When a burglary, physical injury or any other serious unplanned event happens within any commercial building, ownership needs someone who can solve the problem immediately so it will not happen again. Due either to cost cutting during construction or changes in planned building usage at a later date, existing hardware often does not meet current needs. Locksmiths have always been the first line of defense when hardware retrofitting is required. As hardware retrofit hardware choices broaden, locksmiths must be prepared for every possible hardware upgrade. This issue will concentrate on two types of upgrade solutions: mechanical and electronic.
Locksmiths can bring a wide variety of solutions to their clients in order to augment the security management profile of the premises. We offer products we read about or have gained experience with.
As security concerns become foremost in the minds of more people, the industry reacts with new answers. Locksmiths should evaluate their clients’ threat profile, whether it involves potential robberies, vandalism, weather events, active shooters; to help consider the appropriate measures that can be taken to improve the conditions on site.
Window Film
Remember Sandy Hook Elementary school? That was the attack where the shooter gained entry into the school by bypassing the securely locked door, and shooting out the glass.
Although window films and ballistic glass have been part of the facility security arsenal for decades, this tragedy brought renewed attention to how to make windows and glass part of the protected environment in commercial premises.
Although security window film may provide protection against shattering and intruders, but it doesn’t solve every security challenge. For one thing, it doesn’t stop bullets.
Businesses, schools and other organizations – especially those eager to find low-cost ways to boost their security – need to understand some important product distinctions.
Properly installed security window film can boost a facility’s forced-entry and blast defenses, but meaningful protection against gunfire only comes from UL-rated bullet-resistant glass enclosures.
Safe uses of Security Window Film begins with recognizing this material’s characteristics and limitations so the client does not operate with a false sense of security because window film has been installed.
Security window film is effective in the following scenarios:
Smash and Grab Burglaries: Windows protected with security film can buy you precious time to call for help and even deter intruders during a break-in attempt, making it more difficult for a criminal to break glass doors or windows with a crowbar or hammer.
Shatter Resistance: Locations prone to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornados or earthquakes can benefit from security film. Any of these events can cause fragile glass to shatter into dangerous shards and projectiles, posing serious safety concerns. Security film holds glass fragments in place to minimize damage and injury. Some films, when properly attached to the window frame, can achieve blast-resistance ratings because the film stretches and pulls against the frame, leaving the window fragments intact.
UV Protection: Businesses and residences have used window film to reduce the effects of the sun since the early 1960s. The film moderates interior exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays, protecting people and furnishings, and helping to regulate heating and cooling within a facility.
3M Ultra 8 product with unique cross lamination of multiple micro-thin layers is a recommended window film. For more information, watch the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9Q3Wx6I6xA
Bulletproof Glass
If security concerns go beyond moderate break-in and shatter protection, instead focusing on armed robberies or active shooter situations, UL-rated bullet-resistant glass offers the ballistic protection that other materials simply can’t provide.
UL assigns the material a specific rating from Level 1 to 8, indicating how many of what caliber bullets it can stop, based on certified lab testing. While Levels 4 to 8 are typically reserved for government and military facilities, Levels 1 - 3 satisfy most perceived customer requirements.
Bullet-resistant enclosures commonly protect financial institutions, schools, convenience stores, law enforcement offices and healthcare facilities.
With 3M™ Scotchshield™ Safety & Security Window Films, Ultra Prestige Series for Commercial use:
- Glass fragment retention film is tear-resistant to help protect people, property and possessions.
- Combine with 3M™ Impact Protection Attachment Systems for additional safety and security.
- Offers high visual light transmission to provide excellent aesthetics.
- Rejects up to 97% of infrared light so you can enjoy energy savings, enhanced comfort and protection
- Glass fragment retention film is tear-resistant to help protect people, property and possessions.
- Combine with 3M™ Impact Protection Attachment Systems for additional safety and security.
