Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, in certain circumstances. However, it involves a special process and there would be a charge involved. If the cylinder and keys are registered, you would need to approach the ASSA Security Centre which supplied them and holds the records. Standard differ cylinders can be re-keyed by any ASSA Security Centre (if in doubt, please contact our Systems Department with the reference number stamped on the cylinder and we can advise which stockist can carry out the job).

The re-keying operation involves carefully drilling out the cylinder plugs, removing the pins and inserting new ones, then updating the key system records and cutting new keys. Please be warned that not every cylinder design can be re-worked in this way; the Security Centre can advise if it will be possible in your case.

Of course, reprogramming an ASSA CLIQ electromechanical cylinder to accept a different key is simplicity itself.

As long as all the cylinders are in the same series (for example ASSA 4800 or ASSA Twin Combi), using an ASSA master key system with other manufacturers' locks is simple: this is why we produce our cylinders in so many different shapes. The different shapes may be mixed and matched freely to suit the individual locks. The system can even include ASSA padlocks.

If on the other hand you want to use another manufacturer's cylinders with ASSA locks, you will need to ensure that they can supply cylinders in the appropriate shapes. In particular, the Evolution and Modular ranges use Scandinavian Oval cylinders.

Yes. The Evolution, Modular, Euro and Compact ranges are of all-steel construction with steel latchbolt. Various locks from these ranges have been successfully tested on 30 minute timber doors and four hour steel doors.

ASSA ABLOY Door Solutions deals only with the UK and Ireland. Other companies within the ASSA ABLOY Group are responsible for sales to other countries.

However, please note that several of our stockists do offer an export service and may be able to assist you.

The lock faceplate is attached to a bracket held by two screws. Remove these screws using a slot-head or Torx screwdriver, and rotate the latchbolt.

On deadlocking nightlatches such as the 8761 or 5784, also unhook the small anti-thrust bolt below the latch, turn it over and hook it back into place. NOTE: on 70mm backset locks, you will need to remove the 20mm spacer piece between the faceplate and lock body first in order to unhook this bolt.

Our Price List (available on request) gives our list prices for all items. Each of our stockists is free to use this as a basis for negotiation, depending on the size and nature of the project.

ASSA products are handed as follows:

Anticlockwise closing: Left Hand
Clockwise closing: Right Hand

To tell the handing of a door, stand on the side where the hinges are visible when it is closed. If the hinges are on your left, it is a left hand door; if they are on your right, it is a right hand door.

Nothing – it isn’t an abbreviation and was simply chosen as a simple, distinctive-sounding name for a company. However, the original founder of the company was called August Stenman, and our favourite theory is that he took his initials “AS” then repeated them the other way around to get the name.

Incidentally, we pronounce it a’-ssa, with the first “a” as in “cat” (not a long “ah” or an “ay” sound).

For many years the Swedish insurance organisation FSAB was the only major independent body worldwide providing security ratings to padlocks. They laid down five security grades, from 1 (the lowest) to 5 (the highest). ASSA padlocks have been tested and approved against these grades, and are marked with the appropriate Class rating.

The new CEN classification system for padlocks has been largely based on this Swedish system, except that it has 6 grades – CEN Grade 6 is roughly equivalent to FSAB Class 5.

This is a technical term for the body of a lock – the part which fits inside the door. To make up a complete ASSA lock you need a lockcase plus a cylinder (plus accessories such as handles, thumbturns, escutcheons, striking plates, etc, as desired).

All systems of key control rely on the limited availability of registered keys. These should only available from reputable locksmiths and security centres, who undertake to check identification and only supply keys to properly authorised people. If keys become freely available – or if pirate copies are produced and circulated on the black market – then security will be fatally undermined.

There is currently only one way to prevent third party manufacturers from producing copies of keys and selling them to anybody they choose, without necessarily observing any security precautions. That is if the design of the key is patented. Patents are valid for 20 years and allow manufacturers to take legal action against anyone supplying keys to that design without permission.

When specifying patented products you should ensure that the manufacturer’s patents are still current, apply worldwide, and will be enforced.

The following ASSA key systems are protected by patents:

• ASSA Flexcore
• ASSA 4800
• ASSA Twin Combi 5800
• ASSA Twin 7000
• ASAS CLIQ

From our nationwide network of stockists. Some of these specialise in different areas or offer different services, as shown on the stockist list.

This depends on the level of key control.

Unregistered keys (Step 1) are freely available from any stockist. Keys covered by Local Registration (step 2) may be supplied by any authorised locksmith or retailer, but you will need to supply proof of identity such as a Letter of Authorisation. Higher security keys can only be supplied by either a specific ASSA centre nominated in advance, or direct from the factory; and you will need to provide proper identification.

Don't know which ASSA stockist you need to go to? There should be a reference number stamped on the key (or, failing that, on the lock cylinder – you will need to remove this from the door in order to see the number). If you ring the ASSA ABLOY Door Solutions Systems Department on 0845 070 6713 and quote this number, they will be able to tell you which stockist is authorised to cut your keys.

For more information contact our Masterkey Department on:

Tel: 0845 070 6713
Fax: 01902 364 054

or simply visit our online order form https://www.uniononline.co.uk/masterkeyorderform

Each shape is designed to fit into a different type or make of lock. The Scandinavian Oval and Scandinavian Round shapes both fit our own Evolution, Modular and other lockcase ranges. UK Oval fits traditional British locks (such as our Compact range), Euro Profile fits German-style DIN locks (such as our Euro range) and also ASSA Compact and Euro locks, Round Threaded is designed for US style mortice locks and various specialist locking devices, and Round Rim suits the rim mounted locks typically found in UK residences.