Removable thumb turn for security and fire safety

Question: My husband and I own a store-front business. We have a commercial glass door with a key on the inside as well as the outside for security reasons. The fire department recently did a fire inspection and told us to remove the keyed lock on the inside of the door and replace it with a thumb turn. Is there any way of securing our door while appeasing the fire department?

Fourchalk: Yes, you could install a removable thumb turn on the inside of your door. This is a keyed mortise cylinder that holds a thumb turn captive unless removed with a small tool. The idea would be to leave the thumb turn in the door during working hours for fire safety and remove it at the end of the day to assure greater physical security to your business.