hardware Intel issue 7 | August 2021 | free
25 YEARS
OF HARDWARE INNOVATION & LOCKING SYSTEMS STUDENT SECURITY
Our five top tips for securing student accommodation
How You’re Putting Your Home At Risk
Are you conscious of what you share on social media?
5 THINGS TO REMEMBER
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Before opening your door to strangers
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You need some Intel, and you need it fast! Powered by UAP
About Hardware Intel Magazine Hardware Intel is a magazine powered by UAP. It covers current news, events and new products across the UAP Group, including our brands Intelligent Hardware, Locking Systems, Fullex, Firemongery, as well as industry news. Hardware Intel is the place for all your door and window hardware needs, covering topics such as security and fire safety from an individual household to large-scale industrial level, with insight from industry experts.
A Letter from David Jennings We’ve come a long way since we first started out with a humble door knocker, and this month’s magazine really shows that journey. Looking ahead, there is going to be a lot more change in the whole hardware industry and so the UAP journey is a long way from being concluded. At the heart of those changes will be home security, and UAP products will be at the heart of those changes. Our new K4 3* Cylinder range is our best yet and the new horizontal keyway range will be ground breaking when we launch it in Autumn. In development, we have some brilliant products from Fullex getting ready for launch, including the Fullex Dedlok and our Intelligent Hardware range is bolstered by more Firemongery products and a stunning Retail Blister pack range. UAP are also proud to be associated with so many great associations, DHF, MLA, ACDM and SBD and we are particularly proud to be members of the DHF technical committee. It has been tough times for the whole industry over the last 18 months, and supply is one important issue that is on most people’s lips. At the outset of the COVID period we forecast that materials would be in short supply and that raw materials would increase, and so we worked with our supply chain with a strategy to reduce the impact for our customers until things were more stable. We know our customers appreciate what we have done, and it is our way of thanking each and every one of you for your continued support. It will continue to be tough for the next 6 months, but UAP and our supply chain are in a reasonable place. In closing, thank you for the last 25 years, and here’s to the next 25. Stay safe and well.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
HARDWARE INTEL MAGAZINE
COVER STORIES P. 1-4
25 YEARS OF HARDWARE INNOVATION & LOCKING SYSTEMS
P. 7-8
See the UAP’s timeline over the last 25 years.
P. 5-6
5 TOP SECURITY TIPS FOR STUDENTS IN ACCOMMODATION With most students moving back to student accommodation in September, it’s a good time to consider how you’ll keep your place of residence safe and secure.
HOW YOU’RE PUTTING YOUR HOME AT RISK WITHOUT THINKING With social media websites giving you the option to share your location, burglars are cashing in on the global fixation of sharing online.
P. 9-10
5 THINGS TO REMEMBER BEFORE OPENING YOUR DOOR
Why would criminals bother breaking into your home when they can just knock and be invited in?
HARDWARE INTEL MAGAZINE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FEATURES P. 11
UAP IN THE PRESS
P. 17
Our latest news and features.
UAP’S DESIGNER PULL HANDLES The UAP Designer Pull Handles range is designed for a sleek, timeless look that lasts.
P. 12
P. 13-16
WHAT IS 3-STAR DOOR SECURITY?
P. 18
WE’RE A FULL MEMBER OF DHF
Thinking of upgrading your Euro cylinder lock to a 3-star, but unsure where to start?
We have recently renewed our membership with dhf, the UK association for companies related to locks and building hardware.
10 TOP TIPS FOR A SAFER HOME
DAVID JENNING’S LETTER
We go through our top things to consider to make your home a safer place to live.
25 YEARS OF INNOVATION IN HARDWARE AND LOCKING SYSTEMS
1996 It all began with a door knocker and the opportunity to provide improved quality. At the time, all knockers were brass and had to be drilled or powder coated by the customer. UAP’s CEO, David Jennings, decided to change all that by going straight to the factories to develop a quality range that was installation ready in black, white, brass or chrome. The industry hasn’t looked back since.
1996-1998 UAP was called J Universal Imports at this point, and CEO David Jennings was running everything from a spare bedroom in his home while juggling a young family.
1999 We began building our first office location, Bank House, and moved in a year later. UAP also hired our first employee, Wendy Rushton, who is now operations director. 1
2000 The company changed its name to something shorter and snappier after a trip to meet suppliers in India. A supplier who was keen to show hospitality erected a sign saying “Universal Akhil Partnership”: The UAP name was born.
