Top 4 Security Concerns For Lockers

Security Concerns For Lockers

Lockers come in handy for people who want to temporarily store their things in secure locations. There are several different types of lockers that provide this luxury. These lockers range from standard lockers to coin lockers and everything that falls in between. In most cases, there is some mechanism in place that is meant to keep the lockers secure. These mechanisms can be pre-installed locks, padlocks, or simply the material that is used to craft the locker. Although there are many benefits to using lockers, institutions need to be aware of the security concerns that can compromise lockers.

Shimming

One of the main security vulnerabilities that plague lockers is the fact that they can be shimmed. This does not apply to every single locker, but mostly to those that utilize padlocks or spring-operated latches. In order to shim a lock, one would only require a thin piece of metal or plastic. This makes shims pretty easy to come by. The manner in which a shim works is very simple. It is basically used to retract the latch/locking pawl of a lock. In padlocks, this is done by creating a barrier between the locking pawl and the shackle.

The same concept applies to other types of locks that are not padlocks. As I said before, any lock that uses spring operated/spring loaded mechanisms is susceptible to shimming. Being able to identify this concern gives institutions the opportunity to work to rectify them. In the case of padlocks, it is always best to use padlocks that have ball bearings. Locks with ball bearings are much more secure and these will negate the possibility of the lock being shimmed.

Cutting

As the sub-title suggests, this security concern is pretty straightforward. In lieu of shimming, criminals can opt to cut the locks that protect lockers. This is a major security concern that people need to be aware of because criminals tend to target the lockers that they know they can easily break into. As always, knowledge is key. Therefore, knowing that your lock can be attacked by cutting helps you prepare.

The main factors that will determine if your lock can be cut are material that is made of and the shackle size of the lock (if you are using a padlock). It is crucial to make sure that you use an appropriately sized shackle that does not give criminals enough room to cut between the lock and the hasp. Also, it is always best to use locks that are made from alloy metals, as these are some of the strongest locks on the market. These locks will offer up much more resistance to any criminal attempting to cut the lock.

Picking

Lockpicking is very popular among criminals and enthusiasts alike. The only difference between the criminal and the enthusiast is that enthusiasts know not to pick a lock that does not belong to them, whereas the criminal really does not care. In this instance, it is important to be aware that lockers are highly susceptible to picking if there is a keyway. Essentially, if there is a keyway available, a criminal will most likely be able to pick the lock.

To circumvent this concern, it is best to use combination locks or electronic combination locks in lieu of padlocks or pre-installed locks with keyways. The use of combination locks takes the keyway off the table and minimizes the security vulnerabilities. Another available option simply involves upgrading to higher security locks that will be extremely difficult to pick. Institutions can enlist the help of locksmiths to upgrade some of their pre-installed locks, and as an additional security measure, it would be wise to rekey locks as well.

Prying

This security concern focuses less on the locking mechanism and more on the locker itself. There are times where criminals will disregard the lock completely and decide to attack the door. In most cases, this occurs when they know that the hinges of the locker door are vulnerable and exposed, or that the material of the door itself is weak enough to be pried free.

It is important to make sure that the hinges for locker doors are facing inwards so that they are not exposed to criminals. If the hinges are facing outwards, it will be much easier for criminals to attack the hinges and pry them off. The material of the locker door is also very important. If the door is hollow and made of a weak metal, there will be very little in place to resist attacks from criminals.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that lockers are a valuable asset, and they are a great storage tool. However, there are various security concerns that revolve around them. This is why it is important for people to be aware of the security vulnerabilities of lockers so that they can adequately guard against them, and keep their belongings safe.

Lockers

Leisure lockers how to choose

Why is it important to specify the correct leisure lockers? The specification determines the cost of the product. There is little point paying for features that you do not need or would not use. So specifying the correct product can ensure you get the most appropriate product and still save you money.

Items to consider when buying leisure lockers

Is it a wet area, showers or steamy?
Is the use light or heavy?
What locks are needed?
Do the locks need to be used in a wet area?
Is the locker going outside?
Coin locks, what denomination is to be used?
Coin locks, do you want to keep the money?

