Question about knob lock mechanism from the inside

[Eazy123]

So I figured I'd get a lock set slightly better than the junky Kwikset I've got, and I bought a Schlage deadbolt and KIK set. The deadbolt will take some drilling/sanding so I'm going to save that for the weekend, but I installed the knob tonight.

When I close the door and turn the locking tab clockwise, it locks on the entry side as it should. However, I can still turn the knob from the inside and when I do it unlocks. My Kwikset wouldn't turn at all even on the inside if it was locked - that gave me the certainty that it was locked, if that makes any sense.

Is this some sort of emergency/safety mechanism so that you can get out from inside quickly if need be?

[mseifert]

I have Schlage that do the same thing .. It is a safety feature in the event of say a fire you don't have to fumble with unlocking the know..

[globallockytoo]

Actually the reason they changed the design is due to the significantly huge numbers of complaints they received from people who were constantly locking themselves out.
People would lock the knob from inside and then forget it was locked, exit without their key, because inside was panic escape function and lock themselves out.
They changed it and now the new schlage F series unlocks the outside automagically when the inside knob is turned.
Locksmiths used to make plenty on lockouts....but no more.

[Eazy123]

Seriously?!! That many people locked themselves out like that? Really strange. Well I'm glad you guys could answer that for me. Thanks!

[RedE]

I've never really understood why neither Kwikset nor Schlage don't offer the standard entrance/office function found in many commercial locksets. You can turn the button to keep the door locked, or just push it in which pops out when the knob/lever is turned.

The real thing I don't understand is why people want locking knobs on exterior doors. They add no kick in protection whatsoever and can easily be knocked of with a sledgehammer or channel locks. And it's an extra lock to open when your in a hurry trying to get to the bathroom

[cledry]

I've never really understood why neither Kwikset nor Schlage don't offer the standard entrance/office function found in many commercial locksets. You can turn the button to keep the door locked, or just push it in which pops out when the knob/lever is turned.

The real thing I don't understand is why people want locking knobs on exterior doors. They add no kick in protection whatsoever and can easily be knocked of with a sledgehammer or channel locks. And it's an extra lock to open when your in a hurry trying to get to the bathroom

I've always just used passage locks on my doors, never been locked out. Funny how that works.

[unjust]

oversimplifying, a lot of residential building codes allow for only a single unlocking action to be used - add in a dead bolt and you require 2 actions to exit and aren't legal anymore. in theory that lock is keyed different than the dead bolt so you can use the knob as the equillavent of a valet key - the plumber can get in, on the day you left him the key, but even if he copied it, he can't get in most days because you deadbolt the door.

[RedE]

oversimplifying, a lot of residential building codes allow for only a single unlocking action to be used - add in a dead bolt and you require 2 actions to exit and aren't legal anymore. in theory that lock is keyed different than the dead bolt so you can use the knob as the equillavent of a valet key - the plumber can get in, on the day you left him the key, but even if he copied it, he can't get in most days because you deadbolt the door.

Really? I've heard of such requirements for multi housing projects and the like, but never for a single detached house. Is this something local to your area? I haven't seen anything like this in the IBC or Life Safety Code.

[unjust]

i've run into it in a few jurisdictions and don't recall off the top of my head the source of it, but fire inspectors were adamant that inside knobs had to be always active. (unless they were dummy) (i've mostly worked on commercial projects in the last few years)

in general, it's really rare that institutional operation is desirable. i think the only time i've specified them was on non-egress doors in an event space. (so the venue could lock patrons off from other events)

[unjust]

the ones that stick out though were where the client wanted keyed interior knob and bolt to prevent reach around/through bypass from potential broken sidelight or door glazing.