Security Door Controls Blog

An incident earlier this year highlights misconceptions about using or not using Delayed Egress on emergency exit doors.

On New Year’s Day at Salt Lake City International Airport, a Utah man died after he breached double doors at an airport emergency exit stairway in the secure area of the passenger terminal, ran across the tarmac, and crawled into the engine of a plane awaiting deicing. His family said he had a history of mental illness and suspect he was experiencing a manic episode.

Prior to his gaining access to the runway through the stairway double doors, he was thwarted in several attempts to gain access to the jetway at a gate door secured by an SDC EMLock® paired with an exit bar and door trim. It should be noted that SDC’s electrified hardware solutions are used on every jetway gate door at this airport.

Looking to join a dynamic team? We are currently hiring for a low-voltage, access control hardware specialist.

Solenoid Controlled Mortise Locksets

Ensure the safety of your building occupants with fire exit doors that comply with code regulations. Discover how solenoid controlled mortise locksets can enhance security while meeting the necessary requirements.

Understanding Fire Door Code Compliance

Understanding the requirements for fire exit doors is crucial for maintaining a compliant and secure environment. One of the key aspects of fire door code compliance is the installation of proper hardware, including solenoid controlled mortise locksets. These locksets are specifically designed for fire exit doors, offering enhanced security while still meeting the necessary regulations. Installing solenoid controlled mortise locksets and maintaining fire exit doors in good working condition are essential steps towards achieving code compliance and creating a secure environment.

Exploring Solenoid Controlled Mortise Locksets

Solenoid controlled mortise locksets are a popular choice for fire exit doors due to their enhanced security features and ability to meet code regulations. These locksets use an electric current to control the locking and unlocking mechanism of the door and provide controlled access to the building. This enhances the security of the building while still allowing for quick and easy egress in case of an emergency.

Moreover, solenoid controlled mortise locksets are designed to meet the necessary fire door code requirements which ensures that the locksets contribute to the overall fire safety of the building. These locksets provide a reliable and efficient solution for controlling access and maintaining the safety of your building occupants.

Motorized electric latch retraction (ELR) systems are becoming increasingly popular in access control applications. These systems provide a convenient and secure solution for controlling entry and exit points in various commercial and institutional settings. With a motorized ELR, the latch can be retracted remotely, allowing for easy passage through a door without the need for physical contact. This not only enhances convenience for users but also minimizes the risk of unauthorized access or tailgating. Motorized ELRs are often integrated with other access control technologies such as card readers or biometric systems, providing a comprehensive and efficient security solution. Additionally, these systems can be easily installed and configured, making them suitable for both new installations and retrofit projects. With their reliable performance, smooth operation, and advanced features, motorized ELRs are revolutionizing access control and setting new standards for convenience and security.

Back to Basics: Electric Bolt Locks

Before SDC invented the 90° electric lock in the 1970’s, installation of electric bolt locks was costly, often requiring the cutting of studs and considerable reconstruction of door frames. Our Spacesaver® bolt lock design is a fundamental access control innovation now used worldwide. They install in any standard frame and most door stiles with a simple mortise cutout. The rotating bolt design makes tampering or cutting very difficult. An automatic relock ball switch keeps the bolt retracted when the door is open.

Additionally, they are field adjustable for wide door gaps and bidirectional for use on swinging or sliding doors. The Spacesaver® FS23M series is still the only dual-failsafe electric bolt lock in the industry.

Today, our comprehensive line of bolt locks use the same practical, yet pioneering approach to meeting access control requirements for safety, security and code compliance.

1 – 6 Amp Access Control Power Supplies

In 1994 SDC introduced the 602 power controller – the first hybrid supply to combine the efficiency (low heat generation) of switching power supplies and the rugged inductive load handling capability of linear power supplies to meet the unique needs of access control locking devices. 

Unlike camera system power requirements, access control systems draw more current for locking hardware and during access control-related events. As the industry transitions from solenoid-based electric locking devices to motorized devices, demand for specific power supply requirements has also increased. 

SDC’s 12/24VDC class 2 hybrid power supplies have been designed specifically to meet these needs and reduce power system issues with extra filtering, heavy-duty circuitry for inductive loads and multi-door applications, and an isolated battery charging circuit to protect locking devices and components from over voltage while the batteries are charging. With the addition of SDC programmable controllers or relay modules, the user-friendly modular designs ensure versatility, interface capability and easy installation of virtually any electric locking devices, access controls and related fire life safety equipment.

Proven Delayed Egress Innovation...

See why our proven Delayed Egress solutions have led the industry since 1995 with the most choices and customization available. Also, learn why SDC has been the premier manufacturer of popular electrified access control hardware like bolt locks, strikes, EMLocks® and egress devices - all Designed, Engineered and Built in America since 1972, while most of our larger competitors manufacture overseas.

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Back to Basics: Electric Strikes

In 1982, SDC’s first electric strike design initiated the adoption of strikes by the door hardware industry. Then, we engineered the UniFLEX™ 45 and 55 series – the first electric strikes with interchangeable faceplates and field reversibility for failsafe or failsecure operation. The interchangeable design of these strikes allows SDC to also provide multiapplication strike kits that include one electric strike and three faceplates to meet common applications, making them easy to stock and maintain in inventory.

Today, our strikes integrate with a broad range of mechanical locksets, devices, door and frame styles and budgets. Since 1972 SDC products have been designed, engineered and built in America to provide quality products that are readily available.