having locks that work. Talking to an expert who offers residential services can prove to be very helpful.

Commercial Solutions 

Locksmiths can do so much to improve the security of business properties all over the place. For instance, they can install new safes in which money can be stored; they can install panic bars which are vital for exit plans whenever you own a building or part of a building; they can set up keyless entry so that you and your trusted employees are able to get back into the building without having to carry around keys; and a locksmith can install drawer or cabinet locks to make sure that important items stay out of the wrong hands. Of course, if a lockout occurs, a professional can get you back in.  And have you heard of access control? Access control is important in keeping people out of certain points of your property. These are just some ways an expert could help with commercial property security.  

Automotive Solutions

One might not think to call a locksmith if they are having issues with their car, but the fact is, you can do this. If your key is stuck or has broken off in the ignition cylinder, services that can be carried out include broken key extraction and even ignition cylinder replacement. If a break in took place and locks were damaged, then an expert will be able to come out and provide break in repairs. Transponder key programming and smart keys are often times offered by expert locksmiths as well. Clearly, there are many things that a professional should be able to do for you to improve your security and safety. 

Peace of Mind

The first thought many people have when they are dealing with car problems is to go to a mechanic, or car dealership. Of course, these are valid options, but did you know that locksmiths can bring you peace of mind, too? They can carry out the service you are looking for, at least, if it is related to locks and keys. From break in repairs and ignition cylinder replacement to broken key extraction and transponder key programming, there are so many things that a locksmith can do. People are often inclined to reach out to a locksmith rather than their dealership or local mechanic because they find the prices to be lower and they find that they are able to create a long lasting relationship. It is important to have local businesses that can be trusted, and often times, when you use the services of a lock and security provider, you will find that you are getting a dedicated professional who cares.  

A Lock and Security Provider Does It All!

A locksmith can certainly get many things done to help with property protection. If you’re in Tyler, Texas, schedule a free consultation with the team at Locksmith Tyler in TX to find out more about how you can benefit from assistance. And if you don’t live in this part of the country, then do a Google search to find a locksmith that is local to you. Referrals from family, colleagues, neighbors and friends can also be incredibly helpful. Remember that many locksmith experts will be available to provide 24 hour a day help, so if you’re ever locked out, you are able to access help quickly. The job of a locksmith is to keep property protected, and that is exactly what they strive to do. From installing new locks that are completely functional and attractive in appearance to helping locals who are unable to get into their home because they can’t find their key, there are so many things a professional lock and security provider can do. Be sure to jot down the contact information of the best one in your area so you always have someone to call when security becomes a potential issue. Hopefully this post has provided you with the information you were looking for!

How to Avoid Automotive Lockouts

Any time you find yourself lockout out, you are likely to become very frustrated. This is understandable. You probably want to scream at someone but unfortunately you have no one to blame accept yourself. You become even more frustrated when you are already late and you discover that you are locked out.

Here at Locksmith Tyler in Tyler, TX we would like to provide you with some useful resolutions to help you avoid being locked out. Be advised that the only way these suggestions can benefit you is if you put them to use. If you choose to do so or not it will depend on you. When you decide to take our suggestions to heart and implement them, you don’t have anything to lose. You will probably be glad that you even took the time to read this article in order to gain some practical solutions to being locked out. You know what they say, “If I knew then what I know now”. This means you would have done this a long time ago. Our suggestions simply act as a guide for you to use as you choose. After reading our suggestions, you may tweek our suggestions and come up with some that work just as good.

• Lock Picks - You might be saying that this would enable you to get into anyone’s car, any time you choose to. You would be right, to a degree. We say this because in some municipalities you are allowed to carry a lock pick but in others, you are not. Check with your municipality before making the investment. Despite never being locked out before, it is always a good idea to be prepared for the possibility.  Proper use of a lock pick is necessary if you are going to be effective in gaining access again. We would suggest that you practice on your car or a friend’s before you actually have to use it for a lock out.

• Bump Keys - A bump key enables you to unlock your door. With a hammer, you’ll have to strike the right position on the key in order to disengage the lock. This is something else that you might want to practice on since it can be challenging figuring out exactly where to strike the key. If you own a bump key, keep it in a safe and secure location that is not visible to others. You don’t want to encourage anyone to make use of it for the wrong reasons.

• Develop a Routine -Make it a routine to have your car keys in your hand as you are exiting your vehicle. This habit will help you avoid locking yourself out. The routine is to have your necessary car key in your hand when leaving your car. You want to visually identify your key before heading stepping out of your car to ensure you do not run into the problem of being locked out.

• Have a Spare Key - It just makes common sense to have another set of car keys to avoid being locked out. This shouldn’t only apply when it comes to car keys, it should also apply when it comes to any type of key that gives you entry into somewhere that you need to be, home, office, etc. Don’t continue putting it off for another day. There is no better time than the present. Although having a spare key doesn’t mean you will never be locked out, it does mean you don’t have to remain locked out for too long before gaining access in again. It also gives you peace-of-mind and minimizes frustration. Some people even purchase more than one spare key at a time to ensure they always have access. Keep spare keys somewhere other than together; it defeats your purpose in having a spare if you keep them together. Give them to trustworthy friends and family who will be able to come to your aid when you need them.

• Have Bad Locks Replaced With Newer Locks - If you have a hard time unlocking the doors of your car, this could be an indication that you need to have a new lock installed. Using a key that is damaged can cause problems with your lock. You may not be able to see the damage but you will be able to tell that something isn’t right because your key doesn’t immediately give you access to into your car. If the lock needs to be replaced, it doesn’t matter if you have a spare key or not, you may eventually find that the lock will no longer work. Avoid being locked out by having any locks replaced as soon as possible. Put it off just one more day and this just might be the day that you find yourself locked out.

