TABLE OF CONTENTS In the past, the concept of key control usually related to a metal key. In the United States there are fewer metal keys in use as the lodging industry has moved toward the electronic guestroom access card. However, there are sufficient metal keys in the international lodging industry and in 'back-of-the-house' operations in the United States to give special consideration to this area of security controls.
The key should not have identification of the property or the room or facility number controlled by the key. Coding has been successfully used to assist in such control. In addition, there are some control aspects in the use of the electronic access cards.
Management must make a decision as to the 'par' of keys to be retained per guestroom or storeroom; or other facility within a property. For example, there may be 12 keys per room. Three may be on the key deck at the front desk with three as back-up for large parties or families that may require more than three keys. The additional six are in an office safe; or may be retained in the accounting department safe. In Engineering, there are key blanks which permit any number of keys to be might be created for a single location. Key blanks must be secured and the key-machine must be secured and used by authorized staff, only. Special controls must be installed when an outside locksmith service is contracted.
A member of the Rooms Division...
