Tang
explained that the loss of keys. the fear that illicit copies had been
made, the management time spent on the problem and the cost of changing
mastered locks, had become unacceptable.
"I
decided to study the options available;" said Braidwood. "A
lot of hotels were introducing computer-based systems using electronically
coded 'card' keys. I spoke to people in the industry using such systems
and discovered that they were relatively expensive. They were also vulnerable
to computer malfunctions, power failures and that sort of thing. The management
were also dependent - ultimately -on highly-skilled, relatively expensive,
and not always available, computer technicians.
"Then
I heard about the CorKey System," continued Braidwood, "and
it quickly became evident that it was exactly what was needed. CorKey
Systems provided us with a master-keyed system of mechanical locks protected
by magnetic codes on locks and keys that could be readily and quickly
changed by in-house staff. The locks were tamper proof. The keys could
not be copied.
"More important," he added, "was that it worked out about
US$120,000 cheaper! There was no need for a computer. Mechanical locks
on existing doors could be modified, and there was no need for wiring,
special mounts, etc."
Braidwood
and Tang are not alone in their satisfaction with the CorKey lock and
key control system. Roland Schmidt, General Manager of the Baltimore Hilton,
wrote to inventor Bruce Sedley:
"...
the CorKey control system installed for us is working well... guest acceptance
has been excellent... we have no problem with the use of the key by young
or old... the tight key control helped pinpoint employee problems... thefts
have been reduced... maintenance costs have been minimal... we get most
of the keys back... our insurance premium was lowered...
"In
fact," wrote Schmidt, "the one year savings has almost equalled
our cost of installing the system."
Dick
Smith, writing in the Locksmith Ledger, described Cor-Key as "simple
and versatile" while Hollis DeVines, writing in The National Locksmith,
wrote: "I feel that locksmiths who have not stocked and sold this
product have been passing up a real good thing... This is regrettable
because CorKey has so much potential... I can't see how any locksmith
who is doing any security system can afford not to look into (it)..."
Some
of the establishments using the CorKey lock and key control system are:
San Francisco Mint, FBI Building. Federal Reserve Bank, Amtrack. Sohio
BP, Chevron Research, Bell Labs, Pacific Telephone, UCLA. Digital Equipment
Co. Black & Decker, Western Airlines, United Airlines, China Lake
Weapons Centre, Honolulu Airport, Johnson Space Centre, Kaiser Aerospace
Electronics, Ingersol Rand, and many others.
So,
just what is this paragon of access and key control "simplicity versatility,
efficacy and economy? How does it work in practice? How, for example,
does it work in Hong Kong's Salisbury Road Y?
The
CorKey retrofit door knob and cylinder was substituted for the door knob
and cylinder on the Schlage hotel-application cylinder locks already installed.
A new 13-storey wing including a penthouse floor for senior management.
ground and first floor offices and ten floors of guestrooms, used new
Schlage lock components and the CorKey retrofit door knob and cylinder.
The
locksets can be made up and fitted by any competent locksmith, and the
Salisbury Road Y hired a local company to carry out the task of modifying
old locksets in situ and installing new modified locks on new doors.
'CorKey
Systems' Bruce Sedley was responsible for designing the 'master keying
system' specific to the requirements of the management. That means the
appropriate codes for locks and for the keys that will operate those locks.
The Salisbury Road Y required guest keys which were specific to each lock,
maid section master keys which were specific to groups of ten guestrooms
(and since there were 15 rooms per floor, that meant that one of the maid
section master keys had to operate on two floors), maid supervisor master
keys which were specific to two floors (30 rooms), and grand master keys
for all guest rooms, all service rooms, all offices, and a great grand
master key for the lot.
In
addition, of course, there had to be Emergency Masterkeys which - stored
under conditions of great security - could overide the guestroom locks'
internal lock-out button.
CorKey
was able to provide four guest key codes within each lock which could
be changed automatically without changing the various level master keys,
in a matter of seconds, and without dismantling the lock. Similarly, if
a maid section master key is lost. the codes in locks on all ten maid
section rooms can be changed, within seconds, without changing guest and
other master keys, and without dismantling the lock.
For
servicing the mechanical locks and for changing lock codes in the unlikely
event that the built-in variants are all used up, there is a dismantling
tool in the 'code change kit' supplied.
Since
there is no key-hole, the locks cannot be picked. Since the face of the
knob - into the edge of which the CorKey 'key' is slotted -spins freely,
it cannot easily be sawn or wrenched. The lock otherwise is as robust
as its core. In this case a Schlage - but most other quality locks produced
in the advanced industrial countries can be just as easily modified for
Cor-Keys.
One
important thing to remember, of course, is that when a lock code is changed,
the remaining keys are not scrapped. They can be wiped clean and recoded.
They can be recoded for as long as they remain in an undamaged form. For
heavy duty use, a stainless steel key is used. For more general use. a
tough plastic key is adequate.
Neither
guests nor staff have any problem using the keys. The first time a key
is issued, the holder is shown how to operate the lock on a real-size
table-top model kept at reception.
Guests
receive their key in a card which includes instructions on how to use
it, and which doubles as a guest identification card throughout their
stay, and as a memento afterwards. Guests must make a US$2.50 deposit
for each key which is refunded on its return at checkout. The deposit
is greater than the direct and indirect cost of replacing the key and
effecting any necessary code changes.