Posted on 6/11/2015 10:43 AM by Wes Wernette
Facility
management is a 24/7 job. So is security. Whether security is breached
at 3 p.m. or 3 a.m., it's usually the facility manager who gets the
first call. Quite often the locksmith gets the second call. Today,
locksmiths do more than make keys – the modern facility manager needs to
partner with a locksmith who can keep abreast of current technology.
Keyless Entry
Card Access
Employees at many companies carry a card with a magnetic strip or
proximity capabilities. When swiped, the door reader accesses and
verifies the digital credentials stored on the card and matches it
against the data saved on a dedicated computer. If it jibes, the door
unlocks. The key word here, no pun intended, is unlocks. This
may be electronic access control, but it boils down to opening a locked
door. The difference is the type of lock. A locksmith called to install
or service such a card access system needs to be knowledgeable about
magnetic locks, electric strikes, and electric locks.
Keypads
Keypads have been used for some time; however, various high-security
buildings are now using a double credential system. The cardholder
inserts the magnetic strip card but also has to enter a PIN. Again, the
data is checked against the central computer. Keyboard locks are not
mechanical, they are battery powered: the newest batteries are quite
energy efficient — and it's not uncommon for one to last three or four
years. Low power indicators signal when it's time for a new battery.
Some have audible beeping, others, blinking lights — whichever it is, a
delay replacing the battery can result in a company-wide lockout. A
locksmith commissioned to remedy the situation should be an expert in
stocking batteries and changing them. Since keypads may need occasional
reprogramming, the locksmith should also be digitally knowledgeable.
Fireproof Safes
A safe should be bought only from a qualified locksmith who knows how
to install it securely to avoid theft. Organizing a maintenance
schedule is highly recommended since nothing can bring a bank or
jeweler's business to a screeching halt like a safe that will not open. A
locksmith trained in safes should know how to replace a worn-out
tumbler, adjust a door so it doesn't drag, or decipher a forgotten
combination code. If desired, he should also be able to remove the lock
and upgrade the safe with a digital entry system that uses a magnetic
strip card or biometric verification access card.
Alarm and Surveillance Systems
A growing number of locksmiths are training to install and service
electronic access control systems, as well as closed circuit television
systems (CCTV), network-attached surveillance cameras and alarms. Some
locksmiths will send a representative to examine the facility and design
a comprehensive system.
With so many buildings employing computer network-attached security
systems, a new breed of locksmith is branching out to service computer
hardware and software, in addition to locks. No matter the job, it is
essential that the locksmith you work with is professionally trained.
For further research, here’s a look from the Associated Locksmiths of America of what you should expect from a skilled locksmith.
Wes Wernette oversees marketing at Fireking Security Group.
Source: Tips for Choosing a Locksmith
Related Article: Top 7 things to look for in a Locksmith Service
