Disability Rights UK (formerly R.A.D.A.R.) promotes a U.K. national scheme, whereby specially manufactured locks are fitted in toilets UK wide, that can only be operated using a RADAR key. The National Key Scheme (NKS) offers disabled people independent access to locked public toilets around the country. Toilets fitted with N&C Phlexicare RADAR National Key Scheme (NKS) locks can now be found in shopping centres, pubs, cafés, department stores, bus and train stations and many other locations in most parts of the country.
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N&C Phlexicare has launched the brand new, 5th generation RADAR lock system in association with Disability Rights UK. The new design features a 6 lever lock operation for use by all official RADAR key holders. The new RADAR lock can now be easily distinguished as the official, genuine lock amongst all the poorly designed copy locks currently available on the market.
- Inventors of the NKS lock
- Trusted over 40 years
- Can be used by all existing
- official NKS key holders
- 6 lever lock operation
- Meets EN1670:2007 Grade 5
- Satifies requirements set in
- the Equality Act (BS8300)
- 6 fixings points for durability
- Colour contrast backplate to
- achieve required LRV
- Tested to BS/EN1906:2002
Behind the Development of NKS
In 1981, an appropriate universal lock was introduced by N&C Phlexicare, a company with an established record in promoting ironmongery to the disabled market. This introduction saw the launch of the National Key Scheme, which today is fitted in over 9000 toilets around the UK.
The scheme allowed for public facilities that were previously locked due to vandalism and misuse, to be once again available to disabled users by local authorities. The Key Scheme first grew UK wide, when the National Rail installed the locks in over 40 stations across the country. By the mid 80’s, the National Key Scheme grew and at least one N&C Phlexicare RADAR lock was being fitted every working day, which meant it was growing at a rapid rate. The scheme was becoming a normal part of provision in many parts of the country, becoming an integral part in developing vandal resistant ‘superloos’.
The Original Radar Lock System
The new 5th generation lock design still uses the original lockset manufactured by N&C Phlexicare as a trusted mechanism that today still accepts the very first keys that were launched over 35 years ago. The lockset uses a 6 lever lock operation.
The new Radar handset has been improved with an extended cranked level handle for improved ease of use to satisfy the requirements set out in the Equality Act (BS8300). It achieves a category of use to Grade 2 EN1906.
The new Radar lock latch head has been tested to 1,000,000 bolt slam operations with the lock follower for the lever handle also being tested to 1,000,000 cycles. A Neutral Salt Spray test had also been carried out to 480 hours to meet the requirements set out by EN1670:2007 Grade 5 representing exceptionally high corrosion resistance. The new generation lock has now been powder coated blue to differentiate it from copy locks in the market place.
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Radar locks should only be used by approved N&C Phlexicare RADAR keys that have been tested with the locks. There are many copy keys out in the market place claiming to be the genuine, official radar key. If it is not the official N&C Phlexicare key, it is not classed, according to Disability Rights UK, the official key. The problem that can occur is that the performance of copy keys cannot be guaranteed as there is no quality control and poorly cut keys that result in poor torque resistance have resulted in vulnerable people being unable to open the lock. Failed keys result in embarrassment, inconvenience and reduced independence of the user.
N&C Phlexicare is part of the Nicholls & Clarke Group established in 1875 in the heart of London. N&C are longstanding members of GAI, and manufacture and distribute quality ironmongery products.
