Electric Strikes and Magnetic Locks

[clubdesi]

I have a local business that would like to have these installed. I haven't dealt with them much and have been looking into them for controlled access system for a check cashing place. Has any one had any experience with these and know of any particular brands to go with. Also am I correct in assuming that the magnetic lock is stronger than an electric strike?

[freakparade3]

I have to ask. Are you a locksmith? An electrician? Carpenter?

[maxxed]

There are many good brands of access systems, a good product from someone who really knows that product is what to look for. I have installed systems for chain stores that have decided to go with one brand. When such systems require any service I spend a lot of time flipping through the manuals ( looking less than profesional ) because I am dealing with a product that I do not know well.
Maglocks are not necesarily stronger than electric strikes. Maglocks are mounted at the top of the door and if it is a weak door it can flex enough so that the top of the door will make contact with the armature.Then the door becomes a lever to pry the two pieces apart. I have only seen this twice but door and frames both need to be examined to ensure a durable system.
Local fire codes need to be considered when installing maglocks check with local fire authority to find out what is permissable for delay opening times and integration with fire panel. A fire marshall can make you change things after you have spent the money on your system

[raimundo]

mag locks do not have a solid bolt into the door frame. they simply cling to each other and are rated at so many pounds of force to open them.

I have heard of highschool kids doing syncronized kicking and opening one at a school.

when a high jumper lands, he has about 20,ooo lbs of strike force through the leg, I read that a long time ago. It may be psi (pounds per squre inch)or whatever.

in any case if you watch mythbusters, you will find that common assumptions about force are often very wrong.

then there is the fail locked or fail unlocked, with these systems, when the electricity fails, and by that I am talking about the battery backup as well, there is no bolt.

In a check cashing place as I believe the poster mentioned, one of these systems could be a good option during business hours, for controling the door like a mantrap, but a deadbolt would seem prudent unless some othe more experienced person knows different. I have not worked with this system and only know "anecdotal" things about it.

[Squelchtone]

I have a local business that would like to have these installed. I

I'd say call a locksmith or alarm company in your area. Although some people on here are locksmiths, and some of us are computer security types who like puzzles, I wouldn't expect you to ask me how to fix a squeaky hinge or set up an internet router on a hobby lockpicking forum, ya know? We could all probably offer personal advice in the matter of magnetic doors, but as with so many forums, the answers you get are largely based on personal opinion or experience, and not the kind of informed answer you would get from a full time installer or sales person of a particular mag lock or access system.

So if you wanna learn how to pick locks because it sounds like a fun and challenging hobby, then this is the place, but we're not typically a 24/7 "how do I install a deadbolt" or "my lock is broken, how do I fix it" etc.. type of site.

Regards,
Squelchtone

[bumber]

I have heard of highschool kids doing syncronized kicking and opening one at a school.

when a high jumper lands, he has about 20,ooo lbs of strike force through the leg, I read that a long time ago. It may be psi (pounds per squre inch)or whatever.

The part about highschoolers although probaly true is freaking funny, and the other part...if it is based on PSI, my foot is roughly 30 square inches times 20,000psi would equal about ohh 600,000lbs total pressure at the time of impact...on ONE foot. Id say if a boxer has a 1,000 pound plus hit, its probly 20,000 pounds per foot....Although I could be wrong

[clubdesi]

thanks for the replies...you can say I am a jack of all trades and have picked up a few tricks on getting doors open...i am basically my boss's handyman for his businesses which range from motels to c-stores...

I have heard the story about kids pushing open a door as a group. Also this will be used as a way of just preventing anyone from just walking in similarly found in pawn shops and jewelry stores. Sorry the topic did not have to do with lockpicking. I just figured I'd ask what peoples opinions were about each kind

[clubdesi]

I have to ask. Are you a locksmith? An electrician? Carpenter?

i believe the correct term is 'jack of all trades, master in some'

[freakparade3]

Are you a licensed electrician? If not you may not want to take on this job. It's a huge liability.

[maintenanceguy]

In my experience, mag strikes are less prone to problems from misadjustment and movement over time than mag locks are. Mag locks seem to need readjusting from time to time.

Mag strikes can also be used with conventional locks or panic bars so fire egress of the door is not changed. A locked magnetic strike functions like a regular old rigid strike and the lockset or panic hardware function just like it always has. This makes magnetic strikes easier from a code compliance standpoint. When released, a magnetic strike breaks away and lets someone enter through the door even if the lockset or panic bar is locked.

Mag locks on the other hand will probably need to be installed so they are released if the fire alarm sounds or if there is a power outage. This leaves you vulnerable.

Although I like mag strikes morer, mag locks are easier to install sometimes, since mag strikes don't fit in all door frames without doing some metal work.

I've used several different brands. All are about the same in my opinion. I like HES and VonDuprin ($). Strength of both strikes and locks can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer but typical mag lock break away strength is 1200 pounds of force and break away strength for mag strikes is usually around 1500 lbs.

I've never seen one pried open that was installed properly. I have seen mag locks where a bolt head extended a tiny fraction of an inch beyond the face of the lock or where the lock and plate didn't align just right and you could force it open with a solid shoulder. If installed right, they're both probably as secure as whatever locks you have on there now.

[raimundo]

they can be fooled by various tapes that can cover the magnetic contact area between the door and frame, this weakens the bond significantly but will not weaken it obviously. it really needs metal to metal contact

[raimundo]

I hope the moderators will think before deleting that last post, not knowing is security through obscurity and the OP needed real world advise.

[clubdesi]

I hope the moderators will think before deleting that last post, not knowing is security through obscurity and the OP needed real world advise.

your completely right about this and it isn't something that should be taken lightly

[clubdesi]

they can be fooled by various tapes that can cover the magnetic contact area between the door and frame, this weakens the bond significantly but will not weaken it obviously. it really needs metal to metal contact

hence the use of cctvs in order to make sure that if this were to happen and tape was discovered then identification can be made...this is something that I had not thought of and glad you brought it up

[Safety0ff]

Id say if a boxer has a 1,000 pound plus hit, its probly 20,000 pounds per foot....Although I could be wrong

You got the punch force (for a boxer) right and the being wrong part right.

Karate side kick = 1023 lbs of force (one foot,) Kung fu flying doulbe kick = 981 lbs of force (2 feet,) Taekwondo spining back kick = 1572 lbs of force (one foot.) Source = Discovery channel's Fight Science.

would equal about ohh 600,000lbs total pressure at the time of impact...on ONE foot. :Laughing:

They watched a hydraulic jack push on the pillars with up to 300,000 pounds of force, simulating the side-to-side movement of a building during an earthquake.

According to YOUR calculations if YOU kicked a building with one foot you'd make it shake and fall apart.
Source: Science Daily