Dry area leisure lockers

If you have a dry area and need lockers, then a standard heavy-duty mild steel locker with laminate doors is probably your best option. Our System 1300HD range of lockers is extremely robust and is available with Arpa or Formica compact grade laminate doors. This locker is available in one to six doors. The standard locker is 1775mm high with widths from 300mm to 450mm and depths from 300mm to 550mm.

One of the main savings with dry area lockers is the locks; if you do not need wet area, locks the costs are much reduced. For a dry area coin lock, the saving can be as much as 40%. The same range of wet locks can be fitted to both wet and dry lockers.

With this locker you do not need to have end panels, they are available if you like, though they are not a requirement. Also, the lockers can be mounted directly on to the floor though stands are valuable if needed.

Budget wet area leisure lockers

This locker is our System 1300WHD a full wet specification version of the above locker. The main fractures are that
the steel carcase and shelves have been replaced with aluminium, and the door frame is stainless steel. The carcase
is epoxy powder coated in a single colour from our standard colour range. The locker doors are manufactured from compact grade laminate from our Arpa or Formica range. Compact grade laminate is completely water resistant.

With wet specification lockers, you need to ensure that your choice of locks is also a wet specification. There are a large number of coin, cam, hasp, Rfid and electronic combination locks available.

Leisure centre lockers

This locker is a full wet specification locker designed for use in high footfall areas such as local authority leisure centres. The robustness of this locker means that with regular maintenance you would expect to achieve a lifespan of more than 10 years.

The System 2000 locker is constructed of aluminium extrusions, high impact plastic shelves and an aluminium body. Locker doors are manufactured from compact grade laminate from our Arpa or Formica range.

This locker is available with compartments one through to six doors. The standard locker is 1800mm high with widths 300mm and 400mm depths from 450mm to 500mm.

With wet specification lockers, you need to ensure that your choice of locks is also a wet specification. There is a large number of coin, cam, hasp, Rfid and electronic combination locks available.

With this locker, you need to ensure you have good plinth to mount the lockers on as they need to be flat and level. If Builders plinths are not available, we have a range of wet specification locker stands that can be used to raise the locker off the floor.

End panels are required for all exposed end of runs we provide both single and double end panels. Double end panels are used for back-to-back runs of lockers.

Outdoor lockers

The only suitable external locker is our eXtreme plastic locker, this locker is extremely robust and unaffected by water. Though the locker is not watertight it has proved to be a good storage solution for schools with little space and environments with harsh climates. The locker can be supplied with key, hasp or coin-operated locks.

For further information call sales at 01284 749211

Safe

Z shaped lockers

Safe contractor approved status achived by Total Locker Service

Safe contractor approved status achieved by Total Locker Service

Total Locker Service has now added Safe Contractor to its list of accreditations.

We already have Construction Line accreditation along with Acclaim and SSIP safety schemes in procurement.

Our directors are qualified to IOSH Leading safely and IOSH Managing safely and are committed to ensuring our staff are given the training needed to ensure we maintain our Zero accident record.

Our service engineers and management posses CSCS cards.

We train all our staff in working near, vulnerable adults and children.

Wet area lockers for internal and external use

Wet area lockers, we have a selection that will meet your needs, our lockers range comprises of

System 2000 laminate door leisure lockers
Extreme plastic lockers for use out door and in aggressive environments
Budget laminate door wet are lockers
Budget wet area metal lockers

All our lockers are available with a wide range of locking mechanisms from key locks, padlock swivel hasps, mechanical combination locks, electronic combination locks, coin locks and more.

All are coin locks are compatible with the new £1 coin that is due for release in 2017. Therefore, there is no need to worry about changing the locks.

System 2000 plant on door

System 2000 wet area lockers provides a package where good looks can be achieved within a budget, without sacrificing strength and security. The package is suitable for both wet and dry area use. The ideal sports locker designed for as a swimming pool locker thought equally at home as gym lockers, the ideal swimming locker. They are designed for use in high footfall areas where you need a strong good looking product designed to last. This product has a choice of Formica or Arpa compact grade laminate.

