The Ideal In-house Lock Shop and Facility

Shop

Physical space
• Secure from unauthorized access
• Conveniently located, but remote from all sources of undesirable atmosphere, e.g. toxic fumes, dust from carpenter shop, electromagnetic fields from transformer room, etc.
• Vermin-free
• Climate controlled, with sufficient fresh air to remove solvent vapors, etc.
• Proper working and storage spaces for flammable and toxic materials
• Well lit
• Sound absorbent walls
• Large enough for comfortable activity
• Countertops and work surfaces at an ergonomically-correct height, with surfaces that can be easily cleaned
• Floor surfaces that are comfortable to stand on and can be easily cleaned
• Ample secure dust-free storage space
• Ample electrical circuits for existing equipment, and capacity for expansion
• Clean, well-maintained, restroom nearby
• Lunchroom with refrigerator, microwave, sink, etc. or cafeteria nearby
• Conference room available for meetings
• Convenient to hospital or other emergency medical facility
Office equipment
• Phone line for each shop employee, with voice mail, answering machine or secretary
• Fax machine
• Cell phone for each employee
• Up-to-date computers with
• printer
• scanner
• software:
• database
• word processing
• lock codes
• accounting,
• data for the above backed up frequently, with backups stored off-site
• High speed Internet access
• Digital camera
• Stereo system
Tools and equipment
• Hand and power tools to do all required tasks
• Combinating kits and specialized equipment corresponding to all key systems in the facility
• Key cutting machines
• code cutting
• semi-automatic that can duplicate most cabinet and door keys
• specialized key machines as required for unusual keys, e.g. bit keys, "dimple" keys, etc.
• Up-to-date set of code books, or microfiches with reader
• Dedicated appropriate transportation
• Notebook computer
Supplies
• Ample supply of key blanks for every kind of key in the facility
• Spares and spare parts for all hardware in the facility
• Spare shop supplies
• Ample first aid supplies
Site-specific information
• Organized files of original keys for every lock in the facility, and original keys for all incoming equipment
• Computer databases containing:
• all locks and keys in facility (indexed by location, hook number, bitting, etc.)
• all keys issued (by name, location, hook number, department, etc.),
• Periodic printouts of the above databases
• Original building hardware schedules and blueprints for all existing construction
External information sources
• Subscriptions to locksmith publications
• Networks with other locksmiths to consult with for problem-solving, e.g. local locksmith association, NYAIL, ClearStar Security Network.
• Subscription to Internet lock code service
Finance
• Open accounts with several distributors to allow quick purchases
• Budget to maintain and upgrade areas of responsibility
• Responsive management
Highly skilled manpower to accomplish all required duties within desired time frame
• General locksmith training
• Special training for site-specific systems
• Opportunities to attend:
• manufacturers' seminars
• advancement classes
• conventions (local, regional and national)
Responsibilities
• Responsible for all door locks
• Locks not authorized by in-house locksmith are not permitted and are promptly removed
• External locksmiths not permitted without authorization of in-house locksmith
• May work on other locks (desks, cabinets, etc.)
• Not required to perform unrelated work, e.g. copier repair, snow plowing, painting, etc.

Fully complies with the letter and spirit of all applicable federal, state and local health, safety and other regulations

Key policy with teeth to require compliance

• Keys are authorized in writing by person's supervisor, and signature is verified before key is issued
• Key request is checked to be for rooms that the person is assigned
• Every key is serially numbered and individually assigned
• Every key is signed for, with language to
• prevent duplication, lending, etc. of keys
• require return of unnecessary keys
• require the reporting of lost keys
• Annual key audit to determine if every employee still has all the keys he/she signed for
• Sufficient replacement key charges are made for lost keys to defray costs of replacement keys and rekeying
• Paychecks are withheld from employees who don't return keys upon termination of employment
Outside contractors needing access
• Appropriate doors are temporarily keyed for contractor access, and rekeyed after construction is completed
• Required to pay a sizeable deposit so keys are returned
Existing hardware
• Locks are of a minimum number of manufacturers (perhaps two each for kinds of hardware, e.g. locksets, exit devices, door checks, etc.)
• Grade 1 hardware
• Mortise locksets
New construction
• Grade 1 hardware
• Mortise locksets
• In-house locksmith is consulted before specifications are written, and at each revision. He/She has final specification approval.
• Specifications allow only manufacturers (by name) of existing hardware (unless a determination is made by the in-house locksmith to go to a specified superior product line)
• Everything is keyed to the existing masterkey system or a different system, as determined by the in-house locksmith. This is to include all building keying, including elevators, electrical panels, emergency generators, bulletin boards, etc.
• Keying is specified by the in-house locksmith directly to the manufacturer, and the final cores/cylinders are shipped directly to the in-house lock shop by the manufacturer
• Specifications require that locks come with construction cores or keying, so that contractors never handle final cores/cylinders or keys
• Contractors are required to fully complete jobs in a satisfactory and timely manner
• Special tools, ample spare hardware, etc. are provided as part of the construction contract
• As-built building blueprints and hardware schedules are supplied for reference
Masterkey system
• Utility patent-protected with several years left on patent
• Non-duplicatable outside the facility
• Sufficient codes and/or keyways for expansion
• Periodically rekeyed every 7-10 years
Access control
• Centrally controlled
• Time-zone control
• One-time access
• Audit trails