KEY DEFINITIONS
Building Key - Or, operating key. A secured key that is used to open a door to a University space. Most building keys are BEST or Medeco, but there are other types across campus such as Corbin, Schlage, and Sargent. A building key is uniquely identified and traceable by a specific keying system, key code, and copy number.
Cabinet Key - An unsecured key that is used to open a variety of office furnishings, mechanical systems, or miscellaneous items. These are manufacturer specific codes that can be copied and are not tracked or traced individually with a copy number.
Copy Number - Is a sequence number that identifies the specific number of a building key, cut for a specific key code. This may also be called an issue number, and is similar to a serial number.
Core - Also called a key core, is the device that the key is inserted into. In most cases, this is a BEST interchangeable core that is shaped in a figure eight and is approximately ½” wide by 1” in height.
Cylinder - A cylindrical device that is located above the handle and into which the core is inserted.
Key System - A hierarchical system or grouping of codes. It is defined by one Grand master and can have multiple sub-groupings of codes, each defined by a master level key. Keying systems in most instances are unique to a specific university building. Currently on campus, some buildings have multiple keying systems or multiple buildings have a single keying system.
GM Codes - A group of codes within a keying system with No master other than the Grand Master (GM) for the system. A lock keyed in this way can be opened only by the GM key or a key for that specific code.
X Codes - A group of codes within a keying system with NO master. A lock keyed in this way can be ONLY opened by the key for that specific code. Since this type of code limits access to fire and life safety personnel, installation of X-Codes must be approved through the Special Security Keying request process. This process may include a meeting with the department access coordinator, Facilities Management and Access Services. |