The article below is a guide to inform you on the risks of locks for communal doors.  These issues are what we discover and how we advise our customers on the solutions.

Please note you should always check with your insurers and fire officer.

We go to a lot of properties that are multi-tenanted and either converted houses turned into flats or bedsits or purpose built flats.  At most of these properties, we come across the same type of concerns, and below are some of them and their solutions.

Insecure Lock for Communal Doors

Most of the communal doors on these properties are a standard Yale Lock, a Yale 89, or a Yale 85 or similar standard lock with a standard electric release on the frame side.

Standard Electric Release

Yale 89

Unfortunately, the standard Yale locks used are easily opened from the outside either by force, where the electric release snaps due to being made of weak metal, or with a piece of plastic or a credit card, enabling people to get in with no noise.

You can get some upgraded Yale-type locks that prevent the latch from being opened with a credit card or a piece of plastic, but the electric release is then still the weak part and would, and does, snap under force.

Upgraded Yale-type Locks

The above locks are more secure because they have an automatically deadlocking latch.

So, what we suggest and advise our customers is to upgrade the lock to a Cisa lock.

Cisa Lock

The Cisa lock is a lot more secure as it cannot be opened with a piece of plastic or a credit card, and the weak electric release on the frame is removed and fitted with a solid box keep.

The Cisa lock also has a deadlocking latch, which prevents it from being slipped with a piece of plastic or a credit card.  Instead of the weak electric release, the Cisa lock actually releases the latch when power is applied.  The red button on the back of the Cisa lock is pressed from the inside when people are exiting.

The Cisa lock is a straightforward upgrade for the standard 60mm back set Yale 89.  What we would do is remove the old Yale lock, put a new Cisa lock in its place, remove the old electric release and fit the new box keep.  We would need to extend the electric release wire, run round to the hinge side of the door and fix an armoured door loop to go across the door, then attach the wire into the Cisa lock enabling the Cisa lock to be released from the existing intercom system.  In some circumstances, we may need to upgrade the power supply.

We unfortunately do this type of work too often after the property has been broken into.

On many occasions, we have been round and the burglars have got in through the communal front door with now damage, and then have been able to break into one or even all of the flats. They are out of the sight of any passes by once through the communal door.

Flat Doors Broken In

Communal Doors with Fire Safety Issues

The other thing that we see a lot, which is a big no-no and a major risk if there’s ever a fire in the building, is a Chubb-type mortice deadlock fitted on a communal door.

If you have a lock on your communal door that you need a key to open from the inside, then you are at risk of being trapped if there ever was a fire.

I know it’s not nice to think about, but you need to consider if there ever was a fire in the flats or communal areas. If you come down trying to escape and find the door is locked, you, in all the panic, won’t have a key, and so you would be trapped.

You need to get in contact with your landlord or freeholder or get together with the other owners and get it changed. It’s not costly and can be changed within an hour.

The lock needs to be changed and upgraded to a lock with a turn on the inside; this enables you to open it from the inside without a key.

Locks with a Turn on the Inside

I know from experience people naturally think, “Let’s just remove the deadlock,” but only having the standard Yale-type lock on there is not ideal either; you need two locks or an auto=deadlocking night latch.

If you want, you can have the standard or auto-locking Yale-type lock and the turn lock keyed alike, so you only need one key to operate both of them. This saves money on having to get two keys cut and also reduces the amount of keys you need to carry around on your key ring.

Additional Security for Communal Doors

Once the above issues with your communal door have been resolved, we also advise some other security devises that would take the security of your communal door to the next level.

Letter Box Guards

Letter box guards come in a few styles; one is the cage style and the other is the solid metal style. You can also get the bag style. All these styles of letter box guards protect against the main forms of attack from potential burglars.

Cage Style Letter Box Guard

Solid Metal Style

Bag Style Letter Box Guard

These letter box guards make it difficult for potential burglars to put anything through the letter box and fish items out of the property.  They also make it difficult for burglars to look through the letter box and see if anyone is at home or if there is an alarm.  They also help prevent burglars from putting anything through and possibly opening the lock.

London Bars and Birmingham Bars

We also advise a London bar, which is a strip of metal that goes down the locking side of the frame. It goes round the keep of the Yale-type lock or Cisa lock and runs the full length of the frame and is screwed in various different places. This helps tie the whole frame together. It goes down the frame and protects the mortice lock keep, which if it were forced, would split the frame around where it is fitted.

