by RedE » 28 Feb 2017 10:15
In my experience, the following holds true. Some of these have already been mentioned, but I'm listing them anyway for completeness.
Cylindrical deadbolts always turn away from the jamb to unlock.
Jimmy proof deadbolts are 360 degrees towards the jamb to unlock.
Rim exit devices turn either way to retract the latch. If there is a thumb piece or lever trim, you usually turn towards the jamb to unlock it. For dogging the latches, it's usually clockwise regardless of door handing.
Commercial knobs and levers usually turn both ways to unlock. Exceptions to this offhand that I can think of are dormitory functions (usually right to unlock) and classroom (360 degrees towards the jamb to unlock).
Mortise deadbolts turn 360 degrees towards the jamb to unlock.
Mortise locksets are a crapshoot as to which way they turn to operate. It can depend on the function, the brand, and what type of cam is on the mortise cylinder. If I had to generalize I'd say most of these locks are unlocked by turning towards the jamb.
Padlocks usually will unlock to the right.
This is what I can think of right now. I'm sure there's a few I'm forgetting...
