Anyone who manages a building with more than a few doors knows the problem: a big ring of keys, a drawer full of spares nobody can identify, and a constant question of who can get into which room. A master key system is the standard way to bring order to that. Here is how it works and what to think about before setting one up.
The basic idea
In a master key system, each lock can be opened by more than one key. Every door has its own individual key, often called a change key, that opens only that door. A master key opens a group of doors, and a grand master key opens every door in the system. A tenant or employee carries one key for their own door, while a manager carries one key that opens everything they are responsible for.
How it works inside the lock
Most common locks use pins of different lengths that a key lifts to exactly the right height. In a master keyed lock, extra small pins, called master pins, create a second correct height at certain positions. That allows two different keys, the change key and the master key, to line the pins up and turn the cylinder. Designing which pins go where is what makes each key open only the doors it should.
Levels in a system
- Change keys open a single door or a small set of identical doors.
- Master keys open a group, such as one floor, one wing or one department.
- Grand master keys open every master group in the building.
Small businesses often need only two levels. Larger properties may use three or four.
When a master key system makes sense
- Several people need access to different rooms, and one or two people need access to all of them.
- You are tired of carrying and labeling many keys.
- Staff or tenants change often and you want a clear record of who holds what.
- You manage rental units, offices, churches, schools or storage buildings.
Planning before you build it
Start with a list of every door and who should be able to open it. That list becomes the key chart, the plan that decides how many levels you need and which key opens which lock. It is much easier to plan for future growth now than to redesign the system later.
Security considerations
A master key is powerful, so treat it carefully. Limit how many master keys exist and who carries them. Restricted keyways help, because blanks for them can only be cut by an authorized locksmith, which prevents unauthorized copies made at a hardware store. Keep a key log with the key number, the holder and the date issued, and collect keys when people leave.
What happens if a master key is lost
Losing a master key is the expensive scenario, since every lock it opens may need to be rekeyed. Good record keeping and a small number of masters keep that risk manageable.
Rekeying into a system
In many cases existing locks can be rekeyed into a master key system without replacing the hardware, which keeps costs down. Doors with worn or low-quality locks may be worth upgrading at the same time.
Getting it done
A well-planned master key system saves time every day and makes turnover much simpler. Choice City Locksmith designs and installs master key systems in Fort Collins for offices, rentals and other buildings across Northern Colorado. Phone (970) 803-1100.
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