Commercial service
Maglocks and electric strikes in Ottawa
Electric hardware lets a door be released from a reader, a button or a desk.
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Typical arrival in Ottawa
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Typical starting price
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How it works
Electric hardware lets a door be released from a reader, a button or a desk. However, it introduces failure modes mechanical locks do not have. Urban Locksmith installs and repairs maglocks and electric strikes across Ottawa, designed around fire egress first.
- Step 1
Door role defined
Escape route, secure store, or general access.
- Step 2
Fail mode specified
Fail-safe on exits, fail-secure where allowed.
- Step 3
Hardware installed
Maglock or strike, with egress device.
- Step 4
Alarm interface tested
Doors release on alarm where required.
Maglock or electric strike
A maglock holds the door shut with an electromagnet and releases when power drops. Consequently it fails open, which suits egress but not power cuts on a secure door. By contrast, an electric strike replaces the keeper and can be specified fail-safe or fail-secure. Therefore the choice follows the door's role rather than preference.
Fail-safe versus fail-secure
Fail-safe means the door unlocks when power is lost. Meanwhile fail-secure means it stays locked. Consequently exits must be fail-safe, whereas a stockroom may reasonably be fail-secure. Furthermore, mixing them up creates either a trapped occupant or an open building. Therefore Urban Locksmith confirms the intent for every door before specifying anything.
Typical starting price
Quoted
Often. Because many faults are alignment or power supply, not the lock.
Common faults we get called to
Buzzing strikes usually indicate misalignment rather than a failing strike. Similarly, a maglock that will not hold often has a dirty or misaligned armature plate. Meanwhile intermittent release points at power supply or wiring rather than the lock. Consequently we diagnose before replacing, because swapping hardware rarely fixes an alignment or supply problem.
Egress devices are not optional
Any electrically locked door on an escape route needs a request-to-exit device and usually an emergency release. Consequently a green break-glass or a push-to-exit button is part of the installation rather than an accessory. Furthermore, fire alarm interfacing may be required so doors release on alarm. Therefore we design to the code and will not fit something that traps people.
Questions about maglocks and electric strikes
Why is my electric strike buzzing?
Usually misalignment rather than a failing strike. Consequently adjustment often fixes it.
Do maglocks fail open?
Yes, on power loss. Therefore they suit egress doors but not every application.
Can you interface with our fire alarm?
Yes, and on escape routes it is generally required.
Is a push-to-exit button necessary?
On electrically locked escape routes, yes.
Can you repair rather than replace?
Often. Because many faults are alignment or power supply, not the lock.
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Where we cover
Across Ottawa and every community within an hour’s drive — 47 areas in total, from downtown out to Kanata, Barrhaven, Carleton Place, Kemptville and Rockland. You get an honest arrival window on the phone rather than a number chosen to win the booking.