Broken Dorma Lock

[MLG]

I'm a maintenance tech at a nashville hotel. We have an outside storage building that I was in and out of all day and at the end the key would no longer release the dead bolt. It seems to try but will only turn so far. My key is a master for all other locks and works fine in everything else. Is there an alternative to me having to call a locksmith? I've searched for other online help but this seemed to be my best hope. Thanks.

[atticRR]

photos would help a lot, as would the brand of the lock. theres a bunch of knowledge here, the more info you post the better!

[cledry]

I'm a maintenance tech at a nashville hotel. We have an outside storage building that I was in and out of all day and at the end the key would no longer release the dead bolt. It seems to try but will only turn so far. My key is a master for all other locks and works fine in everything else. Is there an alternative to me having to call a locksmith? I've searched for other online help but this seemed to be my best hope. Thanks.

Remove the lock and take it to a locksmith.

Dorma makes a lot of products. You might have a binding bolt, try lifting or pushing pulling on the door. If lifting helps, then repair or adjust the top hinge. Check the hinge screws for tightness and if OK, check hinge for wear if OK then tighten the hinge leaf.

Look for obstructions at the threshold that might prevent the door from closing fully.

There are just too many possible scenarios but all are common sense.

[Raymond]

Everytime I hear this symptom my first answer is to check to see if the deadlatch pin has gone into the latch hole. This puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the bolt and you must push or pull the door (closing direction) to relieve the pressure before turning the key. With the pressure momentarily relieved it will open. Many commercial door frames have a 1/8" plastic bumper in three locations along the strip where the door meets the frame. If these are missing or worn out and you slam the door harder than normal, the latch will stick. I have seen many doors where some ignorant maintenance person filed the strike hole out larger so the deadlatch pin will go in smoothly. This is wrong and the strike must be replaced and relocated correctly. The spacing bumpers can be replaced or you can simply put a sheet metal screw in the frame to keep the door from closing too tightly.