Locks for Public Doors in Multi family Homes

[gswimfrk]

My parents who are investors, recently purchased a 4 unit quadplex building, the public doors have old Schlage f lines in storeroom functions with DND keys have extremely worn cylinders.(looks like pins are going to fall out) I am wondering if i should replace them with Best locks and serialize the keys or what. I am not to familiar with the duplication of these keys and how locksmiths will react if prompted to duplicate the key. My parents are unwilling to spend $800 on medeco locks (not including the cost of keys) or other patent protected key systems. What other would lock(s) you guys suggest that is relatively bump resistant, pick resistant, and keys difficult to duplicate?

Thanks for the Help
-Ivan

[globallockytoo]

Bilock

[Squelchtone]

Schlage Everest c145 keyway

[gswimfrk]

Thanks for the help but our local locksmiths do not service nor supply bi lock locks =( and we need 8 kik's which would cost upward of $800.

But for the everest's how is the duplicability? Are copies easily obtained?

[globallockytoo]

Thanks for the help but our local locksmiths do not service nor supply bi lock locks =( and we need 8 kik's which would cost upward of $800.

But for the everest's how is the duplicability? Are copies easily obtained?

I suggest you contact a Bilock dealer (even though your local guy doesnt handle it). Often they will sell it cheaper than the minimum advertised price, because the US distributor forces a minimum advertised price policy.

I can stick a Bilock core in a grade 3 LSDA lockset that will replace your existing lock for about $75 each + shipping (excluding keys).

In a 4 unit quadplex....there are 8 doors? Does each unit have 2 doors? (is that what you mean)

Any Tom, Dick or Harry can duplicate Everest. (even on a plastic card)

[gswimfrk]

These locks will be for public doors for the laundry rooms, mechanical, garage, gates, and pool doors. They must be grade 2 locks or higher with a durable cylinder which protects from unauthorized duplication to some extent. I'm thinking about best because its affordable and relativity difficult to obtain copies for strange key ways. What do you guys think?

Thanks for all your input
-Ivan

[globallockytoo]

Any gas station, shoe repairer or hardware store can usually copy mainstream Best keys.

Best are not cheaper than other systems. You are locked into only that type of hardware forever. Few companies actually will sell or carry replacement parts.

It is your choice of course, but you would be better served by a locksmith generated product and system.

I would think that your local might be able to offer you Medeco for a competitive price (if you want that garbage).

[Evan]

My parents who are investors, recently purchased a 4 unit quadplex building, the public doors have old Schlage f lines in storeroom functions with DND keys have extremely worn cylinders.(looks like pins are going to fall out) I am wondering if i should replace them with Best locks and serialize the keys or what. I am not to familiar with the duplication of these keys and how locksmiths will react if prompted to duplicate the key. My parents are unwilling to spend $800 on medeco locks (not including the cost of keys) or other patent protected key systems. What other would lock(s) you guys suggest that is relatively bump resistant, pick resistant, and keys difficult to duplicate?

Spending money here is going to be because of the requirements for a Grade 2 lock... You need to price various manufacturers to see what the price differences will be...

Since this is 2010, the 20 year old ADA Act of 1990 applies so you should be looking to replace these locks with accessibility compliant locks as these are publicly accessible doors on rental property... That would require lever trim as opposed to knobs on any locksets you purchase... Make sure you verify any further requirements for requirements for exit devices on egress doors with your local AHJ... With your mention of a pool, you might have to do special keying for your pool doors to prevent unattended children who live in the building from accessing that space with their main entry door key, again check with your local AHJ on issues like this...

You mentioned having "DND" keys, are these normal keys with neuter bows marked "DND" or are they actually restricted keyways?

You and your parents are going to have to reconsider the unwillingness to buy into a patent protected key system... If the dealer level system provided by a Medeco authorized locksmith are too expensive then you can look into a Schlage Everest Primus system (also available as a LFIC system)... A patent protected locking system is the only way to ensure you control who can obtain legitimately obtained duplicate keys, as the internet is a very useful tool in locating and obtaining obscure keyblanks... You need to see what options the local locksmiths in your area can provide you with and what the pricepoint will be on them... Asking for specific advice on what to buy on a forum like this might not bear fruit if you can not find a local source for the locks you are recommended...

Thanks for the help but our local locksmiths do not service nor supply bi lock locks =( and we need 8 kik's which would cost upward of $800.

But for the everest's how is the duplicability? Are copies easily obtained?

Commercial door hardware which carries a rating costs more money... Were you hoping to find $20 or $40 locksets which fulfill your needs, you are not being realistic if that is the case... Investing in a $100 or $200 lock for each door in this case will be a 15 to 20 year investment in the security of your building...

These locks will be for public doors for the laundry rooms, mechanical, garage, gates, and pool doors. They must be grade 2 locks or higher with a durable cylinder which protects from unauthorized duplication to some extent. I'm thinking about best because its affordable and relativity difficult to obtain copies for strange key ways. What do you guys think?