London Bar and Birmingham Bar

On the hinge side of the frame, we advise fitting a Birmingham bar, which helps protect the hinges.  The Birmingham is a strip of metal that is screwed into place in various places, tying the whole hinge side of the frame together.  If the hinges were attacked, the wood that the hinges is screwed into is forced out and splits the frame, but the Birmingham bar helps protect against this type of attack.

Hinge Bolts

On the hinge side, we would advise what are called hinge bolts. These are fitted below the top hinge and above the bottom hinge. They are steel rods that are fitted in the door, and when the door shuts, it locks into a piece on the frame.

On the hinge side, we always advise hinge bolts,which lock permanently out. When the door closes, they lock into the frame. A Birmingham bar, which is another strip of metal, prevents the hinges from being forced out, kicked out or forced in. And of course, it helps reinforce the hinge side and the hinge bolts.

We want to make the communal door as secure as possible. So, the communal way is quiet a lot of the time; people are away most of the day, and burglars know this. Once they’re in, they can breakin through the communal door and shut it behind them.

Make sure you get that communal door really secure. Thank you.

WINDOWS, LOCKS AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

To start out, what I say in this blog post is what we have experienced in the years we have been working as locksmiths and asking our customers what their insurance policies require.

You must check with your insurer, as some policies may vary.

This is what we found when we’ve been called to our customers’ properties to upgrade their locks to insurance standards. We have looked at their policies and we found the same when we’ve looked at our own insurance policies.  The locks what we’ve fit over the years are always the same locks to conform to what insurers require.

So, 90 percent of all insurers require key-operated window locks on all windows accessible from the floor or a flat roof.  Some even say if you can climb a gutter and get to the window, those windows also need to be key-operated.

There are two main types of wooden windows.  They are:

Window Locks

There are the various types of locks available:

• Manually-locking locks.  These require that you push down or around a part of the lock in order to lock onto the other part.  Once this is done, insert the key and lock the two parts together.  To open the lock, turn the key and this releases the two parts.  You then open the window.

Each type of window is suitable for various types of locks.

Wooden Sash Windows

Sash windows are the type of window that goes up and down.  You can get various types of locks that fit on sash windows.  The main ones, which are usually fitted in the middle of the window, are called fasteners.

Heritage Fitch Fastener

The Heritage Fitch Fastener locks by turning the lever that is mounted on the inside window so it will lock into the piece on the outside window.  These locks are available in various colours, including brass and chrome.  This lock does not conform to insurance standards as it doesn’t lock with a key.

Quadrant Sash Window Fastener

The Quadrant Sash Window Fastener is mounted half on the outside sash window and half on the inside sash window.  The lever part is on the outside sash window and this locks into the keep part mounted on the inside window.  This style of sash fastener is available in different colours, including brass and chrome.  The lock pictured above does not conform to insurance standards as it does not lock with a key.

Brighton Sash Fastener

Brighton Sash Fasteners have a swing-over threaded piece that sits on the outside sash window.  This piece flips over and is seated in the grooved keep part that sits on the inside sash window.  Once in the groove, the nut is tightened in order for both parts to fit together.

There are many slightly different designs for fasteners, and they come in various colours.

There are many different types of locks you can get for sash windows that comply with most insurance policies, as most polices only require that they be locked with key- operated window locks.  The main types installed are shown below:

Sash Stops

Sash Stops are fitted to the outer sash window on the frame.  They prevent the inside lower sash window from moving past the outside sash window.  You can fit one right on top of the inner frame and prevent the window from moving at all.  You can also fit a stud higher on the frame to allow for an air gap but still have the window remain locked.  If your window is wider than 600mm, we advise fitting locks on both sides of the window.

Sash Stops Fitted at different heights

Sash Bolts

Sash Bolts have a brass sleeve part that is drilled into the inside sash window.  The bolt is then screwed through the inside window into the outside window, and locked in place with the key.  To unlock the Sash Bolt you simply turn the key and the bolt comes enabling you to lift the inside sash window or pull down the outside sash window.  The problem with these types of locks is that over time the windows can come out of alignment (usually one sits higher than the other) and the bolt does not go in or come out smoothly.

There are other locks suitable for Sash Windows.  The above are the most common.

Wooden Casement Windows

Wooden casement windows are the windows that are hinged either on the side or top and open outward. The older style wooden casement window usually has a casement stay and fastener.

Casement Fastener

Casement Stay

The newer style wooden casement windows have a single handle on the inside and a multipoint locking system.  This type of system is located on the side or underneath the window, and is not usually visible from the inside.  This type of locking system is commonly found on UPVC windows and double-glazed windows.