Budget metal wet are lockers with metal or laminate doors

Or budget wet area locker is ideally suited to medium and light duty leisure use with its stainless steel door, door frame, aluminium carcase and shelf’s it is unaffected by moisture making it ideal for changing rooms with showers. With 2 carcase colours and 10 door colours to choose from you should be able to select a suitable colour. This locker is available with a wide selection of locking options the standard options are key locks and hasp locks though it available with coin return, coin collect, mechanical combination locks and electronic combination locks which are just some of the lock options.

If you are looking for a rust free locker for a wet changing room then this is the ideal product for you

Specification

Stainless steel doors and door frame

Aluminium body and shelves

Locker powder coated, choice of colour

Compartments 1 to 6 doors

Sloping top lockers available

Standard locking options cam locks, 2 keys, swivel hasp

Locking options coin return, coin collect, mechanical combination locks and electronic combination locks

Locker size 1775mm high x 300mm wide x 450mm deep

Laminate door available, laminate from our Arpa or Formica range

eXtreme Outdoor Lockers

The eXtreme plastic locker range offers an innovative approach to the issues of durability and space saving thanks
to its robust design.

Outdoor storage

Like many lockers, these are strong and durable, but they are also extremely weather resistant, which makes them ideal for outdoor use. You do not have to worry about rusting or damage caused by cold or damp conditions, so they are perfect for sports facilities such as tennis or golf clubs or even water parks and theme parks.

Specifications

The eXtreme range comes in three sizes. Each locker has a base of 320mm x 460mm, but the heights vary between 450mm, 600mm, and 900mm. They are made from a tough polyethylene material and the hinge can endure an incredible amount of pressure, which offers a great level of protection to the valuables stored inside. The body is a simple grey colour, but the doors come in a choice of blue, red, yellow or green. These vivid colours can brighten up a corridor or changing room. A variety of locking mechanisms are available, including cam, hasp and coin locks. Each eXtreme locker comes with air vents, which helps keep the compartment fresh, and a space for a label or number for identification purposes.

Where to use them?

As well as being great for any outdoor location, these plastic lockers offer some great advantages for internal use. Being resistant to water makes them easy to clean and therefore a hygienic option. You can even hose clean them, making them a great option for swimming pool changing rooms, and ideal for use in food preparation areas or wet rooms .

Their chemical and structural robustness makes the eXtreme range ideal for all sorts of working environments where conditions can be challenging, such as factories, warehouses, oil rigs or construction sites. They are particularly popular as school lockers and for use in colleges because in addition to them withstanding vandalism well, the option to store them outside frees up a great deal of internal space.

The eXtreme™ plastic locker offers a vast improvement over conventional metal lockers.

Before buying lockers, consider future locker parts availability

When you make a major capital purchase you need to know that you will be able to purchase parts for your lockers for 10 years. If you are about to spend £30,000 on leisure lockers or £5,000 on metal lockers you would like to be confident that you can purchase locker parts.

This is not always the case we have had about four occurrences over the last 6 months where we have had requests from people unable to buy locker parts from major locker manufacturers. This has been made even worse by the fact that the lockers where only 4 to 7 years old.

For the majority of these we have been able to manufacture parts for the lockers. This is not always possible if extrusions or complex hinges are involved.

Locker parts

So when looking to purchase new lockers check the availability of parts and how long they guarantee parts supply. A locker with a slightly lower initial cost could work out to be a very expensive purchase.

We at Total Lockers support all are locker through our Parts and service team. We still support lockers that are over 25 years old.

Premium metal lockers

Our system 2000 leisure lockers and our System 1300 premium metal lockers are all supported by or parts promise.
Premium System 1300 lockers are available in 1 to 6 compartments with a wide choice of locking methods. Dimensions range from 225, 300, 380 and 450mm wide, 300, 380, 450 and 550mm deep and 1775mm high. All metal construction finished in powder finish in a wide range of colours.

Leisure lockers

System 2000 are available in 1 to 6 compartments. Standard locking is £1 coin return though a wide range of locking methods are available. Dimensions 1800mm high, 300 and 400mm wide, 450 and 500mm deep. Carcass is aluminium with plastic top, base and shelves. Locker doors are manufactured from Formica or Arpa compact grade laminate.