"newshound" wrote in message
o.uk...
On 27/01/2019 20:36, Rod Speed wrote:
"newshound" wrote in message
...
On 26/01/2019 22:58, wrote:
On Saturday, 26 January 2019 17:50:14 UTC, newshound wrote:
On 26/01/2019 17:35, GB wrote:
I needed to buy a Yale 89 night latch in a hurry, to replace a broken
one. The only one available was one with a deadlocking facility. This
is
the only exit from a flat, so it's possible somebody could get locked
in. Does anyone know if it's possible to disable the deadlock on one
of
these?
If it is the only exit, then it is the only way in. You can only
deadlock it from the outside. But would a person leaving someone
inside
normally deadlock it? Theoretically possible, not much risk if
sensibly
managed. I suppose for a couple where one has dementia and is paranoid
about locking up, it might not be a good idea.
It's not just theoretically possible, it's possible and will happen,
and is a hazard. Don't.
Well *one* almost perfect solution would be to ensure there is only
single key available, attached to a large tag saying "Do Not Deadlock If
Someone is Inside". With a backup, not being used, hung somewhere like
inside an airing cupboard, with an equally large tag.
Fat lot of good that would be with a fire inside the flat with so much
smoke
you can't see where the hell you are going crawling around on the floor.
You are missing the point.
We'll see...
That particular latch *ONLY* has a keyhole on the outside. The point of
the spare was if someone manages to lose the other key (not coincident
with a fire). Arguably it would be better to keep the spare outside the
flat.
But you will have a significant risk if someone leaves
the flat and deadlocks it using the key with someone
inside. The spare key inside the flat would be useless
even if it could be found with the fire blazing inside.
If the latch had keyholes both sides, like many euro locks, then the
relatively safe option is always to keep a key on the inside. You can do
that with a eurolock because it has two cylinders.
Still have the problem with actually finding the key
when its pitch dark inside the flat going up in flames.
And pointless having the key on a nail beside
the lock where any burglar can use it.
The other case that is *relatively* safe is if the flat is on the ground
floor, and can be exited through a window.
I suspect that with sufficient ingenuity, it might be possible to disable
the deadlock after completely dismantling the unit, but that might not be
a simple DIY job. I havn't looked, but I'd guess Yale don't publish
drawings of the internals.
But someone may have youtubed it or just have done a teardown.
As Tabs says, it is not an ideal situation (but it is what it is). I am
just exploring mitigations. Whether it is necessary to throw the 89 away
once something else is available is a matter of risk assessment.
Silly to take a risk with something that important unless its a ground
floor flat. Even if it is, not a great idea to require someone like child
to have to think of using the window. And kids have been known to
set fire to a flat playing with matches. I wouldnt risk it myself.