Office Lockouts: Common Causes and How to Prevent Them
Most office lockouts come down to four causes, and most are preventable.
An office lockout costs time and productivity. The good news is that most come down to a handful of causes, and each has a straightforward fix.
1. Lost or misplaced keys
Keys left on a desk, in a car or taken home by the wrong person are the most common cause. A shared, secure key box or a documented key list helps everyone know who holds which key.
2. Worn or failing locks
Busy office doors are used hundreds of times a day. Cylinders wear, springs weaken and keys become harder to turn. If a lock is getting stiff, have it checked before it fails completely.
3. Broken or stuck keys
A worn key can snap in the cylinder. Swap worn keys for fresh copies cut from the code, not from another worn key, to keep them accurate.
4. Keypad and electronic issues
Dead batteries, forgotten codes and lost fobs can lock people out of keyless doors. Replace batteries on a schedule and make sure more than one person can manage codes.
Prevention checklist
- Keep an up-to-date list of who holds keys
- Rekey when keys aren't returned
- Service sticking locks early
- Have a mechanical override key for electronic locks
- Save a commercial locksmith's number
If you're locked out now, our commercial locksmith team can help. Also read why a professional is worth calling.
