I wanted to get some opinions from my fellow Security Officers.

Which is best...double-keyed deadbolts (coming in and going out) or single-keyed (keyed coming in, flip lever going out). I have heard the argument made that the flip lever is a bad idea because it would quickly enable a robber to take hostages.

Thoughts?

Interior or exterior door? Meant to be locked all the time, or not?

I've had all types of locks - double key, single key, allen wrench-lockable. I can't imagine that in a hostage situtation that the lock would make much difference. If the robber wants the door locked, he will command someone to lock it. In the end, the gun is what keeps hostages in and police out...not a locked door.

Personally, I like the double-keyed locks. Easy to use, secure, little kids can't fiddle with the locks, etc.

Exterior, some meant to be locked all the time, some not.

The fire marshall will also have a say in what type of lock you can use. Exterior doors and internal doors leading to them are generally designated as fire exits.

Folks,

Many institutions have stopped using mechanical locks and have installed magnetic locks, instead. Magnetic locks allow an employee to push a button and lock the exterior doors. Assigning an employee to manually lock the exterior doors after a robber has left the building is inappropriate and puts the assigned employee at considerable physical risk.