Working in the commercial sector requires taking precautions to protect against potential risks when managing employees. It’s important to make sure operations are running smoothly in order to encourage productivity. Nevertheless, what measures can be taken if an unexpected business lockout were to take place? An emergency locksmith can help you optimize your security.

When a business isn’t operating at its best, there is always an explanation. An unexpected lockout of the office is one of the main hiccups a company can experience without a safety plan already in place. It is these types of scenarios that urge businesses to be vigilant when it comes to their corporate security.

Not being able to gain entry into your business is an unexpected occurrence, and having a plan in place to prevent it is essential. Here are five strategies to help avoid a lockout:

• Retaining Copies of Keys
• Maintaining an Up to Date Staff List
• Having Available Equipment
• Allocating a Security Budget
• Engaging a Professional Locksmith

Spare Keys

A reliable way to avoid a lock-out situation for your business is to maintain an extra pair of keys. It is essential for a business operator to have a set of spare keys with them, and it would be beneficial to keep some other sets in different places such as their car, home, vault, or even a safety deposit box.

Other managers or stakeholders in the business should also have additional keys. Reliable staff are also great people to have spare keys since they can be counted on when everyone is inadvertently shut out of the office.

Generally, large businesses don’t allow their personnel to keep extra keys with them. Moreover, they regulate access according to the position and duty of the individual inside the organization. These are typical safety measures in the corporate environment to ensure the safety of the business.

Many businesses will take advantage of a master key system to regulate various degrees of limited access. This approach permits more than one key to open a single lock. For instance, a property manager could employ this system so that a tenant’s key will open their door, but not their neighbor’s; while the property manager will have a key that will open both.

To create a system of master keys that will protect businesses from lockouts, it is necessary to employ locks and keys that are of the same brand and model. Furthermore, there must be a way to rekey the locks when the people occupying the space change. This is yet another reason why it is beneficial to have the services of a professional locksmith available.

For smaller companies, master key systems may not be a wise investment. It is not cost-effective to set up a master key system if you can simply provide spare keys to a select few. It is important to be judicious when deciding who should receive these additional keys since the more keys that are distributed, the greater the possibility of a security incident occurring.

Accessible Tools

It has been previously highlighted that certain instruments can be of great assistance when a business has been locked out. Nevertheless, two things are necessary to be able to take advantage of this measure. Primarily, access to these instruments is required. Additionally, one must be educated on how to use them accurately.

The effectiveness of a tool is dependent on the individual using it. When it comes to breaking into a locked office, you’ll need to have some expertise and be gentle in your approach. It’s essential to avoid harming the door locks, as this could lead to future security issues and necessitate the purchase of additional gear.

You will require two essential tools to start the process: a tension wrench and a pick. Before this, remember to apply some lubricant to the lock to get rid of any dust or dirt. Bobby pins and paper clips can be employed as picks, but you should be aware that they are unreliable.

If you’re using shoddy tools, resolving a business lockout will be a considerable challenge. Even if your approach is flawless, it won’t be successful without the right pick. Lock-pick guns are more apt for this job, providing much more reliable outcomes.

Initially, you should insert the tension wrench into either the top or bottom of the keyhole. After that, you should rotate the lock in the unlocking direction. Then, you should use the pick to oscillate between the front and back of the lock quickly and frequently for approximately a minute. With luck, turning the tension wrench like a key should open the door.

If you find yourself locked out of the office, one potential solution is to use a lock shim. This is a thin and flexible material that can be inserted into the crevice of a spring-loaded lock to retract it. If it is not narrow and resilient enough, however, it will not be effective.

To use the shim, place it above the handle in the door frame and push it downwards until it catches the latch bolt. Once it’s in place, take the shim out and open the door.

It is worth emphasizing that using a shim will not be effective in the case of deadbolts or latches that have anti-shim measures in place. Unless the office door is fitted with a privacy lock, a standard keyed door knob, or a low-security padlock, shimming the lock is not a viable option.

In case either of the two prescribed techniques is successful, the lockout issue of your business will be resolved and you will just have to apply the same steps next time! However, if luck doesn’t favor you and the attempt fails, a commercial locksmith is likely your best bet. There is nothing wrong with an unsuccessful attempt. As mentioned, there can be several causes behind this, regardless of your proficiency.

Commercial Locksmith

At last, we have established a business lockout solution that is appropriate for any scenario. No matter when it is or how many people are attempting to enter the building, professional locksmiths will complete the task. And, more importantly, they will come to you directly.

A locksmith is a technician who can be at your business in a short period of time, typically within 15 to 30 minutes. Depending on the complexity of opening the locks or circumventing them, the locksmith may require an extra 25 to 30 minutes. The amount of time needed is dependent on the type and state of the locks, and they will be able to let you know how long the job will take once they arrive.

The importance of time cannot be overstated as getting locked out of the office leads to a standstill in operations and, therefore, a lack of revenue. The person responsible for hiring a locksmith is likely looking for the most prompt solution.

Velocity is not the only factor to consider. You need an expert who has the capacity and expertise to resolve the predicament. Professional locksmiths come prepared with a van filled with every tool and apparatus required to assist you during a business lockout. From lock pick guns and tension wrenches to lock shims and anything else you can think of, a locksmith is prepared for it all.

Takeaway

When a business is locked out of the workplace, it generates a lot of disruption for everyone involved, from the staff to the property managers to the customers. To anticipate such a situation, it is important for every company to make a plan.

Taking the correct steps can protect your business from a lockout. This involves recruiting a commercial locksmith, who is an expert in the field. They can determine the proper approach to unlock the door while preserving minimal damage. This way, you can ensure that your business will never be locked out of the premises.