Schlage L496 Deadbolt with Occupied Indicator

The Schlage L496 is a small case mortise deadbolt with a built-in OCCUPIED indicator. If you searched "l496", "schlage deadbolt locksets", "schlage indicator deadbolt", "occupied deadbolt", "schlage deadbolt with indicator", "schlage occupancy indicator deadbolt", "ansi 156.5 grade 1", or "indicator deadbolt lock"-this is the Schlage L400 Series lock that displays the word OCCUPIED when the deadbolt is thrown and returns to blank when the bolt is retracted.

How the Occupied Indicator Works

The L496 has no lever and no knob on either side. Outside: a key cylinder. Inside: a thumbturn. When someone enters the room and turns the thumbturn to throw the deadbolt, a chevron indicator plate on the outside face of the lock changes from blank to the word OCCUPIED. Anyone approaching the door can see without knocking or trying the door whether the space is in use. When the person leaves and retracts the deadbolt, the indicator returns to blank.

The deadbolt drives the indicator mechanically-no battery, no electronics, no wiring. It works every time the bolt moves, and it never needs a service call to replace a sensor. The indicator is built into the lock case as part of the L496 function, not an added accessory.

What "Small Case" Means and Why It Matters

The L496 is a small case mortise lock. Small case means the lock body is smaller than a standard L Series mortise case-4-7/16 inches high by 3-5/8 inches wide by 1 inch deep. This matters for installation because small case locks require a smaller door preparation (mortise pocket) than full-size mortise locksets. They're designed specifically for restroom doors, single-occupancy spaces, utility rooms, and any door where a full-size mortise case would require an unnecessarily large cut in the door edge.

For restroom and single-occupancy healthcare room applications specifically, the small case deadbolt with indicator is the standard specification. There's no latchbolt-the deadbolt is the only bolt. The door stays closed on its own (typically via a door closer) and the deadbolt is thrown manually for privacy.

L496 Suffix Variants: Cylinder Type

The L496 ships in multiple cylinder configurations. L496P = conventional cylinder included. L496L = less cylinder (you supply or specify separately). L496B = SFIC prep, less Small Format Interchangeable Core. L496J = LFIC prep, less Large Format Interchangeable Core. If your facility runs a master key system with IC cores, the B or J variant integrates the L496 into that system without a separate cylinder housing.

The L496 vs L460: Indicator vs No Indicator

The L460 is the standard cylinder-by-thumbturn small case deadbolt with no indicator. The L496 is the same function with the OCCUPIED indicator added. Both are the same small case mortise format, same case dimensions, same door prep. The difference is only the indicator. If your specification does not require indicator function, the L460 is the simpler option. If the spec requires occupancy status visible from the corridor, specify the L496.

Specifications

Model: Schlage L496

Series: Schlage L400 Series Small Case Mortise Deadbolt

Function: Key outside, thumbturn inside; OCCUPIED indicator when bolt thrown

Indicator: Chevron plate, blank when retracted, OCCUPIED when thrown

Case Size: 4-7/16" x 3-5/8" x 1" (113mm x 92mm x 25mm)

Deadbolt: 1" throw stainless steel with anti-saw pin

Strike: 1-1/8" x 3-1/2" with dust box standard

Case Material: Cold-rolled steel with zinc dichromate plating

Grade: ANSI/BHMA A156.36 Grade 1

UL: UL/cUL listed, A label single doors 4'x10', pairs 8'x10'

Conventional Version: L496P (cylinder included)

Less Cylinder: L496L

SFIC Version: L496B (less core)

LFIC Version: L496J (less core)

No-Indicator Version: L460 (same case, no indicator)

Applications: Restrooms, single-occupancy offices, healthcare exam rooms, dressing rooms

Brand: Schlage, Allegion

American Locksets has stocked Schlage L400 Series small case mortise deadbolts since 2001.