Locked myself in my apartment
I forgot my key on the hole and locked the door when I got in. Now I can't open the door.
I'm not concerned, the wife is hanging with a friend, so she'll be able to open the door when she gets back, but I was planning to go get a pizza
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.
You could lock it from the outside and pull it closed.
After which turning the paddle should unlock it, because why would the order of locking and shutting matter?
There is no situation where keeping it from unlocking when the key is in would have a positive outcome.
They meant if it is spring loaded bolt. Locked it, the close door which latches
Yes, I understand,. The flipper above the handle should unlock that even if the key is in on the other side.
It's a two key deadbolt, no flipper, just keyhole either side. They are illegal here for exit doors
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.
You're not much of a gambler, are you? I'm just saying, you've probably never been comped a drink in Las Vegas.
Same homie