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Reading time: 15 minutes
Reading time: 15 minutes
A master key system connects cylinders and keys together in a hierarchical system. It offers access control for organizations and blocks of flats, where the users need to unlock more than one door. Systems are especially useful for bigger production plants, establishments, tourist accommodations, apartment blocks and buildings however they are also suitable for smaller users that manage just a few areas (individual homes and smaller shops).
Before you can order a master key system it is crucial to plan it. The best way to start is to make a list of all the rooms or doors for which you want to limit access (for example: a list of all offices, common rooms, storage units, warehouses etc.).
If you know that you will need to expand the system in the future, it is best to tell us so at the beginning. In this way we can calculate the possible expansions already in the first calculation. Additional expansions might not be possible.
Measure also the thickness of all doors so that we can determine the length of cylinders as shown in the video.
Next step is to make a list of all the people that will need keys to the rooms. Based on these data, we rate a locking plan (a table with the information which key should open which room). With the locking plan in hands our experts will advise you which cylinder is suitable for your building, make a calculation of the master key system and manufacture the cylinders.
Locking plan is a clear overview of all the rooms in the building as well as all the keys owned by the users. It is safely stored with us and a copy is given to the owner of the system in case they would need it to make extensions or changes in the system.
Together with the system you will receive the owner's card that needs to be kept by you, so that you can give us the card number in case you want to reorder keys and cylinders or expand the system.
In private homes and small to medium sized businesses access to all areas is often restricted to a select number of individuals. A master key will allow access to every cylinder within the system, which is highly convenient for a Managing Director or an Executive as they then have access to any area within the building. For added convenience master key systems can also incorporate our office furniture locks and other industrial application locks.
Within large organisations, clear and well defined structures are essential. On the top level of the system, head of departments and managers may require unrestricted access to large areas of the building. On the middle levels, management and small teams require access to only their certain areas. On the bottom level employees will need access to their particular office or working area.
As an example there are generally three levels that exist within a typical GMK:
Level 1 - The grand master key (GMK) unlocks all cylinders on all sites.
Level 2 - The master key’s (MK) will unlock all cylinders within a specific building on the site.
Level 3 - The sub-master key’s (SMK) unlock specific departments or areas within one of the buildings.
Each cylinder will then also have its own differ key which will be used by the person who works in that particular room or office.
Normally used in blocks of rented apartments and halls of residence, individuals must be able to unlock one or more main access doors without direct access to neighbouring apartments. Keys can also be issued that allow access only to common entrances. This can be suitable for maintenance companies or milkmen needing access to building corridors. Common entrance cylinders can be incorporated as part of a master key system.
As the name says, cylinders that are keyed alike are opened by the same key. This solution is useful especially for homes or smaller offices where the users need to open several doors (such as two entrances and a garage) but there is no need for hierarchy.