- Offers high visual light transmission to provide excellent aesthetics.
- Rejects up to 97% of infrared light so you can enjoy energy savings, enhanced comfort and protection.
- Low interior and exterior reflectivity lets you enjoy the views from inside, while maintaining an attractive look from outside.
- Significantly blocks the amount of harmful UV rays that cause fading, helping to extend the life of furnishings.
- Includes a comprehensive warranty from 3M.
Door Operators
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law designed to provide equal access for all citizens. Under this standard, all buildings that are open to the public must provide equal access for people with disabilities. This means that all visitors and occupants must be able to safely enter and exit the building, and must also be able to move throughout the building without difficulty.
Individual states may have their own ADA standards in place, and state requirements must be at least as stringent as the federal standard.
When it comes to entering and exiting a building safely, ADA requires that exterior doors be easily operated by frail, disabled, or wheelchair-bound visitors. This can be accomplished this is through the use of automatic door openers.
For a detailed information about door operators, check out www.aaadm.com
The Norton 6300 Series Low Energy Operator offers a broad set of intelligent functions, such as latch boost, latch retraction and obstruction detection to safely secure a variety of moderate to high traffic openings. A unique design with one of the slimmest profiles available allows the 6300 to blend more seamlessly with the frame while fitting challenging applications with minimal header space. A modular design and simple controls also make for easy installation and setup.
The Norton 6300 Series Low Energy Operator is U.L. Listed for automatic closing door. It is adjustable to provide compliance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The Norton 6300 Series Low Energy Operator is certified by BHMA to meet A156.19 requirements. Unit shall meet UL325/991, UL10C standards.
The Norton ADAEZ is an extreme-duty, low-energy door opener designed for institutional, high-traffic manual opening applications that occasionally requires powered operation. A regenerative drive system charges an onboard battery pack, eliminating the need for electrical power. The ADAEZ should be applied to doors using their 80/25 guideline:
The ADAEZ is an automatic door opening and closing device that permits automatic operation of single or double right hand or left hand doors measuring 36" to 48" (91 cm to 122 cm) wide and weighing up to 250 lbs (113 kg). The door operator device mounts on a parallel-arm push-side configuration or on a standard mount pull-side configuration.
The ADAEZ operator allows the door to open manually or by a remote transmitter device. As the door closes the ADAEZ operator generates an electrical charge that restores power to the operator battery.
Apply ADAEZ to a door that will be cycled manually a minimum of 80 times per day and cycled automatically approximately 25% or less per day.
A fully charged battery can open a door up to 2000 times in a row with little impact on the product's overall usability--even if there are periodic fluctuations from the 80/25 guideline. For example 30% automatic use for one day is not a problem, so long as that level of automatic use is not sustained.
When applied using this 80/25 guideline the ADAEZ will self-generate all the power it needs to keep its field-replaceable onboard battery pack charged for up to 12 years and in some cases longer.
The ADAEZ can be used in a hardwired application outside of the 80/25 parameters. Simply plug the unit into a common 110-VAC electrical outlet using a plug-in 24VDC Class 2 transformer.
More Info: www.nortondoorcontrols.com
Securitech School Security Products
Over the last 20 years, Securitech has concentrated on developing products that provide a safe haven for students. Initially developing school solutions for severe windstorm environments, recent events in the past 10 years have expanded the phrase “shelter-in-place” to reflect how schools can protect students and teachers in their classrooms every day and in the event of an emergency.
Securitech says that the best solutions always come from the customer and Securitech is here to make those solutions happen.
Listed below are examples of how Securitech has given personal attention to architects, law enforcement, security directors, educators, and government officials to create problem-solving products to ensure safe learning environments for our future generations.
LEXITM Lockdown offers enhanced safety and security in larger multi-door spaces.