2003 We achieved ISO 9001 accreditation for quality assurance and BSI accreditation, setting a benchmark for product development.
2004 By 2004, UAP had put measures in place to prevent any child labour in its supply chain. The company has since continued to invest in people and the environment, with solar panels and thermodynamic water heating at its HQ, tree planting programmes and recycled/recyclable packaging policies. 2
2007 After attending a charity auction, CEO David Jennings became involved with a charity in Nepal. UAP has since been involved in building four schools and a hospital in Nepal.
2008 We launched the Genuine Lishi brand, which is now the world’s best-selling range of vehicle opening tools.
2016
We acquired Fullex Locks, which specialises in high-security, multi-point locking systems for doors, suitable for PVC-u, composite, timber and aluminium doors.
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2019 Continuing its commitment to offering a great place to work, UAP Ltd became a co-operative, enabling every member of staff to share in its success. The company also introduced a wellbeing programme, including yoga classes, free fruit and free lunches. In October 2019, UAP completed the acquisition of Intelligent Hardware, which offers a wide range of door furniture, locks, latches and stylish handles.
2020 UAP acquired Locking Systems, a bespoke locking cylinders and masterkeying company that combines industry-leading technology with artisanal hand-pinning. Firemongery, a specialist in fire-safe hardware was also acquired in this year.
2021 Alongside 25th anniversary celebrations, UAP has increased its warehousing capacity and stockholding, established an e-commerce website and launched the Fullex Kinetica+ K4; one of the most secure 3* cylinder locks ever produced. 4
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HARDWARE INTEL MAGAZINE
5 TOP SECURITY TIPS FOR STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITY ACCOMMODATION
1. CHECK YOUR LOCKS With most students moving back to student accommodation in September, it’s a good time to consider how you’ll keep your place of residence safe and secure. Statistics from NUS (National Union of Students) show that one in five students fall victim to crime whilst studying at college or university. The average break-in costs around £900 to repair damage and replace belongings! Read our top tips to ensure you’re safe whilst living away from home. 5
If you’re living in halls, ask for information about the locking systems and how keys are regulated, recorded and controlled. If you’re privately renting, ensure appropriate and quality locks are fitted on the main door, bedroom door and windows. Look out for the BSI Kitemark, a star rating on the cylinder lock and Secured by Design products – our 3* cylinders provide maximum security. Ask your landlord
HARDWARE INTEL MAGAZINE
who has keys to the property and make sure all previous tenants returned their keys. If you come across any broken or damaged locks, contact your landlord to sort it as soon as possible. The sooner you sort a security issue out, the safer you and your housemates will be.
2. LOCK YOUR WINDOWS AND DOORS Sounds like a obvious tip but you’d be surprised! There’s no use checking your locks if you’re not going to lock anything. According to the NUS, up to 90% of burglaries at university are caused by insecure windows and doors. Consider setting up a phone reminder to close and lock your bedroom door, window and main property door when you’re going out.
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4. PROTECT YOUR VALUABLES Be sure to keep your valuables out of sight! Student homes are often full of high value electronic devices such as laptops, televisions and games consoles – making them a gold mine for burglars. Take photos of your valuables and consider noting down serial numbers of electronic items. You could also consider identity marking them with a UV security pen or security stickers. A lockable cash or security box would be a good investment to store valuables like keys and jewellery in. If you’re heading home for study week or the holidays, don’t leave your valuables lying about. Either take them home or put them out of view.
3. BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR KEYS
5. DON’T ADVERTISE THAT YOU’RE OUT
Don’t hide a key under your doormat! This is the oldest trick in the book and burglars will check in obvious places. If you misplace your key or would like a copy cut, find a vetted locksmith or key cutter close to your location.
