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Quality Ironmongery Fittings for Buildings of Distinction

EURO PROFILE LOCK CYLINDERS

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION GUIDE

The physical locking operation of many locks is via a removable cylinder (or barrel). Locks with this facility are highly popular as they have three distinct advantages over other lock types:

  • In the event of lost or stolen keys, cylinders can be changed quickly and easily without the need to replace the complete lock.
  • Cylinders are available with different functions meaning the same lock body type can be operated in different ways.
  • The internal design of many cylinder types allows for the manufacture of very large, complex master key systems.

The term "Euro profile" refers to cylinders having a specific shape profile as shown in the image above. Mortice locks designed to accept this type of cylinder are normally refered to as "Euro profile cylinder locks".

This guide will help in the selection of euro profile cylinders with regard to function, size requirements and security considerations.

LOCKING FUNCTION:

As mentioned above, euro profile cylinders are available in different forms  and it is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the terminology used and to have an understanding of the general use of each.

Single Cylinder

Sometimes refered to as "half cylinders", single cylinders allow key operation from one side only and are often used for lockable service cupboard doors in commercial and industrial settings. They are also popular for the internal locking and unlocking of external security doors where no outside operation is required.

Double Cylinder

Double cylinders are recommended for external entrance doors to residential properties as part of a high security lock package. As both external and internal operation is by key they must not be used where doors require a means of excape unless the lock body has an overiding escape function.

Cylinder & Thumbturn

Key and thumbturn cylinders have key operation externally and thumbturn operation internally. Highly specified for internal office doors and hotel room doors as they allow for keyless exit in the event of an emergency. Some specialist thumbturn cylinders incorporate a clutch mechanism to allow key access even when the thumbturn is being held by room occupants.

Bathroom Privacy Cylinder

An alternative to the more common privacy turn & release sets fitted to bathroom locks, a bathroom privacy cylinder has thumbturn  operation internally with emergency coin operated release externally and can be fitted to standard euro profile lock cases.

Half Thumbturn Cylinder

Half thumbturn cylinders are used for locations that require uncontrolled egress from one direction while preventing access from the opposite side when locked. Commonly used on escape doors in smaller commercial properties and often fitted in conjunction with a "break glass" dome cover.

CYLINDER SIZE:

Euro profile cylinders are fitted to locks that are morticed into the door edge. They therefore need to have a minimum length to accomodate both the door thickness and the thickness of any escutcheons or handle backplates but should ideally protrude no more than 3mm/5mm from the face of the escutcheon/backplate. Our preferred method for measuring cylinder lengths is from the lock centreline as this works for both centrally fitted locks and locks that are fitted offset.

For double cylinders or key and thumbturn cylinders the overall cylinder measurement is divided into two - the external side and the internal side as measured from the lock centreline.

Where locks are fitted centrally within the door thickness the measurement will be equal on both sides, this being half the door thickness plus the escutcheon/backplate thickness. The adjascent image shows a key and thumbturn cylinder with equal sides of 35mm.

Where locks are fitted offset both the internal and external values should be taken by measuring out from the lock centreline. For example, a lock fitted 10mm offset toward the external face of a 56mm thick door will require a cylinder with a minimum external length of 18mm plus the escutcheon/backplate thickness and a minimum internal length of 38mm plus the escutcheon/backplate thickness.

Single cylinders and half thumbturn cylinders obviously only require measurement to one side.

Once the minimum length has been determined you can select the most appropriate cylinder size from your preferred range. Note that standard cylinder sizes will rarely match your minimum size exactly and you may need to compromise certain aspects in favour of others - for example, not all sizes will be available in all finishes or all levels of security.

SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS:

The security of any door assembly is a combination of many factors including the lock, door construction and the physical environment surronding the door. By their very nature, lock cylinders are one of the most vulnerable elements in this assembly being open to both physical attack and other aspects of security such as unauthorised duplication of keys. Cylinders should therefore be selected with regard to their resistance to such risks.

