Originally Posted by FLOIR
I assume this is the deadbolt that is directly on the doorhandle area.
What does a hotel do in the case of an emergency with the other safety bolt? I don't know the exact name for it but it is usually higher on the door. You swing it towards the door and if the door is opened, it catches a little latch on the door itself and keeps the door from only opening an inch or two.
Since that appears to be purely mechanical, how does a hotel undo that in order to open the door?
They use the Flosheim key on those ones. Once the door is ajar, all it takes is a shoulder or a good swift kick to break it.
I've always thought those things do more harm than good. People think they can open the door a crack and the chain or swing bar will protect them, but anyone who wants in won't be stopped for a moment by those.