Be wary about advertising you’re out. Don’t leave notes on your door saying you’re not in and avoid the temptation of checking into locations on social media as this could lead a burglar right to your door. Hold off posting about your library all-nighter or big night out until the next day. 6
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HOW YOU’RE PUTTING YOUR HOME AT RISK WITHOUT THINKING With social media websites giving you the option to share your location, burglars are cashing in
on the global fixation of sharing online. Checking in on Facebook or tagging our location on Instagram lets everyone know where you are and when, not just those that you trust. 7
HARDWARE INTEL MAGAZINE
Criminals use social media too, and as tempting as it may be to post while you’re away, the safest option would be to wait until you’re home. Sharing your holiday snaps online makes it clear that you are not at home and could be putting your empty property at risk of burglary. With this in mind, it’s important to check your privacy settings on all of
your social media accounts so your information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. Even so, according to crime data, 49% of burglars are known to their victims, so there could be someone tracking your habits
HARDWARE INTEL MAGAZINE
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online even if your profile is set to private. Data collected by Hillarys shows that by oversharing online, 1 in 12 have been burgled as a result. Remember, if being burgled wasn’t bad enough, sharing your holiday activity on social media could affect you when it comes to claiming on your home insurance policy. Those who have posted about being away from their home on their social media may be breaking the terms of their insurance policy and therefore may be refused a pay out from their insurer. Break-ins and burglary attempts can still happen even if we’re very careful. To minimise your risk of a burglar being successful in a break-in attempt, view our range of high-quality door security products.
“CHECKING IN ON FACEBOOK OR TAGGING YOUR LOCATION ON INSTAGRAM LETS EVERYONE KNOW WHERE YOU ARE AND WHEN, NOT JUST THOSE THAT YOU TRUST”
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HARDWARE INTEL MAGAZINE
5 THINGS TO REMEMBER BEFORE OPENING YOUR DOOR
Why would criminals bother breaking into your home when they can just knock and be invited in? Distraction crimes and doorstep scams are used by criminals as a way of gaining access to your home. Those attempting to gain unauthorised entry will come up with various distraction techniques; from bogus officials to bogus traders, the instigators of doorstep crime can come in many disguises. Bogus callers trick their way into homes to steal money and valuables. Others will force their way in by waiting until the door is opened allowing them to barge their way into the property. So how do you stop this happening 9
to you? There are many simple and affordable home security upgrades you can make to help protect yourself from doorstep crime. Read on for our top safety tips.
1. ASK WHO THE CALLER IS WITHOUT OPENING YOUR DOOR This is a simple bit often overlooked step. Asking who the visitor is instead of opening the door straight away denies them immediate access to your home. The visitor can still lie about their identity though, which is why it’s important to still use the following steps.
HARDWARE INTEL MAGAZINE
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2. USE A DOOR VIEWER Install a door viewer so you can check who has knocked on your door before unlocking your door and potentially leaving yourself and home vulnerable to attack. UAP offer 360 degree viewers that give a wider scope of the outside, leaving less room for criminals to hide out of sight.
3. CHECK ID Don’t be fooled by bogus tradesman and officials! By law, all tradespeople must carry a form of identification. Install an ID slot and request identification without opening the door by simply lifting the latch – the visitor can pass their ID to you through the slot. Call the company they are representing if you are still unsure if the caller is genuine or not.
“THERE ARE MANY SIMPLE AND AFFORDABLE HOME SECURITY UPGRADES YOU CAN MAKE TO HELP PROTECT YOURSELF FROM DOORSTEP CRIME”
4. INSTALL A HIGH SECURITY DOOR CHAIN The protection of a high security door chain not only means you can speak to a caller through the door, but it makes it difficult for criminals to barge through the door as soon as it’s unlocked. Make sure the door chain has a high breaking force, and if possible has individually welded links for additional strength. Also look out to see if the door chain is ‘Secured by Design’ approved from the Association of Police Officers, meaning that it has passed many security tests.
5. ONCE YOU ARE HAPPY THAT THE CALLER IS GENUINE, THEN TAKE OFF THE DOOR CHAIN AND LET THEM IN SAFELY. 10
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GGP (Glass & Glazing Products) Magazine recently shared an article about our sustainability initiatives at UAP.
HARDWARE INTEL MAGAZINE
UAP IN THE PRESS
The article describes how we’ve aimed to be a benchmark for quality and sustainability since our beginnings 25 years ago, putting in place our plastic-reduction and green energy initiatives, as well as ensuring sustainability in our supply chain. GGP Magazine also published an article about our Operations Director, Wendy Rushton, discussing how the glass and glazing industry can encourage greater inclusion. Danny Openshaw’s article was shared recently in Housebuilder & Developer magazine, discussing the role of window restrictors in specifying family-friendly developments. “RoSPA figures indicate that around 4,000 children aged 15 and under fall from windows every year in the UK: a figure that is both alarming and entirely preventable”. 11
Read the full article online here. The Locksmith magazine took a look at our company timeline for our 25th anniversary, from 1996 to present day. Take a look at our timeline on pages 1-4 to see what we’ve been up to over the last 25 years! Professional Security magazine featured our Locking Systems case study with Hull University, in which Locking Systems designed a complex masterkeying solution to enhance student safety on campus.
