Archive for category: Mechanical Locking Hardware

Keying Systems Part 2: Restricted vs. Standard Keyways

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By Ryan Kaullen, Field Services Manager at Kenton Brothers

Keying Systems Series
Part 1: Importance of Master Key Systems and Restricted Keyways
Part 2: Restricted vs. Standard Keyways (this story)
Part 3: Peace of Mind with Keying Systems

Restricted and Standard Keyways

In a world of ever-changing physical security, the question consistently is raised: How do I bring more security to my facility through keying?
The answers are contained within knowing the options that are available between Restricted and Standard Keyways.

Restricted vs. Standard Keyways

Restricted

Restricted key systems operate on a higher level of security vs. a standard key system. And yes, restricted key systems come with a minor increase in cost, but the benefits justify the added cost.

Benefits of using a restricted key system include:

  • An authorization process determines who can get keys and high security lock cylinders made/purchased.
  • They are harder to pick (open).
  • They can’t be duplicated at your local hardware store.

One of the biggest upsides of a restricted keyway solution is that there are checks and balances in place. To get a key made, you must be on the authorized user list. This means that if keys are lost or stolen, the key holder must approach management. You immediately know when a key is lost or stolen. This provides another layer of security to your facility, and lessens the time of exposure.

Standard

Standard key systems have their place in security, but they’re easily duplicated at most hardware stores. Users can make as many duplicates as they want without getting authorization. And if keys are lost or stolen, management may never know that there are keys missing until it’s too late. This scenario ultimately compromises the people, property, and possessions of your facility.

Want to know more about restricted key systems?

Physical key security is extremely important for facilities, just as important as commercial access control and intrusion. And physical key security is an important element of a complete access control security solution. If you would like to know more about restricted key systems for your company, please give us a call.

Keying Systems Part 1: Importance of Master Key Systems and Restricted Keyways

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By Ryan Kaullen, Field Services Manager at Kenton Brothers

Keying Systems Series
Part 1: Importance of Master Key Systems and Restricted Keyways (this story)
Part 2: Restricted vs. Standard Keyways
Part 3: Peace of Mind with Keying Systems

Master Key Systems

In the world of access control, intrusion, and networked video surveillance, physical keying systems are still important for your facilities. At Kenton Brothers, we get questions all the time about reducing the number of keys for a building, establishing better physical key security, and managing authorized employees who can get keys made. That’s when we explain the importance of a Master Key System.

Master Key SystemsA Master Key System is a physical security system that uses a framework of keys to access a facility externally and internally. This system allows authorized people to have access to certain areas of the building while keeping unauthorized people out. All of this is determined by the facility manager or business owner.

Advantages of a Master Key System include but are not limited to:

  • Improved Security of the Facility – You design the system to give employees access to the doors they should be allowed to pass through. You can also set up lists of people who are allowed to get more keys made to stop unnecessary duplication.
  • Fewer Keys Needed – You can drastically reduce the number of keys your facility has by smartly keying doors to fit your security needs.
  • Customizable – Doors will be keyed to access levels, who needs access, and so forth.
  • Standardization of Facility Keying – Standardization is important because it allows you to set standards within your business for employees and managing their access.
  • Cost Effectiveness – There is an upfront cost determined by many factors including level of restriction, number of doors, number of keys, etc. But the long term gains are tremendous. If a door needs to be rekeyed, you know how that will support the master key system already in place. If a key is lost, you know the budget needed to fix the problem. If you add doors / locks, those can be added to the existing master key system. Implementing this properly allows the facility to keep people, property, and possessions safe.
  • Control – Implementing a Master Key System provides a complete understanding of how every door is keyed, who you gave keys to, who has access, what they have access to and so forth. If you decide to set your system up with a restricted keyway this provides even more control to your system.

Implementing a Master Key System

When considering a Master Key System, there are many steps to setting the system up properly. A site survey will be required to review existing hardware, key meetings are held to determine how the facility wants everything keyed. And then the site is rekeyed. The importance of these steps cannot be skipped or taken lightly… the security of the facility is in the balance.

Consider letting Kenton Brothers help you implement a Master Key System. We will secure your facility and bring key control back into your hands!

