Consider that lock broken and replace it ASAP.
this post was submitted on 23 Apr 2025
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Order the pizza instead and let the delivery guy unlock you.
That seems like a fire hazard. You’re saying somebody could lock you in?
I just learned this today. Haven't thought about the implications yet.
Thxthx
Now you have time to think about it. Enjoy.
For those asking about the lock.
So like I said, I forgot to pull my key out the keyhole, then turned the knob on instinct, tried to open it, failed, tried to unlock it, failed.
I'm as confused as you are
Based on where you live that's illegal. And the fire marshal will have some choice words for whoever approved that. And then force them to change the locks.
With that in mind you very well could call the fire department to come let you out. That will certainly help draw attention to it.
But then you need to fix the door AND the lock.
Yeah, the key being in the outside shouldn't keep it from being unlocked from the inside unless there is a defect. Turning that paddle should just rotate the key.
If you have a door with a keyhole on both sides, and you leave the key in one side, you then can't lock it from the other (the key won't go in).
So I'd expect your door to either not lock from the inside or (more likely given it's just a turn handle), both lock and unlock.
Locking and not unlocking is very strange.
The Yale locks that used to be very common here had the opposite problem - if you left your key behind you could quite easily lock yourself out, as the door would lock on closing.
if you left your key behind you could quite easily lock yourself out, as the door would lock on closing.
Electronic locks here. Checking for the badge/card or the fob is something I learned when moving from a more- to less-secure area at work when there was more secret-squirrel stuff than now (more 'private-possum' than 'secret-squirrel' at this place), and that reflexive check at home when leaving the apartment has saved my bacon.
(And yes, if I activate the elevator keypad I can only go to my own floor and to common-area floors with it. It's pretty cool)
Do you need to wiggle the key usually, to get the lock to turn? Maybe the key is so worn, that one of the shear pins is trapped. I'm not sure this makes sense, I just watch The Lock Picking Lawyer sometimes.
Well I for one don't know a gawd damn thing.
But this is a fresh building and the lock is still smooth as butter. I put enough strength into it to fear snapping something somewhere (either the lock or me).
My wife just needed to turn the key like normal to get in. Nothing stuck.
Just to add, just because it's new doesn't mean it can't be faulty or working incorrectly. It's your choice if it doesn't bother ya, but it does seem like a big "what if" type of situation to me especially if it's an apartment complex.
I would definitely bring this up with the landlord; those locks need to be replaced if you can potentially trap yourself inside (or have someone else trap you inside). This is a pretty serious fire hazard for every tenant that has the same door locks.
If the landlord isn't interested in it, talk to the local Fire Marshall.
I don't understand how you locked the door from the inside without the key and without a mechanism to unlock the door. Not calling you a liar, I am just puzzled.
If it's a double cylinder knob or handleset, i.e. keyed on both sides, you can indeed close the door with the mechanism in the locked position. This would obviously be impossible with a deadbolt.
Those are quite rare these days because they have the potential for the exact same failure mode as what has happened to OP. Typically you only find them in commercial settings, and I'll bet you a nickel you'll get flagged on your fire inspection if there is not another means of egress from the building. I don't know where they're located but I'll further raise you a dime having the door arranged this way is illegal in their locale.
In a normal house you could just use another door. Unless he has a balcony and rappelling equipment (or a ground floor balcony), it's unlikely OP has such a luxury.
I'd be concerned about some joker coming by and swiping the keys in the meantime, though.
I’ve never seen anything like this. Someone didn’t think very far when making it.
Actually, now that it's been described, I do know that they make double keyed doorknobs for glass doors or doors with low windows close to the handle. The idea is that people can't smash the window and let themselves in. But the person above is correct that it is a fire code violation if that's the only egress for exactly this reason.
All of those that I'm aware of require turning the key on one of the sides to lock it. It would be impossible to lock from the other side without being able to reach the key.
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This can be legal if it's not the only locking mechanism and "I never use it, Mr Fire Chief." with a commercial building that has ground level windows.
There might have been a few other conditions like being a sole proprietor.
Pawn shops and jewelry stores may have this sort of setup and that is definitely legal without the wink and nudge.
Gotcha, makes sense. Thank you.
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Same homie
Just have the pizza delivered so the delivery person can remove the key from the door so you can unlock it.
Not in a rush, I can hold out
*what's the etiquette for responding to comments that say the same thing first? Should I copy and paste myself or just say first come first serve?
I like to reply with slight variations so each person feels like they received their own personal response. If there are a lot, make sure one of them contradicts the rest for fun!
sheet of paper under the door, paper clip to poke through the keyhole. haven't done this since I was a child so doubt it works any more.
also yeah, not being able to escape in an emergency, seems like you should be taking legal action as soon as the Pizza guy lets you out.
Can't, too dull
I have to say, judging by the number of comments this got in 20 minutes, it might be in the wrong community.
Lmao, I didn't know where else to go. I'm in no danger or upset, just a dull man who did something dumb
Maybe "mildly infuriating"?
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Just have it delivered and get them to open it.
Not in a rush, I can hold out
Its keyed on both sides?
so invaders can't muscle their way inside and lock the police out
still can't figure out how OP locked it from the inside though...
Are people actually worried about this scenario? Seems like having the invader in the first place and you are pretty far down a road where the police lockout is relatively small potatoes given the situation. Also where im at a locked door in that situation won't stop cops much. If anything the criminal migh find he escalated such that special units were called to the scene.
i dunno man. i've lived in some dicey neighborhoods. i moved into one apartment and noticed that the property managers didn't even bother to replace the door frame after it was blown apart by being battering rammed open. just slapped some wood putty on there, bolted a brass plate over the edge of the door that was wrecked, and called it a day. but yea, keyed on the inside was pretty standard in those neighborhoods
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I lived in an apartment that had a keyed lock on both sides cause of a small window in the door. Was to stop someone from breaking the glass reaching in and turning the dead bolt from the inside.
I replaced the inside with a standard non keyed latch cause I was worried about fire and also felt odd if someone came over and I locked the door they would be trapped.. scare a girl you bring home in a hurry. 😆
Keyed on both sides is the standard now in the UK. I'm not sure why, probably security reasons.
Pretty sure doors aren’t supposed to lock only from the outside . . .
Hey, so what if you absolutely HAD to get out? Like, is there a window you can jump out of?
I once lived in an apartment building with only a front door, and I ended up getting a emergency escape chain ladder long enough to climb down several stories. e.g. something like this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/ResQLadder-15-ft-2-Story-Supports-Over-Steel-Chain-Portable-Emergency-Escape-Ladder-with-1000-lb-Load-Capacity-FL15/100050579
I'm always so close to doing this. Already did this with my car and that shit ain't cheap. My last place charged 50 bucks to have them unlock your door for you. Society, capitalism, yada yada yada.
What kind of lock do you have?!
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