BS EN1303:2005 is the current standard which establishes assessment and test criteria for a cylinder to quantify it's durability, key security, fire resistance and ability to withstand physical attack. The standard classifies locks using an 8 digit coding sytem which can be used to compare the performance of one cylinder range over another. Cylinders meeting the higher grades for attack resistance and key security will normally be suitable for use on complete door sets to PAS 24. All of our cylinder ranges have been successfully type tested for conformity to this standard and relevant grades are shown below in our cylinder range details.

TS 007:2014 + A1:2015 is a technical specification primarily aimed at the retrofit market and was developed by the industry in response to growing concerns that homes are under threat from burglary attacks due to the readily available information on the internet. If external doors and locks comply with the latest security standards (PAS24 for doors and BS3621 for locks) then they will already offer cylinder protection. However,  the majority of existing domestic doors do not comply and TS 007  provides the means to upgrade them to resist cylinder attack. The TS 007 standard incorporates the use of a Kitemark symbol and star ratings that range from one to three stars. TS 007 is designed as a three star solution. Security can be achieved by either a combination of a cylinder (marked with one star) and security door furniture such as a strengthened door handle (marked with two stars), or a “super cylinder” (marked with three stars) that successfully resists snap attack. In both cases, the same degrees of resistance against attack will be provided.

RANGE SELECTION:

Once you have determined the cylinder type and size required plus the desired level of security you can then select your cylinders from our standard ranges detailed below:

ADAPTA J79

Medium security 5 pin cylinders in a range of 6 high quality architectural finishes including Antique Brass and Dark Bronze. BS EN1303:2005 Durability Grade 6 (100,000 cycles) and Key Security Grade 3. Copy cut keys and key blanks available through normal outlets. Supplied keyed to differ from stock or keyed alike and master keyed to special order. Can be suited with other cylinder types including rim cylinders and Scandinavian oval. A good choice for master keyed systems in smaller commercial properties where key security is not an issue.

MP10 RESTRICTED

High security 10 pin cylinders with restricted keyway in 10 high quality architectural finishes including Black. BS EN1303:2005 Durability Grade 6 (100,000 cycles) and Key Security Grade 6. Anti-pick, anti-drill and anti-bump features as standard. Attack Resistance to Grade 2 can be obtained when used wih appropriate security escutcheons or cylinder guards. Additional cut keys only obtainable from the manufacturer via approved stockists. Supplied keyed to differ from stock or keyed alike and master keyed to special order. Extensive master keying capabilities of up to 2000 doors. Can be suited with other cylinder types including rim cylinders and Scandinavian oval.

ADAPTA PRIME 1*

High security 6 pin cylinders with restricted keyway and patent protection in 6 high quality architectural finishes including Antique Brass and Dark Bronze. TS 007:2014 1 Star rated or use with 2 Star rated cylinder guards for ultimate 3 Star rating. BS EN1303:2005 Durability Grade 6 (100,000 cycles), Key Security Grade 6 and Attack Resistance Grade 2. Anti-drill, anti-snap, anti-plug pull, anti-pick and anti-bump. Additional cut keys only obtainable from the manufacturer via the original supplier. Supplied keyed to differ from stock or keyed alike and master keyed to special order. Extensive master keying capabilities of up to 2000 doors. Can be suited with other cylinder types including rim cylinders and Scandinavian oval.

ULTION 3*

Maximum security 11 pin cylinders with the highest TS 007:2014 3 Star protection. Anti-snap, anti-pick, anti-bump, anti-drill, anti-twist and anti-plug pull. BS EN1303:2005  Key Security Grade 6 and Attack Resistance Grade 2. "Secured by Design" and "Sold Secure Diamond" approved product. Additional keys only obtainable from the manufactuer or authorised distributors. Supplied keyed to differ as standard or keyed alike to special order.

FURTHER HELP & ADVICE:

Because of the wide variety of circumstances that exist it is impossible to be prescriptive and this guide is for reference only. Should you require any additional information or would like assistance in selecting any of our ironmongery products please do not hesitate to contact us.

Go to our [Euro Profile Lock Cylinders] department.