Breakaway locks?

[tehfrr]

Why would one want to own one of these breakaway locks? Seems like it kind of defeats the whole purpose. Couldn't find any info via searching either.

[Solomon]

You can lock them onto larger objects. The way a normal padlock works, it's awkward attaching them to certain things.

[djhobbes]

Very often breakaway locks are used on items that have to be secured from tampering as opposed to theft and also require immediate access. I have seen them used on water valves for fire suppression systems and dry standpipe covers. Firefighters and emergency personnel can remove them quickly by striking them off.

[SnowyBoy]

Very often breakaway locks are used on items that have to be secured from tampering as opposed to theft and also require immediate access. I have seen them used on water valves for fire suppression systems and dry standpipe covers. Firefighters and emergency personnel can remove them quickly by striking them off.

Yep, I've seen them on stop cocks and such like.

Put it this way, if you have to make a noise to break it, it is still an effective security device. It is better than nothing securing it making no sound to alert you its being stolen.

[lunchb0x]

Where I used to work we would sell hundreds of locks like this to the mine sites for the electricians, they would use them for if they had to isolate a peice of machinery for repairs, this way it can only be removed with the key by the electricians but most the time they would cut them off. They don't offer any security but the little bit of effort required to remove them is enough for someone that shouldn't be removing it to leave it alone.

[maintenanceguy]

In some jurisdictions, we have been required to have this type of lock on our shut off valves for our fire sprinkler systems and for outside gates to areas the fire department feels they need access too.

The valves are chained and locked in the open position to prevent an arson or confused employee from shutting of the sprinkler system but the locks let the fire department turn off the valve if they need to by breaking the shackle with an axe or other tool.

[tehfrr]

makes sense, thank you

[ridinplugspinnaz]

Just for anyone curious, the proper locksmithing term for this sort of device is a "frangible shackle." Like several others have pointed out, they have their specific uses.

[TheSkyer]

Never heard of this before. Are there any "high security" variations on these types of locks, would be pretty ironic

[tballard]

Never heard of this before. Are there any "high security" variations on these types of locks, would be pretty ironic

I disagree on the irony. Often times the point of a lock is to serve as a "seal" and as a deterrent. There are situations where you want to deter casual access and have obvious proof if unauthorized access has occurred. A frangible lock with a high security core would allow you to greatly reduce the chances of someone unauthorized tampering with something in an undetectable fashion, yet still allow access in case of emergency.

Often fire extinguishers are put behind glass because people will play with them, discharge them, or steal them. The sort of idiot who would do this may be able to also pick/bypass a low-security lock, and think it is "fun". Frangible locks are the "break glass in case of emergency" for things where glass isn't viable.

[TheSkyer]

Never heard of this before. Are there any "high security" variations on these types of locks, would be pretty ironic

I disagree on the irony. Often times the point of a lock is to serve as a "seal" and as a deterrent. There are situations where you want to deter casual access and have obvious proof if unauthorized access has occurred. A frangible lock with a high security core would allow you to greatly reduce the chances of someone unauthorized tampering with something in an undetectable fashion, yet still allow access in case of emergency.

Often fire extinguishers are put behind glass because people will play with them, discharge them, or steal them. The sort of idiot who would do this may be able to also pick/bypass a low-security lock, and think it is "fun". Frangible locks are the "break glass in case of emergency" for things where glass isn't viable.

Point well taken, fire extinguisher example opened my eyes.