According to company literature, Securitech recognizes that a facility may have exit devices from different manufacturers. We’ve done retrofits for several facilities where it was required that we upgrade to EAC on doors with older exit hardware, and Securitech was able to provide kits which enabled us to re-use the existing exits. We won the projects by offering the client a more cost effective solution than our competitors.
Pressing the lockdown button from any station or turning the red turn piece on the exit device locks all of the doors and turns the LED red. Pressing the lockdown button again from any station resets the system to the state it was prior to the lockdown (locked or unlocked lever).
RACHIE Systems: Vestibules & Double Entry
RACHIETM entry and exit control systems expand on the basic mantrap or sallyport system. By using dual-locking technology, Securitech can create systems that provide operational security and meet special operational and life safety needs.
Entry & Exit Control Systems Provide:
• Basic two door packages
• Custom two, three, or more door systems
• Fail-Secure & Fail-Safe options
• Dual Security: Mechanical & Electromagnetic
• Custom Operating Scenarios
SecuriguardTM perimeter door cylinders protects against bumping. unauthorized key use, vandalism, picking, wrenching and krazy glue. Customized magnetic keys cannot be duplicated (but additional keys can be ordered). Regular magnets cannot be used to operate the SecuriguardTM
Designed to fit over removable core/standard cylinders, SecuriguardTM has a sliding shield that covers the cylinder, preventing vandalism by Krazy Glue, and “Bump Keys.” The shield is raised and lowered via custom magnetic key. When the shield is up, the key can be used. When the shield is down, the cylinder is concealed against unauthorized use.
Securitech Healthcare Solutions
For healthcare applications, Securitech’s patented ligature-resistant A4L™ levers provide the highest level of anti-tie lever protection, while respecting the goal of proving aesthetic hardware. This aids the creation of a tranquil environment for patients. The clean lines and low profile, combined with the unique lever tapering, remain the industry standards for lever safety.
The A4L series is Securitech’s unique solution for ADA-compliance in mental health facilities. This innovation is the first ADA compliant suicide-resistant lever set, designed in collaboration with the nation’s best behavioral healthcare consultants. Works with traditional mortise or cylindrical openings, maintains a low profile with a smooth appearance and easy operation.
Available in different functions and options, the A4L represents Securitech’s response to the growing need for code-compliant solutions within psychiatric hospitals and mental health wards.
Designed through collaboration with the nation’s best behavioral healthcare consultants, features include:
- Low Profile Off The Door
- Durable Design
- Electric Release Within Lock Body
Certifications
Fire Door Applications
• Maximum opening size 4’0” x 8’0” for single and 8’0”x 8’0” for double doors
• Category C (up to 3 Hrs)
Applicable Standards
• UL10(c) (2015) Standard for Positive Pressure Fire Tests of Door Assemblies
• CAN-ULC-S104-15 (2015) Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Door Assemblies
• NFPA 252 (2017): Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Door Assemblies
A4L™ Applications include Patient Bedrooms and bathrooms, Nurse’s Station, closets, Activity Rooms, Screening Rooms, Ward Entrances and doctor’s offices.
Also for the healthcare environment, Securitech created its DAISY™ Door Alarm Indicator System. While there is no replacement for continuous observation, the DAISY Life Safety Alarm is a powerful tool in attempted suicide prevention and in immediately aiding nursing staff.
Nationally recognized as the leading product of its class, the DAISY ligature warning sensor system provides an aesthetically pleasing curved design resembling chair rail molding, and is used in conjunction with a smooth full length anti ligature continuous hinge. These combine the system elements and support the concept that visible door hardware should add to a serene environment, and not appear intimidating. Related consoles, key switches, strobes, and other peripheral items enable the creation of complete notification systems.
DAISY™ Features:
- Aesthetically Designed To Detect Items Draped On Door
- Curved bar design and multiple sensors detect pressure placed on door
- Neutral beige color blends in with environment
- Approved to be used as a component in a Fire Door assembly with up to 3-hour rating with hose stream.
More Info: www.securitech.com
