Over the past ten years, there has been a steady rise of keyless door entry systems incorporated into blocks of flats and apartments. Advances in technology has seen a variety of ingenious touchpads, keypads and key fob entry systems being used by developers to ensure the safety of residents and to keep apartment blocks secure.
Keyless Mailboxes: Our model RV292 digilock postbox
It stands to reason then, that if the building we live in does not require a key to gain access to it, nor does access to the locked letterbox in the lobby area, which holds our mail. With less reliance on keys, there is a sense of being more secure in our world. That unauthorised access becomes more difficult to achieve.
To a certain extent this is true. Technological advances in our locking systems mean that opportunist attempts at unauthorised access or theft are significantly reduced. But this comes at a price. Such technology doesn't come cheap. Whilst the initial cost of the technology is borne by the developer, the maintenance of these systems is the responsibility ultimately of the resident via the managing agent.
And as a resident, if you ever lose a key fob or card, or need a copy, then the cost can be expensive, and the choice of suppliers restrictive. There is also a danger of becoming reliant on such systems, thinking that the technology behind it is fail-safe. The modern day criminal is as likely to be carrying a handheld device to circumnavigate a locking system as he/she is a set of screwdrivers or the traditional swag bag.
So what types of keyless mailbox systems are available? The two main types are push button lock post boxes, commonly known as digilock post boxes, and electronic access control / card reader mailboxes, which includes key fob systems and card readers similar to those found on hotel room doors.
Digilocks by nature have ten push buttons marked from 0 to 9, and a thumb turn to release the bolt once the correct code has been typed into the digilock. Typically vertical in nature, it is possible to retrospectively fit them to horizontal post boxes too, with a horizontal style digilock.
Whilst not recommended for external use, some clients have positioned them on external letterboxes. It's not necessarily the electronics which are susceptible to the elements, but the batteries in the digilocks which can corrode once water comes into contact with them. Post Boxes UK can supply digilocks with a rubber gasket / seal which are IP54 rated, however, these locks are designed for damp environments such as changing rooms rather than pure external environments.
The second type of keyless mailbox system available is an electronic access control / card reader type mailbox. These systems tend to be more sophisticated than the stand alone digilock systems. They are usually used in tandem with the door entry system specified for the building, thus allowing residents to use just one key fob or card to gain access to both the apartment block and their key fob mailbox.
Post Boxes UK offers a range of keyless mailbox with digilocks and key fob mailboxes. In fact, most of our range of mailboxes and letter boxes can be fitted with at least a digilock and to a lesser extent an electronic access lock. Contact us today to discuss your requirements, and we will advise which keyless mailbox system will work best for you.
For further information on our range of keyless products, please visit our group website: www.keylessmailboxes.co.uk.
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