Author: abmlocksmithorange

MASTER KEY SYSTEMS 101: How They Work

master key systemsMaster key systems consist of a number of cylinders/locks that allow different groups or individual key holders to gain access to all or individually defined areas of a building(s).

The key itself is nothing special or different, but rather, the type of lock it fits into.

These master-keyed locks are designed to open with different keys. Master-keyed locks also have another set of mechanisms that are used to operate them. These are identical to all of the others in the set of locks.

Most locks are based on a fairly similar concept. The most widely used lock design is called the cylinder lock.

However, one of them is cut specifically to fit each lock perfectly- the master key, which opens all of the locks in the set, or system.

How Master Key Systems Work

This is how it works: the key turns the cylinder, which turns an attached cam in the lock. When the cylinder is turned one way, the cam pulls in on the bolt and the door can be opened. When the cylinder is turned the opposite way, the cam releases the bolt and the spring snaps it into place so the door can’t be opened.

Why Use A Master Key System?

There are quite a few benefits in using master key systems. The most common one is that you can control access to an entire building. That way, you can control exactly who gets access to which parts of the structure. Plus, it is easy to use, as only one key is needed for all the relevant doors.

This option gives departmental heads and supervisors the pleasure to have access to the premises at any time and is very convenient during emergencies. Other master key systems include rekeyable padlocks, interchangeable core locks and door key compatible locks.

One can also master High Security Keys which put the owner/manager in total control of all the locks with a single key. Which should be duplicated with the right authorization, of course. Only a few people have access to the controlled blank keys. Therefore, you have to have it cut where you bought the key.

When you consider master key systems, you’ll want to think about the following advantages and disadvantages:

Pros:

  1. You will be able to rekey locks without altering the master key. Therefore, if a pass key is lost or taken, it’s cheap to have a professional locksmith rekey that single lock.
  2. There are less keys to keep an eye on (and less keys to lose).
  3. You save a lot from always having to buy replacement keys.
  4. You can offer various levels of access to different areas. Within a master key system, you can have sub-master keys that open all locks in a set without offering complete access to an area.
  5. In an emergency situation, anybody (like firemen, paramedics, locksmiths, and so on) can have access to the master key via a “knox box”, a locked box mounted on a structure outside of an apartment complex which holds a master key in it.

Cons:

  1. Monitoring who has a master key is necessary.
  2. Losing a master key has big consequences.
  3. Poorly designed master key systems might lead to pass keys that open incorrect locks or other security spaces.

Overall, Master Key Systems work great if you’re a landlord or a large business that doesn’t want their employees to lug around large amounts of keys everywhere. If you’re considering getting a master key system yourself, why not let a professional locksmith do the dirty work for you. ABM Locksmith can advise you on the best master key system for your particular business or building complex. So give us a call today, especially if your building’s location needs the extra security at nighttime.

When Planning to Install Emergency Exit Devices

emergency exit devicePush bars are also referred to as emergency exit devices or panic bars.  They are commonly used in office buildings and in other rooms where there is a need to have an escape route in the case of an emergency like a fire. These emergency devices are usually installed on single doors, double doors and also other points in the building.

In practice, you can add an alarm system that alerts the people working in the building that there is an emergency. That is how you ensure it is an advanced emergency exit. Additionally, there are different designs to choose from when it comes to security system installation. You can, for instance, go for the key override or the handle level emergency exit system. However, to make a proper choice, you might need to consider the following.

  1. What is your Estimated Budget?

The amount you are planning to spend on the system should be the guiding factor. Often, you can negotiate on the features depending on where you want to install the system. Of course, the features will come at a price.

It is important to ensure that you don’t first concentrate on pricing and forget about the essence of having the system. The best practice is to do window shopping first and determine the amount needed to have a system that suits your needs.

  1. Determine the Security Level Needed

The security needs are a major factor to consider when choosing the emergency system for your building. Different features will be available on the different systems you want to install. For example, if you need an emergency system that will serve many people, you might want to go for the one that will sound an alarm to everyone in the building.

