In many cases a commercial lockout results in a quick halt of work, it might not be possible to enter into the office, waiters will not be able to work in time, delivery will be late and important meetings cannot be held.

Our fast and efficient lockout services for business helps regain access to offices, retail stores, restaurants, warehouses, medical facilities and other residential apartment buildings, our professional locksmiths will identify the source of the lockout and find the safest way to open the door.

Common Causes of Business Lockouts

There are many reasons why a business gets locked out of its premises. Sometimes a simple reason for getting locked out is loss or misplacement of keys. An employee may have the only key and he or she will accidentally leave it at home, take it inside or lose it during travel.

Keys can also break off in the lock. Since business doors get heavy usage on a daily basis, the keys and cylinders get worn out over time. Weakened keys may suddenly snap in someone’s hands when they try to open the door and some of it ends up in the lock.

Common reasons for business lockouts include:

• Damaged lock cylinder

• Jammed latch

• Malfunctioning panic bar

• Misaligned door

• Broken key

• Faulty keypad

• Dead electronic lock battery

• Disabled access card or key fob

• Problems with an electric strike or magnetic lock 

Damage Free Opening if Possible

Any professional locksmith will start with the least invasive technique to open the lock, it really depends on the type of the lock, the locksmith manipulates the cylinder, removes broken key, repairs the latch, fixes the exit device or aligns the door.

Drilling is supposed to be used when locks are heavily damaged, highly secured or cannot be opened otherwise.

This kind of approach saves money on fixing the door and allows the business to function again much quicker. If replacement is required, the locksmith should explain all the possibilities before the existing hardware gets removed.

Lockout in Electronic and Keyless Doors

Today a large number of business premises have keypad locks, card readers, smart locks, electric strikes, magnetic locks, and access networks. Sometimes a problem with such doors is not connected with the credential.

This problem can be:

• Low or dead batteries

• Damaged wiring

• Faulty reader

• Power supply issue

• Door misalignment

• Damaged electric strike

• Incorrect access permissions

• Malfunctioning control panel

The locksmith who has experience with commercial access hardware will check both the mechanical and electronic components of the lockout and solve the issue with replacement of batteries, adjustment of hardware, restoration of power supply, resetting the code and repair of the lock, forcing an electronic door open may damage expensive equipment and create additional problems.

Security Measures after Lost Keys

Opening the door solves the lockout problem, but missing key can be dangerous for the business’ security. If the key to the business’ lock got lost or stolen, the locks must be checked if it requires rekeying.

Lock Rekey means changing the inner configuration of the lock so that the existing key will not work. The existing lock stays in place and rekeying is cheaper than full replacement.

For electronic locks, the credentials such as cards and key fobs must be deactivated as soon as possible. Also, the keypad codes should be changed if the unauthorized person knows them.

Information to Be Given to the Locksmith

When booking commercial lockout service, provide:

• The address of the business

• The type of the property

• The location of the door

• The type of lock

• The description of the problem

• If a key is broken inside the lock

• If the door uses electronic access

The locksmith may ask you for identification or confirmation that you are authorized to access the property. This is done for the sake of security of the businesses.

How to Prevent Business Lockout in the Future

Besides solving the lockout problem, the locksmith can examine the lock and give recommendations regarding prevention measures. They may consist in duplication of keys, replacement of the worn out keys, rekeying the property, repairing the latch, installation of a keyless lock, and improving key control policies of the company.

Quick commercial lockout service allows minimizing downtime, securing the property and returning your business to normal functioning.