Automatic door locks???

[Presslor]

I am interested in finding out about timer activated automatic door locks for my front door. Has anyone used them to lock and unlock an unattended laundromat?

If so would you please offer your opinion of
brand/model.

[Thomas]

I have a new laundromat that is in a small rural town in Arkansas. We have been open about 2 months and we had automatic doors, lights, and thermostat installed by a man that put in our security system. We love it!! The doors have 1200# magnets on them and small motion detectors above them. At 9:00pm the doors lock, at 10:00pm the lights and ceiling fans go off, and at 10:10pm the security system sets up. At 6:00am the doors open, the lights and fans come on and the alarm turns off. So if you are inside at 9:00pm you have one hour to finish before the lights go out. When you are locked inside and walk in front of a door the motion detector unlocks the door, but it locks behind you when you go out. So you had better take your clothes and babies with you, or they will be in there until 6:00am.
I have the security system set to force arm, which means that if you prop the door open the system will still arm and when you enter the building the motion detector in the center of the room will set off the alarm.
I made signs to put on both sides of the doors to explain how the doors work and the first few weeks we were open I went up to the store to see if anyone was there at 9:00pm to explain to them how it works. I also tell everyone I see there during the day about the doors, and have had only one guy who went to his car at 9:30pm to get his basket and got locked out. He went to the police station and they called me at home and I went and opened it for him. I haven't posted my number or name in the store, I just say on the sign that anything left in the store will be there at 6:00am when the doors unlock.
My security man installed the motion detectors above the doors so there is no button for people to tear up. To get in the store after 9:00pm, I call the security system and put in a code and it will turn off the alarm and unlock one door for three seconds to let you in, then the door locks behind you. This means there is no lock on the outside of the building for someone to mess with.
I also had my electrician install a computer thermostat that is the back room with two sensor in the laundromat. This is set to keep the room to between 68 and 76 degrees during operating hours and 50 and 90 degrees after 10:00pm when the store closes. When the thermostat is on auto it will switch between heat and cold when needed. I This is great because it may be cold in the morning, but when the dryers start running and the sun shines in the large front windows it gets hot.
The best part of the whole system is that the automatic door system cost me $3,500 and the thermostat cost about an extra $400. The security system was $1,500. I didn't tell the guy, but I would have paid twice the price for the door system. Because of the price and unreliable nature of labor today, I figure the system will pay for itself in no time at all. I also don't have to worry about the store being locked and unlocked on time. This computer doesn't have hangovers or sick relatives. It works every day!!

[seco]

you may also try c.j. lock co. (santa rosa, ca.) 707.573.9810

[Charlie]

I have an attended mat in a small town of about 4,000 people. I use automatic door locks and automatic timers to open and close, to control the lights, and my security system automatically arms and disarms.

CJ Lock company advertises in The Journal and sells a relatively inexpensive automatic locking bolt. I purchased one, but decided to install something a little more sophisticated. Their system is effective, although I would highly recommend not using the timer they provide, which is a mechanical timer dependent upon a constant power source to maintain the correct time. As soon as you lose power, you lose the correct time. You also need to provide a back-up power source for the lock itself (which could also run the timer clock), or it will unlock when the power goes off.

Locknetics is a manufacturer of high quality MagLocks, which are a mainstay for high security facilities. They make lock models for all types of doors, with varying degrees of locking strength. Two-way doors are a little more difficult than one-way, which are pretty simple. I chose a model which fits into the frame, so that the door can open either way. The total cost was around $1200, not including installation. I did it myself, but it took about 8 hours to fully install and work out the kinks, and I'm pretty handy. It required cutting and modifying the door and the frame. I purchased everything over the 'net. You need a power supply, timer, exit switch, MagLock, and wire. I purchased the back-up batteries locally. You'll break the door before breaking the maglock.

Graingers sells a large variety of electronic timers which can be used to control your lights. I use two, one to cut of my open sign and half a row of lights at closing time, which is also when the doors lock, and the other to kill all but half a row of lights an hour later. The alarm arms 30 minutes later. This gives people at least an hour to finish their laundry if they enter just before closing. I've never even gotten around to putting up signs, but its pretty obvious and I've never had a problem.

If you want the CJ Lock, I have one new in the box I'll sell for $50 less than whatever it is they are currently asking.