Having keys and access follow lines of authority and need is an efficient way to maintain order and security. Masterkeying is a perfect solution to the confusion of general access or the complication of having a separate key for every single lock.
Masterkeying is the practice of keying lock cylinders so that one key opens all the locks in a group, called the Master Key, but also opens with another key, called the Change Key, that is different for each group or even every individual lock. To the novice, this can quickly get confusing, so let’s start with Change Key Grouping.
Change Key Grouping
A change key can be used to open a subgroup of locks that are part of a larger group. For instance, lets say you have a bakery with three separate specialty departments. You can have a Master Key that opens all locks, across all departments, but you can also have a Change Key that only opens all locks for department 1’s donut locker, and another that will open doors for department 2’s cake vault, and another for only department 3’s cookie jar.
This allows for both efficiency and security. If there’s ever a problem in Department 1, like a missing donut, then at least you know that no one in Department 2 and 3 is the source of the problem. Don’t you wish breakroom refrigerators worked like this?
Another example would be an apartment building where each door can be opened by a master key with the individual residents being able to open both their own door and an outside door to enter the complex itself.
Masterkeying can get fairly complex involving multiple masters, grand masters, change keys and sub masters and is highly advised that you contact a locksmith to discuss your specific situation. We can even survey your situation on site, and bring our own donuts.
