Frequently Asked Questions - Lansing Security and Locksmith

Proximity cards use a short-range radio signal and require holding the card near a reader, making them reliable and simple to manage. Bluetooth-enabled systems allow authorized users to unlock doors from a smartphone, offering remote management and the ability to grant or revoke access instantly-ideal for properties with high employee turnover or multiple entry points.

An electrified strike replaces the standard strike plate in your door frame and uses an electric current to lock or release the latch. When access is granted-by card reader, keypad, or remote buzz-in-the strike releases momentarily, allowing the door to open. At Lansing Security and Locksmith, we pair electrified strikes with intercom or video systems so you can visually verify visitors before granting entry.

Rekeying is the better choice when your locks are in good physical condition but you need to invalidate old keys-such as after employee turnover, a lost key, or a move into a previously occupied space. Full lock replacement makes more sense when the hardware is worn, damaged, or you want to upgrade to a higher-security grade. A locksmith can assess the condition of your cylinders and hardware to recommend the most cost-effective approach.

Fire codes require panic bars (also called crash bars) on emergency exits so occupants can escape quickly under pressure-simply pushing the bar retracts the latch. They're engineered for single-motion egress even in darkness or panic conditions. Lansing Security and Locksmith installs panic bars alongside door closers and continuous hinges to ensure the full exit assembly meets code and functions reliably under heavy daily use.

A digital video recorder (DVR) processes video at the recorder and typically uses coaxial cabling, which limits camera placement distance. A network video recorder (NVR) receives already-processed video from IP cameras over your network, allowing more flexible camera placement, higher-resolution footage, and easier remote viewing. NVR systems are generally better suited for properties that need scalability or coverage across large footprints.

Modern monitored systems go well beyond intrusion detection. Sensors can alert you to water leaks, smoke, and carbon monoxide-hazards that cause significant property damage or pose health risks long before they're visible. Monitoring means these alerts trigger a response 24/7, even when the property is unoccupied, which is especially important during Michigan's cold months when frozen pipes and furnace issues are more common.

Electronic keypads offer faster access and the ability to change combinations frequently without a service call, which is a significant advantage for businesses with multiple users. Manual dials are more resilient to battery failure and electronic tampering, but they're slower to operate and harder to change. Lansing Security and Locksmith can swap a manual dial for an electronic keypad on most safe models while maintaining the safe's fire and security rating.

A qualified safe technician can use manipulation techniques-feeling for internal contact points-to open many safes non-destructively. When manipulation isn't possible, controlled drilling through a precise point allows access while minimizing damage. After entry, the lock can typically be repaired or replaced. Attempting to force a safe open without professional knowledge often causes irreversible damage to the locking mechanism and door.

Restricted keyway locks use a proprietary key profile that standard key-cutting machines cannot replicate. Only the authorized locksmith who installed the system holds the blanks and can cut new copies, which are handed directly to you. This eliminates the risk of employees, former tenants, or anyone else duplicating keys at a hardware store-a common vulnerability with standard lock systems.

The system is built around a key chart designed from a site survey of your building. A grand master key opens every lock in the facility, while submaster keys grant department-level access-for example, a warehouse submaster that opens all warehouse doors but no office doors. Individual employee keys open only their assigned spaces. This hierarchy gives management full access while restricting staff to only the areas their role requires.

In most cases, yes. Motion-activated automatic door operators are designed to retrofit onto existing door frames without requiring a full door replacement. They're commonly added to retail storefronts, daycares, shipping facilities, and restrooms to improve ADA accessibility and accommodate hands-full traffic. If your current door or frame isn't compatible, a locksmith can recommend hardware adjustments to make the installation work.

Repeated freezing and thawing causes metal components to expand and contract, which can warp steel frames, stiffen lock cylinders, and crack worn weatherstripping. Exterior locks may freeze shut if moisture gets into the keyway. Preventive maintenance-including lubrication, hardware adjustment, and frame inspection before winter-helps avoid lockouts and costly emergency repairs during Lansing's coldest months.