First, there are two main methods of controlling door access - electric strike and maglock. Which one you use will depend primarily on what style of door you have. If given a choice, we always recommend customers opt for installing an electric strike.
The way an electric strike works is that in its locked condition, it is not powered. Once power is applied to the strike by your access system, it unlocks, allowing member entry. This is what's known as "fail-secure". This means for example, if you have a power outage, your facility is secure (locked). Of course, members will always be able to get out of your club, even if power fails - by using a crash bar or exit push paddle. We tell customer to budget around $500 for a typical electric strike installation.In contrast, a maglock is a "fail-safe" device. This means that if power fails, your door will be unlocked. The way a maglock works, is just the opposite of how a strike wor
ks. That is, when power is applied to a maglock, it is locked. It is when power is removed from the maglock (by your access system) that free entry to the club is allowed. Because of the way it functions, a maglock requires other devices to be installed inside the fitness center to allow members to exit. These devices are called requests for exit devices, also known as RFE or REX devices. Often these are motion activated, so that if someone approaches the door from inside the club, it unlocks automatically. Although they are often easier to install, maglocks are generally twice as expensive to install than electric strikes.
ks. That is, when power is applied to a maglock, it is locked. It is when power is removed from the maglock (by your access system) that free entry to the club is allowed. Because of the way it functions, a maglock requires other devices to be installed inside the fitness center to allow members to exit. These devices are called requests for exit devices, also known as RFE or REX devices. Often these are motion activated, so that if someone approaches the door from inside the club, it unlocks automatically. Although they are often easier to install, maglocks are generally twice as expensive to install than electric strikes. Other locking devices are available, and they may be used in unique situations. They include devices such as electrified crash bars, electrified latch pull devices, and more. In any case, most of the alternate devices operate by the same principle of the strike or the maglock, and they are designed mainly to accommodate non standard doors.
2 comments:
My locksmith told me that he can't install an electric strike because of something about my door. Is that possible? It's a set of double doors, but I don't know why that would change anything. Thanks.
Great question!
By now, based on my blog post, you probably already know the difference between an electric strike and a maglock. You know that we recommend strikes over maglocks for several reasons. That being said, we have seen some instances where an electric strike could not be used. The most common example is a set of double doors with no center post in between the two.
In this case, you may have no choice but to use a maglock (however, we have seen many of the more experienced locksmiths install strikes in this application too). Installing a maglock often appears to be the easier way to go, however, there are more things to consider - such as installing request for exits to let members out, also - an override switch to let you (the owner) in if the system malfunctions.
I would suggest speaking to at least 1 or 2 other locksmtihs to see if they agree that the only way to control access is by way of a maglock. If you purchase your access system from us, we can work with your chosen locksmith to advise him of how some of the others have pulled off this type of installation in the past.
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