Perhaps you’ve seen someone you know open the door to their house with the same key they use to open their lobby door. Is it magic? Absolutely not. Neither is it just a way to make things easier for themselves but also one that compromises their lock security. Far from it. You have simply witnessed a master key at work.

This post is the first in a series in our blog that we will dedicate to the subject of key and lock mastering. This first entry will differentiate between the four main mastering plans that exist, beginning with the simplest hierarchy systems and leading on to the more complex systems that exist today.

Before delving further into this topic, let us remember that a mastering system consists of a hierarchised system of access to a building or installation. The locks and keys in such a system are customised according to a mastering plan, which creates one or several keys capable of opening all the locks in the system – referred to as master keys. All other keys in the system can open locks at the same level of access or lower, and there are also other keys that are only able to open one specific lock.

1. Simple Master Keying Systems

A simple master key system consists of various doors that can be opened by each user with their corresponding key, as well as one master key that can open all the doors. This type of master keying system can often be found in office blocks and small companies.

2. Simple Lobby Master Keying Systems
This is the standard master keying system used in residential blocks. Each user has access to the permitted communal doors using their key. On a case-by-case basis, this might also include the locks in the doors to people’s homes, storerooms, etc.

3. Lobby Master Keying Systems for Multi-block Residential Complexes with Shared Spaces

This type of system can be used when there are several residential blocks sharing certain common areas. With a single key, each resident can open the door to their lobby, their home and the common areas, such as the garages, gardens, etc.

4. Grand Master Keying Systems

In these systems, two or more groups of users can have keys that open their own doors as well as master keys that open all the other doors in their group. At a higher level, there is a “grand master” key that can be used to open all the doors in the building. This is a very common master keying system for work centres, schools, hospitals, etc.

Future blog entries will discuss how master keying plans are created (also known as lock plans) and how the cylinders, padlocks, rim locks and their keys are technically prepared to operate under these hierarchical systems.

In this regard, it should be remembered that IFAM offers a comprehensive master keying service for all its products. Furthermore, it provides all the necessary support to locksmithing and hardware professionals so they can serve their customers whenever they ask for master key products.