A Master Key System What Is It

A MASTER KEY SYSTEM: WHAT IS IT? Fighting for environmental action across the globe

Business owners, landlords, and people who run commercial properties may be interested in how master key door lock systems work.

When it comes to letting people in and keeping the property safe on a property with many doors, jobs, and people, it can be hard to find a good balance.

Here is everything you need to know about installing a master key and how it can help your business:

HOW DOES THE MASTER KEY SYSTEM WORK? A master key system is a way to keep a building safe. It's like an architect's blueprint in that it shows how to both let people into a property and keep them out. Any system with multiple "access levels" must be set up in a way that fits the security needs of the building (or group of buildings) where it is installed.

Using symbols and abbreviations that have been around for a long time, like MK for Master Key and GGM for Great Grand Master Key, a diagram like a family tree or a company's organizational chart is made to show which keys open which lock or group of locks. This diagram shows how the system will be used, just like a building's blueprint does.

After this keying scheme has been approved, the key codes are written down, the cylinders are keyed, and keys are cut. Before the locks, cylinders, and keys are ordered from the factory, the plan is usually changed many times without changing the final price.

A master key system is a set of locks and keys that are related to each other in a hierarchical way. One key at the "top" fits into a lot of locks, while many keys at the "bottom" may only fit one lock. Less levels of master keys make a system more secure. It's important to plan ahead.

WHY WOULD A BUSINESS WANT TO USE A MASTER KEY SYSTEM?

There are a lot of reasons for this, but the most important one is that controlling and limiting access makes the area safer. The second factor is how useful it is. Have you ever seen a person who works in maintenance wearing a belt with a big key ring on it? A well-designed master key system cuts down on the number of keys needed when one key opens more than one door.

In a master key system, specific keys can open a certain number of doors.

A named key can also open different kinds of locks, like door locks, cabinet locks, padlocks, etc., as long as the cylinder inside is the same model.

In a master key system, a master key is a key that can be used to open a number of locks that are linked together. For example, a primary school might have a master key that opens all classroom doors. Each door to a classroom would be opened with a key that would only work on that door.

But that classroom key might also open the closet in the classroom. In other words, if the keys are the same, one key can open more than one lock (KA). Imagine that this elementary school is part of a district where all of the schools use the same master key system. If that's the case, there might be a Great Grand Master key that could be given out (and cut) to open all exterior doors, classroom doors, and closet doors.

In this example security system, the top-level key, called the "Great Grand Master" on the chart that goes with it, can open all doors.

Each lock also has its own unique key. So, master key systems could be set up by department or other functional groupings to make access easier for supervisors or in case of an emergency. The next level, called the Grand Master key, can only open certain doors, etc.

Most of the time, the first level, called "Change Key," only opens one door or chamber.

When designing a system, there are many things to think about. Here are four: the brand or manufacturer of the locks and keys (this is the most important factor in determining the level of security), the number of locks in the system, who is in charge of giving out keys, and where the doorways are located.

Any key that can open two or more different locks is a "master key."

In a master key scheme, a master key looks the same as all the other keys. It will still be the same size and shape. Unless it is marked with letters or numbers like "GGM," "GM," or "A," the cuts are the only way to tell it apart. If the right permissions and key blanks are there, a master key can be copied similarly to any other key.

But "master pins" must be in the lock cylinders for a master key to work. When the master pins are in the right place, the key and lock can turn freely. Pins of a certain color, size, and shape are put into a lock cylinder based on the codes that were given to it.

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SO, HOW DOES THE MASTER KEY SYSTEM WORK? Pin tumbler locks are the most common type of lock. They work with a key and driver pins inside a cylinder. When you put a key into the key plug, the pins move up to a certain height, called the shear line, which lets you open the lock. Master key locks have two shear lines: one for change keys or sub-master keys, which only open certain doors, and one for master keys, which open all doors.

Even though the master key is usually the most important key in the system, companies may sometimes use grandmaster or great-grand-master keys that can open multiple master key systems.

WHY USING A MASTER KEY SYSTEM IS A GOOD IDEA Master key systems have many benefits for ease of use, control, and safety. They let you control access, so you can give people keys to only certain doors while still being able to open all of the others. Master keys also get rid of the need to carry heavy key rings and remember which key opens which door; you'll only need one key for everything.

Putting money into a master key system will make your business or property safer, more secure, and easier to run.

YH Lock & Security can set up a Master Key System for you.

If you want to set up a master key system, you can count on YH Lock & Security to give you the service and tools you need. We offer the best key and lock services in Las Vegas. Talk to us right away.

YH Lock & Security 6445 W Sunset Rd Unit #168 Las Vegas, NV 89118