Back Page, October 2023

10 Years Ago

Healthcare security was our cover focus in October 2023. Locksmith Ledger looked at cabinet locks that were code-compliant. Models discussed included ASSA, CCL and Olympus mechanical locks and CompX and HES electro-mechanical options. Today, the options have grown to wireless electronic locks operated by smartphones, badges and other credentials. In “The Cure for Hospital Safety and Security,” Ingersoll Rand’s Ann Geissler Timme provided a comprehensive overview of hospital door hardware. Another article looked at delayed egress options for hospitals, aimed at nurseries, psychiatric wards and or Alzheimer’s units. Jerry Levine wrote about “The Where, Why and How of Ligature Resistant Locks.” Lori Greene took a first look at a new code category – special egress locks. The 2012 edition of the International Building Code added this new category of locking device for I-2 occupancy facilities, which are health care facilities with 24-hour medical supervision for patients, and occupants are incapable of self-preservation, requiring assistance to reach safety in an emergency. Gale Johnson wrote about the development of long-reach car-opening tools (rarely used today). Classroom and Lockdown Security Solutions from ASSA ABLOY were outlined in another article. Medeco’s Dale Bowman introduced its Site Survey Wizard, an early smartphone app for conducting site surveys.

20 Years Ago

Tim O’Leary offered methods for integrating electronic hardware into a building security plan. O’Leary also provided information on the latest keypads, card readers and biometric products for access control. Jerry Levine covered the latest available transponder programming equipment. Gale Johnson introduced readers to some new electronic products made by Rutherford Controls (now a dormakaba brand). Rod Oden provided a wide-ranging article on large format interchangeable core locks. Jerry Levine wrote a special report on mortise locksets. Another special report showed how to program the Sentry key system of a Chrysler Sebring convertible. Gale Johnson successfully opened an unusual Murphy Door Bed safe. Steve Kaufman wrote an article questioning whether locksmiths should be selling import lock products. Levine announced the arrival of the STRATTEC cloning tool. Slide Lock Tools added a new large truck section to their vehicle opening manual. Tiny fit a dimple ignition key to a rare 1999 Excelsior-Henderson motorcycle. Kaufman interviewed Ron Tameris, an electronic lock system specialist with Clark Security (now Wesco).