What are High Security Euro Cylinders?
The euro cylinder is probably the most vulnerable part of a door. If a burglar can manipulate or remove the euro cylinder, then they can open the door. That's why it's important to fit a euro cylinder that can resist compromise.
Euro cylinders that are designed to resist physical attack and manipulation are commonly referred to as high security cylinders.
Typical High Security Euro Cylinder Features
- Anti-Snap - deliberate weak point resists lock snapping
- Anti-Bump - low and high driver pins resists lock bumping
- Anti-Drill - Lock drilling resisted with anti-drill pins and plug cuts
- Anti-Pick - spool pins make lock picking fruitless
- Anti-Plug Pull - resists plug and cylinder pull
- Visual deterrent - visible kitemark discourages thieves
Certification & Euro Cylinder Quality Logos
There are a number of certification marks that can be used to determine the quality of a euro cylinder. Some aspects of the certification marks are concerned with the quality of manufacturing processes, while others test and grade the cylinder based on it's resistance to attack and it's general durability.
When purchasing euro cylinder locks, be sure to look out for the following marks.
TS007:2012
TS007:2012 is a security standard for replacement cylinder locks and protective door furniture. Developed by Door & Hardware Federation and Glass & Glazing Federation in response to concerns over cylinder attacks. The standard uses criteria of the past Kitemark tests (BS EN 1303:2005, BS 3621:2007 and PAS24:2007*) but also includes tests for the common lock-snapping attack method.
This TS007 British Kitemark, with it's star rating system, is now used to classify euro cylinder door locks and security hardware.
When put to the test, successful high security euro cylinders are awarded either a 1-star classification or a 3-star classification, with 3-star being the most secure.
Security hardware is also tested, with handles and cylinder guards awarded a 2-star rating if they meet the desired standard.
It is recommended that external doors be fitted with 3-star security, which can be achieved by the use of a 3-star rated cylinder, or by combining a 1-star cylinder wth 2-star door handle furniture.
BSI Kitemark
The BSI kitemark is a product certification mark that represents quality and safety and is one of the most respected and trusted throughout the world. Manufacturers require a comprehensive quality management system and must carry out initial product testing and subsequent audit testing to achieve the kitemark classification.
A large number of insurance companies now require any euro cylinder lock fitted to an external door to have been awarded a British Standard Kitemark and for the kitemark to be stamped on the cylinder.
European Standard EN 1303:2005
The EN 1303 European Standard was introduced to establish assessment and test criteria for the measuring of a cylinders resistance to physical attack, key security, fire resistance and durability. Assessed cylinders are awarded an 8 digit code that describes their performance against each assessment criteria. This code is a useful tool for comparing the strength of one cylinder against another.
EN 1303 8 Digit Code Explained
Each of the 8 digits that make up the BS EN 1303 classification shows the Grade awarded to a feature of a product when measured against the performance requirements of the standard. The following is an example code for demonstration purposes.
| 1 | 6 | - | 1 | - | C | 5 | 2 |
Look at the following table, which describes the EN 1303 classication code when applied specifically to euro cylinder locks. This will help you to understand the above example and better appreciate what you are buying.
| Digit | Feature | Grades Available |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Category of Use - Linked to frequency of use | Grade 1 - Usable after resisting 2.5Nm torque |
| 2 | Durability - Cycles achieved during testing | Grade 4 - 25,000 cycles Grade 5 - 50,000 cycles Grade 6 - 100,000 cycles |
| 3 | Door Mass & Closing Force - Not required | N/A |
| 4 | Fire Resistance - Tested to BS EN 1634-1 for use on fire/smoke doors | Grade 0 - No requirement Grade 1 - Approved |
| 5 | Safety - No requirement | N/A |
| 6 | Corrosion - Corrosion tested to BS EN 1670. Temperature resistance tested within -20° to +80°C | Grade 0 - No requirement. Grade A - Corrosion approved. No temperature resistance required. Grade B - No corrosion resistance required. Temperature resistance approved Grade C - Corrosion and temperature resistance approved |
| 7 | Key Security - Measures key related security | Grade 1 to 6 where 6 offers the greatest security |
| An explanation of Key Security Grades can be seen within the separate table below. | ||
| 8 | Attack Resistance - Performance against common techniques | Grade 0, 1 or 2, where 2 offers the greatest resistance. |
| An explanation of Attack Resistance Grades can be seen within the separate table below. | ||
The following tables provide us with an explanation of what the Key Security and Attack Resistance grades actually mean and how they would benefit us.
