Double-cylinder deadbolt locks are not considered safe for emergency exits. Some safety experts don't believe they belong in residential homes at all. In fact, double-keyed deadbolts are actually illegal in some places.
In the U.S., there is no single comprehensive law against dual-cylinder deadbolts. Individual cities and states have local property and fire codes that may prohibit the use of dual-cylinder deadbolts. The code may prohibit the use of dual-cylinder deadbolts in some buildings and allow them in others.
Yes, they're legal
2 of the Residential Building Code, you'll find this: Egress doors shall be readily openable from inside the dwelling without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort. But that's only for new homes. Once a person has taken occupancy of a home, they can do whatever they want with the locks.
Generally, single-cylinder deadbolts are less secure than double-cylinder options. They could potentially allow easier access to the home from intruders in the know. Furthermore, they're easy for small children to use, which means they could get outside without anyone being aware.
Deadbolts come in two versions. Double Cylinder Deadbolts have a keyed cylinder on both sides. This is a good option for doors with glass or windows since an intruder can't break into the door even if the glass/window is broken.
The major benefit of double cylinder deadbolts is that they are designed to offer high security level. This makes doors that have them more difficult for intruders to pick or unlock. Double cylinder deadbolts are the safest choice for homeowners.
Double cylinder deadbolts or captive keys are not allowed. Egress door latches and locks must be designed in such a way that a panicked person, including children and persons with disabilities, can exit quickly even in the dark.
Also in the non-forced entry category, there is no doubt Schlage is better. With a better, more precise manufacturing process and 2 additional security pins than the Kwikset deadbolt, Schlage locks are significantly harder to pick, bump or compromise in non-destructive ways.
Another type of lock is the double cylinder deadbolt lock. This deadbolt lock uses a keyhole on both the exterior and interior sides of the door. While these locks provide an added level of safety, they are not permitted in multi-dwelling homes and are considered a risk.
CR's take: The Medeco Maxum 11TR503-19 is the strongest deadbolt across all of our lock categories. It rates Excellent for drilling, withstands kick-ins very well, and is designed in a way that makes it very difficult to pick.
Double lock means that all opening handles are released mechanically when locking from the outside, which makes it impossible to open the doors from the inside.
Deadbolts are the most secure because they need to be engaged when the door is shut. They have a unique locking device built into the bolt, that can't be forced back into the door, thus preventing unwanted entry. The deadbolts sets back into the door 1 inch vs. a Spring bolt which sets back 1/2 inch.
Some door locks are designed to be turned twice for added security. Sometimes they are an anti picking feature because after you pick the lock and turn it, the pins will reset and you will have to pick it again.
Double Cylinder deadbolts, entry knobs, and handlesets require a key for locking and unlocking from both the exterior and the interior of the property. There is no thumb-turn mechanism on a double cylinder lock.
Generally speaking, deadbolts are sturdy locks that can withstand kick in and other forced entry attempts. However, a door with a deadbolt can still be kicked down if the door itself is not solid. So, to protect your door against kick in, you want to make sure both the lock and door are of high-quality grade.
The ONLY type of double cylinder deadbolt lock allowed for residential use by the building code of Virginia is a “captured key” lock. Captured key locking devices do not let you remove the key when locking the door from the inside. It becomes a single cylinder deadbolt when locked from the inside.
When I checked the Massachusetts One and Two Family Dwelling Code, I found that double-cylinder deadlocks are prohibited. I found the same language in the 2009 edition of the International Residential Code (IRC). Your local code might contain a different requirement, but here's the paragraph from the 2009 IRC: R311.
Fire exit doors must not be locked with a key or padlock whilst a building is in use. However, when a building is unoccupied it can be locked as securely as required.
Our Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt, Schlage Sense™ Smart Deadbolt, Schlage Connect™ Smart Deadbolt with Alarm, and Schlage Touch™ Keyless Touchscreen Deadbolt and Lever have all received a grade A in security, the best possible grade to keep your home, and everything inside it, safe.
In Canada – it's illegal to do so, because according to their laws – people older than 6 must have the possibility to leave a building without the need to have any keys. Moreover, all buildings that reach a specified size or/and specified occupancy, are required to have 2 or more exits.
If the basement floor level of a two-story building is 3.9 feet (1.2 meters) below grade, you will need a fire-rated door. The fire-rated door should remain unlocked at all times to ensure that anybody who needs to exit can easily find their way to safety.
Deadbolt door locks are the most secure type of key lock and are usually used on a home's exterior door. Available in single- and double-cylinder styles, deadbolts are rated according to their strength from Grade 1 to Grade 3.