Double Cylinder Locks Illegal

Fire safety issue solved.

Double cylinder locks illegal.

Danger of double key locks. When i was a los angeles county deputy sheriff i had the sad observation of seeing a young woman who was killed by smoke inhalation. Double cylinder locks are a big no no. A double cylinder lock requires a key to be opened from both the inside and outside which could leave you trapped in your home during an emergency.

These locks require a key to lock or unlock the door both from the outside and the inside making them a little safer in one regard. Typically the outer casing is made from hardened steel and resilient against hammer blows. A double cylinder lock requires a key to operate the door from either side. Now under what circumstances is a double cylinder lock helpful.

These locks can create an issue for quick exit if a fire or other hazardous situation occurs. The locks have no handle. While this isn t the official phrasing in the fire code double cylinder locks are both dangerous and illegal. Deadbolts with a captured key feature operate like a single and double cylinder lock.

Jay staats 4 years ago. Only lock the double cylinder deadbolts when everyone is away unable to monitor the premises. Double cylinder locks are an extra layer of protection for home and business security. Even when the door is considered or designed for use during emergency only double cylinder deadbolt should not be installed in it.

One important disadvantage is the extra safety concern. Also you must have an emergency escape plan. For example if there s a window on or nearby the door think of sidelight windows. There s a reason people want to equip their homes with double cylinder locks.

In short it is helpful only if an easily broken pane of glass would allow access to the thumb turn of the lock but not passage into the house. Without a button lock mechanism intruders cannot unlock the door manually. She had left the. Double cylinder deadbolts are therefore not ideal for emergency exits.

Dual cylinder deadbolts require a key to open the deadbolt from both the inside and outside. The last person out the house. Before you decide to install double cylinder deadbolts in your building check the local codes. Replacing single cylinder locks with double cylinder models may reduce successful break ins by 50 or more.

In the u s there is no single comprehensive law against dual cylinder deadbolts.