The Locksmith Journal Mar/Apr 2020 - Issue 67 | Page 30

DIGITAL & PROGRAMMABLE LOCKS Push the Button Push button locks are an increasingly familiar sight, most often used for access control as well as security. What is less well known in the trade is that there is a British Standard for these products - BS 8607 - and locksmiths would be well served by checking whether the locks they fit are right for the application. » BS 8607:2014, TO GIVE IT ITS full title, refers to the durability and strength of mechanical push button locks and their locking plates. It describes the test methods used to grade - from one to five - the locks and the applications that they can be used for: • Grade 1: internal applications where users have a high incentive to exercise care and where the expected usage is low. • Grade 2: internal applications where users have a high incentive to exercise care and where the expected usage is high. • Grade 3: applications where abuse and usage levels are expected to be high, and there is an element of security. • Grade 4: application where security, abuse and usage levels are expected to be high. • Grade 4L: exactly as Grade 4 except that security requirements are achieved using an integral additional locking unit. • Grade 5… (Source: BSI Standard Publication - Mechanically operated push button locksets - Requirements and test methods - BS 8607:2014) The standard also includes requirements for locksets for use on fire-resisting and smoke control doors but not for locksets intended for use on final exit doors on escape routes, which are covered in BS EN 179:2008. Increasingly, push button locks are being used on fire doors and perimeter doors and the tests the lever/knobs as well 30 as the keypad; assuming that the keypad will only be used to enter the building so keypad is cycle tested to 50% of the lever/knobs and the 30% of the keypad buttons are tested. Grade 5 was added retrospectively to the standard and both grade 4 and grade 5 of BS 8607 state that these products must be suitable for ‘applications where security, abuse and usage levels are expected to be equivalent to BS 3621’, the standard for thief-resistant locks. So if that is the case, what is the difference between grades 4 and 5? So, with a grade 4 product, users must lock and unlock the solution from the inside with a key, and then operate the push button from the outside to unlock a door. In contrast, a mechanically operated push button lockset that meets grade 5 standards does not require a separate locking unit. To achieve a grade 5 standard under BS8607 the product the latch and the lock must be integrated and tested together, without the need for an additional key and allowing keyless, one handed exit in an emergency. The main difference that this offers on a practical level is that a grade 5 will automatically lock when it is simply closed, whereas a grade 4 product has to be locked with a key which could potentially offer an extra level of complexity when key holders are required to secure the premises. The Grade 5 accreditation was introduced to make a BSI Kitemark approved product available on the market that will meet even the most stringent security requirements while providing a straightforward access control solution. Keylex Digital Locks were the first mechanical digital locks to achieve accreditation to BS 8607. The best-selling Keylex 800 and the heavy-duty Keylex K2100 are grade 3 qualified. Keylex 800 has been working successfully for many years even in military, police, fire service and other high traffic, security conscious settings. The narrow stile Keylex 800 design, with its built-in clutch mechanism protecting the lock furniture, will suit all clear stile widths down to 80mm and is particularly suited for use on timber and composite doors. The Keylex 800 allows code combinations of up to 12 buttons giving over 4,000 selectable code plus a code scramble function so all codes to be entered in any order. A slipping clutch mechanism nullifies forced attack or vandalism from the outside while a free exit function provides escape from the inside, without code entry, regardless of the lock status. If you need help or guidance on selecting or fitting mechanical push button locks, you can cell our technical team for advice on 0380 729 600 or by emailing [email protected] MAR/APR 2020 locksmithjournal.co.uk Issue Takeover Magazine Sponsor