Commercial Locksmith Services in Halifax
Commercial Locksmith Services in Halifax

Commercial Locksmith Services in Halifax: A Property Manager’s Guide (2025)

If you manage offices, apartments, or retail in HRM, this is your one-page playbook to keep doors compliant, keys controlled, and emergencies handled—day or night.

Why Atlantic Locksmith? We’re a local team with 35+ years serving Halifax–Dartmouth, a physical shop at 798 Main St., Dartmouth, and true 24/7 after-hours support for urgent issues. 

What “Commercial Locksmith” Really Means (and What You Should Expect)

A commercial locksmith should cover four pillars:

  1. Key & Cylinder Control
    • Rekeys for tenant turnover
    • Master key systems (tiered access for managers/supers/tenants)
    • Restricted keyways (no unauthorized copies)
  2. Door & Hardware
    • Panic bars/exit devices, door closers, hinges, fire-rated doors
    • Electric strikes & storefront hardware
  3. Access Control
    • Card/fob/pin systems (single door to multi-site)
    • Audit trails, schedules, and lost-credential lockdowns
  4. Compliance & Safety
    • Fire/life-safety on egress devices
    • Barrier-free/automatic door operator guidance for accessibility upgrades (and potential grant avenues)

In Nova Scotia, fire and building code rules govern how doors lock/unlock for safe egress; panic/exit hardware and certain locking devices must release under alarm. Make sure your vendor designs and installs with these requirements in mind. 

Halifax-Ready Solutions We Deliver

1) Master Key & Restricted Key Systems

Lock down duplication risk with controlled keyways and clear authorization logs. Ideal for multi-tenant buildings, retail back-of-house, and maintenance closets.

2) Tenant Turnover Rekeying (Fast)

Same-day options across HRM so new tenants move in safe, old keys are void, and your audit trail stays clean.

3) Door Hardware & Life-Safety

Panic bars/exit devices, door closers, fire-rated hardware, electric strikes—installed and adjusted for smooth close, correct latch timing, and code intent on egress. (Ask us to review any “always-propped-open” doors before they become a liability.)

4) Access Control (From One Door to Many)

Start simple with a standalone keypad or go enterprise with cards/fobs, time schedules, user groups, and cloud management. We design around the space, traffic patterns, and your budget—not the other way around.

5) Accessibility & Automatic Door Operators (Barrier-Free)

Need an automatic opener for storefront or washrooms? We’ll align recommendations with Nova Scotia’s accessibility direction and local built-environment guidance—and flag funding programs that have historically helped businesses offset costs for upgrades. 

6) Emergency & After-Hours Support (Real 24/7)

Lockouts, failed closers, broken keys in cylinders, door won’t secure at 11:30pm? Our on-call techs cover it—nights and weekends. 

Halifax Property Managers: The 9-Point Door & Key Health Check

Use this quarterly. If you answer “no” to any item, flag it.

  1. Key Control: Do you know exactly who holds which keys/cards?
  2. Authorization: Is key duplication restricted and documented?
  3. Turnover Process: Is there a standard rekey/credential revoke at move-out/employee exit?
  4. Exits: Do panic bars/exit devices latch and release correctly under load and alarm? 
  5. Closers: Do doors close fully without slamming or dragging (no floor strikes)?
  6. Electric Strikes & Readers: Are they aligned, responsive, and logged?
  7. Accessibility: Are primary entrances/washrooms barrier-free or on a plan to be? 
  8. Policy: Is there a written lock/credential policy for vendors and staff?
  9. Emergency Flow: Who do staff call after-hours—and how fast do you get a response? 

Choosing a Halifax Commercial Locksmith: What to Ask Before You Hire

  • After-Hours Guarantee: Do they truly answer 24/7, or only weekday business hours? (Many firms are “mobile weekdays only.”) 
  • Local Presence: Do they have a shop you can walk into for keys/hardware today? 
  • Code-Literate Installs: Can they explain egress/exit device implications and provide hardware that releases on alarm? 
  • Barrier-Free Expertise: Can they guide automatic door operator choices and documentation for accessibility upgrades/grants? 
  • Key Control Plan: Will they help you implement restricted keyways and a sign-off process?

Mini-Case: 50-Unit Apartment, Two Entrances, One Manager

Problem: Keys were copied without authorization; rear exit door wouldn’t latch; tenants propped it open.

Fix: We rekeyed with a restricted keyway, installed an adjustable closer + panic device tune-up, and set a simple audit trail for key issuance/returns. Results: fewer nuisance calls, no more door propping, and a cleaner turnover process.

How Atlantic Locksmith Helps You Stay Ahead

  • One call for rekeys, hardware, access control, and emergency work
  • Shop + mobile coverage across HRM (walk-in at 798 Main St., Dartmouth)
  • True 24/7 after-hours response for your residents/tenants
  • Property-manager programs: scheduled maintenance, preferred rates for bulk rekeys, and standardized key control

Tip: Property crime trends ebb and flow; keeping exits secure and keys controlled cuts risk and downtime. HRM’s 2025 police report shows thousands of “crimes against property” incidents—diligent door/lock maintenance isn’t optional. 

FAQs (Quick Answers)

How fast can you rekey after a tenant moves out?

Often same day in HRM; we prioritize property managers with move-out schedules.

What’s better—rekeying or changing locks?

Rekey first if hardware is healthy. Replace when hardware is failing or when moving to restricted keyways or higher security.

Do I need panic bars everywhere?

Not everywhere—requirements depend on occupancy and load, but when required they must allow free egress and typically release with the fire alarm. We’ll assess and advise. 

Can you help with automatic door openers?

Yes—we’ll align with barrier-free guidance and advise on documentation vendors often ask for when seeking funding support. 

Ready to secure your building?

Call Atlantic Locksmith (24/7) or visit our shop at 798 Main St., Dartmouth for commercial rekeys, access control, and compliant door hardware. 

For immediate assistance: 📞 (902) 434-5625

information: 🌐 atlanticlocksmith.ca 📧 Info@atlanticlocksmith.ca

Visit our location: 📍 798 Main Street, Dartmouth, NS

Your security is our priority. Your satisfaction is our guarantee.

Please visit our Services Page Here – atlanticlocksmith.ca/services