02/18/2026
Have you ever noticed these big silver chunks of metal at the top of some doors? Any clue what they are??
They are Danger Locks! ....ok maybe that's not what they are actually called... But it's what we have affectionately nicknamed them in our office.
You know why? Because they physically hold the door closed with 600lbs (or 1200lbs) of magnetic force until *something* tells it to let go and let you out. These are maglocks.
Imagine a 600lb man named Hugo holding that door closed with all his strength. Then, when you want to leave, an exit device sends a "request to allow exit" to the computer, then, IF the computer agrees, the magnet will let go and allow you to open the door.
But what if something goes wrong in the process? Then Hugo ain't movin' and you ain't getting out that door. Scary bad guy chasing you? Hugo don't care. Building on fire? Hugo don't care.
Improperlly installed maglocks can kill people. There are many things that can (*must*) be done when installing maglocks (more on that later) but many times, inexperienced access control companies don't do those things, and it really gets us all worked up.
So next time you see one of those "Maybe Magnets" (get it? Because *maaaaybe* they'll open, maybe not) at the top of a door, you'll know what they do!
