10 Years Ago
Jerry Levine tested the durable Pacific Lock “hockey puck” Padlock. Lori Greene explained code requirements for electromagnetic locks. The IBC section, Electromagnetically Locked Egress Doors, allows a door-mounted release device. When selling video surveillance, it’s all about balancing quality, technology, customer support and price to match your customer’s requirements for each specific application, according to an article by Tim O’Leary. O’Leary also wrote about a single-camera system from Dakota Alert. Jerry Levine programmed Keyless Ride K2 Forge universal keyless-entry remotes for a 2003 Honda Civic and a 2002 Honda CR-V. With the Trine wireless controller and transmitter, doors can be unlocked remotely by using a fob. Gale Johnson took a first look at the new Kwikset SmartCode deadbolts.
20 Years Ago
Jerry Levine reported on the changed lock system being used by the 2000+ Pontiac Bonneville. Richard Formica serviced the locks on a Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Jerry Levine offered a short course on Picking Made Easy. Tiny serviced the locks on a 1999 Kia Sportage. Jerry Levine showed how to do some body work on metal doors to eliminate old, unwanted holes. Jerry Levine reported on ASSA ABLOY’s purchase of HID. James Glazier suggested forensic locksmithing as an interesting career, particularly in the realm of auto theft. Tim O’Leary explained when and where to install exit devices. Donald LaGasse offered business guidance on anger management. Hubert Curry explained key-machine modifications necessary when duplicating Peaks keys. Jerry Levine explained how Ford had changed its transponder key systems. Milt Wolferseder provided a history of round door safe locks as he described the virtues of a Mosler round door safe designed by a famous industrial designer.
Allan B. Colombo
It’s with sorrow that Locksmith Ledger announces the death of Allan B. Colombo, who died in December 2021. Allan, a trade journalist, has been a contributor to Locksmith Ledger for decades. He wrote about multiple topics, but his specialties were electronic access control and alarms and video.
Allan, 71, was a lifelong resident of Canton, Ohio, as well as a member and past president of the rotary club. He is survived by a wife, two daughters, three stepchildren, 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
“Al loved the electronic security industry,” says Steve Lasky, editorial director of Locksmith Ledger. “He was a true technician. He began to write for one of our security magazines more than two decades ago and has been working as a freelancer for us ever since. Al began to write for the Ledger when our footprint into electrics increased. He understood the locksmith and how they related to the technology.
“Al will be missed by the industry and by us at Endeavor and The Locksmith Ledger.”
Allan’s final piece for Locksmith Ledger, “The Importance of Access Control Accessories,” ran in the December 2021 issue:
When we think of electronic access control (EAC), we typically think in terms of host computers, cloud-based SaaS platforms, printers, network bridges, PoE Switches, readers and the many types of credentials that clients might want.
“We rarely give the accessories much thought, not to say we ignore them altogether,” says Nick Markowitz, owner of Markowitz Electric & Integration in Verona, Pennsylvania. “But when you stop and think about it, much of the top end rides on the effectiveness and quality of the accessories at the bottom. This is where the wear and tear on an access system really occurs.”
In this story, we’ll present a few of the accessories that are used every day, sometimes without a thought about it. We’ll look at common demands, cures and best practices with regard to these accessories.
Security pros know and understand the importance of each and every perimeter door in a customer’s commercial, industrial and institutional facility. Because these doors get a lot of wear and tear, so do the accessories on them.
Probably one of the most notorious accessories for this is the ordinary door cord that links door-mounted electrified locks, strikes and other devices to an EAC door controller. For example, many EAC system designers might call for rubberized door cords. This is particularly true of installers or companies that began their work in security within the commercial intrusion-detection portion of the industry. In this venue, rubberized door cords are common.
Read the full article online at www.locksmithledger.com/21243418