The newer style casement windows conform to insurances standards if they have a handle that is key-operated, and also have a multipoint locking system.  The older style casement window needs to be fitted with a key-operated lock to conform to insurance standards.

On older style wooden casement windows  you can get locks that operate automatically—you just shut the window and the locks are secured, and you open them by turning the key, or you can get manually-operated locks—when you close the window you manoeuvre the locking parts together, then lock them shut with a key.  All of these types of locks are made by various manufactures, including Chubb (ex-Chubb see article here), Union, Yale, ERA and many more.

Casement Window Locks (non-auto locking)

The pictures above show one of the most common non-auto locking wooden casement window locks. This type of lock has a piece fitted on the window frame and a piece fitted on the window. To it lock it you shut the window and flip the piece with the keyhole in it around the fixed piece on the frame. When you turn the key, a locking screw is threaded into the piece fixed to the frame (sandwiching both together, tightly).

Wooden Casement Window Locks (auto-locking)

Above are a several types of auto-locking wooden casement window locks.  This type of lock has one piece fitted on the window frame and the other part fitted on the window.  When the window is closed, the piece on the window automatically locks into the piece on the frame.  To open the window, you simply turn the key and push the window open.

If you need any help or advice, please contact us.  Thank you.

There’s a couple of questions you should consider if you lose your keys:

 Q1.  Does it affect your household contents insurance policy?

 Q2.  Could your family home and contents be at risk?

A1. In all cases, you should check with your insurers to find out how you stand. In our experience, it makes a difference to them how the keys were lost or stolen. Some of the situations we come across are: the keys were left in the door and stolen from the door; a handbag or bag was stolen with keys in it, with or without information about where you live; or the general loss of keys and you’re not sure where.

A2. The answer to this is honestly…possibly. But are you willing to take the risk with the safety of your family home and contents?

The solutions

The best and easiest solution is to call a reliable, recommended, trusted, trained, and insured locksmith who will carry all the right locks, in the right sizes, the right finishes and colours to suit your needs. They will be able to come to your property, usually within an hour of your call if not before. Make sure you do your due diligence before calling one, check reviews, and ask them the questions above.

The cheapest option is to go to your local shop and try to find a lock that you think might fit, in the finish/colour you want, find your tools (hopefully you’ve got the right ones and haven’t lost any!). Then use the skills you may or might not have, all to save a couple of pounds. What if you mess it up or can’t do it? What will the wife/partner/friend say???

There’s only one real solution. Even though everyone is good at something, you need to know your boundaries. So what will happen next?

After you’ve called a decent locksmith with all the right credentials—as explained above—what is the process?

You should be thinking about changing your lock(s) or fitting an additional lock to your door. If you don’t do this, there’s a chance that the people who find the keys might come to your property, try the keys and see if you’re in, or maybe they will wait until you’re out.

This might be a chance, when the locksmith does come out, to possibly upgrade your locks. Speak to him. They should be able to give you some advice on that. A lot of the locks on people’s doors have been on there for a while, so obviously over time locks become better and are upgraded to meet higher standards. This might be a great opportunity to get your locks upgraded. Obviously, over the years, security on people’s doors has been and needed to be upgraded, with burglars knowing how to get into the less secure ones.

We always advise getting an auto-deadlocking night latch, with at least one British standard deadlock on the door, to conform to contents insurance standards. Then, if you wanted to go one step further, we always advise a London Bar, which is a strip of metal that fits down the frame side and makes the frame a lot more secure. We advise it, and the Met Police advise it.

British Standard Night latch (available in different colours)

London Bar

London Bar, Lock Guards, Birmingham Bar

Also, lock guards are a good security device that we tend to fit. They fit round a mortice deadlock and help strengthen the door and lock. They are decorative metal plates that are screwed through from one side of the door to the other. They come in various finishes/colours: Brass, Chrome, White, and Nickel plated.

Lock Guards (other sizes and colours are available)

Hinge bolts secure the hinge side from attack. One part is a cylindrical piece of metal and is fitted in the door and locks in to a keep part on the frame side.

Hinge Bolts (come in various designs and colours)

A Birmingham Bar goes on the hinge side. This is also a strip of metal like a London Bar but it protects the hinge side. It is straight piece of metal and screws into various places. These also come in various finishes/colours.

Birmingham Bar

All of these things will make your door a lot more secure, and make it a lot harder for a burglar to break in through the door.

If you want to find out more information about securing your properties, follow the link to the Met Police’s website where you can read a full breakdown of what they advise. We obviously follow what they advise and would suggest you do to.