• Avoid Duplicating Keys - If you have keys duplicated frequently, you may eventually run into the problem of the key no longer working. This is because the more the key is duplicated, the further away from the original it will be. This means that you should always have spare keys made from your original key, not another duplicate key.

• Keeping Up With Car Keys - We know this is easier said than done but if you are prone to losing your car keys, you might need to develop some type of way to always keep up with them. This goes back to always making sure you have a visual on your car key before hoping out of your car, even when you’re in a hurry. If you have spare keys, make sure you don’t hand out too many. When you do this you may not remember exactly who you gave the keys to. Avoid taking your car keys out in public because it is quite easy to lay them down and walk away. Instead, why not wait until you are walking toward your car to begin looking for them to minimize the possibility of losing them or leaving them somewhere.

Signs That Better Security Is Needed!

Remember the “old days” when people actually slept with their windows open or doors unlocked? Just watch any re-run of Mayberry RFD and watch the friendly neighbors walk into each other’s homes freely and unannounced. Nowadays, you can get shot for that! What happened? More people and more crime happened! Today, people are not as trusting, nor should they be. With the increase in gang activity, neighborhood crime, car theft, shoplifting, flash mobs, vagrants and homeless, you just can’t be too careful. This is where better security is needed and comes into play. Here at Locksmith Tyler, we advocate better security and protection no matter where in town you are. This includes home, auto and business.

Be Aware Of Your Surroundings

The first step to better security is to simply be more aware of where you are and who is around you. Apply this new awareness to home life as well as to your workplace and recreational locations, too. When you are in the grocery store, is your cart with your purse near you at all times? Or, do you leave it (only for a moment!) to go get a box of crackers 20 feet away? When you load those groceries in your trunk, are you cognizant of who is walking behind you or parking next to you? As you enter an elevator at work do you notice any suspicious looking person(s) nearby that might just jump in with you? When you are working in your garage at night do you leave the light on so that your property is well lit and no one just happens to walk up to you or sneak inside? The purpose of this post is NOT to make you paranoid – only to increase your awareness of your local Tyler, TX environment and the possibilities of threats to your well-being. If you have friends or guests with you, it is very easy to get distracted to the point where a pick pocket or armed bandit can get to you or to one of the members of your party. This gets even further complicated when you are responsible for children and/or pets.

Neighborhood Problems

It’s a myth that only bad neighborhoods get crime. Sure, crooks tend to haunt poor locals but they are not stupid; they know where the money is at. Even higher end parts of town can experience burglars, home invasions, domestic problems and drug deals gone bad. Our Locksmith Tyler customers live in a wide range of socio-economic neighborhoods ranging from mobile home parks to country clubs and all experience the need for added and better security to protect homes, businesses and automotive vehicles.

Are You Being Watched?

Not to alarm you but many times, a “mark” is watched before the criminal strikes. This can include your daily habits like taking your lunch break at a certain time and place. It could mean that someone is lurking behind a hedge near your home and noticing that you get the morning paper before 7 am and you never lock the door behind you. Your dog door may be large enough for a person to crawl through. Even small pets have doors that a child can fit through. You may be thinking “what can a child do?” but think for a moment. That less than innocent boy or girl can be trained to enter your pet door and run to your front door to unlock it! If your dog has been previously observed to be friendly and not aggressive, then this is a very likely scenario when you are away at work or on vacation.

Change Those Locks!

Have you been the victim of a recent crime at home or at your business? Changing your locks can help. In fact, even if your life has been crime free up to now, rekeying your locks is a smart precaution. Have you ever wondered who has keys to your house, car or business? The most obvious choices are your children, your spouse and any roommates. Think back though; where did you get your key? Realtors, builders, property managers, contractors, delivery persons, landscapers, baby sitters and many others have had access to your key(s) at some point. How many just happen to have a spare?

Lock Change or Lock Rekey?

There’s a difference and here at Locksmith Tyler, we are often asked which is best. That part is up to you. When our licensed, bonded and insured technicians rekey a lock, we leave the lock itself in place. We simple alter the interior pins so that a different key is needed to open it. In most cases, this is what you really need. Rekey work is fast, affordable and gives you tremendous peace of mind as you now have better control over your key distribution. When we change the locks, we actually change them out for new ones. This involves a slightly higher expense and is often a preferred choice when you want to upgrade to better quality locks for added protection.

Business Security

Remember when a simple lock on the shop door was enough? Not anymore. Commercial property can include apartment rentals, restaurants, retail stores, medical clinics, car dealers, attorney firms, private schools, art galleries, jewelry stores, laundromats and hundreds more. Anytime you are dealing with money, cash, credit cards, customers and inventory, you have to worry about shoplifting, employee theft, pilfering and even “not so accidental” slips and falls. Each Tyler, TX business is unique and has different security issues so it’s best to consult with an established commercial lock and key expert like ours here at Locksmith Tyler. We offer free consultations, free price quotes and superior quality hardware from the nation’s best lock manufacturers. You might consider CCTV camera installation, high security locks, deadbolts, rekeys, change outs, panic bar additions, peepholes and other quality improvements that can vastly enhance the security of your company, customers and staff. If you already have a preferred locksmith shop that you work with, ask them for their recommendations to bolster your security protection at home, in your car or at your business location.