TOPIC: Lock yourself in?

I had an amusing but potentially embarrassing or serious incident today. I had finished the inspection of an interior hallway and proceeded into a Bathroom off of the Hallway. I walked in, turned around and closed the door to check it's operation. It latched as it should have. I then grasped the knob and it turned around, and around, and around but did not engage the backset to unlatch.

I was not too concerned as my Client was in the Kitchen discussing her plans for the home with her boyfriend. I rapped on the door a number of times figuring that she would come down the Hallway and try to open the door. She did not respond so I continued my inspection of the Bathroom. I rapped a couple of more times as I proceeded thru the Bathroom items. When I had finished and she had not responded I tried again a number of times to open the door. It finally caught and unlatched.

The door was a hollow core door so I would have been able to break out if I had been alone but if it had been a door and jamb of sturdier construction it may have been a different outcome. A word to the wise, check your door operation from the outside of the room if feasible (some wise guys, such as Marcel may already know this).

John

Ouch, yeah that could leave you with some free time. Guess it's a good idea to keep your cell phone on you too

Good advise

I once was measuring a new home(framed) for flooring.I went up a ladder to the second level and proceeded to inspect the subfloor and measure the area.One of the contractors removed the ladder, when I was ready to leave I found I was trapped.The contractors had left for lunch and I had to wait till they returned.This was about 20 years ago before I carried a cell phone and this home was in the country,lol.

Good advice. I always verify the locks with my foot in front of the door so it can't close. Once I know it is on the correct side and appears to work I check its' operation from inside then close it and verify that everything is functioning correctly. Like Dom said also, cell phone ain't a bad idea. I wouldn't want to be stuck in a bathroom for an hour while I waited for someone to get me out, no thanks.

Another inspector told a similar story.  He closed the door, opened the door,  locked the knob and closed the door.  The door knob was installed  backwards and he locked himself inside the bedroom.

Agent and buyer were downstairs.  He had his phone.  He figured he could have stomped on the floor to attract attention or used his cell phone.  What he claims he did was sit on the bed and wait figuring they would come looking for him eventually.  Sure enough he heard them coming up the steps.  He called out he was in the bedroom.  They walked up, opened the door and came in.  Meanwhile he went over to a receptacle and placed his tester in.  They unknowningly let him free.

Since I heard that story, I check the knob with the door open and check the lock and knob with the door open.  I have found several bedrooms with the knobs turned around backwards.  Now Johnny you are in time out until I come and get you.  Click.