Eco-Friendly Building Managers Discover Benefits of Great Locker Locks

The number of eco-friendly buildings on the market is growing. An estimated 29.1% of all buildings in the country are now green. As encouraging as the shift towards sustainable buildings is, building managers still face some challenges.

One of those challenges is making sure that the buildings can be properly secured without harming the environment. Fortunately, there are some good ways to accomplish this. You can use great locks and digital security systems to reduce your carbon footprint.

Keep reading to learn more.

Making Your Eco-Friendly Building More Secure Doesn’t Have to Be Difficult

Living in or maintaining a sustainable lifestyle in a green building could be overwhelming. There are many things to consider–your water and energy consumption, waste reduction, and materials recycling, among other lifestyle adjustments.

This past year, sustainability has risen in popularity primarily due to public anxieties surrounding climate change. The crises created by the pandemic helped many people realize how vulnerable our world is, which made them even more concerned about other issues like global warming. Many companies have decided to market home living accessories that will supposedly aid in living a sustainable lifestyle.

Some trends may be harmless but building management should prioritize the essentials first before anything else. One of these is security, particularly for lockers and storage units.

There are a lot of security strategies for building managers, but some of them are not particularly good for the environment. For example, traditional video surveillance systems are not very good for the environment, because they tend to use a lot more energy. They also rely on disposable video tapes, which don’t last as long and require the production of new plastics to be replaced. Therefore, more eco-friendly businesses are investing in video surveillance systems that use digital technology, which has a lower carbon footprint and doesn’t waste as many natural resources. A study published in Springer titled Can burglary prevention be low-carbon and effective? Investigating the environmental performance of burglary prevention measures highlighted this.

Having the proper security systems in place ensures your personal safety and the protection of your belongings. Though not all modern security systems are as environmentally friendly as we’d like, in its most basic form–the lock–is mostly accessible and less carbon-costly.

Common Types of Locker Locks

The lock is not a new invention. It has been around for over four millennia, with its first iterations used in ancient Egypt. Since then, it has evolved into the home security essential we know today.

Its structure has changed little and requires minimum to no external power to run 24/7. Most locks do not need electricity to protect your belongings and continue to work as long as their main mechanisms stay intact.

Below are the most common lock types you can find in lockers and establishments worldwide. You will find that most of them are relatively good for the environment, since they last a long time and don’t require new materials to replace and don’t need to sue energy to continue offering protection.

Latch Locks / Padlock Provisions

By themselves, latch locks provide little protection. They are simply a way to keep locker doors closed. But, when paired with a strong locker and a heavy-duty padlock, your locker can enjoy some proper protection.

Padlocks are portable, affordable, and come in many varieties. It’s also easy to use–pretty much everyone already knows how to use a padlock.

However, many burglars have devised ways to pick or destroy these locks due to their simplicity. The effectiveness of a latch lock padlock also depends on the durability of the locker itself. Lockers made from thinner wood or flimsy plastic would not fare well if anyone tries to pry off the latch lock.

Aside from theft, padlock keys are also easy to lose. If you manage several lockers, you need a proper key management system to ensure that no key gets misplaced or stolen.

Dead Bolts/Deadlocks

A deadbolt is a lock with a bar that can only open when engaged by a key. It is often set in a single-cylinder mechanism, which one can only access on one side.

Many consider deadbolts, also known as deadlocks, as one of today’s most secure locks available. They are sturdy and tough to open, which delays any attempted burglaries and deter them from further attempting a break-in.

However, despite the strength of deadlocks, they aren’t impenetrable. Like padlocks, people could quickly lose their keys. Deadlocks are also vulnerable to lock bumping, a method similar to lock picking.

Coin Locks

Coin deposit and coin return lock systems dispense keys to clients once they drop a specified amount into the coin slot, usually a dollar or two. These are commonly used in locker rooms accessible to the public.

Aside from providing temporary, accessible storage to the general public, coin locks also offer an additional source of income to the building managers. The locking mechanism also reduces the staffing required to hand out and manage keys.

However, this system does have its drawbacks. Much like other key-based locking mechanisms, people could lose their keys and end up not being able to return them.

Some users could also get a key and use the locker for an indefinite period, which prevents the owners from getting additional earnings from new people.

Mechanical Combination Locks

Mechanical combination locks function like traditional padlocks, with one significant difference. Instead of using a separate key to open the lock, a combination lock relies on a predetermined passcode.

The main advantage of combination locks is that there is no key you can lose. However, you must remember your passcode at all times. Forgetting the code will render the combination lock useless.

When managing a green facility with several lockers, it could be challenging to track and remember all codes for every combination lock in the building.

Digital Locks

Digital locks are another great keyless option. Like a combination lock, it relies on a programmed code that users could input via a keypad to open their locker. These locks offer great opportunities for customizability when it comes to lock functions.

Depending on the digital lock’s model, you could program yours to stay locked or unlocked at particular times, giving you complete accessibility control.

They use batteries, which could power your locks for a significant amount of time. However, you will need to monitor the battery power to prevent lockouts or break-ins due to a faulty lock.

Compared to non-electronic locks, digital locks require power and incur additional costs. They are also significantly more expensive and less green than their older counterparts.

Smart Locks

Smart locks are comparable to digital locks, with additional features and more advanced technology. They often use smart or radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to lock and unlock doors and lockers.

These lock systems do not use traditional keys. Instead, people would instantly use special cards or tags to open locked spaces. They are user-friendly and convenient for key holders and managers alike. One could program dozens of locks and keys at once, making this system ideal for more extensive facilities.

Another advantage of connected locks is the user and maintenance data they provide – as well as the increased level of security. Networked locks come in two forms:

• Wired – Which provides less flexibility, but also less waste
• Wireless – More Flexibility and easier maintenance

Due to the wide variety of customization options available, this lock system also requires the most energy. It needs a constant power supply to stay functional and might experience failure during power outages.

Invest In Green Security Systems

There is nothing inherently wrong with powered lock systems, so long as they are necessary and well-monitored. If possible, go with the greenest option that doesn’t compromise the security of your building.

Different locker facilities require various levels of security. As a green building manager or advocate, it’s crucial to balance your security needs alongside your commitment to greener practices.