Utility and industrial enterprises need secure operations around the clock, knowing that any threat to the public’s safety can negatively impact revenues and tarnish their reputations. Now they have a new solution to help as ABLOY USA Critical Infrastructure Global Solutions has created an exclusive partnership with Neenah Foundry to introduce InfraLOCK, a high security locking system designed to protect underground infrastructure.

ABLOY USA has a 45-year track record of developing advanced engineering, design and innovation in the field of electromechanical locking technology. In addition to providing critical asset security, they offer remote access management solutions to minimize security risks at critical infrastructure properties operated by governments and utilities around the world. Wisconsin-based Neenah Foundry has produced American-made municipal infrastructure and construction products for the water and sewer industries for nearly 150 years.

“Our Neenah partnership is vital to closing the gap with intricate critical infrastructure projects which are in need of mechanical and electronic high security compliant solutions at the most difficult and potentially vulnerable access points,” said Jerry Burhans, managing director of ABLOY USA Critical Infrastructure Global Solutions. “They also need ways to authorize and track individuals requiring physical access inside their security perimeters. InfraLOCK makes this possible.”

InfraLOCK is a heavy duty Neenah manhole cover that incorporates the ABLOY PLM340 padlock. The cover is furnished with a cast iron plug that conceals the weather-resistant padlock housing. When unlocked, the hardened steel constructed padlock swings to the side, and by design cannot be removed from the housing. Pullback on a cast iron bar releases the locking mechanism and allows the cover to be removed.

ABLOY’s shackle-sealed, corrosion-resistant padlock provides a host of benefits. Burhans said it starts with patented disc rotating technology, making the padlock almost impossible to pick. Cylinder options inside the padlock allow for integrating systems to control keys, manage access rights and perform audit trails with ABLOY CLIQ technology.

“The key is designed so it can only be duplicated by an ABLOY authorized distributor and cannot be 3D printed,” Burhans said. “We’ve also tested it to withstand the harshest conditions and the Super Weather Proof (SWP) cap is IP68 rated.”

“Customers in the gas, water, sewer, aviation and telecom industries have asked us for a security solution for this type of infrastructure,” said Rob Stumpf, product manager for Neenah Foundry. He added that integrating ABLOY access control technology takes this locking manhole cover to an entirely new level of security preparedness for end users. “What’s new about InfraLOCK is that it is a highly engineered secure manhole that’s extremely user friendly and simple to use. It operates just like a normal manhole cover.”

InfraLOCK is easy to install and can be retrofit into existing frames without costly demolition, unnecessary hardware or installation expenditures. The housing can be fitted to virtually any standard manhole cover. Visit www.abloyusa.com for more information.