Euro locks - key blocking

[Roland Perry]

I've got some Euro locks on external doors, but people keep locking them and leaving the key on the inside. This means I can't put a key fully in from the outside to unlock it.

Is this a bug or a feature?

[Tricky Dicky]

Yes the same happens with ours cannot say if it is a bug or a feature but I suspect few manufacturers will admit it is not a feature.

Richard

[Bob Eager]

That's the default. Possibly for security. But you can chenge the cylinder for an Anto Lockout one.

[NY]

There aren't many locks where you can insert a key from the outside if there is a key on the inside. The standard locks fitted to patio doors etc will accept the second key - it feels as if it has gone all the way in - but it will not turn if there is a key on the other side.

Several times when I've gone out to do the shopping and left my wife working from home, she has put the key on the inside after I've gone (even though I've locked the key from the outside and left the inside key out of the lock), which means I get back and find myself locked out - until I can make myself heard by knocking/ringing. Now I tend to leave *two* doors with no key in them, so if the front door is blocked by a key in the lock, there's always the back door.

[Spike]

They don't meet TS007, though, none of the Auto Lockout ones do.

[Bob Eager]

Change the cylinder for an Anti Lockout one.

[Brian Gaff (Sofa]

Well most locks have been that way for many years. That is why if I go out of the back I take the key out. Brian

[Roland Perry]

In message <rlp9qv$8ei$ [e-mail], at 10:16:47 on Fri, 9 Oct 2020, NY [e-mail] remarked:

My current house is the first time I've noticed this.

Welcome to my world:)

My house is on a rather narrow plot and there's no side passage. It's a three minute walk round the block (the back gate is on a different street) to get from one outside door to the other.

[Thomas Prufer]

Feature.

This can be changed by a locksmith in the more expensive cylinders, i.e. Kaba, Keso etc.

Thomas

[NY]

It would have been better if those locks had been designed so you *can* put a key in from the outside and open the door, while still leaving a second key in the inside lock in case you need to exit in an emergency. They could have a slide-latch which disables opening from the outside if required for extra security when you know that everyone who lives in the house is safely inside.

[Roland Perry]

In message [e-mail], at 13:18:40 on Fri, 9 Oct 2020, Thomas Prufer [e-mail]> remarked:

Mine are Ultion 3-star (£45 retail each, apparently)

[Robin]

On 09/10/2020 12:23, NY wrote: <snip>

They may also have thought it wd not be better in some rarer but important cases: eg you lost a key with your address and haven't had time to get the lock changed; you've a violent partner you want to keep out for a while; you don't want to be caught in the act.

[Bob Eager]

Anti Lockout ones seem to start at about 15 quid.

[PeterC]

With my old 5-'lever' locks I was able to shorten the keys a bit and it /just/ worked, but it was fraught: the shortened keys were marginal on unlocking and the clearance was so small that it didn't always work. The risk was too great, especially as locking was less unreliable than unlocking! The current 6-lever ones can't be done that way. The only way is to leave the inside key dead upright so that it can be pushed back and perhaps withdraw it by a notch. It's still in the lock for emergencies and the lock can be operated from outside. I have a couple of thumb-turn locks but they don't have a deadlock position.

[nothanks]

If you're going to change the cylinder then get one with a "thumb turn" so you don't need to leave a key anywhere near the inside of the door.

[Jethro_uk]

The problem (or "problem") with that is if someone breaks in when you are out, they simply open the front door to exit.

I am astounded at how easy it's been for uPVC door/lock manufacturers to completely and utterly get most of the population to throw away 2 basic design features of Yale locks with nary a whisper.

(I know this because when we fitted our firs uPVC door I posted here about them to a general "You what ?" from everyone ...)

1) - the fact you need a key to lock it from the inside 2) - the lack of a latch as standard so you can close the door locked without needing a key.

The second I asked a few fitters about to a blank look. Although I note with satisfaction that my sons front door does have one ...

[Peter Johnson]

+1 I changed mine for thumbturn locks a few years ago, and went for single key locking at the same time.

[nothanks]

Advice used to be that once someone had broken in it was better not to impede their escape because of risk of further damage or confrontation - I assume that's still the case.

This is provided by a thumb turn lock

>

[John Bryan]

Well if you leave the key in the lock what is the difference?

[Bob Eager]

That's OK unless the door has a glass panel.