Learning about System Keys

The System Keys module is used to encode keys for immediate intervention and to perform advanced operational programming.

The System Key Reference Sheet identifies system key support for locks programmed with guest, staff and system credentials.

Block and unblock keys

Make a Block Key to invalidate all instances of a specific credential. For example, make a Block Key to invalidate all active keys for Guest Room 100. Before making a Block Key, you must know the credential class and credential that you want to block. If the intent is to temporarily block access, you can use an Unblock Key to unblock a key that was previously blocked by a Block Key. Remote operation is supported.

Cancel keys

Make a Cancel Key to permanently invalidate a specific key instance. Before making a Cancel Key, you must know the credential class and credential that you want to block. A Cancel Key must be presented to all access points for which the original key has credentials. Remote operation is supported.

Diagnostic keys

Diagnostic Keys query locks to extract and report the status of various lock functions and are most often used for troubleshooting. Results of the query are communicated by an LED flash sequence.

ELO keys

ELO (Electronic Lockout) Keys temporarily invalidate all non-emergency keys by double locking the door from the outside (activating the privacy switch or deadbolt). When an electronic lockout is active, only a key with the Emergency credential can open the lock. When the electronic lockout is removed, normal key access resumes. ELO Keys are toggle keys. The behavior of the key alternates (applies lockout/removes lockout) each time it is presented to the lock. Remote operation is supported.

Failsafe keys

Failsafe Keys are backups of individual guest room keys that are made in advance and maintained in complete sets to be issued in the event a system or power failure. All Failsafe Keys are encoded with default floor and amenity access.

The recommendation is to create and always retain three sets of two keys for each guest room and suite door. You can make as many key sets as you require; however, when a key from one set is presented to the lock, all keys from a previously used set are invalidated.

Default settings for Failsafe Keys are defined in System Settings > Failsafe Keys.

It is critical that Failsafe Keys are current and stored in an efficient filing system at a secure location.

Inhibit keys

Inhibit Keys are used to permanently cancel current guest access. Most often, Inhibit Keys are used by staff after a guest vacates before their key expires. Inhibit Keys invalidate all guest keys encoded with access to the guest room even if the dead bolt or privacy switch is active. Remote operation is supported.

Latch, unlatch and toggle latch/unlatch keys

Latch Keys disable passage mode. Access is restricted to only those people with keys encoded with the applicable credential. Unlatch Keys enable passage mode. Passage mode is a lock state during which the access controls programmed in the lock are suspended allowing unrestricted access. Toggle Latch/Unlatch Keys enable and disable passage mode, alternately.

Primary and secondary program keys

Primary Program Keys (PPKs) put the lock into programming mode and are used in conjunction with Program Information (PI) Keys and Program Status (PS) Keys to program locks and authorize special functions (see Create a Special Function Key). They are also used to reprogram the current Secondary Program Key (SPK) or remaster a different SPK. Secondary Program Keys (SPKs) reprogram or resynchronize the current Primary Program Key (PPK) into access points and remaster a different PPK into a lock. Essentially, an SPK is a backup to the PPK but does not put locks into programming mode.

Resequence keys

Resequence Keys resynchronize a specific key credential in access points. The Resequence Key is used to update the sequence number stored in the lock’s memory when the number of new keys made but not used in the lock exceeds the programmed sequence range for that key. Remote operation is supported.

Special function keys

Special function keys are paired with primary program keys to perform system-level operations on a lock.