Security Advice For Apartment Doors
If you live in an apartment or block of flats, then there are some differences in the way that you should secure your door.
The Communal Main Entrance Door
your apartment block may have a locking main entrance door to which all of the block’s residents have access, by means of a key or sometimes a keypad entry system.
This might seem like an excellent first line of defence, but, the reality is that this door may provide little or no security whatsoever.
The reasons for this are as follows:
You never know who actually has a key, (or code number), to the door. Ex residents, friends of ex residents, the list could be endless.
You must rely on your neighbours actually using/closing the door properly each time they pass through, (there have been many occasions when kind residents have just held the door open for us as we have approached the door, no questions asked)!
Does the door always close properly when people pass through? We have often come across doors propped open with sticks, Yellow pages, door wedges etc.
Does the door close so slowly that someone has time to sneak through after a resident has passed?
Is there a “Tradesman” button that allows access to non-keyholders during certain hours of the day?
Can someone trick their way in by “buzzing” one of your neighbours pretending to be locked out or making a delivery?
Best advice we can give: Use this door, but DON’T rely on this door.
The Door To Your Apartment
Your front door should be treated to the same high levels of security that you would fit to a house door. The main difference here, is one of fire safety.
Your locks should be secure, but they should also be able to be opened from inside without the use of a key. There are many great locks available for this purpose.
Don’t forget too, that your door locks should comply with your insurance company’s requirements.
Wooden Doors.
Nightlatch Locks
The type of lock often known as a Yale lock, nightlatch locks are available in many styles and with differing levels of security.
The more basic models are ok for convenience, in keeping the door secure when you are at home. But these locks should be used alongside a mortice deadlock, (see below), for best security.
Some nightlatch locks are much more secure however, and, it is well worth upgrading if you can.
The best type of lock available for use here conforms to British Standards 8621.
A BS 8621 nightlatch shares all of the features of the BS 3621 nightlatch (used on standard house doors), except that it cannot be key-locked from the inside. This ensures that egress can always be gained in event of a fire, without the need for a key.
You should beware of using nightlatch locks that can be deadlocked from the outside of the door, as, it is not uncommon for people to inadvertently lock themselves in, with no other way out!
Mortice Deadlocks
As with nightlatch locks, deadlocks should also be of the type that allows keyless opening from the inside. Here too, the best locks available will be certified to BS 8621.
A range of lock and door reinforcement products are available to strengthen mortice deadlocks and the door and frame surrounding them
UPVC Doors.
Multipoint Lock Mechanisms.
Hvuvuy
