Product category:
Building Protection and Alarms
News Release from: Camlock Systems | Subject: Specifying locks
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 10 April 2006
Locks: making the right choice is vital
Camlock Systems examines the factors that should be taken into account when specifying locks.
Martin McCaffrey, Technical Director of Camlock Systems, one of the World's leading designers, manufacturers and suppliers of industrial locks and locking systems, examines the factors that should be taken into account when specifying locks The security market is constantly changing and manufacturers, specifiers and installers are having to remain vigilant to counter new threats from criminals as these develop
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 5 Apr 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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So how do you choose which lock to use?.
What level of security will be required? Where should the lock be mounted?.
Does the lock just need to be tamper-resistant or is physical assault a possibility? Will someone try to pick the lock?.
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Does the user need to restrict the issue of keys? and so on.
The answer to these questions is that there are many locks available on the market, some of which are drill-resistant, pick-resistant, and even chewing gum and superglue resistant.
The security of a lock also can be enhanced by the use of reinforcing collars and other accessories.
The first and most important step therefore is to review the risk factors involved; i.e., to assess the types of attack to which the equipment to be protected might be subjected, and then select a lock which will withstand such attacks.
A lock should be positioned in such a way as to reduce the chances of violence as much as possible, particularly in high-risk applications.
The fact is that no lock is 100% secure, and faced with a determined and tooled-up thief - who has enough time, almost all equipment will succumb to attack.
Time is always the prime criterion and, generally speaking, money buys time! Key security largely depends upon how easily duplicate keys can be obtained and if a lock has a large number of key differs, and uses a key with an unusual or patented profile requiring special blanks and/or key machines, the level of security provided will be higher.
In low-security locks there will usually be a few hundred key differs - although this total can be increased to millions in high-security items designed to ensure that no two locks with the same key can ever be produced.
Some manufacturers also offer a key registration facility to further advance entrance key security, whereby duplicate keys can only be obtained from them after authorisation, such as a recognised signature, has been provided.
Having decided upon the level of protection required, the specifier must then select which type of lock is required.
In high-risk applications, and providing that it is at least as strong as the equipment to which it is fitted, the lock should delay entry to the point where, as is the case with accredited vehicle security equipment, the break-in time is so long that the assailant will be discovered or will give up and try another vehicle.
The lock selected may, possibly, be available with a range of keying options such as 'keyed alike' or 'keyed to pass', which means that all locks in a batch can be opened with any of the keys; 'keyed to differ' - all of the locks have different keys; and 'master keyed' - all opened with one key, although each lock will also have its own key which will not activate any other lock in the set.
A further option is that of reprogrammable locks.
These can provide a number of independent key differs within one lock which can be selected and altered using a reset key.
This system has the advantage of providing 'keyed alike' convenience but avoids the need to change locks if a key is compromised or if equipment has to be re-sited.
All too often a lock manufacturer is not approached until the project is just about finalised!.
Insufficient thought is given to the means of effective security thus limiting the choice of product to what can be fitted rather than what would be best for the job.
Such situations often mean that finding an expedient solution is very difficult.
Making contact and liaising with a supplier at an early enough stage in the specification process should ensure that no installation problems are encountered and that a suitable lock from a standard range can be fitted.
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