The other thing you should consider is what your insurers say that you need for compliance with the  contents insurance on your property.

Another thing to consider is, if it ever came to light that you didn’t change your locks and there was a spare key or a lost set of keys out there, they could possibly invalidate any future claim. So you should speak to them and see exactly what they would advise.

In some circumstances, your insurer, household, or car could cover the cost of replacing your locks. They’ll usually say just forward us the bill, or they’ve got an engineer that does it for you. But definitely speak to them, see what they say and see what your policy says.

Most of all, you want to keep your family and your property secure. Obviously, if you need any more help and advice, we’re here. We can help. Just give us a call. We can help and advise you any step of the way.

Thank you.

To start out, I must say that what I say in this blog post is what we have experienced in the years we have been working as locksmiths and looking at and asking our customers what their insurance policies require.

You must check with your insurer, as some policies may vary.

Types of Locks Required on External Wooden Single Doors

What we have found is that most of the insurance policies that we see all stipulate the same thing: For any exterior wooden doors, you need to have a British Standard lock conforming to BS3621 or a standard 5 Lever or a Multipoint Locking System. Check with your insurers or your insurance policy to see what they require.

Most standard wooden doors have a Chubb type lock and or a Yale type lock.

You can get Mortice Deadlocks (Chubb locks that just have a bolt), or Mortice Sash locks (in which the sash lock operates with handles and has a latch) conforming to BS3621.

Mortice Sash Lock

Mortice Deadlock

You can also get BS night latches (Yale type locks) conforming to BS3621. They are like your standard Yale-type locks but are a high security Yale-type lock that conform to BS3621.

BS Nightlatch

Both of these types can be fitted on most wooden doors.

We will come to Multi-Point Locking Systems later on in this article.

Wooden French Double Doors/Windows

If you’ve got wooden French double doors, the insurers usually stipulate that you need a 5-Lever/ British Standard 5 Lever rebated lock on there, and they would also need key operated bolts fitted top and bottom on at least the fix leaf door (the second opening door). Some insurers say you need them fitted on the second leaf as well as the fix leaf – in other words, on both doors locking into the top and bottom of the frame. You can get a couple of varieties of these types of key operated bolt locks, and you can have surface mounted ones made by various manufactures including Yale, ERA.

 Multi-Purpose Bolt

You can also get internally fitted ones where you just see an oval escutcheon with a circular hole where it operates on a star/grooved key. These are also made by different manufacturers, including Yale, ERA.

 Mortice Rack Bolt

You can get wooden French doors/windows with Multi-Point Locking Systems on them that conform to standards. Please see the section on Multi-Point Locking Systems.

Wooden Stable Doors

If you have a stable doors (a door that splits in the middle and has a top half and bottom half), your insurers usually class these as two doors so they would require a British Standard lock conforming to BS3621 on both halves — not just the top half and not just the bottom half. You need it on both halves.

You can also get Multi-Point Locking Systems on these doors. Please refer to the section below.

Multi-Point Locking Systems on Wooden Doors

Quite a lot of wooden doors now are coming with what is classed as Multi-Point Locking Systems.

To tell if you have one of these doors: In order to lock it, you would either have to lift the handle up, or turn the key round within the handle two or three times. The other way to tell is to look at the edge of the door where the latch and the bolts come out and see if there is a strip of metal, usually 16mm or 22mm thick,running up the length of the door. As the name describes, a multi-point locking system means that itlocks in multiple places on the frame. To comply with your house content insurance policy, your insurers usually stipulate that it has to lock in five or more places. These locks do not conform to BS3621 but are insurance approved.

A thin door under 44mm thick?

If you’ve got a door that’s under 44mm thick, usually around 35mm thick, these doors are usually used for internal doors. Your household content insurers would usually require what are called Bradley Rose boxes fitted to the door, and then in the box a Union 3g114e. Some insurers do not insure you if yours is not 44mm thick, and we have heard of them saying the door has to be changed to comply.

How to check to see if your locks conform:

To check if you have any of these locks on your doors at the moment, what you should do is open the door and look where the bolt or latch comes out. There should be a strip of metal: brass, silver, or chrome colored, possibly painted over. This strip should have a BS Kite mark, or a full length strip with various locking points in it (multipoint locking system). A British Standard Kite mark is like a heart shaped kite mark. See the picture below.

If you’ve got one of those stamped on it, you’re covered for most insurance policies.

If you need any help, feel free to contact us. We’d be happy to help you and talk you through it. Thank you.