Southern Folger MECHANICAL CONTROL CABINETS User Manual

FA Rev. 02-10 D21

For more information, please call 210.533.1231.

Introduction_____________

In most cell door locking device
systems, a combination of electrical and
mechanical controls are needed to
provide day-to-day operation and
permit inmate movement. Electrical
controls offer selective operation under
normal circumstances and should be
specified separately from locking
devices or operators. To provide
operation in event of emergency or
power failure, mechanical release
cabinets are offered. These permit
release of rows or tiers of cell doors for
manual opening and allow egress. In
designing a security system, mechanical
cabinets should be located in a secure
area, contiguous to the cell run or tier to
be controlled.

Functions_______________

Mechanical Only

In a basic mechanical cabinet, a single
lever control allows staff to unlock a
group of cell doors. In the locked
position, the locking mechanism of the
overhead device is engaged and all
doors are locked. When the lever is in
the unlocked position, the mechanisms
are disengaged and doors may be
opened manually. Consult the product
pages in this section for the method
applicable to the device you are
specifying.

In a basic cabinet, one lever locks or
unlocks the locking system of a group
of doors. Cabinet size and configuration
may easily be customized to your
specific application. In situations
requiring control of multiple cell runs or
tiers, additional lever controls may be

FOLGER ADAM LOCKING DEVICES

MECHANICAL

CONTROL CABINETS

Mechanical Release Cabinet with folding telescopic handles (shown with door open). Release lever
handles vary with the number of devices they release.

Electromechanical Control Cabinet with electrical switching (door open).

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D22 Printed in USA FA Rev. 02-10

P.O. Box 2021, San Antonio, TX 78297 Ph: 210.533.1231 Fx: 210.533.2211

Web: www.SouthernFolger.com

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added to allow single location
operation. A maximum of eight levers
may be combined into a single
mechanical cabinet. With the cabinet
described above, electric operation, or
opening and closing of the individual
cell doors, would be accomplished by
electrical switch, key switch, push
button, or other actuation method
external to the cabinet.

NOTE: In cases where a mechanical cabinet is
not specified to accompany locking devices, the
devices are provided with special covers and
housings which permit access to the mechanism
for manual unlocking of each individual door.

For individual mechanical operation in
emergency or power failure, the cell
release ports are opened from the
mechanical cabinet. These ports provide
access to a manual release system
which is operated by a “T” handle, and
releases individual doors. Refer to
product pages as this feature is not
available on all locking devices.

Mechanical/Electrical Operation

The custom nature of control cabinets
allows the facility planner to combine
electrical controls and mechanical
release in the same cabinet. In this way,
control/operation, and door status
indication are centralized for staff safety
and convenience, and the mechanical
operation serves as a gang release or

emergency release. Cabinets with
electrical and mechanical controls offer
operational versatility. When electrical
controls are built into the same cabinet
as the mechanical controls, each cell run
or tier has two levers assigned. The first
is the lock/unlock lever, the second
selects mechanical operation in one
position, and electrical operation in the
other. Long runs of cells may require
the addition of breech handles, or a
crank and gear box to the cabinet.
Release cabinets can be built for
virtually any application. Consult with us
early in the planning stages of your
project for assistance.

Additional Data_________

Mechanical control cabinets are
constructed of heavy duty materials,
and the cabinet doors are secured by
detention-quality, lever tumbler locks.
Specifications are given on product
pages in this section. The following
illustrations show typical mechanical
control cabinets and provide general
information. This information is for
reference only. Please contact us with
your specific application requirements.

FOLGER ADAM LOCKING DEVICES

MECHANICAL

CONTROL CABINETS

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