MASTERCLASS IN MASTER KEYING

To the layman, a master key is a control key which gives you access to an almost unlimited number of locked doors. To the professional, it is a system of locks allowing key control to restrict access to certain doors or areas. Master keying can incorporate many different types of lock in numerous shape and sizes including padlocks, euro locks, drawer locks (to name but a few!) and many variations of inbuilt security. 

A master key system is a suite of locks with keys that can open all doors, some doors or just one door. For a residential or small commercial or retail environment, this can be anything from a simple Keyed to Differ (KD) system, which means each door is opened with its own key, a Keyed Alike (KA) system enabling all doors to be opened by the same key, or a more complex master key (MK) system where a single master key opens all cylinders in the system, while each of the individual keys opens its own or a few other designated cylinders. It can be as simple or as complex as your individual needs!

Master key systems fulfil 3 important functions – the first is security and access control. A building with a well-designed master key system has a single locking scheme throughout the building with differing layers of access to many locks for various levels of the systems. Named after the master key which will operate all the locks, it allows the nominated keyholders access to different locked areas and give the ability to manage the security of the whole building. The second is convenience. If you’ve ever seen a building manager with a huge bunch of keys, or struggled with replacing lost keys for building users, you will realise that reducing the number of keys required to manage the building’s security is a huge bonus. The 3^rd is key control, with a patented master key solution access to key cutting is restricted meaning that you cannot obtain additional keys without prior authorisation.

For large schemes, such as schools, hospitals or hotels, a Grand Master Key (GMK) is invariably used, and this is where companies such as ABUS that specialise in these systems come into their own. Such systems can be very complicated, maybe involving thousands of keys and locks and consequently many permutations. Each different level of master and submaster keys can be used to open its own group/area. For example, in a school environment there could be a submaster key that accesses all doors in the science block and another submaster key that accesses the maths department. A submaster only allows access to the doors in the designated area. Above this a Grand Master Key can be used for overriding control and allowing access to each area.

For new builds, a Construction Key (CK) is often used at the pre-commissioning building stage. After handover this can made inoperable and discarded to ensure no breaches of security once the building is operational.

Masterkey systems using locking systems like the ABUS Bravus system can be unlocked by the individual key made for that lock. Master keyed locks also feature additional master pins which mean they can also be accessed by master keys or by individual differ keys. These keys work within a hierarchy which means that they can be used on more than one lock. Systems like this are often pictured in the design stage as a hierarchy, a little like a family tree with the Grand Master Key at the top. Or a matrix called a master key system schematic, whereby keys and cylinders are assigned letters and numbers in columns and rows.

The Bravus system offers flexible, fully scalable, high security key control complete with patent protected key control. Bravus is the perfect choice for commercial and public settings as well as houses and flats, for keyed different or keyed alike jobs. Bravus features a horizontal keyway operated by a flat reversible key with patented protection. Supplied with a 3.5mm thick key offering excellent resistance against snapping and with no sharp edges it's also ideal for use in sensitive environments where self-harm could be a concern. Equipped with the patented Intellitec system, Bravus has high level master keying capabilities, giving enormous versatility for small private installations to large commercial applications. Ten spring loaded locking elements and up to 6 code pins in three locking rows, plus edge profile makes ABUS Bravus the perfect combination of user ease and comfort including reversible operation, combined in a cylinder that meets the highest security demands and standard.

At ABUS we work closely with AIs and locksmiths to create the complex locking charts defining which keys are needed to open which room and which levels of access keyholders need. Designing a master key system can be a complex business. That’s why we recommend that anyone looking to install or upgrade a master key system talks to the experts at ABUS to design the system, so it works seamless for any building.

Since 1924 ABUS has been a global manufacturer of high quality, innovative security, access and safety solutions with a nearly one hundred years’ history of innovation. ABUS supplies and distributes a vast range of electronic and mechanical security, and safety solutions for commercial and residential applications.