I currently write up dead bolts that need keys to unlock them from the interior. However, I realized the other that following my recommend would leave the owners more prone to burglary. How do you guys handle this condition?
Big hazard how do people get out in a fire .
In a hurry they can drop the key or not find the key.
I do not think they are allowed in most areas.
Yeah that’s why I write them up. What if a burglar breaks in though. Would I be liable. The reason people install them this way is because the dead bolt is next a window or the door has glass.
We have no control over a burglar .
A lock only keeps out a honest person the bad people can get in any where.
Advise them to lay the interior key on a nearby table or something, not keep it in the lock.
I always recommend replacement.
smooth move key on Table in a fire might not be there or they could drop it.
Me too. But if they want a double key lock, like you said when the door has a window, let them know someone could break the window and open the lock.
I always recommend upgrading glass framed entry doors with a solid door to enhance safety and help prevent unwarranted entry. Most of glass frame doors I find are the older type without safety glass.
I tell them that it is considered a hazard and why so that they can make an informed decision. I don’t try to tell them what to do about it.
Gotcha. So it’s more of just an FYI in your report? Not a defect?
They are not permitted in any areas of the U.S that use the International Building Code. Egress doors shall be readily openable from inside the dwelling with out the use of a key or special knowledge or effort.
Honey the house is on fire do remember where the key is?
Drug dealers used to be the only places I saw with them so they could lock in the customers.
Those were the only places I used to see them along with solid barred windows.
Always a big write up and back in the days of customer service jobs used to tell them to leave the doors unlocked because I had a few instances where I would need to run out to the van and would feel trapped.
Actually had a couple thousand dollars in cable boxes stolen as I tried to get out on time once .
They simply smashed a spark plug into the glass and crow barred the lock box in a matter of a few minutes at best.
I write it up all the time. Fire Marshall down here writes them up as well. Along the lines of security bars with no emergency exit opening. Fire trap.
Bert
It’s a defect in my book. These locks could prevent the occupants from safely exiting the home in the case of an emergency.
If “burglary” is the concern, they should change the door to a solid type, with little or no glass.
“Keyless egress” is a requirement in residential construction.
Bad, bad idea. That’s like “advising” them to keep a bottle of oxygen in the room where they’re using a ventless gas fireplace.
The real problem I had was how far to go with the recommendation. I was writing a report and recommended replacement. Should I also add that they may also wish to replace the door? I didn’t.
It right them up as a SAFETY CONCERN and recommend replacement.
No. It is a defect and I describe it as such (Texas SOP says it’s a defect too). They can make their own decision as to what to do about it without needing instruction from me.
Interestingly, a few years back I did home inspections for the Mayor, Chief of Police and Fire Chief in one of the local cities within a few months of one another. The C.O.P. and F.C. had different responses to the double cylinder deadbolt issue in their respective homes - Go figure.
Locks requiring a key are a fire safety hazard.
Imagine being waked up in the middle of the night, the house is full of smoke, fire is spreading fast, there’s flames roaring and it’s hot. You have to get the kids out of two other rooms, but you don’t remember where you left your keys. Most people are not going to calmly stop and think.
Fire safety is the problem you are addressing in the report. Burglary is a separate issue. A typical door installation won’t do much more than slow a determined burglar down a little.
Explain why it’s a hazard, recommend replacement by a qualified contractor, and leave it at that.
I right them up, for fire escape reason. Locks only keep honest people out. Locks can be access simply by a battery operated drill.