An exit control lock, also known as an exit control device, exit lock, or simply an exit control, prevents or deters unauthorized exit.Keyless Locks Have Versatile Features That Protect Lives and Contain Situations By Jack M Patterson

Typical uses

Exit control locks are often used in retail establishments to deter

shoplifting Shoplifting is the theft of goods from an open retail establishment, typically by concealing a store item on one's person, in pockets, under clothes or in a bag, and leaving the store without paying. With clothing, shoplifters may put on items ...

. They are also used in airports and other controlled areas, where people are held until they clear customs or

quarantine A quarantine is a restriction on the movement of people, animals and goods which is intended to prevent the spread of disease or pests. It is often used in connection to disease and illness, preventing the movement of those who may have been ...

stations. Exit control locks are also used in libraries, where there is one well-staffed entrance and exit, and a number of other exits that are intended for emergency use only. Exit control devices are often used in hospitals, and can be interfaced to wireless sensors worn by newborn children, so that all exits will lock if a baby is stolen from one of the hospital rooms.

Shops

Often, shops will make an exit emergency use only to deter

. Usually, the door is locked with an emergency exit button next to it. Pushing the emergency exit button will unlock the door and set the shop's fire alarm off. This deters shoplifting because a person who unlocks the door in order to take an item out of the building when it is not an emergency may be reported to the

police The police are a constituted body of persons empowered by a state, with the aim to enforce the law, to ensure the safety, health and possessions of citizens, and to prevent crime and civil disorder. Their lawful powers include arrest and t ...

, with CCTV footage if available.

Benefits of locking door

*Shoplifters will be deterred because using the exit would attract unwanted attention. *Reduces requirements for security guards and security technology (e.g. CCTV,

electronic article surveillance Electronic article surveillance is a technological method for preventing shoplifting from retail stores, pilferage of books from libraries or removal of properties from office buildings. Special tags are fixed to merchandise; these tags are remove ...

gates).

Benefits of not locking door

*Increased footfall: Multiple exits will lead to people walking through the shop, and therefore having the shop's products advertised to them, as a

shortcut Shortcut may refer to: Navigation * Rat running or shortcut, a minor-road alternative to a signposted route * File shortcut, a handle which allows the user to find a file or resource located in a different directory or folder on a computer * Key ...

. *Psychological evidence shows that customers feel less relaxed and welcomed if there are signs saying that they are not allowed to do something if there is not an emergency. They can also feel frustrated at having to look for another exit.

Exit control designs

Many exit control locks are based on magnetic locks. One type, delayed egress magnetic locks, will not allow the door to open immediately. This allows a guard to get to the door before the door opens. It will also release if there is a

fire alarm A fire alarm system warns people when smoke, fire, carbon monoxide or other fire-related or general notification emergency, emergencies are detected. These alarms may be activated automatically from smoke detectors and heat detectors or may also ...

power failure A power outage (also called a powercut, a power out, a power failure, a power blackout, a power loss, or a blackout) is the loss of the electrical power network supply to an end user. There are many causes of power failures in an electricity ...

, but otherwise these locks hold the exit doors shut. These units are common in Alzheimer units. Exit control systems can include a "request to exit detector" such as a pushbutton that opens the exit if exit requests are enabled. In other facilities, entrances as well as exits require authentication such as swiping or otherwise reading a card with a

card reader A card reader is a data input device that reads data from a card-shaped storage medium. The first were punched card readers, which read the paper or cardboard punched cards that were used during the first several decades of the computer industry ...

. If an intruder slips by the entrance controls of a building, they will be able to be detained for questioning.

References

{{locksmithing Access control