Panic Device Lockout

There is a reason why commercial grade locks are normally considered to be more security than standard or residential type locks. Commercial grade locks are high security locks that usually are much harder to break into than the traditional residential lock. Most locksmith technician are trained and have the experience unlocking these types of commercial grade locks in case of a lockout situation. However, those who don't, usually will come up with a different creative way to unlock the lock. Sometimes, locksmith technicians will drill the lock which will not make the customer happy since he will most likely need to invest in a new lock.

I remember a while back I got a call from an employee of one of the local stores in the area that have been locked out. Apparently, the employee went out of the store through the emergency exit door out the back in order to throw the garbage outside and got locked out. I knew that I would probably have to deal with an exit device mechanism which is not easy, but since I had good experience with these types lock system, I decided to take the job.

Once I got to the store, I wanted to check the lock and see what I was dealing with in order to figure out the best way to unlock it. I then decided to try and pick the lock since that seemed to be my only option. However, no matter how I tried picking the lock, I just couldn't unlock it. Since picking didn't work, my only option seem to be drilling. Before going with the option of damaging the lock, I decided to get a Boise locksmith co worker of mine to the store to see if he could pick it open or at least think of something else.

When my co worker finally arrived, he tried picking the lock without success as well. He then noticed there was a fairly large gap between the doors which gave him the idea of using an automotive lockout tool key. Using the gap between the doors, he was able to slide the across-the-window automotive tool that had a loop at the end and pull on the panic device bar in order to open the door. The employee was relived that we didn't have to damage the lock, but we did told him to inform the manager he should take care of the gap between the doors as it was a security hazard.