Cylinders FAC
Information about FAC
FAC: deadbolts, cylinders and locks to reinforce the door
Who FAC is
FAC Seguridad is a Spanish company founded in February 1931. Its origin was a family one and was linked to the creation of a bar deadbolt operated by a key cylinder, a solution that became popular on the doors of many Spanish homes. The company was formally incorporated in 1971, continuing the activity begun four decades earlier.
With more than 90 years in the trade, FAC manufactures its products in Spain, at its plant in Casarrubios del Monte, Toledo. The brand holds a recognised position in the domestic market for deadbolts, locks and safes. Its evolution combines the traditional horizontal-bar design with improvements geared towards current manipulation, drilling and extraction techniques.
FAC product range for doors and security
FAC offers solutions to reinforce residential entry points, shops and small businesses. Although the deadbolt is its best-known product, the catalogue includes other elements to complete the protection of a door or to safeguard valuables.
- Bar deadbolts, high-security deadbolts and models with an external cylinder.
- Rim locks, mortice locks and locks for metal doors.
- Euro-profile cylinders and security cylinders for compatible mechanisms.
- Escutcheons, keyhole covers, strike plates, reinforcement plates and mounting accessories.
- Domestic and professional safes, fireproof boxes, padlocks and door closers.
A FAC deadbolt acts as a second, independent locking point. It is useful to complement a main lock, provided the door, the frame and the strike plate have the necessary resistance. On badly deteriorated doors, it is best to repair the structure first before adding a reinforcement.
Security technologies and certifications
The high-security 446 UVE MAGNET and 946 UVE series incorporate anti-bumping, anti-pick, anti-drill, anti-extraction, anti-jemmy and anti-impressioning systems. On these models, the diabolo pins and floating elements are designed to block the rotor against a bumping key or a picking attempt. Anti-drill protection is reinforced by a hardened steel bush and rotating disc.
The plate and the strike plate are also part of the security. FAC uses steel reinforcements and plates designed to make extraction of the key cylinder and levering of the deadbolt more difficult. The dimple key, copy control and master-keying depend on the cylinder chosen: not all FAC references include these features, so you have to check the data sheet of the specific product.
The certified versions of the 446 UVE MAGNET and 946 UVE deadbolts have been tested in accordance with UNE-EN 1303:2016. The declared classification is 1600C6D, with grade 6 for key security and grade D for attack resistance. A locksmithing professional can assess which key cylinder and strike plate size fit each door.
Notable models and ranges
The historic Cerrojo Nº 1 keeps the horizontal-bar design that gave rise to the brand. It is an option for old, rustic doors or secondary entry points where a traditional mechanical deadbolt is sought, available in various key-cylinder lengths and finishes. It should not be confused with the current high-security models.
For a front door, the 446 UVE MAGNET and 946 RP/80 UVE provide more complete protection against destructive and non-destructive attacks. The 526 and 926 RP/80 Q4TRO deadbolts belong to a more recent door-reinforcement range. They are suitable for primary homes, ground-floor units with direct access or second homes that need an additional barrier.
Real advantages and drawbacks
The main advantage of FAC is that it allows an existing door to be reinforced without necessarily changing its main lock. A high-security deadbolt, correctly fitted, adds an independent locking point and can act as a complement to a euro-profile cylinder and a protective escutcheon. The availability of models and finishes makes it easy to adapt it to wooden or metal doors.
As a limitation, no deadbolt on its own corrects a flimsy frame, a swollen leaf or worn hinges. The installation requires the plate and strike plate to be fixed correctly; if they are placed on a weak surface, the improvement will be limited. On armoured doors with a modern multi-point closure, it may be preferable to check the cylinder and the escutcheon before adding another mechanism.
Installation and maintenance of FAC deadbolts
Before fitting a deadbolt you have to check the thickness of the door, the hand of opening, the distance to the edge and the resistance of the frame. The key cylinder must be the right length and not protrude too far. It is also important that the bar enters the strike plate freely, without rubbing and without having to lift or push the door.
If the key turns with difficulty, the bar does not fit, the strike plate has play or drilling marks are visible, it is advisable to carry out a check. Use lubricant specific to cylinders and avoid dense oils. After a loss of keys, a house move or an attempted intrusion, it is worth considering changing the cylinder or the whole deadbolt.
Installing and changing FAC cylinders in Torrevieja
We carry out the installation and replacement of FAC cylinders in Torrevieja, La Mata, Aguas Nuevas, Los Balcones, La Siesta, San Luis, El Chaparral, Los Altos, La Veleta, Mar Azul and Cabo Cervera. We also serve Orihuela Costa, Rojales, Ciudad Quesada, Guardamar del Segura and the rest of the Vega Baja. Before any work we provide a fixed quote, with an invoice and a guarantee on all jobs.
Our 24-hour locksmiths, emergency locksmiths and on-call locksmiths carry out emergency door openings, door openings, lock changes, lock repairs and door repairs. We work on public holidays and in the early hours, 365 days a year, with assistance in several languages. It is a useful service for owners of second homes who need to regain access, install a deadbolt or improve security before arriving in Torrevieja.