In any college setting, properly separating staff areas from student areas is a vital part of creating an organised experience. Staff should have ample space to work on administrative work, plan courses with other lecturers and enjoy a bit of free time between lessons. Students should also have spaces they can work in and congregate without lecturers being present. How can a five-lever mortice lock help with creating that kind of balance?
Staff offices are a place where students should not be able to enter without prior permission. These are areas where staff can work on the tasks involved in their course planning and many other key tasks for the safe running of the course. As such, these areas must be secured using high-quality, durable locks. To help you appreciate the value of a five-lever mortice lock in this circumstance, we asked the experts at Locksandhardware.co.uk for insight. Here’s what we found out from a specialist in lock mechanisms.
Why Strong Locks In College Staff & Administrative Offices Matter
A college is not a school; students are given far more autonomy and treated like adults. At the same time, though, there have to be boundaries: certain areas are for staff, not students.
However, students are still adventurous people. They tend to be curious and willing to perhaps push boundaries in a way a staff member would not. That can include trying to enter staff offices and other areas of the college where they really shouldn’t be. By investing in a five-lever mortice lock, or a 3-lever mortice deadlock for less high-priority areas, it becomes easier to ward off unwanted visitors.
Staff need a space where they can work in peace and quiet without being disturbed. They could be reviewing coursework submitted by a student, or dealing with correspondence with other lecturers and/or departments. They might even simply be using spare time to recuperate ahead of their next lessons. As such, they need locks which will keep their staff room private when needed.
With so many different types of locks available, what makes mortice locks – specifically five-lever mortice locks – the best choice for protecting access to a college faculty or staff office?
The Benefits Of 5 Lever Mortice Locks In College Staff Offices
There are several reasons why most locksmiths would recommend fitting mortice locks in staff office areas. Some of the main reasons why these locks remain so effective include:
Internal Installation
One of the first benefits of having a five-lever mortice lock is that it is fitted directly into the door. To fit a mortice lock, a pocket is cut into the door, and the lock is fitted directly into that space.
That is important to note because internally fitted locks are always going to be stronger than external locks. An external lock can be more easily pried off with a crowbar or even simply removed with a drill and/or screwdriver. As such, they offer a fraction of the protection and peace of mind that comes from a five-lever mortice lock.
The challenge is finding a mortice deadlock that is compatible with your staff office doors. Hiring a locksmith means you can more readily find a mortice lock that matches the thickness of your doors. When fitted by a professional, though, five-lever mortice locks are practically impossible to remove.
Multi-Point Locking Protection
The other benefit is that your college staff are now protected behind doors with many different lock mechanisms in play. While a basic cylindrical lock can be picked with relative ease, five-lever mortice locks cannot.
Anyone who tries to walk into the office will find the door locked via the key or the latch engaged. If they attempt to break through or pick the lock, they must navigate multiple layers of security. Naturally, that makes it almost impossible for someone to enter the room. The multiple locking systems also add extra physical durability to the door, meaning it would take significant blunt force to open the door.
Easy To Use
Another benefit is that, while a five-lever mortice lock is very durable and robust, it remains easy for your staff to use. Your administrative or faculty staff can easily get into their offices without delay.
With mortice locks, you can secure the door in place using a key. That stops the door from being opened simply by turning the handle. The rule is simple: if a door is locked, the room is either empty or the staff member does not wish to be disturbed while they work on something. Being able to engage the lock means staff can be present in the room and avoid being walked in on by students or other staff who are looking for them. That gives them time to deal with whatever tasks are at hand.
Adhering To British Standards
Finally, there is the important benefit that five-lever mortice locks are often British Standards regulated – a locksmith can help you to find a suitable BS3621 approved mortice lock.
These accreditations are more than just a nice-to-have extra; they are a must-have. They are often essential to securing an insurance policy for the property. Especially in premises like colleges or universities, where many high-value items are stored and there is a high turnover of people, insurers expect a high standard of locks to be installed. A five-lever mortice lock very much fits that description.
Make Five Lever Mortice Locks The Standard For Staff Rooms
As per the above, five-lever mortice locks are the best choice when you want to keep rooms highly secure. While many college staff rooms can make do with three-lever mortice locks, why stop there?
Five-lever mortice locks are just as easy to install for a locksmith. The best thing you can do is call a local locksmith and have them review your staff room doors. They can pinpoint which doors will be compatible with a five-lever mortice lock, and which doors need to be replaced with newer models.
Either way, you can quickly and easily enhance security and privacy for your staff, college assets, and personal belongings by installing five-lever mortice locks on every office door.
