Many of you will identify a Restricted Master Key as a ‘Do Not Copy’ key, the keys that can’t just be copied by a key cutter, hardware store or by any other locksmith, but what does that all mean? Well, it usually means that the key system on the premises is restricted. Restricted to who has a key and the places or areas they may or may not be able to go within that premises, it restricts who can make copies of the key and it also restricts who can order these particular keys.
There are so many benefits to having a Restricted Master Key System at your place of business, even though it can be a costly exercise to outlay the system, the benefits and peace of mind that come with having the system, make it a worthwhile investment.
One of the major reasons our customers choose to have a restricted master key system, is because the system offers Key Control. If set up properly, your restricted master key system should have key signatories and a key register, this is where all the keys are individually numbered and listed. The key signatories are the only personnel that can request keys from the locksmith and they also keep the key records and any excess keys that aren’t being used. The locksmith should also keep his or her own key register or records, who ordered specific keys, the date and also note anything regarding replacement keys, if the keys were damaged, lost or stolen. We have, in the past had instances where a member of the general public has phoned us to let us know they have found one of our restricted keys. The person couldn’t identify the business it belonged to, as we code the keys in a way that the business will not be identified, however we were able to get in touch with our customer and have the keys returned to them, just through having good records.
If staff members leave, you can request that the keys are returned, if the staff member has had to leave due to an untoward situation, you can stipulate that if keys are not returned, they could be up for the rekey costs, but on the up side, they can not get the key copied before returning it to you.
There are so many options for the types of systems you can have, depending on your business functions, you can have one master key or grand master key that can open every single lock, these keys are usually held by managers or owners and we can add what we call ‘slave’ keys for other areas of the business, which can restrict access to other staff members.
For example, one of our customers has a master key that can open every single lock on the premises, however due to the nature of their business, they have delivery drivers and cleaners that attend the building outside business hours. The cleaners have access to the main parts of the building, but their keys will not work the office suites and boardroom areas. The delivery personnel have key access through a side door and deliveries can be left in a secured room, but their key will not work the lock to access the rest of the building. These restricted master key systems can be tailored to suit your business and how it works.
Another major advantage and often the biggest selling point, is that these restricted keys can not be copied by the local hardware stores, key cutters in the shopping centres or malls or any other locksmith. To have a restricted key profile, you’d firstly have to be a locksmith and while there are a few common restricted key profiles out there, it is still not allowed to be copied by another locksmith whether they hold the same restricted key profile.
A few more great reasons to having a restricted master key system is that the keys are much stronger than your standard house key, the locks used are often of a commercial grade, which is a better, stronger grade of lock and if there are lock picking enthusiasts out there, these types of locks can not be easily picked.
There are so many good reasons to having a restricted master key system, so if you’ve been thinking about getting a system installed, but are unsure of where to begin, why not give us a call and get a free, over the phone quote today!
Article Credit: Altitude Locksmiths. Image Credits: Altitude Locksmiths and Canva
