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What is Master Keying?
Master keying can best be defined as the process of creating tow or more levels of keying to one or more cylinders.
Think about a hotel.
Each individual guest room has the key that opens only that room.
A floor maid may have a special master key that opens each room on her floor but no other rooms in the hotel.
And the hotel manager may have a key that allows her to open all of the rooms on every floor of the hotel.
What is Rekey?
Rekeying is the process of changing a lock's tumblers to work on a different key than the current one. Though often referred to as 'changing a lock', rekeying does not require replacement of the lock itself, but resetting the tumbler combination to fit a different key.
Do Not Duplicate Key?
A Do Not Duplicate key is one which has been stamped do not duplicate by a locksmith or manufacturer as a passive deterrent to prevent a retail key cutting service from duplicating a key without authorization or without contacting the locksmith or manufacturer who originally cut the key. More importantly, this is a control system for whoever is the owner of the key, such as a maintenance person or security guard, to identify keys that should not be freely distributed or used without authorization. Though it is intended to prevent unauthorized key duplication, copying restricted keys remains a common security problem. There is no direct legal implication in the US for someone that copies a key that is stamped do not duplicate (unless it is a government owned key), but there are patent restrictions on some key designs
What’s Patented Key Control?
- Patents prevent illegal manufacturing of keys and blanks
- Protects the manufacturer and building owner
- Duplication requires special authorization
Keying equipment is only available to authorized, professional locksmiths under contract. |
