Electronic access control is increasing in popularity for security as well as value-added time and attendance functions, including determining when an employee arrives at work. Buildings are being equipped with proximity readers with audit trail capabilities and electrified locks, magnetic locks and electric strikes.
Most electronic access control is being installed to restrict access into a building or an area for specialized requirements. These requirements could include life safety, building separation, areas or rooms storing “valuables” including accounting, personnel information, medication, etc.
However, a significant number of doors in most buildings/facilities may not need to be equipped with electronic access control. I was given the opportunity to see the specification sheets for a new facility. Of more than 100 doors, less than one-third were being equipped with electronic access control.
The reality is that key-operated mechanical locks are nowhere near being obsolete. The cost and the practicalities of upgrading to electronic access control will not be justified by most “bean counters.” Commercial and institutional locksmiths will be needed to install mechanical locks and master key systems for many years to come.
Security Door Controls (SDC) is a manufacturer of access control products including readers, electrified locksets, magnetic locks, delayed egress locks, electric strikes, power supplies and control modules. Their electrified hardware is designed not only for controlling access, but also for life safety requirement including high rise stairwells and similar applications.
SDC has expanded their lines of non-electrified mechanical door locks to become a single-source supplier. This expanded product line makes the SDC hardware trim match for better aesthetics throughout a building whether the locks are mechanical or electrified. In addition, the mortise and cylindrical lock hardware offers a variety of trim options to coordinate with existing lock hardware.
SDC M7800 Series mortise locks meet or exceed the ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 standards. They are equipped with thru-bolted levers and an internal clutch providing vandal resistance. The lever can be rotated when locked without retracting the latch.
The armored front is standard at 1-1/4” wide by 8” tall, mounting onto the 3-15/16”deep x 6-1/6” tall x 29/32” thick case. The stainless steel latch bolt with anti-friction tongue has a 3/4” throw. Handing is field reversible without disassembly. If equipped with a deadbolt, the stainless steel bolt has a one-inch throw. The mortise cylinder and levers have a 2-3/4” backset.
Mortise trim is manufactured of reinforced brass, bronze or stainless steel. Trim options are roses or escutcheon plates. Levers are available in three configurations with returns that comply with California State Fire Safety Codes (Title 19) to within less than 1/2” of the door face. The independent spring cages provide positive lever return and maintain the levers in the horizontal position. The spring cages are reversible. The mortise lock trim is available in a variety of configurations and finishes.
Knowing the retrofitability of a non-manufacturer specific mortise lock to a specific manufacturer’s mortise lock is critical. If the openings are not similar, the original lock manufacturer’s trim may not be capable of covering the modification.
SDC M7800 mortise locks retrofit rose trim-equipped Schlage, Corbin, Lawrence, Hager, Cal-Royal, Dorma, Marks, Sargent and Arrow locks, requiring only the trim mounting holes to be relocated. Existing holes are hidden by the rose trim.
For Falcon, PDQ and Yale mortise locks equipped with escutcheon trim, the SDC M7800 mortise locks and trim require the mounting holes to be relocated and minor modification to the lock cylinder hole may be necessary. These modifications will be covered by the SDC trim.
If the door/opening is fire rated, the modifications required for retrofitting the SDC M7800 Series Mortise Locks will not affect the fire rating.
The warranty on the SDC M7800 Series mortise locks is three years.
SDC Spectra Class S6000 Series Exit Devices are available as rim, mortise, surface vertical rod and concealed vertical rod. They are ANSI A156.3-2001 Grade 1 Complaint, CA Title 19 Compliant, meets/exceeds ADA requirements and UBC97, Standard 7.2. The exit device chassis are manufactured of plated steel. The touch plate is stainless steel.
The rim and mortise devices are non-handed. They are designed for use on single and pairs of doors. The optional trim is compatible with the mortise lock trim. Exit devices are available 36”, 42” and 48”. The dogging function uses an Allen-type key. The exit devices are available in seven finishes. The Panic Exit Devices are available Grade 1 with a 3-hour UL Listing.
The warranty on the SDC Spectra Class S6000 Series Exit Devices is three years.
SDC M7200 Series cylindrical locks meet or exceed ANSI/BHMA A156.2 Grade 1 strength and operational requirements. In addition, they are ANSI A250.13 severe windstorm and ADA accessibility Compliant. The thru-bolted, clutch equipped locks are vandal resistant. These non-handed cylindrical locks have a zinc chromate coated steel chassis.
Standard backset is 2-3/4”, with optional backsets of 2-3/8” or 5”. These cylindrical locks can accommodate 1-3/8” to 2” thick doors. Two lever styles with returns comply with California State Fire Safety Codes to within less than 1/2” of the door face. The oversized 3-9/16” diameter roses cover most manufacturers’ cylindrical lock roses. The independent torsion springs provide positive lever return and prevents lever sagging. The levers and the finish options are compatible with the mortise locks and exit devices. Key locking is either convention six pin tumbler ’C’ type keyway or Best equivalent six- or seven-pin interchangeable core.
The warranty on the SDC M7200 Grade 1 cylindrical locks is three years.
For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or Security Door Controls, 3580 Willow Lane, Westlake Village, CA 91361. Telephone: 805-494-0622. Web Site: www.SDCsecurity.com.
