Colin Campbell

As the vaccine roll-out proceeds, people across the UK are counting the days until we can get back to some kind of ‘new normal’. Just as we’ve seen in education and healthcare, the return to the workplace and other public spaces will be accompanied by enhanced sanitization and social distancing measures. To make the return as swift and safe as possible, those of us involved with managing, building and constructing buildings should consider how we can help facilitate and support those measures. Regardless of how rigorously we impose social distancing measures, there will always be some areas where we can’t help coming into contact with each other. Sanitizing door handles Doors, for example – and door locks and handles in particular – are shared by nearly everyone in a building. Even in large, open spaces, we all need to pass through a single entrance. We all use the same door handles and locks – and they provide ideal surfaces for bacteria to breed and transfer. Another solution is for staff to regularly sanitize door handles and locks One solution to this problem is to provide hand-sanitizer dispensers at each door and insist on their use. But this can be difficult to manage in larger buildings where there may be multiple doors and entrances used by both staff and visitors. People could ignore the sanitization rules too. Another solution is for staff to regularly sanitize door handles and locks – but this is a resource intensive option and, again, is dependent on everyone maintaining good practice. Potentially harmful chemicals A longer-lasting way to deal with the risk of locks and door handles spreading disease is to treat them with an anti-viral coating. These coatings come in various forms. Some, for example, slowly release anti-bacterial chemicals, while others have antiviral properties actually built into the material or the coating. Those coatings with built-in antiviral properties tend to be longer-lasting and more effective, and also avoid the issue of releasing potentially harmful chemicals into the environment. A number of different solutions with built-in protection are currently in development, and some already available. Northumbria University, for example (as reported in last Month’s PSB Magazine), is working on a ‘super-hydrophobic’ coating for use on high-contact areas such as handrails and trolleys. Optional antiviral coating Codelocks is working on a coating that attaches biocides to nanoparticles Another British company, Smart Separations, is working on a coating that attaches biocides to nanoparticles, and can be applied to a wide variety of surfaces. While these anti-viral coatings are either still in development or only available to large corporate clients, others are already readily available. Access control solutions provider Codelocks, for example is currently offering an optional antiviral coating with all of its products. Clean by Codelocks is clear coating that uses nanotechnology that can kill bacteria in a matter of minutes. Clean by Codelocks utilizes a process called photocatalytic oxidation. The surface of the coating reacts with light and converts harmful bacteria and germs into a non-toxic compound, resulting in a clean and hygienic surface. Chemical cleaning products The coating has been proven to eliminate the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19) from surfaces within minutes and is resistant to chemical cleaning products, humidity, and UV exposure – all issues that can cause problems for traditional slow-release type coatings. It’s been said that COVID-19 has been a great technology accelerator. This has been proven true, not only in the areas of vaccine research and development, or in cloud and digital technology but even in everyday objects that we take for granted such as locks and door handles. By building anti-bacterial protection into access control solutions, we can make schools, surgeries, workplaces, leisure centers and other public spaces safer for all.

A defibrillator can save the life of a person suffering from cardiac arrest – but it is most effective when used in the first few minutes of the patient collapsing. Studies have shown that a shock given within the first three minutes provides the best chance of survival and even one minute of further delay can substantially lower the chances of recovering. Public Access Defibrillators (PADs) were created to allow untrained members of the public to deliver life-saving treatment in those precious minutes before an ambulance arrives. There are currently over 10,000 in the UK, located in parks, offices, high streets and sporting venues, and they are especially popular in rural communities, where ambulance response times are longer. Every second counts Over the years there has been a long-running debate as to whether PADs should be kept openly accessible or locked. Leaving them open could lead to theft, vandalism or misuse. Leaving them locked could mean that precious moments are lost waiting for a local guardian to arrive – and could even cost a life. To save as many lives as possible, it’s clear that PADs need to be available 24/7, fully operational and easily accessible to users and local guardians. But there is a solution that can meet all these conditions – a lock that can protect against vandalism while providing convenient instant access when required. Life-saving solutions Over the years there has been a long-running debate as to whether PADs should be kept openly accessible or lockedDigital locks are ideal for securing PADs because they don’t require a key, and anyone can be given access over the phone. In the case of a cardiac arrest, the user calls 999 and the ambulance controller provides them with a simple, easy-to-remember code. The ambulance controller can then advise them, step by step, what to do. Local guardians, who have responsibility for the PAD, can be provided with an override key to enable them to monitor and maintain the defibrillator. The PAD cabinets built by Duchy Defibrillators show exactly how this works in practice. Based in rural Cornwall, Duchy Defibrillators manufactures, supplies and installs monitored PAD cabinets. To provide public access to the defibrillators, it needed a lock that could keep its cabinets secure, make them easily accessible and withstand the stormy Cornish weather. Codelocks recommended a digital electronic lock that could operate on a standalone battery, making it especially suitable for remote areas. As well as offering flexible access, digital locks come with a range of varying options and functions to suit different applications. As Duchy Defibrillator cabinets are installed in a wide variety of locations and sometimes need to withstand outdoor exposure, it opted for a robust electronic digital lock that is both affordable and easy to set up. A digital-access revolution Using smart locks in combination with a dedicated app or portal allows operators to send time-sensitive codes to end-users The example of Duchy Defibrillators shows how digital locks can be used to keep defibrillator cabinets secure while affording instant access to users when they are needed. But the flexibility of digital locks also makes them suitable for securing property and equipment in a wide variety of situations, especially for shared and public facilities. This is why you’ll increasingly see digital locks used to secure restricted areas in hospitals, schools and offices, as well as shared facilities like hotel and gym lockers, public restrooms and more. Digital locks are available for a number of specific applications, including doors, lockers and cabinets. They can range from simple mechanical locks through to more sophisticated electronic locks and state-of-the-art smart locks. Using smart locks in combination with a dedicated app or portal allows operators to send time-sensitive codes to end users – making them very popular for contactless entry and with facilities managers that need to manage access to buildings and campuses. One thing is certain – whatever your access control requirements are, there’s a keyless lock solution to suit. The digital access revolution is here.

