Today, I want to talk about door swings.
In subsequent posts, I will talk about fancy door types you can use, but for now, let’s look at door swings in terms of security.
A swing is the direction of opening a door goes in.
Could be a normal swing on a left or right hinge, the hinge/slide could be at the top of the door or off-centre.
There are internal doors and there are external doors.
Internal doors are all doors that lead you into spaces within your building.
External doors are all doors that take you outside your building.
Internal and external doors often push into the space you are going to (unless there is a space constraint).
If you happen to be present on-site during your door installations, require your door installer to swing out all external doors for safety and security reasons.
It’s easier to push your external door out when running for safety than to pull it towards yourself.
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If perhaps, the doors have been constructed to push in, you may have to take it as it is or request a replacement (it will cost you).
In public buildings, say, a restaurant, their doors swing in both directions.
You push in as you enter the building, and you push out as you exit the building.
But that swing direction is weak for security, which is why they often install roller shutter doors or some burglary-proof alongside it.
You can see the rollers right above the door.
Doors in banks rotate to the left or right. Often used for control and not ideal for safety which is why we provide alternative exits with doors that swing out on your emergency routes.
Another thing is that in the event of unwelcomed guests storming your house at ungodly hours, it’s much more difficult to kick in a door that swings outside.
In 2019, I moved into a new apartment, a new building, and fresh paint.
I lived on the fourth floor, climbing stairs, water was running (or so I thought).
In barely 4 months, I had the strangest and scariest experiences of my life.
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They stormed the building of 60 rooms at around 4am.
I went out to my balcony and saw them with that jacket and their guns.
I wondered who they were looking for but later realized it was a compound raid.
I voluntarily opened my door when they banged on it to avoid damage to it but I watched as they relentlessly kicked the next door until it caved in.
The door leaf itself was actually strong, it wasn’t what moved.
It was the direction of its swing and the hollowness of the lock groove that aided its downfall.
I made a mental note that very day to design for only swinging out for external doors.
I have not been consistent with that but let’s continue to remind ourselves.
Safety and security are still of the Lord.