Securing a Restaurant Back Door Without Blocking the Fire Exit

A restaurant rear door has three jobs at once: it is a delivery entrance, a staff entrance and an emergency exit. Security measures that ignore the third job create risk. Here is a balanced approach for Oakville and Burlington operators.

Keep the exit working

The door must open from the inside quickly, without a key, in an emergency. That usually means a panic bar or a lever that always releases. Never chain the door, and do not fit a lock that needs a key from the inside. If you are unsure what your door requires, ask your local fire prevention office or a qualified inspector.

Secure the outside

From the outside the door can be much tougher. Options that keep the exit working include:

• A keyed outside trim, or no outside handle at all
• A latch guard to stop the latch being slipped with a card
• A reinforced strike and longer hinge screws
• A door contact that signals when the door has been left open

Handle deliveries

Deliveries are where doors get propped open. Give suppliers a set time and a way to knock. A camera or intercom lets staff check who is there. A closer with a hold-open that releases on alarm is acceptable in some cases; a wedge is not.

Watch the closing routine

Write a closing checklist that includes checking the rear door. The last person out should test the latch by pulling the handle, not by looking. A door that appears shut but is not latched is a common cause of overnight losses.

Kitchen conditions are hard on hardware

Heat, grease and moisture wear closers and latches faster. Schedule regular checks of the closer and hinges. A door that has started to drag will not latch.

Keys and codes

Limit the keys to the back door and keep a written record. If staff turnover is high, a keypad on the outside with a code that can change is easier to manage than re-cutting keys. Check that any electronic lock is fail-safe from the inside.

After an incident

If the door has been forced, repair the frame and strike as well as the lock. See door frame repair, door closers and panic bars and commercial locksmith in Oakville.

iProtect Locksmith takes calls 8 AM to 10 PM on 437-295-4001.