Locksmith Jargon Buster
When calling a local Locksmith you want to be sure that you understand the technical jargon used by us to avoid any miscommunication.
Generally the majority of Locksmiths will ask you a few questions about the door and the lock itself whether it is an emergency or non-emergency situation.
I have put together the following jargon buster to ensure you fully understand the terms used by Locksmiths so that when you do require an Engineer you can be confident that you understand exactly what is being done onsite.
Wooden Doors:
Back Plate – A plate that fits directly to the door to provide a solid fastening for the hardware to be fitted to.
Bolt/Deadbolt – A solid piece of metal that protrudes from the Forend of the lock into a ‘keep’ fitted on the frame.
British Standard/BS3621 – The BS3621 signifies that a lock has been tested by the British Standards Institute and has met all of the relevant standards. It is widely recognised by the public and the majority of UK insurers as a sign of quality.
Cam Lock – A cylinder type lock that operates a tail to engage with the locking mechanism. Commonly fitted to furniture or basic safes.
Closed Shackle Padlock – A padlock which has been manufactured with the shackle (the locking ‘loop’) largely encased within the main body.
Combination/digital locks – A keyless lock that uses a chosen combination of numbers or letters to be input before it releases.
Cylinder – The key operated part of most locking systems. Available in many formats for example; Euro profile, Rim type, Oval.
Door viewer – A device that allows the person inside of a property to view the person on the outside of the property through the door.
Double Locking – A function that offers an extra locking facility on top of the standard operation.
Escutcheon – The plate or guard normally fixed over the keyway of a lock to protect it from the elements and offer an aesthetically pleasing finish.
Face Plate – A plate fitted to the front profile of the lock to provide an aesthetically pleasing finish and information about the lock behind it.
Furniture – Any hardware fitted to a door other than the lock itself, for example handles or a door knocker.
Hinge Bolts – Small round lugs that are drilled into the spine of a door and engage into keeps in the frame when the door is closed. Designed to prevent a door being lifted from its hinges and removed unless open.
Latch – Usually found used in conjunction with a number of other locking points (such as deadbolts).
Master Key – A key that is designed to be able to open more than one lock.
Mortice Lock – A lock that is fitted within a pocket cut into the door. When the door is closed the only visible parts are the keyways from both sides of the door.
Night Latch – A lock operated by a rim style cylinder. The lock is fitted to the back of the door and is operable by use of a handle from the inside. Available in many different sizes and security ratings.
Rim Cylinder – A cylinder used to operate a Nightlatch.
Sash Lock – Most commonly a mortice style lock that also utilises a latch operated by a handle.
Shackle – The metal ‘loop’ at the top of the Padlock that fits through the eye of a hasp.
Spindle – A square bar that runs between two handles, passing through the lock body itself to allow the latch to be retracted when a handle is operated.
Snib – The small button or sliding button fitted most commonly to night latches to allow the latch to be held in position.
Thumb Turn – A knob fitted to the inside of a euro profile cylinder in place of the internal Key.
UPVC Doors:
British Standard/BS3621 – The BS3621 signifies that a lock has been tested by the British Standards Institute and has met all of the relevant standards. It is widely recognised by the public and the majority of UK insurers as a sign of quality.
Cylinder – The key operated part of most locking systems. Available in Euro and Oval Profile.
Anti Snap Cylinder – A cylinder specifically designed to help prevent cylinder or lock snapping. The ABS High Security Euro Cylinder is the only security cylinder currently on the market which has a TS007 3 star rating, SS312 Sold Secure Diamond Accredited and Secured by Design Accreditation combined.
Deadbolt – A solid bolt that protrudes from the Forend of the lock into the ‘Keep’ fitted on the door frame.
Double Locking – A function that offers an extra locking facility on top of the standard operation.
Furniture – Any hardware fitted to a door other than the lock itself. Handles, door knocker etc.
Gearbox – The locking point on the meckanism, the section which the barrel and handles are attached to.
Hook Bolts – Similar in principal to dead bolts, although for added security hook bolts pivot out of the case and swing up or down into the frame.
Latch – Usually found used in conjunction with a number of other locking points (such as deadbolts).
Master Key – A key which operates more than one lock
Mechanism – Long piece of piece metal which contains all the locking points.
Sash Jammer – A small piece of metal with a pivoting arm that bridges the gap between the frame and sash of a door or window. This is fitted to help prevent doors / windows from being jimmied open.
Shoot Bolt – A bolt designed to bridge the gap between the door and the frame, widely used as extra security.
Spindle – A square bar that runs between two handles, passing through the lock body itself to allow the latch to be retracted when a handle is operated.
Thumb Turn – A euro profile cylinder in place of the internal Key.