Keyless Bolting Device to meet Texas code

[Jervin Justin]

Hi all,

We just bought our first investment property! We want to get the place up to code before we start renting it out, and we're a little confused about the requirements for they Keyless Bolting Device.

According to Section 92.153, on all external doors, we need to have a Keyless Bolting Device. Section 92.151 defines what devices count, but the language is a little vague.

We don't want to have to alter the door itself too much and have to put in one of these:

And these look pretty clunky:

Are there other surface mounted options that meet the criteria and don't require drilling big holes into the doors? I was looking more for something like these slide bolts, but apparently those don't meet code?

Thanks,

Jervin

[Paul Ewing]

Originally posted by @Mike McCarthy:

Kevin Colwick the keyless portion is from the inside. There's still a key on the exterior (other than chan-type locks), but the door must be easily openable from the inside.

What has happened is people install deadbolts with keys on both sides. A fire breaks out and they are locked in the house because in the panic, they can't find their keys.

Thus the need for a thumb or similar opening from the inside.

In Texas, they cannot have a key on the outside. The purpose of the code is to prevent entry by the landlord if the unit is occupied. This is why they call for a keyless bolting device.