OUTDOORSECURITY • 47
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increases the corrosion and wear-
resistance of the material. Padlocks
made from treated steel withstand
high temperatures, difficult to cut and
drill. These types of locks are typically
used in higher security and industrial
applications.
‘additional security
against picking’
Titanium is an extremely durable metal
that resists corrosion and is lightweight in
comparison to solid and stainless steels.
These are typically very costly, and few
manufacturers produce such padlocks.
When the security and the
weatherproof dilemma arises, there is
not only the material but also the types of
padlocks to choose from:
Keyed padlocks use the cylinder core
as a locking mechanism which varies in
security levels;
Combination padlocks utilise a series
of numbers that open the lock when they
are entered in the correct sequence.
These types of locks suffer the same
weaknesses as keyed padlocks but
additionally can be decoded through
means of combination cracking.
Combination padlocks are usually
cheaper, simply because they are often
perceived as less secure, however this is
not true.
PDZ Alarm Padlock
Novice technology padlocks include
various additional features for higher
security, such as alarm.
For instance, APECS PDZ Alarm is a
battery-powered padlock with a built-in
110Db siren. It detects shock motion; if the
body or shackle being attacked or locking
mechanism being manipulated with, the
alarm is activated until intruder stops. Its
strengthened zinc alloy body and heat-
treated hardened steel shackle ensure it
is resilient to cutting and is corrosion. This
padlock is ideal for use on vehicles, garden
sheds, garages, warehouses and other
application. Although if you wish to the
alarm can be disabled when not required.
Straight Shackle
Discus, Round Shackle
APECS Mastiff
padlock
Another security feature to be
considered in padlocks is closed shackle,
which is a common design that guards the
shackle making it difficult to attack with a
saw or bolt cutters.
APECS Mastiff padlock, for example,
is a high-security alternative to standard
padlocks. It is made of solid brass chrome
plated body and has a hardened steel
11mm thick shackle, making it corrosion
and frost-resistant and at the same time
aesthetically superior. It has disc tumbler
locking mechanism which provides
additional security against picking.
Straight Shackle padlocks are fairly
similar to closed shackle padlocks in their
design, and commonly known as a shutter
padlock as they perfectly fit on to the
locking bar of steel roller-shutter doors.
Another common type of padlock is
the Discus, Round Shackle padlock
and as the name suggests this style
has a curved shackle which, unlike in
traditional padlocks, goes inside its
circumference of the body. This design
allows the security features of closed
shackle padlock. Its body is comprised of
two cases with the keyway in the center
of the lock. Since the shackle is not
spring loaded, damage to the keyway
barrel by force or drilling will not open
the padlock and it will remain disabled
and locked.
For the ease of use and convenience
there are keying options available on the
market such as keyed to differ, master
systems, keyed alike, key-retaining /non-
key-retaining.
Additional pointers to think about when choosing a lock are to consider what it will be working with. The strength of the
gate, the door, or the chain it is holding to. And for insurance purposes, consider the type of the valuables inside the
building. Typically, any item worth more than £1,000 should be individually listed on contents insurance policies. That’s why
if, for example, a bike is stored in a shed it will need to be insured separately.
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL.CO.UK | JUL/AUG 2018
Sponsored by APECS