setting up a key cabinet

[cledry]

I have a job this Monday to set up a key cabinet for a new build. There are approx. 70 keys and @ 200 locks. I will have a keying schedule and floor plan to work with.

The job description is described as:
Locksmith to neutralize all construction keyed locks, and set up key cabinet for customer.

OK, so I basically have to go door to door and turn the MK in each lock to dump out the construction chamber and make sure the construction MK no longer works.

Then I have to make a key list and hang the keys in the cabinet.

My question is, what is the correct accepted order for the key cabinet. Should I go in order of the keying or in order of door schedule or by suite number?

I am thinking it best to go by door schedule so that when a suite is rekeyed it stays on the same hook. What is the accepted practice though?

[billdeserthills]

Seems to me like suite number would be the clearest order. The most different suites I have masterkeyed was a couple of 33 unit apartment complexes, so I'm prolly not really even qualified to say

[2octops]

Six one, half dozen the other.

I personally prefer arranging via key number then hanging a list sorted by door number with which key fits it. I can instantly look and see if hook is empty which key is SUPPOSED to be there. This is how we set up schools large commercial complexes. It's just easier to have the keys hanging in numerical order...GM, AM, AM1, AM2, AM3, BM, BM1, BM2, BM3, etc.

Some customers like them sorted by door number with a matrix of what which key fits it. It's easier on the customer sometimes but can be difficult on the locksmith or maintenance people to physically locate the correct key in a box.

It's best to ask your customer how they want it set up and give them options.

[cledry]

The problem I can foresee with doing it by door number is several doors have the same key, so say door 101A, 101B, 215, 240A, 240B all have the same key it would be more difficult to locate the key for a door where they fall out of order.

I agree using key numbers and a matrix would make the most sense from a locksmith viewpoint.

[Raymond]

Set up the key box by hook number. Assign each key bitting a random code number. You can use standard master key bitting nomenclature such as 1AA, 2AA, 3AA, 4AA ....200aa. Then set up an Excel spread sheet showing the hook number, key number, and door number. This chart can now be sorted differently. One sort will list all in order of door number and the second in order of the key number. This way they can find what they are looking for by looking at either chart. Look at the door chart to see which key number opens it. Look at the key number to see all the doors it opens. It will just take a little time to set up what you want and enter the data. This type chart can be edited instantly and re-sorted.

Each stamped key should NOT lead anyone who finds it, whether lost or stolen, to the door which it opens, by the key number. Like, do not mark a key "grand master", or "front door." The users will begin to recognize where their 6AA key goes without having to look on the chart.

[billdeserthills]

Raymond you sure make a hell of a good point!

[cledry]

Set up the key box by hook number. Assign each key bitting a random code number. You can use standard master key bitting nomenclature such as 1AA, 2AA, 3AA, 4AA ....200aa. Then set up an Excel spread sheet showing the hook number, key number, and door number. This chart can now be sorted differently. One sort will list all in order of door number and the second in order of the key number. This way they can find what they are looking for by looking at either chart. Look at the door chart to see which key number opens it. Look at the key number to see all the doors it opens. It will just take a little time to set up what you want and enter the data. This type chart can be edited instantly and re-sorted.

Each stamped key should NOT lead anyone who finds it, whether lost or stolen, to the door which it opens, by the key number. Like, do not mark a key "grand master", or "front door." The users will begin to recognize where their 6AA key goes without having to look on the chart.

The customer doesn't want a spreadsheet, they just want a hard copy. The keys are factory stamped from Yale. So unfortunately the Master is stamped GMK already. The individual keys are stamped AA1, AB1 etc.

[Raymond]

Oh, well. Good luck with that.

[cledry]

Well I did the job.

I did the box like this.

GMK, MKAA, AA1, AA2 ~ MKAB, AB1 etc. I put the file key on a permanent tag and the copies on a regular tag.

The book was organised 3 ways.

Firstly by description in alphabetical order. So if they need the key to the executive bar they can find the hook and key number by looking under B for Bar, Executive or under E and look for Executive Bar.

Secondly by key number.

Lastly by door number.

It's not a job I enjoyed but I charged them $560 and there were no parts involved.

[1mrchristopher]

Those are the kind of jobs that feel best to have behind you for sure. Did you use a keykab, or one of the other brands? I'm surprised that Yale factory stamps their keys. Our county courthouse building (which no longer houses the courts, but they refuse to change the name) was renovated last year, all new Schlage Everest, and the only stamping on the keys was a blind bitting code. Each set of keys came in an envelope, labeled with the blind code and the actual key designation. I thought it was actually a pretty well thought out system.

[cledry]

Those are the kind of jobs that feel best to have behind you for sure. Did you use a keykab, or one of the other brands? I'm surprised that Yale factory stamps their keys. Our county courthouse building (which no longer houses the courts, but they refuse to change the name) was renovated last year, all new Schlage Everest, and the only stamping on the keys was a blind bitting code. Each set of keys came in an envelope, labeled with the blind code and the actual key designation. I thought it was actually a pretty well thought out system.

It is possible that the end user or the hardware provider specified how the keys were to be stamped. No bitting was stamped though, just the SKCS was stamped on the keys. To most people the SKCS wouldn't mean much.

The hardware provider supplied a MMF Dupli-Key 90 cabinet. My favourite cabinets are Lund but most don't spend the money on them. The MMF is still made in the USA though.

[GWiens2001]

No bitting was stamped though, just the SKCS was stamped on the keys. To most people the SKCS wouldn't mean much.

The person who finds those keys laying around will think that the key SuKCS.

Gordon