Planning a Secure Keying System Starts Early

At Midwest Door & Hardware, we help facility owners, contractors, and architects set up key systems that perform reliably from day one and scale with future needs.

In a recent article by Katie Flower, AOC, CSI, CDT of ASSA ABLOY, several key planning tips were shared that are worth repeating. Whether you’re building new or rekeying an existing facility, these are some of the most important considerations to prepare for keying meetings:

• Know the building flow – Meet with department leads to understand how staff and visitors will access spaces throughout the day or week.
• Plan for future expansions – If a new wing or facility may be added later, it’s best to build that flexibility in from the start.
• Clarify key control policies – Decide how keys will be issued, tracked, and returned—especially for high-security areas or visitor access.
• Account for access control overrides – Many electrified locks still require a physical key override. These keys should be issued carefully and may need to be keyed separately.
• Define responsibilities – Determine who will manage specialized hardware like removable mullions or dogging cylinders.

“The more prepared you are ahead of time, the easier it will be to communicate your needs for a secure and balanced key system.” — Katie Flower, AOC, CSI, CDT, Training Specialist at ASSA ABLOY

Full credit: This content is adapted from an article by Katie Flower, published by ASSA ABLOY.