  1. Consider Asking an Expert

We all have different skills for the jobs that we do. If you are a facility manager, you might not have the skills needed to determine the best system for emergencies. Therefore, it is important to consider contacting a knowledgeable expert on matters of emergency exit systems.

Are you looking for the best emergency exit devices on the market? Contact ABM Locksmith Orange at (714)500-7072 for the best exit devices installation for your business.

What is Lock Bumping and how to prevent it?

A common practice for many yearsLock Bumping

Have you ever heard of a “Bump Key” or “Lock Bumping”? No one has, outside of the locksmith profession. Lock bumping is a technique used by locksmith professionals for many years. It is a common practice for a locksmith to bump your lock to gain entry when a key is not present. The locksmith would slide the correct bump key from his set into the matching lock cylinder. Every lock sold on the market today has a matching bump key or technically, it’s called a 999/rapping key. Every good locksmith will carry a set to match the most common locks sold.

What is lock bumping?

Here is basically how it works- you buy yourself a set of bump keys on eBay for about $8.00 to $20.00. Regardless of which one you bought, the technique is the same. You find the right bump key that matches the lock cylinder that you’re trying to open. The bump key consists of extra teeth or cuts on the top that runs along the same number of pins inside the lock cylinder. These extra notches will hold up the pins for a split second long enough to turn and open the lock. When inserting the right bump key, the outer part of the exposed key is bumped with a screwdriver or small hammer. With a little amount of force from the hammer, the inner pins are all pushed up in a line for a second long enough for the key to turn, thus opening the lock.

Easy access for criminals.Lock Bumping

On eBay and Amazon, you can find a number of vendors selling sets of bump keys for very cheap prices. Criminals are taking advantage of this technique because of the easy access to purchase a set. Now criminals have the power to open virtually any lock sold at the local hardware store. Not only is it easy to do with practice but it leaves no trace of forced entry. You would never know if someone was in your home. With that being said, you can only imagine that it would be like a kid in a candy store for a career criminal. Another concern is that since there is no forced entry, some insurance companies will refuse to pay out on these claims. So it’s probably a good idea to read over your insurance policy, no need to get robbed twice.

How to prevent getting bumped.

Professional lock manufacturers like Medeco, Schlage, Miwa, Dorma, Assa, and Kaba all created their own version of bump-resistant or bump-proof locks. These are high- security cylinders, which are harder to pick or manipulate. Some manufacturers have implemented patented sidebar mechanisms and/or anti-bumping pins within their standard cylinders that also prevents getting bumped. Another anti-bumping technique is shallow drilling, which one or more of the pin stacks are drilled slightly shallower than the others. Thus, preventing the pins to line all up at the same time and not allowing the door to open.

Keyless LocksLock Bumping

Another option is installing a keyless door lock. These types of locks are becoming more and more popular. Moving out of only commercial use, the keypad door lock is gaining popularity with homeowners today. This type of lock possesses many security factors as it eliminates possibly losing your keys. It is anti-bump as well. All the major lock manufacturers have seen this rise in the residential sector that now there is a wide variety of keypad door locks to choose from. You are sure to find a style that fits your taste. If all else fails, get a guard dog.

Locksmith Orange

 

Factors to Consider When Selecting New Door Locks For Your Home

The locks on your house door are often the most underrated when it comes to upgrading home security. Despite the fact that we use our house door locks every day, we tend to forget how important it is to upgrade your house locks as a security measure.

The only time that we find ourselves replacing our house locks is in the case of an attempted break-in or when we lose the keys. Did you know that you should consider upgrading your house locks often as a security measure? Here are some of the factors to put into consideration when you think of upgrading your house locks.

1. What Type of Lock Best Suits Your Needs?

Different house locks are designed to meet different needs. In other words, house door locks are not available in a general format. Consider that there is no particular lock type that will universally work for every door and serve every purpose.

