Door Industry Journal - Winter 2016

Which would you choose to secure your belongings - a padlock or a rope? A property hundreds of years ago may have had no more security than a piece of rope - thankfully technology evolves, and this is no less true with roller garage doors. Over the years a number of different types of locking systems have been developed for roller garage doors, with varying degrees of security and quality. Listed below is a range of lifting and locking systems available today, from the least effective to most secure currently on the market. Cheaper doors will most likely use the most basic systems, but for suppliers wishing to offer the highest standards better options are available. It’s then a choice for the installer and end user which they would prefer to use to the secure the garage. The most basic method is directly fixing the lath to the barrel, this is generally done without a reinforced top profile and therefore does not help the longevity of the curtain. Also in most cases the curtain can still be lifted when in the closed position. Next is the ‘T’ spring, which is a thin piece of metal attaching the barrel to lath. This system relies on the lath ‘locking’ out when opened against the hood (assuming it has a hood installed) and as with direct fixing this could easily be lifted when in the closed position. The most popular method is the Autolock. Fixing to the 70mm octagonal barrel with two rings per lock the Autolock connects to the lath. This is much better than t-springs or direct fixing, but has its problems and limitations. Straps can and do break under stress and strain. The superior option is the sprung steel reinforced and durable Deprat locking straps available from JD (UK) Ltd. When used in combination with the 89mm cylindrical barrel and Deprat rings this system offers the highest standard of security available. 58 THE door industry journal winter 2016 Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk garage doors Next is the ‘T’ spring, which is a thin piece of metal attaching the barrel to lath. This system relies on the lath ‘locking’ out when opened against the hood (assuming it has a hood installed) and as with direct fixing this could easily be lifted when in the closed position. The most popular method is the Autolock. Fixing to the 70mm octagonal barrel with two rings per lock the Autolock connects to the lath. This is much better than t-springs or direct fixing, but has its problems and limitations. Straps can and do break under stress and strain. The superior option is the sprung steel reinforced and durable Deprat locking straps available from JD (UK) Ltd. When used in combination with the 89mm cylindrical barrel and Deprat rings this system offers the highest standard of security available.