Falcon D271 Occupancy Indicator Deadbolt

The Falcon D271 is a single-cylinder deadbolt with an occupancy indicator on the outside - no keyway on either side, just a thumbturn inside and a status indicator outside. You throw the deadbolt from inside using the thumbturn, and the outside face of the lock automatically displays "In Use" with red color coding. Retract the bolt and it reads "Vacant" in green. This is the standard door hardware for single-occupancy commercial restrooms, single-stall dressing rooms, treatment rooms, and any space where people need to know at a glance whether the room is occupied without knocking or trying the door.

The D271 is from Falcon's D200 series, Grade 2. It's not a high-security deadbolt - it's a privacy and occupancy management device. The function is straightforward: thumbturn inside throws and retracts the bolt, the indicator outside follows the bolt position automatically. There's no key on the inside or outside in normal operation.

The Emergency Key

The D271 ships with an emergency key (Falcon part 61-509). This is the slim, flat tool that releases the bolt from outside without a conventional key - the kind of access that facility staff need when someone is incapacitated inside a locked restroom or won't respond. The slot for the emergency key is on the outside indicator face. Keep the emergency key accessible at the front desk or with building management. It's a small, easy-to-lose piece of hardware, so ordering a spare at the same time the lock is installed is worth considering.

Why the Bolt Automatically Deadlocks

When the thumbturn throws the bolt fully, the D271 bolt deadlocks in the extended position. That means it can't be pushed back into the case with a probe or tool through the door gap. Inside the bolt is a hardened steel anti-saw insert - if someone tried to cut through the bolt with a saw, the hardened roller inside the zinc bolt body spins and deflects the blade. It's Grade 2, not Grade 1, but it's not a trivial lock either. The attachment to the door uses 1/4-inch heat-treated steel bolts that thread directly into the back of the outer trim housing, pulling both sides together through the door.

What "Non-Handed" Means for Ordering

The D271 is non-handed - the same unit works on left-hand and right-hand doors swinging in or out. No handing specification needed when ordering. The backset is adjustable between 2-3/8 inch and 2-3/4 inch, covering the two standard commercial door backset dimensions. Door thickness range is 1-3/8 inch to 2-1/4 inch.

Cut Sheet and Installation Template

Searches for "falcon d271 cut sheet" are from contractors needing the door prep dimensions before installation. The D271 installation instructions and template are available from Allegion's documentation library - search "Falcon D261/D271 installation instructions" on Allegion's support site. Door prep is a standard tubular deadbolt prep. The lock includes wood and machine screws for wood or metal door applications.

Specifications

Model: Falcon D271

Series: D200 Series, Grade 2

Function: Thumbturn inside, occupancy indicator outside

Outside Display: "In Use" (red, bolt thrown) / "Vacant" (green, bolt retracted)

Bolt: 1" throw, zinc with hardened steel anti-saw pin insert

Handing: Non-handed

Backset: 2-3/8" to 2-3/4" adjustable

Door Thickness: 1-3/8" to 2-1/4"

Strike: 2-3/4" x 1-1/8" lipless standard

Emergency Key: 61-509 included

ADA: Thumbturn compliant

Grade: ANSI/BHMA A156.5 Grade 2

American Locksets has stocked Falcon deadbolts and the D200 series since 2001.