When you manage a corporation, some employees will need full access to your space more than others. A master key system allows you to control who can enter what areas, helping you protect your assets and employees. Here is a little more information about these door lock systems. 

How Do They Work? 

In pin-and-tumbler locks, grooves on the profile of the key are designed to fit into notches created by the pins inside the tumbler. The right key pushes the pins into a position where the cylinder of the lock and the housing come together, allowing the key to turn.

Master keys contain a special wafer that interacts with a special pin inside the lock. While lower-level keys may raise the height of the pins so that the shear line is just slightly higher than the wafer, a higher-level key may cause the pins to fall right below the wafer, allowing both keys to open the same door. Here is a breakdown of the different kinds of keys often utilized in this system. 

• Change: Change keys are designed to open one or two doors. These are ideal for employees who need limited access—such as to their office and the breakroom. 
• Master: This variant gives a person access to entire sections of the building. For instance, in a store setting, the head accountant could open the accounting office and the vault room, while other department heads may not. 
• Grand Master: This can open all locks within a building, along with the locks governed by masters and change keys. Grand master openers are typically held by top managers of the company. 
• Great Grand Master: This key is the highest level in the master system and can open all locks underneath it. However, it might also access off-site resources, such as a warehouse. There may only be one great grand master key, which is likely owned by the CEO of the company. 

What Benefits Does This Offer? 

Master systems are ideal when door locks need to be carefully monitored to protect merchandise or employees. They may be used in settings where clients are often coming and going, such as hotels or apartment buildings. For example, renters may be given a master key that opens their apartment and the communal gym. Maintenance staff may have access to a grand master key, allowing them to open apartments to perform repairs. 

These systems are also ideal for organizations with turnover. If someone is fired suddenly, the doors can be rekeyed instead of having the locks replaced. While new change keys will have to be issued, higher-tier keys should still work. 

If you are interested in adding a master key system to your commercial building, reach out to Mr. Lock Security in Cincinnati, OH. Since its inception in 1980, this trusted, family-owned and -operated business has served clients of the Tri-State area. Explore their offerings, including door lock installation and emergency lockout service, on their website. Call (513) 232-2424 to request assistance.