Question about Tools used to open closed but unlocked doors

[sakuradeiku]

Hi,
I am trying to understand a tool being used to break-in, since I am working on a project for my engineering class. The door is locked on one side, while the inside is unlocked. I have learned that the tool used goes by various names, one being a door handle catch listed on the website

http://www.multipick-service.com/en/too ... at1_en.htm

My problem is that I need to have better pictures and a more detailed description of this tool to understand how it works. I know that a simpler method of breaking-in is to attach two coat hangers together and create a loop on one side and slide it through the door handle. I would appreciate any ideas, websites or descriptions of this tool.
thanks,
Sarah

[toomush2drink]

After looking at the multi pick site you linked i think the description and picture say it all really. Its a long wire with a piece of cord and you hook it over the handle and pull on the cord thus opening the door.

[sakuradeiku]

I understand the basics about the tool in use, but I don't really have any other information. I only have sketches of the tool, nothing else. not even a concrete name for the tool in use. So I was curious how can such a tool be considered easy to purchase, when the website I posted is the only one that even offers a small description, and it's from a german website as well.
Sarah

[Chucklz]

Many people call it the under the door tool. I forget who sells them in the US. As just a lowly college student myself I don't get too many catalogs, or more importantly, have any need for such a tool. And forget about it being easy to purchase, its far easier, quicker, and cheaper to just make one. While I was walking back from dinner tonight, I found a bunch of the metal supports from Campaign signs. Now that I think about it, one or two of those signs and some shoelaces and you would be set for a few different bypass tools.

[WhiteHat]

http://www.lockmasters.com/entrytools.PDF

in that pdf - third tool down on the right.

[HeadHunterCEO]

what kind of engineering class has u using lock out tools?

[Chucklz]

I dont know but sign me up! I'm done with my Biology degree, and now need other classes to fill my schedule. Lockouts 101 seems like fun.

[sakuradeiku]

It's an engineering design class, where there have been many break ins in a building which is where the professor's labs are located. Since the door knobs have to follow ADA and fire code policies, it is difficult to change the knob, so it's best to understand how the tool works so we can find the cheapest solution to prevent break-ins. thanks for any input.
Sarah

[alias]

If you suspect that an under the door tool has been used the chances are that you'll find wear like scratches or abrasion type marks on the bottom of the door where the tool was rubbing - this can be a way of determining if such a tool was used.

If you see no marks I'd be guessing it's more likely that someone got their hands on a key and is getting in that way. In institutions such as universities it's not uncommon for someone with a key to one door to either file away or add material to make up a master key that'll open doors other than that which they should. It could even be that someone impressioned a key to suit if access to the lock is available for extended periods without persons poking around (like security guards).

Give us some more info on the doors, the locks and if you know it, whether the locks are master keyed and you'll surely get some opinions on methods of entry. Also think about what's gone missing and you might be able to profile a likely type of candidate (student or other staff member etc). What is access to the lock like? Is it an external door or would you need to get through other restricted access to get to the door?

As for preventing under the door attacks - well it's as simple as ensuring that such a tool won't fit under the door. This can't always be achieved though (ADA regs, physical construction etc) but if that's the way they're getting in, there isn't much else you can do that I can think of besides changing the handle to something else that's ADA approved that the tool can't get a 'handle' on so to speak...

[toomush2drink]

If thats the way they are getting in just make a bracket to surround the handle area thus preventing the string from the tool hooking over the handle. Think along the lines of a section of large tube so you insert your hand into the tube and use the door handle. It doesnt have to stick out much past the handle to prevent this type of attack. Another idea i had was to attatch a piece of carpet gripper strip to the under side of the door so when they try to pull the cord it just catches up on the gripper strip.

[alias]

I like the idea of the carpet gripper but as sakuradeiku was saying the ADA regs (Americans with Disabilities Act) pretty much stipulate that all public buildings require handles of a few specific types - I don't think you'd get away with sticking a bracket around it - besides which it sounds like they're a lever type handle and not a round knob....

[drv]

Since the door knobs have to follow ADA and fire code policies, it is difficult to change the knob

If they are door knobs -as you state- instead of handles, then
this particular tool would be impossible to use.

[thertel]

We did something like this when I at UT, my organization and another were having a prank war, and they kept getting into our office so we had it rekeyed and since we suspected it was masterkey abuse were able to get it on a different master then the rest of the building. Now in many cases at universitys you can get access to master keys by simply checking them out, to hold a meeting in that building. Then you make 10 xerox copies of the key and get some plastic and file it down and use a tension wrench.

Once that didn't stop them we realized we needed something to prevent under the door access. What we came up with was a piano hinge with a 6 inch sheet of of 1/4 inch plywood with a locking latch to keep it down and another to keep it in the up position while the room was in use. It was simply lowered and locked in place before leaving the office and it prevented under door access to the handle without violating the ADA and firecodes. It costs under 10 dollars to make and is very effective as the pranks stopped.

Thomas

[sakuradeiku]

The door handle being used at the moment is a handle/ lever approximately 5 inches in length. It is a basic door handle we are told, and we cannot use a knob due to ADA guidelines, that there is little to no wrist movement to open the door. Also, at the moment, the device being used to prevent these break-ins is a metal plate 15 inches in length and 7 inches in distance from the door. We are trying to create an alternative to this plate, yet the cheapest alternative is to block the bottom of the door with a piece of rubber to prevent this lever door opener from slipping under the door.
thanks,
Sakuradeiku

[Chucklz]

Be aware that the under the door tool may not be your problem. Get the lock rekeyed of course. Are their other ways into the room, ie windows, store rooms that may be secured in a different manner? Is the lock a deadbolt, or live latch system? IF the latch is "live" , is there a functioning anti-jimmy device? Is the proper strike installed for the lock?