[PSA] Garage Door Entry in Less than 6 Seconds

[elvisimprsntr]

 

 

There are a number of companies which sell complicated and overpriced mechanical solutions ranging from $30 to $100's.

 

I decided to use the KISS principal.  A ty-wrap does make it difficult to release in an emergency, especially with the rope handle removed.   Attached is my prototype solution.   I'll upgrade to an aluminum solution after my next trip to the pub.

 

 

 

[Teken]

This is old news, but is important to spread the word so people can be proactive and counter such an issue. I saw a similar video more than six years ago but wasn't too worried because this assumes a few things are at play.

 

This also assumes you're using a standard GDO.

 

I don't use a standard GDO but a jack shaft style which is immune to this tactic. I also have three independent locking systems in place. One from the GDO which activates a solenoid and the other which is controlled by my alarm security system. If the house is placed in an armed state the GDO solenoid is taken off line.

 

The third system is a manual locking latch bar that is pad locked during vacation. Must be unlatched from the inside of the garage and this doesn't address the future bollards being installed down the road.

 

Because you can have all the locks in the world but if they back into the door and bend the door they are in. With four retractable bollards the entire car would be decimated before bending the GDO door.  

[elvisimprsntr]

My garage door has six box beams the width of the door for hurricane reinforcement, thus the door cannot be easily bent in.   I have also seen videos where a thief can compromise the door with a manual can opener around the lock to release the latch bar.    

 

A determined thief can break into any home thru any point of entry given enough time and tools.   The goals for any perimeter protection are to:

1. Force them to make noise breaking in and/or sound an alarm when the perimeter is comprised.  

2. Slow them down to give you more time take a defensive or armed offensive position.  

3. Force them to leave visible signs of forced entry for police and your insurance company.  

 

The garage door emergency quick release break in method makes very little noise, does not slow them down, and leaves no signs of forced entry.  Take whatever measures you feel are necessary to protect your family and property.  

[Teken]

My garage door has several box beams the width of the door for hurricane reinforcement, thus the door cannot be bent in.   I have also seen videos where a thief can compromise the door with a manual can opener around the lock to release the latch bar.    

 

A determined thief can break into any home thru any point of entry given enough time and tools.   The goals for any perimeter protection are to:

1. Force them to make noise breaking in and/or sound an alarm when the perimeter is comprised.  

2. Slow them down to give you more time take a defensive or armed offensive position.  

3. Force them to leave visible signs of forced entry for police and your insurance company.  

 

Agreed, using the four rings of security protection and implementing them is key. This is why forced protection is required and paramount in any security system.

 

When I read about all the bells and whistles people use with out a second thought about actual physical force protection I just shake my head and laugh. All the noise in the world isn't going to slow down a person kicking down a door.

 

EXAMPLE:

 

Only a outward swinging gate on a entry door coupled with structural upgrades to the door hinges, strike plate, and door, will slow down a kicked down of a door. It takes more than 300% more force to pull then to kick in a door this is why a outward swinging gate door is mandatory.

 

Living in NYC for more than 20 years these rot iron doors are standard issue all over the place. Less common in other areas of North America where crime is low.

 

I can literally count on one hand how many people I know of or have read on the Interwebs that had the for sight to physically monitor the GDO door. This is the only tried and true method to know if the door has been opened outside of a armed state etc.

 

Lots of people use Insteon to replicate the same but its not on the same level of protection and alert monitoring at all. Even when people use wireless IR sensors not weather rated for the environment this results in false alerts or worse no alerts at all.  

[MWareman]

My garage door has two mag relay sensors wired in series to an Elk input... Elk zone violation triggers the Entry 2 timer, and the inner door to the house (locked with a zwave lock) triggers Entry 1 when violated. Progressively shorter times to disarm. It also pages my cellphone immediately (and urgently) if opened with Elk armed in night mode (since this should never normally happen). An appropriate defensive posture can then be assumed.

[elvisimprsntr]

My garage door has two mag relay sensors wired in series to an Elk input... Elk zone violation triggers the Entry 2 timer, and the inner door to the house (locked with a zwave lock) triggers Entry 1 when violated. Progressively shorter times to disarm. It also pages my cellphone immediately (and urgently) if opened with Elk armed in night mode (since this should never normally happen). An appropriate defensive posture can then be assumed.

That does not cover the scenario where the thieves open the GD and bust in the entry door, close the GD and wait for the police to leave after the alarm goes off when you are not home. Look it up.