House locks are specially designed to serve a particular purpose. Therefore, to ensure that you are purchasing the right house door lock, you need to understand the purpose of the lock and also consider if the manufacturer’s intention when making that lock matches your current needs.

2. What is the Security Grade of that Lock?

The security grades are also another important factor to consider. Unfortunately, not all homeowners understand lock security grading. This is the reason why, when purchasing the locks, one is likely to make a random selection based on the look of the lock.

Lock manufacturers, on the other hand, will skip lock testing and sell the door locks without having them certified to meet the security grading. This doesn’t mean that all locks aren’t evaluated to meet the security grading.

The security lock grading numbers are meant to give you a general idea of how strong the locks are. The grading is indicated as a number on the side of the lock. It also takes into consideration the number of cycles that the lock will withstand before it has begun to deteriorate in quality.

3. Where Are You Going to Install the Lock?

The other important consideration when upgrading or changing new door locks, is that you should consider the location or the door where the lock is to be installed. For the lock to provide its maximum potential, it is important that it is utilized in the right manner. The location is also a serious consideration. Exterior door locks demand a high-security rating, for example. The interior locks will, in most cases, have a lower security rating.

It is important to note that the purpose of the door should depict the lock security rating to go for. Ideally, the lock type you will install on your front door is different from the lock that is going to be installed in your washroom and the other interior doors.

4. How the Lock Will Be Installed

The installation process of the lock is also an important consideration. Some high-security door locks will require a complete overhaul of the locking system with others requiring you change the door type as well. Seek to understand how the locks will be installed to make a decision on whether to purchase the lock or not.

Hire a Professional Locksmith When Installing New Door Locks for Your Home

These are some of the considerations to have at hand when purchasing replacement locks. It is important that you hire a professional locksmith to help you choose the appropriate lock for your door. This will help you to upgrade the security of your home and feel safe in the neighborhood again. Are you considering a lock upgrade for your home or commercial office? Contact ABM Locksmith today.

Emergency Locksmiths for Hire

Locksmith Orange

 

An emergency locksmith іѕ whо уоu nееd tо саll if уоu fіnd yourself lосkеd оut оf your home оr car, оr your hоmе hаѕ bееn burglаrіzеd and уоu аrе іn dire nееd tо сhаngе thе locks аnd keys. Whеthеr уоu want tо add a ѕесurіtу ѕуѕtеm оr you nееd a ԛuісk re-entry fоr уоur hоmе, buѕіnеѕѕ, оr саr, emergency locksmiths аrе certified аnd trained professionals that can рrоvіdе ԛuісk аnd affordable solutions. Emergency ѕіtuаtіоnѕ arise whеn wе lеаѕt еxресt thеm tо, ѕо it іѕ a gооd thing that most emergency locksmiths fоr hіrе аrе аvаіlаblе 24-hours a dау.
Thеrе are also ѕеvеrаl locksmiths thаt wоrk еntіrеlу frоm thеіr mobile vаn, ѕо thеу саn соmе tо you any time durіng thе day or nіght.
If уоu саll a rерutаblе emergency locksmith, you are ensured thаt they рrоvіdе tіmеlу аnd efficient ѕеrvісеѕ.

 

