The Professional Glossary of Terms Relating to Cylinders, Keys and Master Keying

From: http://www.gpla.org

"In 1982 the LIST Council’s predecessor released to the industry The Professional Glossary of Terms Relating to Cylinders, Keys and Master Keying and the ALOA was the first to publish and distribute it. The definitions and terminology in the glossary have since been adopted by most of the manufacturers, publications and associations as our industry standard and many manufacturers offer a printed version as part of their factory training.



The LIST Council has been asked by ALOA and others to complete what would amount to a Dictionary for Locksmiths. We have begun that work and are pleased to submit for Peer review, by every locksmith interested, the first installment of the remaining 1236 terms which have been identified as specific to our industry.



Our approach to this project was a simple one with a few rules which we hope you will also apply in your review. When making a definition of a term, we applied the following rules to the term:



1. Is the term listed in “Webster”?

2. Is the definition there the same meaning used in our industry?



To us, “Webster”, means a typical pocket dictionary which could be obtained easily and on short notice from any grocery store which has a pocket book display. If the answer to either of the questions above was no, we felt the term must be in our dictionary, otherwise it was common usage which anyone could define.



Because there is generally more than one term in use from one geographic area to another, we established the most popular term which most closely describes what it means as the “primary” term to be defined, unless it has different opposing definitions. All other terms with the same meaning become secondary terms and are only listed in the appendix. With that established, the definitions have to meet the following rules:



1. It must describe the subject of the term without graphics.

2. It must describe ONLY the subject of the term.

3. The term should not be used in the definition.



Click on the title to choose which file type you want to download "The Professional Glossary of Terms Relating to Cylinders, Keys and Master Keying " in.

Close that door!

Door closers must be an integral part of the overall health and safety considerations of your business. Door closers on entrance doors prevent injuries to clients and employees alike by controlling the closing of the door on even the windiest of days. Closers on kitchen or service doors help control the intrusion of insects, vermin, and even would-be crooks. Door closers on restroom doors provide privacy and prevent the migration of odors and germs to other areas of the premises.

Additionally, door closers can even be considered an essential part of your overall energy conservation program since they do automatically firmly close doors and help prevent cooling or heating losses because doors stay open for protracted periods of time.

Door closers are mechanical devices, they need periodic servicing, adjustment, and even replacement. Since Life Safety Codes, National Building Codes, and the Americans With Disabilities Act all mandate specific door closer performance, you need to be in top form.

Whether yours need adjustment, repair or replacement – contact us and we'll find a secure solution to your door closer problems.

Homeowners: Kiss Your Keys Goodbye!

I always like to hear about new ideas that really work well, are easy to implement, and not expensive. Here’s one that is so simple, you’ll wonder why more people don’t do it. That is installing a digital door lock on the doors in your house. Hey, these work great on cars—why not houses? A digital door lock is simply a fancy name for a pushbutton, combination, or keyless entry lock. With a digital door, you won’t have to risk your keys will be lost, stolen, or copied. There is no AC wiring or batteries, so you won't be locked out during power failures. And you’ll never have to pay a locksmith to change out your locks—you can do this yourself. Digital door locks are available nowadays with a hacksaw-proof deadbolts for standard doors, sliding doors, cabinets, even outdoor gates & fences like around a pool or play area. You can even get locks with a keypad on both sides or with a spring, so door automatically locks each time the door is closed. Most digital door locks have with easy-to-change codes and some even come with a key override option so that a master key can be used to open the lock as well as the combination. Some models are big and clunky and look like they would do best in an industrial setting like a data center or lab, but others have really nice designs and finishes that go quite well in a home setting. What are the things to look out for when choosing a lock? Pretty much what you would expect:
1. Make sure you get a high-quality lock with a good warranty, at least 5 years, from a reputable dealer who also has a clear, no-nonsense return policy.
2. Find a dealer that will sell you parts, just in case you need them.
3. If you think you’ll be purchasing more than one, also ask about volume discounts, even if you purchase them at different times.
4. Look for a dealer that carries several models and finishes, so you can get exactly what you want.
5. Check out the installation instructions. These days, any homeowner equipped with a Phillips head screw driver should pretty much be able to install these locks themselves and change the combination in just a matter of minutes.
6. Make sure you know up front what the tax, shipping and handling costs are
7. Finally, shop around. Use the Internet to find sites that sell digital door locks. It’s fast, easy, and secure.

Your Security is Your Choice

Many home builders install Grade 3 deadbolt locks on the homes they build. These locks may look and operate as if they are high quality and you may think that a lock is a lock, but don't be fooled by appearance. The housing of this lock can be hollow and the strike applied to the door frame can be a thin and weak material with 3/4 to 1 1/2 inch small diameter screws only fastened to the frame or moulding...

A Grade 2 deadbolt however may cost 3 times the price, but you get what you pay for. When installed properly this grade of deadbolt will drastically increase the security of your home.

A deadbolt made by Weiser Lock is an example of a good quality deadbolt lock in this grade. With a thicker and tapered housing to resist tearing the lock off the door, heavier bolts holding the lock on the door and a high security strike applied to the frame with heavy 3 inch screws that fasten to the stud behind the frame. Under normal circumstances, this lock will and is guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Grade 1 deadbolt locks made by manufacturers such as Weiser Lock and Schlage can be 2 to 4 times the cost of a grade 2 deadbolt. Now we are talking some tough and very good quality locks. A solid housing or a seperate solid ring around the cylinder and with Schlage, a heavier bolt that extends into a higher security stick in the frame.

Your security is your choice, but an upgrade in deadbolts on your home is a one time cost and will not only increase your security but will give you and your family a secure peace of mind.