HARDWARE INTEL MAGAZINE
WHAT IS 3-STAR DOOR SECURITY? Thinking of upgrading your Euro cylinder lock to a 3-star, but unsure where to start? No need to worry – we’ll talk you through what to look out for! Door security that meets a 3-star security rating will provide maximum security from all known methods of forced entry, including cylinder snapping manipulation, picking and lock bumping. For maximum security, install a cylinder or combination of cylinder and door hardware with a cumulative total of 3-star security rating! The easiest way of reaching 3-star security is by installing a 3 Star BSI Kitemarked Cylinder.
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highest standard – 3-star security rating – can provide maximum security from all known methods of forced entry, including cylinder snapping manipulation, picking and lock bumping. When comparing the Kinetica 3-Star Cylinder to a standard one, there’s a clear winner when it comes to security. Just look at how many more security features the 3 Star incorporates to defend against common lock breaking attacks! The one sure way to be confident your lock can stand up against a lock-breaking attack is to look out for the BSI Kitemark displayed on locks that have been certified by the British Standards Institute (BSI). Locks that display the Kitemark can give you the reassurance that each product has been tested to a high standard. Look out for the Kitemark symbol:
The Kinetica cylinder is UAP’s contribution to the 3-star Kitemarked cylinder market, combining expertise from both UAP and Fullex. It is Secured by Design Approved, Sold Secured Diamond Standard and has the highest Kitemark rating for cylinders! Now that’s secure! Having a cylinder that meets the 12
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HARDWARE INTEL MAGAZINE
10 TOP TIPS
FOR A SAFER HOME
We all deserve to feel safe and secure in our own homes, but there is always a chance that an incident could occur that threatens our safety. The biggest hazards with home safety are burglary and home invasion attempts, and accidents or threats to safety within the home such as fire. According to statistics gathered by NimbleFins home insurance this year, when a burglar enters a victim’s home, they cause an average of £1,413 worth of 13
damage, steal £2,856 of goods and leave 84% of victims in emotional distress. So, how can you make your home safer? Read on for 10 top tips:
1. SECURE YOUR DOORS Door security is one of the most important aspects of home security, as this is a prime target for burglars. Make sure that all your external doors are robust and secure with high quality locks, such as a 3*
HARDWARE INTEL MAGAZINE
Kitemarked Euro cylinder. You could also install a deadbolt and strike plate and consider the security from the inside of the door – door chains and door viewers can help to prevent unwanted visitors.
2. SECURE YOUR WINDOWS Windows should be fitted with high-security locks and window restrictors to prevent attempted break-ins – 1 in 5 burglars will enter through a window, but only 6.3% will smash the glass to enter. This means that your window security is doing all the work in preventing access. Fit windows with a window lock to prevent the sash from being levered from the outside and use a window restrictor to limit how far a window can open to prevent burglars from climbing through them or attempting to pull things out.
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3. LIGHT YOUR OUTDOOR SURROUNDINGS Make sure that the outside of your home is well lit – 58.3% of burglary attempts happen at night in the dark. Lighting indicates to potential criminals that people are at home or that they will be seen if they attempt a break-in. Motion sensor lights are another thing to consider, as these are an effective deterrent. Criminals are attracted to dark, unlit entryways where they are less likely to be seen and identified.Besides deterring burglars, good lighting also reduces the chance of accidents if you have to go outside at night.
4. INSTALL SECURITY CAMERAS Security cameras can act as an effective deterrent if they’re in plain view of potential criminals, as they know they could be identified and caught. Even if a burglar isn’t put off by this, you’re much more likely to get your belongings back via the 14
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Police if you’ve caught the incident on camera. You can purchase cameras that connect to a mobile app, so you can always see who’s outside your home even when you’re away.
5. SECURE SHEDS AND OUTHOUSES Sheds, outhouses, and garages should be secured with a padlock if they do not have their own lock. Get a high-quality anti-corrosion padlock with a high security rating.
