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A night latch (or night-latch or nightlatch) is a lock that is fitted on the surface of a door; it is operated from the exterior side of the door by a key and from the interior (i.e. "secure") side of the door by a knob.[1][2][3]
Overview
Night latches are usually rim locks[4] and are available as deadlocking (automatically locks once shut) and non-deadlocking versions.
Historically, such locks were intended for use at night-time, hence the name.[5] The keyless egress that they offer is a valuable fire safety measure, but may be a security risk if breaking a glass panel (usually in the door) or a nearby small window allows an intruder to reach the knob inside and open the door from the outside.
Streeter, Donald (26 September 1973). "Some Signed American Iron Rim Locks". Bulletin of the Association for Preservation Technology. 5 (2): 9–37. doi:10.2307/1493393. JSTOR1493393.