1 reviews | Active since Oct 2016
False sense of security
<p>I just bought a new house where the front door security gate is a Trellidor. Obviously security was one of the deciding factors in buying this house. After inspecting the security gate and locking mechanism I was shocked to find that when locked you have access to the locking points from the outside. I used my car key to “unlock” the gate in less than a minute, on my first attempt (and I am neither a locksmith nor a burglar by trade...). </p> <p>It is clear that the gate has been installed like this. If this had been a sliding gate locking on a fixed installed point against a wall or frame it would not have been a problem, but this is a moveable gate locking against another moveable gate leaving open the access to the lock from outside. This is either a design fault, or wrong equipment selection during installation. </p> <p>Unfortunately this door was installed in 2007 already (by Vorster Interior Products, Vereeniging), so it is long out of warranty, but I would however strongly recommend that all Trellidor owners double check that they do not have the same flawed system as I have. I would think that having a false sense of security is much more dangerous that knowingly having no security at all...</p> <p> </p>
Dear Chris761,
Thank you for sharing your concern(s) with Trellidor Head Office.
Although the door has aged by 10 years since installation, it is not normal for our product(s) to perform as described by yourself. We assume that there was either an attempted breach of the door or that someone has attempted to repair the door, whom was not fami**** with our product(s).
We have referred this matter our Vereeniging Franchise, who will be in contact with you as soon as possible, to set up an appointment to have the door assessed.
We will provide you with further feedback as soon as we fully understand the situation.
Best Regards,
Trellidor Head Office
Dear Chris761,
Thank you for sharing your concern(s) with Trellidor Head Office.
Although the door has aged by 10 years since installation, it is not normal for our product(s) to perform as described by yourself. We assume that there was either an attempted breach of the door or that someone has attempted to repair the door, whom was not fami**** with our product(s).
We have referred this matter our Vereeniging Franchise, who will be in contact with you as soon as possible, to set up an appointment to have the door assessed.
We will provide you with further feedback as soon as we fully understand the situation.
Best Regards,
Trellidor Head Office
Thank you for the feedback.
From what Bernard described upon inspecting the gate, the locking mechanism was faulty. It was supposed to have 3 actions (open, slamlock and locked for a lack of better description). This lock would jump back to slamlock immediately after being unlocked and also could not be "locked" in position. The lock has been replaced yesterday and the full functionality was tested successfully. Why it failed in the first place cannot be confirmed, but there are no obvious signs of tampering or attempting to break it open. Maybe from the gate being slammed shut while in “locked mode”...? That can’t be good for the lock.
The fact that the gate can now be left in “locked mode” provides much more security from this product. I am still a bit concerned that you have access to the lock from outside, but with the “lock mode” it should in theory be much more difficult to get the gate unlocked. The “protection covers” which is supposed to enclose the locking mechanism from the outside is not very well designed and is also fixed with only one pop rivet meaning it can be moved aside without much effort (the second pop rivet does not even go through this cover plate...). I will definitely install a more secure cover plate over the lock mechanism. The slamlock option is also not a good option for people wishing to install a security gate with both sides of the gate being able to move. When installed on a system where the one side move and the other is fixed against a structure (hiding the locking mechanism once closed), it may be a good option.
All of this being said, the rest of the gate (after 10 years in service) still looks and functions very well. The lock replacement was done at a reduced cost which, considering the fact that it was faulty and not a design error was not obligatory. Just as importantly the lock was replaced at the agreed time.
It is probably not fair putting all the blame on Trellidor as the circumstances of the installation is not known. Bernard also advised that he does not recommend the type of installation to customers like the one I have, but I guess the supplier has to give what the customers asks for.
Thank you for the feedback.
From what Bernard described upon inspecting the gate, the locking mechanism was faulty. It was supposed to have 3 actions (open, slamlock and locked for a lack of better description). This lock would jump back to slamlock immediately after being unlocked and also could not be "locked" in position. The lock has been replaced yesterday and the full functionality was tested successfully. Why it failed in the first place cannot be confirmed, but there are no obvious signs of tampering or attempting to break it open. Maybe from the gate being slammed shut while in “locked mode”...? That can’t be good for the lock.
The fact that the gate can now be left in “locked mode” provides much more security from this product. I am still a bit concerned that you have access to the lock from outside, but with the “lock mode” it should in theory be much more difficult to get the gate unlocked. The “protection covers” which is supposed to enclose the locking mechanism from the outside is not very well designed and is also fixed with only one pop rivet meaning it can be moved aside without much effort (the second pop rivet does not even go through this cover plate...). I will definitely install a more secure cover plate over the lock mechanism. The slamlock option is also not a good option for people wishing to install a security gate with both sides of the gate being able to move. When installed on a system where the one side move and the other is fixed against a structure (hiding the locking mechanism once closed), it may be a good option.
All of this being said, the rest of the gate (after 10 years in service) still looks and functions very well. The lock replacement was done at a reduced cost which, considering the fact that it was faulty and not a design error was not obligatory. Just as importantly the lock was replaced at the agreed time.
It is probably not fair putting all the blame on Trellidor as the circumstances of the installation is not known. Bernard also advised that he does not recommend the type of installation to customers like the one I have, but I guess the supplier has to give what the customers asks for.