OK to permanently remove external handle for back door?

[musigenesis]

I was anticipating replacing the existing latch and handles on the back door with a keyed deadbolt arrangement, and pursuant to this I tried to remove the outside handle in a non-destructive fashion. I was unable to do this (I think they're pressure-fit in addition to being pinned with a screw - they really don't want those handles coming off in an emergency where rescuers need to be able to open the door) so I just cut if off wth my angle grinder (the join between the handle collar and the square handle post is barely detectable which is why they're basically impossible to get off).

I now realize that the inner handle and latch are exactly what I need, and since I won't be using this door for anything other than getting large things in and out of the bus and as an emergency exit, I don't actually need to be able to open the door from the outside. So I'm thinking of just sheeting over the handle opening completely on the outside (this opening was also leaking badly in my bus so I need to get rid of it one way or another).

Is there something I'm missing as to why I might actually want this door openable from the outside? I can still get out of it in an emergency since the inner latch will still be there, and as far as rescuers trying to get in that way I would usually keep it locked securely anyway so they'd have to force their way in no matter what.

[o1marc]

You mean the EMERGENCY door. Nah, who needs one of those.

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by o1marc

You mean the EMERGENCY door. Nah, who needs one of those.

Huh? I'm not talking about removing the entire door, just the outside handle. This would only rule out emergency ENTRANCES, which I don't care about.

[Johnny Mullet]

Mine broke off and I use vice grips to open it now.

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet

Mine broke off and I use vice grips to open it now.

Do you ever find that you need to open it that way? Like, you forgot your keys but remembered your vice grips?

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

Do you ever find that you need to open it that way? Like, you forgot your keys but remembered your vice grips?

Mine's dead bolt with a key. If I forget the keys, I'm farked

[Mark_In_MA]

If the fire department needed to get in, an axe to the window, and someone with long arms would have the door open (from the inside) reasonably quickly.

And it's a bus. . .there's a good 60+ linear feet of places to put a hide-a-key.

[Native]

Originally Posted by Mark_In_MA

And it's a bus. . .there's a good 60+ linear feet of places to put a hide-a-key.

... that is just the underside. The roofline is also possible. Or anywhere in the engine compartment.