Everything You Need to Know About Locking Arrangements

Understanding the advances in locking arrangements is one of the most important subjects in the field of security technology today. Selection of a door lock is no longer simple and has rarely provided the level of security required in this era of mass murder and the threat of terrorism. This course is designed to provide engineers with the limitations of various locking arrangements and why the selection of the “lock” is no longer a cut-and-dry decision.

Course Overview

The material in this course provides a broad review of the 150-year-old history of door hardware arrangements. We'll start with a look at the evolution of mechanical locks and the introduction of the pin-tumbler lock, which replaced the skeleton key in 1880 and created the locksmith industry. We'll then discuss the implementation of key control and authorized user identification. Throughout this discussion, we'll run through the many technical changes in door control and personnel identity systems that evolved after the introduction of card readers. We'll also walk through the subsequent revolutionary advances made in door control after the innovation of communication systems. For example, we'll discuss the transition from keys, cards and push buttons to the smartphone and the associated mobile Cloud network. The second part of our 4-course Security Practices & Engineering Concepts series, this PDH course provides a fundamental introduction to the concluding course, Biometric Identification Features & Principles for Engineers, and to the compliance regulations for locking arrangements.

Importance of Locking Arrangements

Sophisticated wireless smartphone systems and other special locking assemblies have essentially made locksmiths obsolete. Thieves today compromise locking systems not by picking the lock, but by hacking the new door control systems via the Internet. Thus, it has become increasingly essential for professional engineers to have a solid understanding of the significant (and lasting) changes confronting those involved or interested in the field of facility design. Being able to identify the different locking arrangements and concepts now available is particularly fundamental. It’s also vital to be aware of the fire codes that affect some of the more complex locking arrangements that can lock fire exits from both directions and still be in compliance with national fire codes.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this PDH course, you'll have a deep grasp of the following learning objectives.

• Illustrate the art of lock picking and how easy it is obtain the necessary picking tools.
• Objectively evaluate the consensus method used to create NFPA fire codes.
• Understand the importance of legally locking fire exits with fail-safe locks.
• Describe the history of once conventional but now obsolete locking arrangements.
• Analyze the design of traditional mechanical locks.
• Determine the best locking arrangements for special locks, from the combination vault to the push button lock.
• Evaluate the various types of special locks that operate with smartphones.
• Describe the history of fail-safe electro-magnetic locks.
• Understand the history and major types of smoke sensor and their history.

Security Practices & Engineering Concepts Series

This is the second course in our 4-part Security Practices & Engineering Concepts series on the history and development of cutting-edge security systems. The courses in this series include:

1. Motion Detection Technology: How It Works
2. Locking Arrangements & Code Compliance For Engineers
3. Customizing Security Design
4. Biometric Identification Features & Principles for Engineers