level key issued initially — maybe even ever. Because I am a multiple key guy, I would be OK with two grand master keys rather than using the TMK. As I said, two equal-level master keys gives options and wiggle room. In fact, the January 2014 issue of Keynotes has the article Dual Grandmaster Key Systems, which illustrates the benefits to a facility of using the two-master-key-system approach. Plus, as soon as the TMK has been com- promised or lost, the implemented parts as well as unused parts of the system are no longer secure. I am still dumbfounded from several years ago when ASSA was promot- ing its “new mega multiplex” keyway with a huge number of keyways, which would offer an astronomical number of changes under the TMK. My immediate thought was, who gets the honor (and liability) of having that key? I certainly wouldn’t want it, nor would I want to be the locksmith responsible for maintaining such a complex system. Too Many Masters When I arrived at Guilford College, there were three master key systems and a soon- to-be fourth. There was a 6-pin Schlage sectional system for the residence halls; a 5-pin expanded to 6-pin Corbin 59 series sectional system; and a new Corbin system generated by the contract locksmith, which was being implemented (not well, in my opinion) because of issues with the original 59-series sectional system. The fourth system was a new Corbin re- stricted-keyway system using a single key- way originated as part of the renovation of a building. The restricted keyway is no longer that restricted, because Ilco makes blanks in that keyway. But I feel it is adequate for the needs of the academic facilities in the current campus climate. Most of the academic buildings have been keyed to the new Corbin system either during renovations or as separate in-house projects (keying was specified to the manufacturer, and cylinders in the new keyway were ordered WWW.ALOA.ORG and installed). So far, only one of the grand master keys has been implemented and is- sued (Public Safety patrol rings, locksmith and a few other managers). Another of the grand master keys was reserved for facilities (maintenance, housekeeping, food services), but the grand master key has not been issued. However, various master keys under the grand master key have been issued as appro- priate to the person’s job duties. The rekeying of the last few buildings will require activat- ing and issuing a second grand master key, but not the TMK. Who Gets What? Most of the residence halls have also been rekeyed. The student rooms are on a Schlage single-keyway registered key system. Those master keys were only issued to Public Safety and the locksmith. Access to the residence hall is by ID card — student or employee. All sup- port and mechanical spaces in the residence halls are keyed on the Corbin system, primar- ily within the facilities section. In both cases, academic and residence halls, careful imple- mentation of the new key systems has been accomplished using a single keyway where the old systems were spread over several keyways. Maintenance employees are not issued building master keys. The master keys for buildings are retained in a mechanical key- retainer device (or sequence lock) secured in a mechanical space in each building. Each employee is issued a common key to exchange for the master key in the retainer mechanism. Since all the keys are individu- ally marked, the “number” on the key can be referenced to see who has taken the key should the need come up. The numerous auxiliary padlocks (keyed different and keyed alike groups) for con- trols, panels, ladder storage, roof hatches, etc., were replaced with 5-pin rekeyable padlocks in appropriate lock and shackle sizes. They were set up using a 3-level rotat- ing constant key system. The final result has been an updating of the campus keying, including attention to maintaining accurate records of the issue of keys in order to increase the useful life of the new systems. The four master key systems will be reduced to three systems (Corbin for academic and facilities areas, Schlage for student rooms only and the auxiliary padlocks). This provides clear boundar- ies for the systems while actually covering more areas with the creation of the auxiliary padlock system. For Further Study For more information on master keying, two books I recommend are Fundamentals of Master Keying by Jerome V. Andrews, CML, and Master Keying by the Numbers by Billy B. Edwards Jr., CML. Once one understands the concepts, they are a handy reference. I always consult one of them when setting up a small system for something like the auxiliary padlocks and want to use the rotating-constant method. There are likely those who are wondering why I am promoting mechanical key systems rather than electronics. Part of the reason is that organizations oſten do not have the resources available for a conversion project of such magnitude. I also think that many go to electronics because they don’t know how to properly manage and get the full benefit from a mechanical key system. Hopefully, this information will give you some ideas to increase the usefulness of your mechanical key system. les Cameron, CML, n his journey as a smith in 1974 at John’s shop in Boulder, CO, d became an ALOA mem- ater that year. He has en for Keynotes and the rican Society of Indus- l Security, served as an A ACE instructor, and ed on the committee ms. Although recently o volunteer for Habitat ed locks for their so filled with repairing g and playing with toy trains, raising butterflies, and tending a raised-bed vegetable garden. JULY 2014 KEYNOTES 13
