euro multi point door failure

[jcsmiles]

I have just had my first major failure, a upvc door with a euro cylinder and multipoint locking system. I attended a lockout situation and found the client couldn't turn her key in the cylinder. I took charge and after a gentle wriggle of the key I was able to turn the key and I could feel the cam engage and rotate. Unfortunatly the handle would not drop to release the door bolts. My next step was to try Mica but this repeatedly jammed so i shelved the idea. I then explained that I could force the door open but as I neither had the tools with me to do that or carried replacement mechanisms, I couldnt secure her property so i bowed out with my tail between my legs. What should I have done to achieve a successful entry? is it likely the door had simply dropped and I hadnt put enough lift into it?

[acl]

This could be any number of things from the cam not engaging properly to something coming adrift in the case.One thing you wouldnt do is slip it though.Its a shame Don isnt on the forums anymore i think his articles on upvc would have been a benefit to a lot .
Andy

[pinky]

sadly don had never intended posting on the subject, he sent me an email the day after announcing he would , stateing that he now wouldnt unless he got access to advanced areas , i cant blame him though, as he was preparing a course on upvc, and to give the info away would have defeated the object.

it may have just been the cylinder, if so , snapping the euro and manualy retracting the bolt may have worked, a new euro and sorted.

had it been the mechanism ( more likely) then once cylinder was removed you may have been able to manualy manipulate the mechanism and withdraw bolts. or at least may have been able to retract bolt manualy allowing the mechanism to release.

[pinpusher]

Some of the doors we have around here have a slide that goes up and down when you left the handle that cover the screw that holds in the cylinder.If the cylinder retaining screw is loose it jams so the handle will not remove the bolts.try to move the cylinder in the door when you push down on the handle.But this is just 1 of a lot of faults it could be.

[haribo]

I am getting quite few of these lately a tip i would give is to carry a airwedge used for car opening. Put this between the door and the frame and this can give you enough room to access one of the bolts and slide iit up so door opens. You may need to repeat this at top of the door if the mechanism has snaped at the middle of the door. These doors are quite flexible. Dont go to mad though. I have also had calls where people can't get out which is easier as you have access to the hinges which can be adjusted to pull the lock side door away from frame. I have done this enough before so with a little persuasion the door can be opened. Simple job to fit a new mechanism as long as you can find a supplier and you may need to modify the door and stays a little

[toomush2drink]

Ive encountered this before where the cam is just slipping and not actually moving the bolt back. Ive also had a few where they are sticking and it normally is because of dirt and friction on the sliding peice that actuates the multipoint bolts, a squirt of gt 85 and it works fine again. I had to strip down my own front door for this reason and also for more knowledge on how it all works so if you can do your own its a start.

[haribo]

Also when you want to secure a door while you source a mechanism as this has taken a week once before, try a couple of sash jammers they get you out of a lot of situations

[raimundo]

You could get in through the chimney and openthe door.

[MrB]

That was a really good thread raimundo, with solid information, and you go and spoil it with levity!

[jax666]

Haribo has the right idea, I've used this method a few times my self.

Air wedges are very useful for opening, lifting etc, Get 2 standard ones which helps with car opening.

[haribo]

I am a fat Bstard so the chimney is out of the question

[acl]

Haribo that has properly made me laugh out loud.
Andy

[jcsmiles]

Thanks a lot for all your feedback. I think Ill try the air wedge and sash jammers next time.

I have been told that as the handle lifted without any feed back this was a good indication that the mechanism (gearing) was at fault.

Unfortunatly the house was built post smokless zone and trying the handle from the inside would not have helped.

[cred]

i too had one of these yesterday but this one all the locks would open but what was wrong was that the latch was knackerd and wouldnt retract when the handle was pulled down,tryed mica ect no joy
ray

[Rockford]

Did you manage to pop it open Cred ?.