Black Box Explains...Magnetic door-locking system.
Every business should have a reliable door-locking system at the front lines of its defense. One fail-safe way to get one is to use electromagnetic locks.
These types of locks include an electromagnet that you mount on the door frame and a metal strike plate that you attach to the door itself. Adapter and angle brackets can be added to accommodate different swinging patterns. When a door is closed, magnetic force holds the door in place. Shutting off power to the magnet, such as by a signal sent from a card reader or a central access control system, enables the door to be opened.
Most quality magnetic locks offer a minimum of 300 pounds of holding force. To stop the most determined intruders, you can find maglocks that offer up to 1500 pounds or more of holding force.
The type of magnetic system you choose depends on the door’s location, whether it’s a gate on an outside fence, a door to an ordinary interior office, or an access point to an industrial research lab. Magnetic locks installed on doors are usually used with traditional door-latch hardware, and they strongly suit entryways that see a lot of traffic. Plus magnetic systems operate electrically, so they have a long life.
You must also consider the level of safety so employees or tenants can make a quick exit in the event of a fire while first responders can enter without obstruction. All magnetic locks have an egress mechanism to enable a door to unlock in such emergencies. Because they’re electronic devices, they unlock automatically if there’s a power outage. Some can also be unlocked upon command from a fire panel.
Simple locks for ordinary doors and gates
For locking low-level security access points, such as gates to fenced-in areas of a corporate campus or parking lots, you may only need small magnetic locks that can provide a surprising amount of holding force when affixed to a door frame or gate post. These locks may involve some level of remote operation with a central or distributed access control system.
These compact-style magnetic locks can also be used in interior applications. Their slim size makes them the ideal type of lock for cabinet doors, drawers, file cabinets, and safe-deposit boxes. And as long as they have a well-confined magnetic field, they can be also be used in electronically noisy areas, such as computer rooms or factory floors. Many small magnetic locks even include surge suppressors to prevent power anomalies from bringing down their connected access control systems.
Locks specifically designed for exit door control
If you need a lock for security that complies with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Life Safety Code provisions, then you’ll likely need a lock that’s specifically designed for exit door control systems. These units are ideal for use with fire- and hazard-detection systems to provide unobstructed egress.
Low-security exit door magnetic locks can be used with lightweight interior doors and typically have a holding force that’s sufficient for many supervised or interior control installations. These locks can be controlled and monitored individually, sequentially, or simultaneously from one or several locations. They are ideal for perimeter protection systems with automatic swinging and sliding door systems as well as intrusion alarm systems.
Locks for harsh, noisy environments
For doors or gates within an industrial environment or anywhere there’s an extraordinary amount of electromagnetic noise, choose magnetic locks specifically designed for these applications. Industrial magnetic locks draw their strength from a housing that seals their internal electronics from interference. They may also feature a metal-plated housing armature and face that resist rust and corrosion.
Helpful magnetic door accessories
Many magnetic lock technologies address some common door problems. Mortise lock-and pull-systems, for instance, address door “racking“ that can occur with header-mounted magnetic locks. They work by putting the magnet directly opposite the direction of the pull. Some lock-and-pull door systems even have magnetic bond sensors that detect a misaligned mating of the armature or whether there isn’t enough power to maintain the lock’s rated holding force.
To override a magnetic lock that’s attached to an electrically operated entrance control system or similar equipment, you can add key-operated mortise cylinder switches. These switches enable authorized users to bypass or shunt door alarms and delayed-release exit control systems with a key. This way, you can restrict door access to key-carrying personnel, such as guards, during certain times of the day.
For applications where you want to provide easy exit, add exit-release push buttons to your magnetic doors. These conspicuous (often red-colored or -lettered, and sometimes illuminated) palm button assemblies provide easy door release.
You can also set up some button- or plate-operated systems to sound an alarm and automatically lock the door once it’s opened. These doors can only be unlocked with a key.
Other button- or plate-controlled exit systems include a console-style key switch for day/night control of automatic doors. You can mount this console under a desk or counter for use by personnel with a key at certain times of the day.