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
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