Digit 7 (Key Security) Grades Explained
| Criteria | Grades | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| Min. No. Effective Differs | 100 | 300 | 15,000 | 30,000 | 30,000 | 100,000 |
| Min. No. Movable Pins | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Coding on Key | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Cylinder/Plug Torque Resistance (Nm) | 2.5 | 5 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Digit 8 (Attack Resistance) Grades Explained
| Criteria | Grades | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | |
| Resistance to Drilling (net) | N/A | 3mins | 5mins |
| Resistance to Chisel Attack (blows) | N/A | 30 | 40 |
| Resistance to Twisting Attack (twists) | N/A | 20 | 30 |
| Resistance to Plug/Cylinder Extraction | N/A | 15kN | 15kN |
| Cylinder/Plug Torque Resistance | N/A | 20Nm | 30Nm |
The EN 1303 classification code is a great tool for comparing cylinders.
PAS 23/24
PAS 23/24 is an enhanced security standard, which requires that the cylinder is kitemarked and passes 2 additional cylinder tests, these being lock snapping attacks using mole grips and screw.
PAS 23/24 guarantees that a tested system can withstand an attack lasting 3 minutes, which is the average amount of time a burgular will spend trying to break in.
Euro cylinders that do not include Anti-Snap features can be protected by the fitting of high security handles or cylinder rose.
Secured by Design
The official UK Police initiative supporting the principles of 'designing out crime'. To gain approval and be able to user the Secured by Design mark, locks must be tested to either BS EN 3621:1998 or BS EN 1303:1998 standards.
Insurance Approved
The Insurance Approved mark is awarded to locks that are approved to BS EN 36261 and carry the Brtitish Standard Kitemark. In many cases fitting an Insurance Approved lock is a requirement and may reduce your premiums.
Sold Secure
This identifies a product as having been independently tested and awarded the Sold Secure Quality Mark. Sold Secure was established by Northumbria and Essex Police in 1992 with help and backing from the Home Office. It is now owned and administered by the Master Locksmiths Association (a not for profit trade association).
Checking your Euro Cylinders
Identifying the level of security that a cylinder offers is not always clear. Particularly from just a visual inspection as most of the identifying features may be hidden within the barrel.
Kitemark Stamp
The BSI Kitemark may be stamped on the ends or the side of a cylinder. These suggest that the locks meets EN1303:2005 or EN3621:2007 and has been awarded the Insurance Approved stamp. Some insurance companies have more sepcific, higher level security requirements, so don't take it for granted that a kitemarked cylinder meets your policy requirements.
Manufacturer Stamps
Some manufacturers stamp their cylinders with identifying features like their logo, cylinder model numbers etc. Once you have this information it may be possible to source the security rating from the manufacturer, distributor, retialer or the Internet.
Documentation
Check paperwork relating to the purchase and fitting of the lock for any indication to the lock manufacturer and model. Keep your eyes open for the 8 digit BS EN1303:2005 code as that will identify the performance of the cylinder against the standards criteria.
Identifying Features
There are a few external signs to look for but you will first need to remove the cylinder. Don't worry if you don't know how to remove a euro cylinder, it is really easy and only takes a few minutes.
Number of Pins
Bungs used for blocking the holes through which springs and pins are inserted can often be seen on the underside of the cylinder. A high security lock will generally have at least 6 pins on either end. The more pins give greater number of effective differs, so the lock is more unique and harder to pick.
Guard Pins
These pins may run alongside the standard pins. Smaller and spring loaded, they spring into action and lock the plug when bumping is attampted. Absence of these does not mean that the cylinder is not Anti-Bump as there are other Anti-Bump features that are not visible on the outside of the cylinder.
Anti-Drill Pins
Smaller diameter than any pin bungs. These hardened steel pins may be visible on underside of cylinder.
Anti-Snap Cuts
Vertical cut lines near face of cylinder. Sacrificial weak point that leaves lock secure after lock snapping attack.
Grip Defelctors
Makes it hard to grip the cylinder again once it has been snapped.
Hardened Reinforced Bar
Designed to flex, rather than snap. Runs from one side of the cylinder, through the central weak point to the other. Sometimes seen on the underside of the cylinder or below the cam space, with the fixing screw running through it.
Recommended Euro Cylinders
There are two ranges of high security euro cylinders that we sell and recommend, these are the Yale Platinum 3* Anti-Snap, and the greenteQ Orion 3 Star Euro Cylinder.
We recommend these ranges as they offer a great level of protection at affordable prices. Each offer Anti-Bump, Anti-Pick, Anti-Drill, Anti-Extraction and Screw Attack features. However, the Yale Superior and Yale Platinum offer protection against lock-snapping with the Yale Platinum being awarded the high 3* rating. The 1* Yale Superior and Yale Anti-Bump could each achieve a 3* rating when combined with a 2* security handle.