What is a Master Key System?

A Master Key System is the name given to a group of locks which can be accessed by keys in accordance with the requirements for a building and/or site and usually designed in consultation with the Master Key System client.

So what does this mean?

If we take the example of a school and think of it in its most simplistic form, we can demonstrate the basics of a Master Key System.

In this scenario, we will say that the school has a Head of School and Teaching Staff, a Staff Room, a Languages Department, a Maths Department, a Science Department, and a History Departmenteach department has its own classrooms and there is a Head of School Office.

Each head of department can have a key which will only open their own office and the classrooms within their department; each classroom in the department has its own key too. A key from a different department or classroom will not open a lock in any other location except that to which it is designated.

Meanwhile, all teaching staff keys can open the staff room in addition to the classrooms which they have been assigned, whilst the head of school has a key which opens every door in every department, as well as their own office.

The Head of School would have a ‘Master Key’ which opens all locks.

The Head of each Department would have a ‘Department Key’ which would open all locks within their own department.

The Teaching Staff would have a ‘Classroom Key’ which would only open their own classroom(s).

All keys would open the staff room.

It should be noted that the requirements in the education sector are often more detailed and considered than this example.

An ABS Master Key System can be designed to meet the specific needs of the client, allowing them to have a system which fits with their building/site requirement, rather than make their building/site fit the Master-Key System.

Types of Master Key System

Traditionally Master-Key Systems are created using a hierarchy-based logic, something which is proven to be robust and reliable. Many of the systems we supply use this structure in their designs, although other solutions are provided too. It should be noted that each and every ABS Master Key System is unique and can be tailored to meet client specific needs.

The following pages present an overview of different system types in a rudimentary format to show a variety of designs which can be considered. Your ABS Security Specialist can assist you during, and throughout the planning process.