Commercial properties cater to different clientele, are located in different areas and have different access requirements, but what they all have in common is a main entrance with a door handle of some description. Door knobs and handles may seem innocuous enough pieces of hardware, being embedded into the door, but when they fail, they can prevent access and, more importantly, prevent egress in an emergency.
Why Door Handles Fail
There are four main reasons why door handles fail, and the good news is that they are all easily resolved. Of course, the gold standard is to identify these causes of failure before they occur so that nobody is trapped inside the building or prevented from entering.
1. Loose screws
Door handles fitted to commercial properties are used very regularly, sometimes hundreds of times a day. This repetitive motion can, over time, cause screws to loosen. While this is frustrating for users, it is a very simple fix and can be performed during a routine inspection at no extra cost. If the screws are worn, replacement screws can be fitted to ensure the door handle is secure at the end of my visit.
2. Worn springs
Springs are a consumable component that wear out over time through repeated use. I carry a large selection of spare springs and will replace any worn springs during routine maintenance or if a fault is identified during a periodic inspection.
3. Misalignments
Door frames, hinges, strike plates and locking mechanisms can all become misaligned through wear and tear or when environmental conditions cause timber fixtures to swell and contract. In some instances, the door needs to be removed in order for the misalignment to be corrected, but often tightening or replacing screws is all that is needed to restore the correct alignment and function of the door locks and handles.
4. Corrosion
Damp and humid conditions can cause metal components to corrode, become brittle and more likely to fail. Happily, corrosion can often be prevented by careful selection of materials and proactive care. Stainless steel components tend to be more resilient to damp and humid conditions than softer metals such as bronze. Regular cleaning and lubrication will keep metal components in good condition for as long as possible.
Selecting the Best Door Knobs and Handles
When you engage a professional locksmith to install and maintain your commercial security system, they will guide you in selecting the most appropriate products to suit your needs. During their initial assessment they will also help mitigate any security risks they identify. They will recommend appropriate materials to withstand the environmental conditions to which they will be exposed and suggest suitably hard-wearing door furniture to withstand your expected daily footfall figures.
It is important, of course, that your door furniture suits your building’s aesthetics, and there are many ways of personalizing your door knobs and handles. This could involve painting them in your brand’s colour scheme, engraving your business name onto them, or even having them custom-made to precisely meet your needs.
It is important to remember that even the most robust commercial door hardware requires regular maintenance to keep it fully functional. To prevent malfunctions and operational disruption, I recommend adopting the following measures:
1. Be guided by your locksmith
Your commercial locksmith understands the market as well as the building codes and legislation that your building needs to abide by They will work with you to satisfy your requirements while remaining on budget.
2. Opt for professional installation
As well as asking your locksmith to recommend appropriate security solutions for your business premises, it is strongly recommended that you engage their services to install and configure the chosen solution. They will ensure that door locks and handles are fully aligned, integrated with the building’s access control system and operating smoothly.
3. Plan for regular inspections and maintenance
The best way to get value for money from your commercial door furniture is to implement a regime of proactive maintenance. By regularly inspecting, cleaning and lubricating your system, you will notice early indicators that components are wearing out and be able to plan for repair or replacement before a failure occurs. This will save you time and money in the long run.
4. Have a disposal plan
Eventually, even the highest-quality, well-maintained door furniture will require replacement, usually because spare parts are no longer available and custom-making them does not represent value for money. By having selected high-quality metal door furniture at the outset, it will often have a recycling value at the end of life, and the funds received can be reinvested into the replacement lockset.
Conclusion
Commercial door handles may be small components, but their reliability directly affects security, access, and emergency safety. Most failures, loose screws, worn springs, misalignment, and corrosion are preventable with the right materials, professional installation, and routine maintenance. Proactive inspections reduce disruption, extend lifespan, and ensure cost-effective replacements.