COVID Fighter – Opening Office Doors Without Using Your Hands

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By Ryan Kaullen, Field Services Manager at Kenton Brothers

You can’t turn on the TV, read a news article, or go anywhere without hearing about COVID. And rightfully so. COVID is causing uncertainty in our world, but one thing is certain… Kenton Brothers is working at the forefront to help our customers stay safe and help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Wrist Pulls, Push Plates and Foot Pulls

COVID Fighter: Foot PullsRecently, we’ve been getting requests and calls for help related to door hardware. Our customers are asking, “How can we add safety features to keep our employees safe while keeping our doors/openings functional?” In response, we’ve been installing wrist pulls, push plates, and foot pulls at our customer sites to meet this growing need.

Wrist pulls, push plates, and foot pulls allow employees to go in and out of doors without using their hands. A perfect example of this type of project was the recent installation of 38 restroom doors on a multi-floor office building. We can keep the functionality of commercial doors intact, maintaining a clean and professional appearance, while increasing the health safety for the staff.

Want to know more about COVID Fighter solutions?

Is your company looking for ways to offer hands free solutions to openings at your facility? We would love the opportunity to show you our full line of COVID Fighter offerings. These include hands-free mechanical locking hardware, touchless Commercial Access Control, and Commercial Video Temperature Monitoring solutions. Give us a call!

COVID Fighter: Hands Free Mechanical Locking Hardware COVID Fighter: Hands Free Mechanical Locking Hardware

Form Meets Function: Security for Glass Commercial Storefronts & Entrance Systems

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By Gina Stuelke, CEO of Kenton Brothers.

Glass StorefrontArchitectural glass is a common choice for everything from retail storefronts to building entrances and even interior wall-systems. The use of glass is used to convey a sense of openness and is often a go-to element for designs that demand a modern, sleek aesthetic. So how do you maintain secure environments without sacrificing architectural appeal?

Kenton Brothers has a huge catalog of doors, frames and locking hardware that can meet any need. Our commercial-grade components and architectural hardware experts can help at any stage of the process. We specialize in helping glaziers specify products for new installations or source materials for replacing or updating existing hardware.

Security Solutions We Provide:

  • Commercial Doors and Frames
  • High Security Cylinders
  • Commercial Door Locks
  • Commercial Door Pivots
  • Commercial Door Closers
  • Commercial Door Panic Bars & Exit Devices
  • Multi-point Locks
  • Access Control

Glass Entrances Types We Support:

Glass EntrancesMost entrance systems have common components. However, consideration should still be given to finding the right hardware for all types of systems. Below is a list of common glass entrances we can help you secure by providing commercial-grade solutions such as:

Handicap Power-Assist

One of the first considerations for any entrance should be accessibility and maintaining local regulations. Kenton Brothers offers ADA compliant solutions including handicap power-assist door mechanisms.

Frameless/All-Glass Entrances:
Our push/pull accessories and rod installations help maintain a clean, minimal look.

Aluminum-framed Entrances
Due to their durability and capacity for high-traffic conditions, aluminum-framed entrances are a common entrance type. Locking solutions and accessories for these systems are nearly endless. Our team can help you source the materials that are right for the look and feel of your commercial storefront or entrance.

Balanced Doors

These oversized, heavy doors require high-grade commercial locking solutions and materials.

Automatic Doors

From single door or sliding systems, our hardware can help secure these entrances.

Let us know how we can help!

The Kenton Brothers Retail Counter [Video]

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By Ryan Kaullen

Kenton Brothers can trace its customer service roots back to 1897. Our Retail Counter, customer-facing environment is at the forefront of service for our customers. Every day, our customers are coming in with various needs as a result of their businesses growing and evolving. That’s where the Kenton Brothers Retail Counter comes in. It’s a resource for their overall facilities physical security needs. Those needs come in the form of keying, part repairs, parts ordering, security needs, and knowledge database.

Our customers rely on the Retail Counter to be the gatekeepers for physical security at their facilities. Our internal database of records is guarded by checks and balances specifically outlined by our customers. Approvals must be followed every time. The Retail Counter staff works tirelessly to make sure requests are correctly followed and delivered on time.

Over the years, the Retail Counter has grown from a key shop to a full service solution for our customers.

The Retail Counter can help customers create and manage key systems, duplicate keys, re-key, order parts, repair parts and the list goes on. We welcome local walk-ins every day, but not all of our customers are local. We have customers across the country that rely on our knowledge and products to protect them. One day the Retail Counter Staff is cutting keys for a customer in Texas and the next they’re working with a customer in Arizona. We have thousands of key blanks and cylinders on hand, thousands of lines of in-stock product, as well as thousands more available through our vendors, and decades of experience to back it up.

From the entire Kenton Brothers staff, we invite you to allow Kenton Brothers and the Retail Counter Staff to help protect the people, property, possessions, you hold dear.

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