If you have any exterior doors without Grade 2 to Grade 1 deadbolt locks, call us for advice.

When you need a Locksmith...

When you have to wiggle your key to get it to work, you need a locksmith.
When your key breaks, you need a locksmith.
When you don’t know who else has a copy of your key, you need a locksmith.
When you have lost your keys, you need a locksmith.
When you lose an employee who had a key, you need a locksmith.
When you move into a new house, you need a locksmith.
When you forget the combination to your safe or need it changed, you need a locksmith.
When your keys are stolen along with your ID, you need a locksmith.
When your safety and security is in doubt, YOU NEED A LOCKSMITH!

Most people don’t ever think of a locksmith unless they are in dire need of their services. Just like a plumber, a pest control specialist, or an electrician, they are one of those people you call when something goes wrong, often when they could have prevented the problem ahead of time with some preventive maintenance.

Locksmiths provide many services to the community that they serve. Many are willing to do a security survey of your property for a nominal fee, or even at no charge. They are professionals that are ready to serve you around the clock. They have hundreds of tools to help them service your needs. They have studied locks to be proficient in servicing them. They are likely members of an association, or organization where they continue their education. They subscribe to monthly trade magazines to help them learn tricks of the trade, from other locksmiths, and from manufacturers, and to keep up with the new locks coming out on the market. Some have studied for years, and earned designations like Certified Master Locksmith, or Certified Master Safe-cracker.

Some of them specialize in Automotive servicing, from unlocking your vehicle, repairing a vandalized or malfunctioning lock, to making you a replacement key when yours has become lost, or worn beyond functioning. Some specialize in residential or commercial service, and can re-pin your locks to a new key code, so the old key will no longer work, or if you need a new lock or deadbolt added to a door. They can also repair malfunctioning locks, add or repair a door closer so your door won’t slam, or add electronic access control to almost any level of security or convenience. Some specialize in high security areas, such as safes, vaults, and bank boxes. Many will be able to provide all of these services.

Locksmiths are there when you need them, from the local shop, to the mobile only service provider. They come out day or night, rain or shine. They understand when you are in need, and irate at your dog for burying the keys to your car in the flowerbed. They understand when you locked them in your car; they have more than likely done that too. When you come home and find your house has been broken into, they sympathize with you and can repair the damaged door, and make it stronger.

Security Tips: Is your building secure?

Most building owners/store managers issue keys to their employees to either open or close the business, and think that the premises is secure. But if those keys can be duplicated at the nearby hardware store, then a false sense of security exists.
There are many situations where security can be compromised: let's take a look at a few:

'Joe' is given a key to lock up at night. He's a little forgetful, sometimes misplaces the key, and figures if he had another copy made, and hides it, he could have a backup. If he terminates employment for any reason, he turns in one key and keeps the other, so he can come back at a vulnerable time and you'll have fewer inventories.

'Mary' has a key and her boyfriend has been eyeing the building. He 'borrows' her car, which has the company key on the ring, gets another key made at the local mall kiosk, and has free reign over your building.

One good way to protect your building and control your keys is with a patented protected keying system that prevents unauthorized duplication without your permission. Copies of your key can only be obtained through authorized dealers, and then only with proper identification and an authorization card. Every duplication is recorded, providing an audit trail and virtually eliminating the possibility of new or additional keys getting into the wrong hands. These systems also provide good pick resistance. That's becoming more important now that the internet has sites teaching anyone how to pick locks.

Make sure the locksmith is a member of a state or national organization, as membership lets you know that the locksmith is keeping up with the latest trends in the security industry. The security of your building, of your home is important to us.

The first 24 Hours After a Burglary

If you ever return home and notice any signs of a burglary - a broken window or a door ajar - do not enter your house or apartment alone. Call the police from a neighbor's house and wait.

If you are already inside when you discover there has been a break-in, don't touch anything: you may destroy that one fingerprint that could be used as evidence. You should, however, call the police. Chances are the burglar didn't use your phone.

While you wait for the police, make a preliminary inventory of things you can see are missing. Don't open drawers or shuffle through closets, but note if they look as though they have been disturbed. Give the police this information. Let them know you can provide them with serial numbers and photos of stolen property, if you have them.

After the police leave, arrange to have your locks rekeyed and broken windows fixed. Make sure your inventory of missing items is complete and use it to report what's been stolen to your insurance company.

Try to assemble documentation for major items: receipts, invoices, jewelry appraisals, warranties and photographs.

The first day, as well as for some time after, expect to feel violated. Talking about the break-in with friends and neighbors can help you ventilate your feelings and alert them to be on the lookout for unfamiliar people or cars in the area.

Most people have trouble sleeping, knowing that a thief has been in the bedroom (they often head there because that's where the money and jewelry is usually kept).

The best cure for a burglary, of course, is prevention, and that's where we can help.

Do you know who has the keys to your new apartment?

Moving in to a new place is exciting. You buy new things, refurnish, decorate…
But, in all this excitement, people tend to forget something important, more then anything else - their personal security.

There is always a possibility that the last tenant forgot to give you one more copy, perhaps your superintendent, the building manager, even the renovation company.
The only way you can defend yourself from this option and everything that is implied from it is to change your lock.

There are many ways to protect your new home, like putting bars on the windows, make sure that the Intercom and Video Intercom in your building are installed in a proper way and, must important, changing the locks and making sure that the locks installed are from the best kind.

Mr. Yaron Erez, a security expert and the co-owner of New York locksmith company, Mr. Locks recommends that one should install at least one high security lock, with a restricted key, one for each entrance door in order to maintain a basic level of security.

Mr. Locks also offers free inspections, consulting and free estimates in all security issues preformed by its highly trained security experts.