IC cores falling out!

[dll932]

I appeal to the wisdom of the group. I work at an institution that relies heavily on SFIC locks. A few days ago, I had cores fall out of two padlocks attached by chains to rolling carts. Because of our security requirements, I had to make out a report and immediately change out a total of four cores and matching keys. Anyone ever had cores fall out?

[2octops]

Poor design in the keying system. The cores have trash in them causing the control shear line to line up when the change key is inserted.

Flush the cores out and it usually fixes the problem.

[cledry]

Yes, it happens. I replace the cores with new rather than try and clean out old ones; just my personal preference. Cores are cheap. You may also find wear in the lock body that causes the lug to not hold the core securely.

[dll932]

Good answers, thanks! But the cores and pads are all new...

[averagejoe]

Next time it happens closely inspect the cores and the locks. See if the control lug is broken or just managed to get lined up and pushed in. Is the keyway turned at all? If nothing is broken you might want to redo your keying system.

[dll932]

Can't check the cores-they're gone. The pads looked OK. Can't changing the keying-it's so restricted I have to ORDER keys and cores, and have security and compliance with me while surveillance watches When they come in!

[cledry]

Can't check the cores-they're gone. The pads looked OK. Can't changing the keying-it's so restricted I have to ORDER keys and cores, and have security and compliance with me while surveillance watches When they come in!

I think there is a control key in circulation. If not then you need to contact who supplies the cores and take the issue up with them. New cores in new locks just don't fall out in my experience.

[dll932]

Well, I figured it out: the total amount of cores and keys we originally bought for that combination equal the number I now have which means they were never installed. So, my bad...OTOH, the crew that uses those carts every day never told anyone or questioned it!

[Squelchtone]

Well, I figured it out: the total amount of cores and keys we originally bought for that combination equal the number I now have which means they were never installed. So, my bad...OTOH, the crew that uses those carts every day never told anyone or questioned it!

So nothing ever fell out of a padlocks, the padlocks were put on the carts without cores? I'm not following you..

[dll932]

You got it.

[i_b_larry]

dll932, have you considered a transfer to a job on planet Earth? It sounds like you are living in the Bizzaro parallel universe.

Your jobsite has all kinds of security to keep an eye on you but both security and the end users failed to notice that there were no cores installed. In fact, the users apparently went about their business for some time before anyone noticed there were no cores. These workers are either dense beyond belief or scared to bring a problem to the attention of management. It just does not sound like a good environment.

[dll932]

Well, as usual, the worst chink in the armor of security is behavioral. Part of the problem is, we were in a hurry to get open and nearly everyone is new. On top of that, the manager of that department was, umm, problematic (and no longer here).

[Raymond]

I think they were the new transparent cores. They really did fall out and no one can see them. Janitor probably swept them up without noticing. What imaginary key were the cart pushers using to lock the carts?

[dll932]

LOL!