Master keying and restricted systems

Master keying and restricted systems are a convenient and secure way to manage access to a property. They are especially useful in large buildings, groups of buildings, commercial settings and apartment blocks.

Why install a restricted master key system?

While there are many good reasons for installing a master key system in a building, the top two reasons are as follows:

1. Better security: A restricted system gives you better control over who can access certain parts of your property.

2. Convenience and practicality: Maybe you’ve seen a maintenance person or property manager doing the rounds with multiple keys hanging heavily from a belt or chain.

With a smartly designed master key system, you can avoid lugging around a separate key for every lock.

What is a master key?

A master key can open and close several different locks. Typically, the key itself is not special — it’s the locks the master key operates that are out of the ordinary.

Locks operated by a master key are known as a set. Each master-keyed lock in the set is designed to operate with two or more different keys. One key is specific to each lock and cannot open other locks in the set. In contrast, the other key is a master key and can open all the other locks in the set.

What is a master key system?

A master key system is hierarchical — on paper, it has a tree diagram structure.

At the top of the tree, there is often a grand master key that opens all locks in all departments at all sites. Master keys sit below this, and each master key usually provides access to a set of locks in a single department or building.

Careful planning is important when designing a restricted master key system to ensure the security needs of the property are fully addressed.

It’s also important to make appropriate and logical use of symbols and abbreviations to indicate clearly which key works with which lock or set of locks.

A professional locksmith with experience in restricted systems, like Lock and Shield Locksmiths, can create a master key system that is highly secure, simple to understand and easy to use.

Contact us

If you’re in the Newcastle or Lake Macquarie area and you’d like to install a restricted master keying system, or if you have any enquiries about locks and keys, call James today on 0428 859 667.