Whеn еmеrgеnсу ѕіtuаtіоnѕ hарреn, you uѕuаllу dоn’t have thе time оr thе rеѕоurсеѕ tо fіnd a lосkѕmіth company. Mоѕt реорlе thаt аrе саught in a dіffісult lосkоut ѕіtuаtіоn соntасt thе fіrѕt locksmith that саtсhеѕ thеіr аttеntіоn.
It іѕ іmроrtаnt thаt you hіrе a locksmith thаt іѕ certified, ассrеdіtеd, аnd ԛuаlіfіеd tо provide lockout ѕеrvісеѕ for аnу tуре оf home аnd auto lосkѕ.
If уоu want tо gеt gооd vаluе fоr уоur mоnеу, сhооѕе a lосkѕmіth соmраnу that оffеrѕ a 100% guаrаntее with thеіr services. Othеr fасtоrѕ thаt уоu should tаkе іntо account when сhооѕіng аn emergency locksmith аrе tо check whеthеr or nоt they provide tіmеlу services аnd іf thеу соnduсt thеіr services wіthоut саuѕіng any damage to thе dооr оr lосk іn your home or car.
Most lосkѕmіthѕ are trаіnеd аnd ѕkіllеd tо rераіr аll tуреѕ оf lосkѕ, trаnѕроndеrѕ, аnd kеуlеѕѕ еntrу ѕуѕtеmѕ.
A rеlіаblе emergency locksmith is one thаt саn рrоvіdе a timely аnd еffісіеnt solution tо уоur рrоblеm.

 

If уоur hоmе is subject to a burglаrу, calling an emergency locksmith would bе a good dесіѕіоn.
For уоur оwn реасе оf mіnd, hіrе a truѕtwоrthу locksmith thаt can ѕесurе your home аftеr the brеаk-іn.
This tуре оf situation gеnеrаllу hарреnѕ durіng thе mіddlе оf the night, уоu can соunt оn a 24-hоur emergency locksmith to соmе оut tо уоur hоmе аt аnу tіmе and perform thе nесеѕѕаrу services such as changing оr repairing lосkѕ and dооrѕ. Thеrе are several рrоfеѕѕіоnаl аnd ԛuаlіfіеd locksmiths thаt аrе аblе tо mееt уоur hоmе оr buѕіnеѕѕ ѕесurіtу nееdѕ. Bеfоrе you сhооѕе a company, mаkе ѕurе that уоu knоw a thіng оr twо аbоut thеіr reputation and whеthеr оr nоt thеу аrе rеlіаblе аnd truѕtwоrthу.

How To Avoid Locksmith Scams in Los Angeles

Locksmith-Scam-Header-1080x480

When you are dealing with an emergency and you require immediate assistance, you just want to have the problem fixed quickly. However, this is the kind of situation where you are more vulnerable to locksmith scams. So, before you actually get locked-out, make sure to find the best locksmith in Orange who can help you at any time you need.

Here are some ideas on how to avoid being scammed out by a locksmith who has no experience or hiring a thief:

 

#1: Confirm the locksmith ID and licensure:

California is one of the 15 states who require locksmith licensing. So, as soon as the locksmith arrives, make sure to ask for his identification as well as for his license.

A good locksmith will also ask for your identification to make sure that the home, office or car are really yours.

 

#2: Ask for a cost estimate:

When you need to hire a locksmith, you will usually need to pay at least $60. However, when you call a company to ask for their prices, some will tell you that it should cost you between $15 and $40. When you see these prices, you better run away.

Even though you may think that this is the more affordable solution, as it appears to be, the truth is that these locksmiths will then include additional charges and fees when the job is complete. And then, you won’t have any other option unless paying what they ask.

 

#3: Ask about additional charges and fees:

Even though you may have got estimate costs around the $60 we just mentioned, it’s also best to be safe than sorry. So, make sure that you still ask the locksmith if there are any additional charges or fees that you’ll need to pay besides their quote. These can include service call minimums, mileage, or even emergency hours.

 

#4: Don’t allow the locksmith to drill your door ever:

A good locksmith won’t have any problems opening the door of your home with the right tools. He has all the skills he needs and he won’t even mention using a drill on your door.

In the case the locksmith just keeps insisting for you to do this, and unless you have a high-security lock (which most people don’t), stop him. He will just want to charge you more money for a new door and for a new locker.

 

#5: Different bids:

When you are checking out a locksmith Los Angeles website and see their quote there and then you call them and you are given a different quote, stay away from them. They probably just want to charge you more money for a crappy job.

As you can see, there are many things you can do to find the right locksmith Los Angeles. You just need to pay attention to what it is said and do your homework before you actually get locked out of home or of your car.