Safe Use and Property Access

⚠ The InvinciBolt Lock cannot be unlocked or removed from inside the building. While it is locked, that door cannot be used as an exit, including in a fire or other emergency. Anyone inside can be trapped.

It is made for empty buildings, or empty units within a building, only: between owners, between tenants, during a rehab, while a house is on the market or while an estate is settled. It is not for any home where someone lives, including a home left empty while the owner is away.

Before you lock it

  • Walk the whole building or unit, including the basement, attic, closets, crawl spaces and any attached garage. Confirm no person or pet is inside.
  • Lock it from outside, as the last person leaving.
  • Put it on one door of the building or unit. Every other exterior door must still open from inside with its own hardware. If more than one door on a building is fitted, unlock every one before anyone goes in.
  • Keep the keys with the person responsible for the property, so the door can be opened quickly if anyone needs to get in.

When contractors, inspectors, agents or buyers go in

  1. Go in through the InvinciBolt door. Unlock it first.
  2. Keep the key with you while you are inside. If the locking piece comes off the lock, carry it inside too, so no one can lock the door behind you.
  3. Leave the door unlocked the whole time anyone is inside, including clients, other agents and crews in other rooms.
  4. Do not relock it until everyone is out. The last person out relocks it from outside and returns the key to the lockbox or the owner.

Agents and property managers: make these steps part of the showing or access instructions for the property.

If you think someone is inside

Unlock it from outside right away. If you do not have the key, or anyone may be hurt or in danger, call 911, tell them a door is locked from the outside and someone may be inside, and then reach the person who holds the keys.

Never

  • lock it while anyone lives, stays, works or visits inside
  • use it on a shared entrance or hallway door, or any door someone else needs to get out
  • use it to keep a tenant or lawful occupant out of their home
  • use it to hold or confine anyone
  • use it as the everyday lock on a building people use

Remove it and reinstall a standard deadbolt before anyone moves in or stays overnight.

What it does not protect

It secures one door. It does not secure windows, door glass, sidelights or the building’s other doors.

Local rules

Fire and building codes generally require exit doors in occupied buildings to open from inside without a key, and some cities have their own rules for securing vacant buildings. You are responsible for following the rules where you install the lock.

The complete warning and the warranty are on the Limited Lifetime Warranty and Disclaimer page.

For the bigger picture, read Protect Your Vacant Property and compare the alternatives in Ways to Secure a Vacant Property’s Door.