HARDWARE INTEL MAGAZINE
burglars will extend a metal hook through the letter plate to “fish” items within reach. Leaving keys near the door could allow them to be fished through the letterbox, and an intruder can then open the door. High quality letterplates such as our Soterian TS008 prevent fishing by restricting how far the flap can be opened, and also cannot be unscrewed from the door due to the concealed fixings.
6. PROTECT YOUR FRONT DOOR FROM FISHING
7. HIDE EXPENSIVE ITEMS FROM VIEW
A low-quality letterbox can leave your front door vulnerable to fishing – a method of attack where
Don’t leave expensive items visible in your front windows or in the garden. This is advertising to criminals
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that you have something worth stealing! Be conscious of what can be seen from the outside, similar to not leaving expensive items on view inside your car when you leave it.
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and creating strong passwords can prevent breaches of information.
8. USE SAFES FOR HIGH-VALUE ITEMS If someone should get inside your home, you can protect your valuables with a safe. You can get portable safes or ones anchored to the ground depending on your needs. Safes such as the Salvus Monza safe can also protect valuables in a fire, keeping all your important documents and treasured items safe.
9. SECURE YOUR WIFI Your WiFi security may not be something you’d consider as part of your home safety, but your wireless network is essentially an entryway to your personal and financial information. Smart home devices connected to your home WiFi can be hacked, allowing intruders to access them and break in. Putting measures in place such as securing your wireless router, enabling WPA (WiFi Protected Access) or WPA2 encryption, renaming and hiding your home network, using a firewall, using anti-virus software,
10. CHECK SMOKE ALARMS REGULARLY Different from burglary prevention, but still just as essential for home safety, is smoke alarm maintenance. According to the Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, you’re four times more likely to die in a fire if you don’t have a smoke alarm that works. By not being alerted to a fire via a smoke alarm in time, fire and smoke can spread quickly, leading to a deadly situation that can be avoided with the right safety precautions. Remember to also check that carbon monoxide detectors are fully functional.
SHOP HOME SECURITY 16
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HARDWARE INTEL MAGAZINE
THE UAP DESIGNER PULL HANDLE RANGE
The UAP Designer Pull Handles range is designed for a sleek, timeless look that lasts. The pull handles are manufactured from thick high-grade stainless steel in a mirror polished finish or satin stainless with high shine elements. Each handle is 38mm in diameter and fitted. Each pull handle features there are two lengths to choose hidden bolt through and back-to-back from. fixings, making them so easy to install on timber, composite, glass Each of the 6 pull handles is part of and aluminium doors. They are our Nanocoast range, meaning they supplied with an Allen key, two come with a lifetime coating guarantee Allen bolts on each of the up-stands and are designed to last, having and have two fixing points with an each been salt spray tested to ASTM individual plate on each. B117 for 2000 hours. They will not pit, rust or corrode regardless of See our Pull Handle Solutions the environment, making them the brochure for more information perfect addition to any home that about our Nanocoast and pull handle will stand the test of time. ranges. These pull handles are designed with simplicity in mind – not just visually, but also in how they’re 17
DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE HERE
HARDWARE INTEL MAGAZINE
We have recently renewed our membership with dhf, the UK association for companies related to Locks and Building Hardware that works to raise standards in the industry through technical advice and training.
Regarded as the ‘Centre of Excellence’, dhf has a “network of professional staff members as well as external consultants that can provide support in all sectors, making us a single source for technical expertise, information, knowledge, advice, and practical help”.
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WE’RE FULL MEMBERS OF DHF
dhf provides us with a network of professional consultants to help us make the right moves to provide customers with the best service possible.
By continuing to align ourselves with dhf, UAP demonstrate that we are a company that is dedicated to providing a professional service, and we want to see standards to continue to rise across the industry. 18
MARINE GRADE DOOR HARDWARE Nanocoast is a range of stainless steel hardware for exposed and extreme locations.
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Manufactured in high-grade stainless steel for superior corrosion resistance, our Nanocoast hardware range comes with an industry-leading lifetime guarantee. The products will not pit, rust or corrode regardless of the environment.
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or contact us: 0161 796 7268 sales@uapcoporate.com
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Visit our Resource Hub for more info: www.uapcorporate.com
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