Balancing the need to keep the building secure with the need to give the appropriate individuals access to it can sometimes prove to be a problem, more so in buildings with many doors. This is where master key systems are used. Whether it is in a school setting, an office space, a rental accommodation, or a shared living space, master key systems provide an alternative solution to the hassle of having to deal with many keys.
What are Master Key Systems?
The master key system is an organized method by which access within a building or group of buildings can be controlled. It provides the ability for different keys to operate different doors within the building or group of buildings, with one master key capable of accessing all doors within the building or group of buildings.
For instance, at an apartment block, every tenant will have a key to access their apartment and common areas. The manager will then use a master key to access all apartments and common area doors. It is well organized, secure, and more convenient than having to carry many keys for different doors.
Who uses Master Key systems?
They’re great for any situation where there is a need to allocate access among various individuals or departments. These include:
- Offices and commercial buildings
- Schools and universities
- Hotels, hostels, serviced apartments
- Residential blocks or housing associations
- Warehouses and industrial units
- Medical facilities or clinics
In all these situations, master key system assists in reducing the number of keys, limiting unauthorized access, and making access control much more effective.
How Do They Work?
In other words, each lock in the system is designed in such a way that it has its own unique pin setting. Each key is designed to correspond to a single door’s pin setting. However, the master key is designed in a way that it can correspond to more than one pin setting. It is a very clever system, and it is very secure even if more than one key is in use.
However, more advanced systems allow for different levels, for example, a building manager to have full access, department heads to have partial access, and individuals to only open the doors they require, which is useful in schools and offices where different people have different responsibilities.
Are Master Keyed Locks Secure?
Yes—when designed and fitted by professionals. It is essential that all locks used in master key systems are British Standard quality and are used correctly to ensure that they cannot be easily picked or opened. A good locksmith will also ensure that keys cannot be copied without authority by installing patented systems that can only be copied by authorized locksmiths.
Why Choose a Master Key System?
The greatest advantage is simplicity. A key can be used to replace many others, yet still be controllable. A key can save time, be it employees moving about the workplace, maintenance personnel gaining access to equipment, or managers entering many locations.
Of course, at the same time, you retain complete access controls over who can access what. So, if a key goes missing, or someone leaves, it can normally be reconfigured, rekeyed, or even replaced rather than having to replace all locks. Need assistance in planning or upgrading your master key system? A professional locksmith with experience in security systems can assist you with that. Doing it right in the first place will save you trouble in the future, while keeping everything protected.
