business bathroom door locks

[Bl1ndE Esk1mo]

hello all,
I recently started work at a business where a key is required to enter the restroom, its a retail store, the key deters theft. But in order to operate the locked door you have to turn the key, simple, but, the way the door is setup it basically turns the key into the handle. By this I mean that when I turn the key to unlock the door it operates the door latch also, locking itself again once pressure is no longer applied to the key. My question is isn't that hard on the key? and why would the door and lock be setup in a manner that causes the handle of the door to be essentially useless? It is a lever style door handle, the key appears to be 6 pins and not very diversified biting. it takes a lot of pressure to turn the key the only way I could describe it is heavy, not stiff or stuck just heavy. The door may be a fire resistant door. Has anyone encountered something like this? I will look and see if I can pull a name off the key or lock when I get a chance, and if I can I will post a photo. Thanks.

Blind E

[billdeserthills]

It sounds to me like your lever has a 'clutch' built into it. The clutch allows the lever to turn, even when the door is locked,
this keeps people from applying direct pressure to the handle, in order to force it open.

[Squelchtone]

I believe this is called Store Room function, so that once the key is removed the lock is already locked up and one just has to shut the door without having to remember to relock the key cylinder. I know what you mean about feeling like it is not good for the key, and it is strange that the lever handle is there just to pull and push on it but not actually turn the lever handle. I have locks like this at work, and even with our big Medeco keys, I worry about snapping one off inside a lock eventually based on the force needed to retract the latch.

Squelchtone

[nine4t4]

The key is fine as long as it's not used by anyone stupid. Oh, people can be stupid, and many will try to turn the handle with the key, its only a matter of time.

I work in a facility that has some storerooms with similar mechanisms AND we use Abloy Protec!!!. As good as the Abloy system is, the keys are more prone to wear. I don't think having storeroom latches is doing those delicate keys any favors. Fortunately, because they are more sensitive to wear than conventional keys, they probably wear out long before they are at risk of snapping.

If the door handle has a clutch, the handle should work when the lock is turned to a certain point. So you turn the key to a point and THEN the handle actually works. Either way you should try to get people to use the handle when they are unlocking. Even if the handle is always dead, it doesn't hurt to turn it with the key.

[cledry]

The clutched storeroom shouldn't allow the handle to ever retract the latch. For the restroom a better option would be a combination lock, it too will lock each time. Storeroom locks are required by code on some doors and are used a lot on rear entrances, janitor closets, electrical rooms etc.

[Robotnik]

The property management company I used to be with managed numerous high rises, most of which had clutched storeroom leversets on mechanical room doors. On any given day, I'd probably operate a hundred-plus of these...over several years, never once broke a key, nor ever saw a key broken off, with the one exception of a building that had all keys cut on low-quality Hy-Ko Y2 blanks with a 9 cut in the first position. Still took a couple years of constant use to break that key, though.

Agree on using keypad lock for bathrooms; Alarm Lock Trilogy 4100's a good go-to.

[MBI]

I work in a facility that has some storerooms with similar mechanisms AND we use Abloy Protec!!!. As good as the Abloy system is, the keys are more prone to wear... Fortunately, because they are more sensitive to wear than conventional keys, they probably wear out long before they are at risk of snapping.

Really? I was taught that Abloy keys tend to wear less than traditional pin tumbler keys. Do you have your info from a reliable source? I'm just wondering if what I was taught is incorrect.

I thought the biggest risk of wearing down the Abloy angled cuts so they don't work anymore is because of jangling against regular keys on a keyring. Since the regular keys tend to be shorter it puts them in a perfect position for the teeth and tip of the keys to continually rub against the Abloy key cuts as you carry the keyring.

[GWiens2001]

Have not seen a worn-out Abloy Protec keys, either. Have seen Disclock with worn keys and discs due to trying to or remove the key when it is not indexed correctly.

Gordon

[billdeserthills]

I wouldn't be surprised if the strike plate has never been properly adjusted, it could cause more effort than
it should if the door is warped or the deadlatch is becoming trapped in the strike hole.

[cledry]

I wouldn't be surprised if the strike plate has never been properly adjusted, it could cause more effort than
it should if the door is warped or the deadlatch is becoming trapped in the strike hole.

I thought that too. Simple to test, the key should feel the same with the door open as with the door closed, if it doesn't you have a latch bind issue.

[kwoswalt99-]

I work in a facility that has some storerooms with similar mechanisms AND we use Abloy Protec!!!. As good as the Abloy system is, the keys are more prone to wear... Fortunately, because they are more sensitive to wear than conventional keys, they probably wear out long before they are at risk of snapping.

Really? I was taught that Abloy keys tend to wear less than traditional pin tumbler keys. Do you have your info from a reliable source? I'm just wondering if what I was taught is incorrect.

I thought the biggest risk of wearing down the Abloy angled cuts so they don't work anymore is because of jangling against regular keys on a keyring. Since the regular keys tend to be shorter it puts them in a perfect position for the teeth and tip of the keys to continually rub against the Abloy key cuts as you carry the keyring.

They are ul 437, so that has to count for something. This is the first time I've ever heard of Protecs having wear problems.

[nine4t4]

To MBI, et al.

The facility I work in now may be an anomaly, but yeah, the Abloy keys start to act up after a while (possible explanation below, now that I've thought about). Yes it does happen, but I wouldn't found a scientific argument on the durability of the keys.

The system rocks, and I didn't mean to make it sound like the keys were faulty. It's just that when the keys do get worn they are more finicky than pin tumblers. With a worn pin tumbler key, most people just start jiggling the key when it acts up. The Abloy, due to design, doesn't lend itself to jiggling. So, when someone says their key is acting up, if it's significant it gets replaced . The key may be far from dead.....but people do stupid things and locksmiths are expensive.

It's also possible that the keys are being cascaded downwards. i.e. When one is replaced, the Operations manager keeps the new key and hands off his old one to a department head who does the same. So the end result is that the newest employees have the oldest keys and it APPEARS that they wear out quickly, when in fact they are almost 15 years old. Feeling a bit stupid over here!!!