How it works
Picture a small office building with four suites:
- Each tenant's key opens only their own suite.
- The building manager's master key opens all four suites.
- A grand master key can also open the electrical room, roof door and storage.
Every lock is set up so the right keys open it and the wrong keys don't.
Who uses master key systems
- Apartment buildings and property managers
- Offices and shared workspaces
- Schools and daycares
- Medical and dental offices
- Warehouses and shops
- Restaurants and retail
Keys that can't be copied just anywhere
With a regular key, anyone can make a copy at a hardware store. With a restricted key system, copies can only be made through an authorized source with your approval. That way you always know how many keys are out there.
A key stamped "Do Not Duplicate" is only a request. It doesn't stop copying. A restricted key system does.
Keeping track of keys
We set up a simple key chart so you always know which key opens which door. When someone leaves or a key is lost, we rekey only the locks that need it, not the whole building.
Questions we hear a lot
Can you turn our existing locks into a master key system?
Often, yes. If your locks are in good shape and the right type, we can rekey them into a master key system instead of replacing them.
What happens if a master key is lost?
We can rekey the affected locks to a new master key. Restricted keys lower the risk, because a found key can't be easily copied.
Can this work together with keypads or fobs?
Yes. Many buildings use keys for most doors and keypads or fobs for front entrances. We can help you plan both.
Related services
Where we work
We serve all of Alameda County, Contra Costa County, San Francisco, Marin County and Sonoma County.