Thanks for all your input
-Ivan

If you want to go with BEST you can, that would certainly allow you to do future lock changes without having to take the locks apart to rekey them... Which would be a consideration for future lock changes in your building as tenants changeover and keys are lost...

You are only looking to replace the locks on the common entry and mechanical doors ? Leaving the current apartment unit doors alone ? Why is that ?

Something about that seems a bit fishy to me as if you are so concerned about who can obtain keys to the building itself, you would also therefore be concerned about who can obtain keys to the apartment units as well... Otherwise you will find that your high security exterior doors will be propped open to allow someone who possesses a copy of an apartment key to bypass your restricted access main entry door locks for which they do not have the key, compromising the security of the building for the other three tenants and the common areas, exposing you to an increased risk of theft and vandalism...

It sounds as if your parents are being penny wise and pound foolish on this issue... They have spent a lot of money buying the property and now are hesitant at spending a couple of thousand dollars to purchase and have professionally installed locks which will protect that investment into the future...

I am sorry, something about that just doesn't add up right for me...

~~ Evan

[gswimfrk]

I appreciate your advice guys. The common doors are already ADA compliant with door prop alarms which is not a problem, on the other hand the tenant doors have been re-keyed every time a tenant leaves. (finally taught my dad how to do this himself) So it always boils down to the common door locks which need to be replaced due to the extreme wear in the cylinders they are the schlage F series. The problem we are having is tenants making more copies of the DND keys (which are just a standard neutered bow) and that is annoying to have another 3 additional keys when they return them. So i have never heard of schlage everest primus (that is considerable) but i have used primus locks i don't like them due to their weak key design.

Although 100$ + per lock is a must we do not want to spend $800+ just on cylinders which is the quote from our current locksmith . (not including keys)

Thanks for your advice evan, i will talk to my parents about the added expense (they think they can just put defiant locks in and forget about ) so i have taken the initiative of replacing the locks.
I am no locksmith just a mechanically inclined 16 year old who loves locks

Thanks
-Ivan

[gswimfrk]

* the previous owners did the defiant thing but with the F line locks.

-Ivan

[Evan]

I appreciate your advice guys. The common doors are already ADA compliant with door prop alarms which is not a problem, on the other hand the tenant doors have been re-keyed every time a tenant leaves. (finally taught my dad how to do this himself) So it always boils down to the common door locks which need to be replaced due to the extreme wear in the cylinders they are the schlage F series. The problem we are having is tenants making more copies of the DND keys (which are just a standard neutered bow) and that is annoying to have another 3 additional keys when they return them. So i have never heard of schlage everest primus (that is considerable) but i have used primus locks i don't like them due to their weak key design.

How often do the tenants turn over in this building ?

You would be looking at periodically rekeying the common doors anyways to replace lost keys...

If you are familiar with the Classic Primus line from Schlage, you should note that the Everest Primus line has thicker keys than the original Classic keyways and Classic Primus which were designed as an afterthought to increase security in older existing systems without requiring replacement of all of the installed cylinders to work under one top level master key...

The only problem DIY lock rekeyers tend to run into is obtaining new cut keys which are unique and keeping track of the bittings which have already been used so as not to repeat them...

~~ Evan

[gswimfrk]

Thanks, we are very pleased with Everest Primus. I now have higher grade locks on tenant doors- Grade 1 SFIC

[quote]The only problem DIY lock rekeyers tend to run into is obtaining new cut keys which are unique and keeping track of the bittings which have already been used so as not to repeat them.../quote]

I have an excel spread sheet kept in a file to keep track of the bittings, new cut keys were obtained off ebay... and the old keys were simply tossed in the recycle bin... Lol (not really professional)

[Evan]

Thanks, we are very pleased with Everest Primus. I now have higher grade locks on tenant doors- Grade 1 SFIC

The only problem DIY lock rekeyers tend to run into is obtaining new cut keys which are unique and keeping track of the bittings which have already been used so as not to repeat them.../quote]

I have an excel spread sheet kept in a file to keep track of the bittings, new cut keys were obtained off ebay... and the old keys were simply tossed in the recycle bin... Lol (not really professional)

If you have an Everest Primus LFIC system you will want to be DESTROYING the obsolete cut keys which are no longer keyed into the locks rather than tossing them into the recycling bin... They could be modified to become bump keys since they are your keyway and have your finger pin milling on the side... You need to use a bench grinder and completely eliminate the key below the bow to maintain your system's overall security...

Glad the new locks are working out for you...

~~ Evan

[gswimfrk]

Yeah thats true... But i have not had to rekey my Everest primuses yet
I was talking about the sfic cores...Should i grind those old keys down too?

[criminalhate]

It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to destroy the key instead of just tossing them, Unless you plan on using them again down the road.