HIGH SECURITY LOCKS
We have 3 choices for high quality high security locks, Medeco, KeyMark, and
Abloy. All three of these offer a patented keyblank that requires a special key
machine to cut keys and a factory contractual agreement that dealers will only
cut keys they are authorized to cut. Medeco and Abloy offer “extreme” pick
resistance, along with superior resistance to physical attack. KeyMark offers
key control with pick resistance.
Key control is the ability to control duplication of keys. This is accomplished
not by stamping “Do Not Duplicate” on common keys, it can only truly
be accomplished by purchasing it. The products we have selected to sell require
special key machines cutting the keys precisely to work in the locks with precise
specifications. While the keyway patent has expired on some of the product we
sell, there is no manufacture making the blanks and with assigned keyways, there
are many variations.
Our high security product line is available in a variety of formats. We can usually
convert existing locks to one of them, or provide new locks. They all make high
quality deadbolts for maximum security.
The Abloy is the best product for abusive, industrial, dirty environments. We
have then on fish processing plants, marine piers with salt spray, cold storage
warehouses kept at 20 below, in deep forest with high vandalism, truck terminals,
airports, high security cash control, etc. We have been selling Abloy since 1984.
Medeco locks and cylinders are very well made and are suitable for all sorts
of applications. High frequency offices, and retail, cabinet and drawers in high
security cash environments, computer server rooms, gaming machines, safes, drug
storage, medical environments, etc.
KeyMark locks and cylinders are also well made, but lack the pick resistance
of Abloy & Medeco, or the resistance to physical attack. They are an economical
way to gain key control in facilities with lower security requirements. It’s
a very versatile product, besides the ability to convert the same locks as Medeco & Abloy,
KeyMark can convert almost any interchangeable (or removable core) format. KeyMark
can bridge different interchangeable formats, from Schlage LFIC to Corbin/Russwin
to Yale to Sargent to Best SFIC.
For more information, call or drop by and talk with one of our locksmiths.
http://abloy.ca/
http://www.abloyusa.com/
http://medeco.com/index.html
SAFES
Generally
safes breakdown into 2 different categories, Burglary protection, and Fire protection.
There are safes that offer some protection in both categories,
but without the full protection. Safes are rated here in the US by UL (Underwriters
Laboratory) and for the Asian manufactures by the JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards).
The UL is tougher than the JIS.
For more information on fire ratings, go to this link:
http://www.amsecusa.com/ul_fire_class.htm
There
are 2 security ratings used, one for the insurance industry and one by UL. The
UL ratings start at high security cash vaults.
Here is a link on UL’s
security ratings.
http://www.amsecusa.com/ul_burglary_class.htm
In addition to selling safes, we also service them. We can change combinations
on mechanical and electronic safe locks. If you find yourself with a safe and
not combination, we can also open the safe, we maintain information about drill
points and opening techniques along with special tools. Opening a safe requires
a high level of skill and continuing education resulting in higher costs. We
advise our customers to do whatever it takes to not loose their combination
(keep a sealed copy with a relative, multiple copies at home/work, etc.) so
we never
need to do an opening. If your safe fails for some reason, we can try some
trouble shooting techniques before we need to drill to open it. Anytime you
are experiencing
trouble opening your safe, it’s worth a quick phone call to see if it’s
something serious and it might prevent a lock-out situation.
For more information, call or drop by and talk with one of our locksmiths.
DEADBOLTS
Most
people haven’t been told that knob locksets aren’t designed
for physical security, they are really a handle to grab to open and close the
door, keep it latched in the wind, and provide “casual” security
while at home. Real physical security comes from a deadbolt, all homes (and
businesses where building/fire code allows) should have a deadbolt to provide
physical security.
A deadbolt with 1” bolt throw and strike plate with long (2 _” -3”)
screws can provide a high level of physical security to protect your property
while you are away. If you get yourself in the habit of locking only your deadbolt
when you leave the house, you are not likely to be locked out since it requires
the key to lock it.
The strength of the deadbolt depends on the door and the frame. If you just
have the standard residential metal doors with wood or thin metal edge, there
is little
strength in the door and you should consider replacing your door with a solid
wood or commercial hollow metal door. The strike plate is the plate on the
door frame, if you install long (2 _”- 3”) screws in the strike
plate to actually screw it to the stud and not just the door frame the physical
security
is dramatically increased. Some deadbolts come with a thick security strike
and long screws that fits behind a finish plate, these are much stronger than
standard
strike plates. We carry deadbolt security strikes if you would like to increase
the physical strength of an existing deadbolt.
For more information, call or drop by and talk with one of our locksmiths.
SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS
We
have a variety of products and ideas to enhance physical security. Just some
examples:
1) “Wrap-Around” plates. This is one
way to repair doors that have been damaged/split, retrofit a modern designed
knob lock over a old mortise or
skeleton key lock, or to improve the inferior security of residential metal
doors. The plates is made of either stainless steel, brass, or bronze, depending
on
the color desired, they are either 9” or 4 _” tall, with 4” on
both sides of the door and can come with 2 hole preparations (one for a lockset
and one for a deadbolt) designed to hold the latch in the edge of the door.
http://magsecurity.com/categories.aspx?mid=8
2) Security strike plates. We have
a variety of security strike plates, the type with a heavy steel plate and
long screws that mounts behind the finish plate, and others that are taller
than normal
with holes for 4 or 6 long screws (good for repairing door frames damaged in
break-ins).
http://magsecurity.com/productlist.aspx?mid=17&id=175
3) Latch guards. A latch guard is generally a plate that covers the gap between
the door and frame to prevent shimming the latch of a lockset. Multiple designs
cover a variety of situations, including some with a heavy pin to interlock
the door and frame together and prevent prying the door and frame apart. There
are
even some designed for doors that open-in that interlock.
http://magsecurity.com/categories.aspx?mid=21
4) Sliding glass doors. Sliding glass doors are more like a window than a door
and should be thought of such when considering security. There are lock cylinders
that can be used to give key access on the outside, however, our experience
has shown they wear out quickly with daily use (since they are now made in
China)
and we do not recommend using a slider as everyday access. We stock some and
have available a variety of replacement handles, locks etc. Additionally we
stock the security latches that you frequently see in hotel rooms and find
them to
be a good auxiliary lock. A “Charlie Bar” is a aluminum tube that
folds down to block the door from opening and will work only with a door that
slides on the “inside” of the house (as will a dowel of wood).
5) Window locks/pins. We have a variety of these to help secure your windows.
6) Cabinet, drawer, cam, etc. locks. We have a variety of these types of locks
in stock or available, many in high security. http://olympus-lock.com/7)
7) Other. We can usually find some product or
design to fit your situation.
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