Locks for entryway in multifamily

[Wesley W.]

Hello all,

In trying to streamline processes, I'm yet again looking for some feedback.  We just recently purchased a small multi-family with some serious deferred maintenance (one step up from "distressed").  As part of the improvements, I replaced entryway doors on each building (these lead to a small vestibule with access to the exterior door of the apartments).  The doors were insulated steel, and were pre-bored with 2 holes.  I initially put a closet knob assembly in one hole (no locks, just a knob) and a 2-sided deadbolt on the top (key required to lock from either side).  My thought was this way the door "looked" secure from the street, yet no one could lock the door from the inside without a key (not issued to tenants).  I've come to learn from some recent threads that this lock may be against fire code.

What I am trying to avoid is putting a "regular" deadbolt on the door (that can be locked from the inside) since this is a common area and guests/delivery personnel will need access to it periodically (no doorbells), and I don't want to have to issue a second key to each tenant (someone moves out, now deadbolt needs to be rekeyed and everyone gets a new key...PITA).

My only two options as I see them:

Double key deadbolt: against fire code

Regular deadbolt: allows door to be locked (problematic for the reasons above)

Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

[Kelly N.]

Get a vestibule knob- one that locks when it closes- Schlage makes a nice one we have been using on a couple of our properties. Put a blank in to cover the hole in the door left where the dead bolt used to be.

Another option would be a keypad entry system that locks when the door closes.