Codelocks has expanded its Marine by Codelocks range, giving customers a wider choice of weather-resistant keyless access solutions. Due to the popularity of its CL510 and CL515 Marine by Codelocks products, launched in October last year, Codelocks has added a number of new locks to its Marine by Codelocks range. The new additions include light and medium duty locks from the CL200 and CL400 mechanical range, as well as further heavy-duty locks from the CL500 mechanical range – all of which are suitable for both internal and external doors. Marine grade locks The marine grade coating resists exposure to salt spray and moisture, helping to prevent damage caused by corroding The marine grade coating resists exposure to salt spray and moisture, helping to prevent damage caused by corroding, and also gives the locks a smart black finish. Colin Campbell, Managing Director at Codelocks said: “There has been a lot of demand for our CL500 Marine by Codelocks range, and customers love the sleek black finish – so we decided to offer more choice.” “Marine grade locks are ideal for outbuildings, gated sport courts, construction sites, marinas and homes by the water – and customers can now choose from a wider range of Marine by Codelocks products to suit their needs.” Limited lifetime guarantee “These are the same reliable, easy-to-use mechanical locks you’ll find in our original CL200, CL400 and CL500 ranges, but with a tougher, more robust exterior. Customers wanting a marine grade lock can now choose between knob or lever handles, deadbolt or latch fastenings, and more.” “And, of course, all Marine by Codelocks locks come with our limited lifetime guarantee as well as technical support.” Cost-effective and easy to install, all the locks in the Marine by Codelocks range have been salt-spray tested, performing 1000 hours and are ideal for outdoor and coastal applications.

Codelocks releases the KL15 KitLock, a keyless access solution for personal lockers and cabinets. The KL15 mechanical lock joins the KitLock by Codelocks range. It features an anti-vandal handle and is suitable for indoor and outdoor applications. Specifically designed for personal use and ideal for storage lockers, the KL15 is a Private Function lock. The user can set their own unique four-digit code and change this as often as they wish – making it easy to use. The code is entered via four wheels (allowing for up to 10,000 unique combinations) and the red and green indicators denote whether the locker is locked or unlocked. The KL15 also features a code retrieval function, allowing the user to determine the combination with a code finder key, in case of a forgotten code. Keyless access solution KL15 is straightforward to install and can be either surface or flush-mounted, making it suitable for storage solutions Colin Campbell, Managing Director at Codelocks said, “Our new, affordable KL15 mechanical lock is perfect for anyone looking for a simple, robust and keyless access solution. It’s been tested in high and low temperatures, in dry and humid conditions, and has also been salt-spray tested – so it will perform well in a wide range of environments.” “It’s affordable, stylish and especially designed for anyone that wants to provide keyless access to a locker or cabinet for one person, or for a group of individuals who are able to share a single code.” Design and functions The KL15 is straightforward to install and can be either surface or flush-mounted, making it suitable for storage solutions within the home, as well as education and workplace environments. When surface-mounted, the ergonomically designed trim plate also acts as an easy-grip handle allowing effortless opening. It offers value for money for applications that don’t require all the functions of Codelocks’ more feature-rich electronic locker and cabinet locks, such as the KL1100 KeyPad.

Codelocks unveils two new additions to its CL500 range, completing its mechanical series. New for Autumn 2019, the CL510 and CL515 Mortice Latch Black Marine Grade finish locks are suitable for outdoor and costal applications. Reliable and flexible, the CL500 Marine Grade range is specially enhanced to withstand outdoor and maritime environments. The Marine Grade coating resists exposure to salt spray and moisture, helping to prevent damage caused by corroding. Smarter access for everyone Colin Campbell, managing director at Codelocks said, “We pride ourselves on offering the widest possible range of products that address the full spectrum of our customers’ needs. We’ve received numerous requests for a black finish, so we’ve combined this with the marine grade for the ultimate lock – supporting our vision of being able to provide smarter access for everyone. The CL510 and CL515 provide simple coded external access for buildings that experience high traffic" “It’s exciting to be revealing our new Marine Grade finish at the MLA Expo. It has undergone rigorous salt spray testing and we are looking forward to seeing the environments in which our customers install this range.” Coded external access for buildings Ideal for outbuildings, construction sites, marina’s and homes by the water, the CL510 and CL515 provide simple coded external access for buildings that experience high traffic. The locks boast large lever handles and the same robust features and coded access flexibility as the original CL500 range. The locks offer a code-free function, perfect for day-to-day use when unrestricted access may be required. Cost-effective, easy to install and suitable for wooden doors, the CL510 and CL515 models offer over 2000 non-sequential code combinations and have been salt spray tested performing 1000 hours. Codelocks at the MLA Expo Providing convenient, easy access, the CL500 Marine Grade range adds sophistication to any application with its aesthetically pleasing sleek, black finish. To be the first to see the CL510 and CL515 Mortice Latch Black Marine Grade finish locks visit Codelocks at the MLA Expo, 4-6 October on stand H2.90.