Locks and Security News: your weekly locks and security industry newsletter
17th April 2024 Issue no. 701
Your industry news - first
We strongly recommend viewing Locks and Security News full size in your web browser. Click our masthead above to visit our website version.
New locks take hard line stance on theft protection
By John Ficcadenti
Equipment and property theft has always been a problem and one that appears to be getting worse, especially during these difficult economic times. Utility providers, telecom and cable companies, among others, are not exempt from this significant nationwide problem. As security measures continue to adjust, however, improved technology is now available to help combat and provide better theft protection devices.
Although accurate statistics are not available, all indications point to a large problem that is not going away any time soon. Some insurance figures have estimated annual losses at millions of dollars, and they continue to rise each year. This includes associated costs such as unit replacement; labor expense to replace the stolen items; and wasted management time dealing with paperwork, scheduling and related issues. With the thief's reward greater than the risk, this will remain a constant budget line item for companies.
Deterring theft with high-quality perimeter security and mechanical security products in and around facilities, substations, vehicles, telecom and cable boxes, and utility meters is a necessary mindset and far better than later trying to recover stolen equipment. A thief usually operates with a number of targets on his or her list, so, if your equipment is better protected than another company's, the thief will probably strike an easier target.
Resettable combination padlocks, such as the new ProSeries 1177, allow utility workers to operate while wearing gloves in dim light or at night.
Many properties are vulnerable because of inadequate devices, but that doesn't have to be the case with today's newer technology designs. Finding the best solution to secure your fencing or gates to protect a trailer, office or vehicles can be found in the newer models.
Since introducing the ProSeries 1177 shrouded shackle and resettable combination padlocks, Master Lock Co. has received encouraging feedback for its attention to the lock's design details. The lock was specifically developed for commercial and industrial applications, and user comments have been overwhelmingly favorable in regard to its toughness and durability.
The ProSeries 1177 joins a line of three other lock styles on the resettable roster that have a history of withstanding harsh treatment in less than ideal environments. The ProSeries 1177 and ProSeries 1175 are brass padlocks, while the ProSeries 1174 is a stainless steel solution and the ProSeries 1178 is a die-cast model.
A lock's most important objective is to provide security and keep intruders at bay. For deterring theft artists, these locks also provide an edge against physical attacks-making picking, shimming or rapping impossible.
Higher security lock models usually offer larger shackle diameters to better withstand bolt cutters. The ProSeries 1177's shackle is twice as hard to cut at 3/8 inches thick. The shackle material also influences cut resistance. Beyond standard and hardened steel shackles, the better solutions are products that have hardened, octagonal boron-alloy shackles. And shackle shrouds, a ProSeries 1177 feature, effectively prevent shackle access by any cutting tool.
There are other advantages for telecom, cable and other providers to using a newer combination lock. Because they face weather conditions that often are unfavorable, ease of use should be the prime consideration. When it's cold or wet, and it's necessary to work while wearing gloves, you will want a lock that is conducive to those conditions.
Employing a combination lock with large ergonomic dials helps in all weather conditions and offers other benefits. A lock with a blind feature that stops the dial at the all zero position is an important advantage-making the lock operable in nearly any situation.
The new approach has brought additional durability to these products. Locks are available with dial dust covers and shackle seals that keep dust, dirt and grime out of the internal working mechanisms. Brass padlocks are favored by many because brass offers superior resistance to rust, corrosion and other harsh conditions.
In addition, these locks now have a feature that provides greater security and control over your own four-digit combination. Look for locks that make it possible to choose from 10,000 unique combinations; these types don't require a reset tool, so combinations can be reset in seconds by using shackle manipulation.
Time is an important consideration for thieves, and a few seconds might make a difference. If you can slow them down by making it more difficult to steal, you can help reduce the chances of being a victim of theft.
John Ficcadenti, Master Lock Company's senior product manager for security
[email protected].
18th April 2012