Forced to have a new GRP Composite fire front door installed

ic

You want an anti-bump, anti-snap, 6 lever cyclinder. These can be had for around £20 delivered online with extra keys. Its a single screw, five minute job to change the lock - so you could let them install the new door, then measure up and get your own replacement lock. When you leave, you can swap back the original lock for which the council have the key.

I agree with the rest, if you can have a letter box, I can't see why you can't have a view finder too.

General_query

Thanks. I think will change the cyclinder for a decent one as mentioned above AFTER the new door has been installed so they don't notice!

I assume they also won't be putting a pretty useless (but wanted by my other half for peace of mind) door chain on either, so I am reliant on just the composite door being a decent one with whatever multi-locking it has on it for my security, then I'll change to an Avocet ABS - High Security Snap Secure door cylinder.

Paragonvirtue

Have a door chain fitted your self after they have installed your door.

General_query

Thanks, I would do if I could get away with it. They're saying you're having the new door and side glazed panel, but you can't have any chains, bolts, extra locks, security grilles, door viewfinders etc etc as they aren't fire compliant, so I'm supposed to be happy with the total lack of extra locks etc

General_query

I have now found out due to their misunderstanding that there WILL be a door viewfinder (peephole) and door chain fitted!

I will fit the top rated ABS Avocet Euro security cyclinder: http://www.avocet-hardware.co.uk/abs-secure.asp afterwards, but will probably have to get the thumb turn version.

One thing that worries me is that even if an attempt to break in fails, it says you can still open the lock from the inside - which is fine if you are in when an attempt happens, but what if I come home one day to find I can't get in as it's that secure? How can the local council "break in" if it can't be forced or picked? The new composite fire door is the only way in/out this flat as it's on a row of flats above shops. The windows are being replaced with toughened double glazing too, including the glass panel to the right of the new door.

Just worried as you are frowned upon for fitting extra locks (but sod that), and if I replaced the bog standard euro-cyclinder that will come with the new door with the ABS Avocet one, should the worst happen I'm worried no one can "open" the door to get me (or not without a bill for a £1,000).

Anyone advise please?

Reece_

The cylinders are secure, but they're not THAT secure, a decent locksmith can still pick an avocet pretty quickly.

General_query

Reece_ wrote: »

The cylinders are secure, but they're not THAT secure, a decent locksmith can still pick an avocet pretty quickly.

I want it to deter the average criminal/burglar who wants to be in and out as quick as possible, and not spend 10 minutes squatting in front of my front door picking the lock on a busy walkway/landing.

Thing is, would I call the council out as it's their property or get a locksmith myself?

This is all in the worse case scenario mind! Jeez, they've only just been to measure up for the front door!

anotherbaldrick

Changing the cylinder is a very simple operation. undo a screw, slip the old cylinder out and the new one in and tighten the screw. Even a dysfunctional muppet could do it in a few minutes. All you need to do is measure the length of the barrels for ordering (see Avocet website for details)

General_query

anotherbaldrick wrote: »

Changing the cylinder is a very simple operation. undo a screw, slip the old cylinder out and the new one in and tighten the screw. Even a dysfunctional muppet could do it in a few minutes. All you need to do is measure the length of the barrels for ordering (see Avocet website for details)

Thank you, I am aware of that!

Just wondering if I can get back into my flat if someone tampered/broke part of the cyclinder lock.

marlot

General_query wrote: »

Thank you, I am aware of that!

Just wondering if I can get back into my flat if someone tampered/broke part of the cyclinder lock.

As long as it keeps the thief out. You can always have the door opened by destroying it (eg angle grinder).

I chose the abs avocet locks. just make sure you're careful to turn the thumb screw so it pops out before leaving the flat, or you'll you'll be locked out.