Re: Automated front door lock?

[Marc F Hult <MFHult@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 01 Aug 2005 20:44:24 GMT, andrew@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Andrew Gabriel)
wrote in message  <42ee89a8$0$38039$5a6aecb4@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:

>In article <Xns96A58FBCD269DKeithBC4ReaderTokenI@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
>	Keith <nospam@xxxxxxxxxx> writes:
>> Newbie here-
>>
>> I need to replace my front door lock/deadbolt combo, and was thinking it
>> would be nice to put in something with a keypad where I could program
>> several codes with different expirations (for repairmen, meter readers,
>> etc.)
>
>I've thought about this for a while.
>One significant problem you might have is satisfying your
>insurance company that whatever scheme you have come up with
>is actually secure. There are two sides to this. The first is
>the physical door locking mechanism -- those which come anywhere
>near as robust as a standard door lock/bolt are horrendously
>expensive. The second is the security of the software and
>electronics side of things. If a burglar enters your house
>through the door, I could imagine severe problems getting any
>insurance company to pay out.

These devices are in very wide use on this side of the pond. I dunno about
insurance aspects as it relates to others,  but I personally wouldn't choose
not to do this owing to insurance (in my circumstances, in my municipality,
with my insurance and so on).

There is, however, a security-related safety decision that you will have to
make when and if you purchase one.

Namely, in the event of a power failure,  do you want the door to:

1) fail in the locked position? --   in which case folks may be trapped
inside and able to get out during eg, a fire.

2) fail in the unlocked position? --  in which case the bad guys get in for
free.

Door strikes are available in both styles.

Marc
Marc_F_Hult