An office lockout costs more than inconvenience. Staff stand in the hallway, clients wait, deliveries go back to the depot. The good news is that most office lockouts are simple for a commercial locksmith to resolve, as long as the call comes with the right information.
Common causes
- Lost or misplaced keys: someone took the only key home, or it went missing after a long weekend.
- Broken locks: busy commercial cylinders wear out and eventually refuse to turn.
- Broken or stuck keys: a worn key snaps in the cylinder and jams it.
- Forgotten access codes: keypad and electronic locks lock you out if the code or fob is lost.
Check these first
Is there another entrance you are allowed to use? Does building management or security hold a master key? Downtown buildings around Landmark Square and Atlantic Street often do, and they may open a suite for an authorized tenant. Is anyone else on the staff carrying a key?
Why not force it
Forcing a commercial door can damage the frame, the closer and the exit hardware, which then has to be repaired before the door meets code again. It also leaves the office insecure. A locksmith can usually open the door without damage and fix the cause in the same visit.
When you call
Give the business name, the building address and suite, the door and lock type, and who on site can show authority to enter. For buildings with a front desk, tell security a locksmith is coming.
Prevent the next one
- Keep a spare key in a secure place off site.
- Rekey when staff with keys leave.
- Consider a master key system so managers carry one key.
- Record keypad codes somewhere secure.
- Read more on the commercial locksmith page.