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Locksmith and Security Glossary is copied in entirety, and made available to Mr-Locks.com users by courtesy of: Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council
- A -
160 prep n. a standard door preparation which consists of a 2-1/8" cross-bore with a 2-3/8" backset, and a 1" edge-bore with a mortise 1" wide and 2-1/4" high
161 prep n. a standard door preparation which consists of a 2-1/8" cross-bore with a 2-3/4" backset, and a 1" edge-bore with a mortise 1-1/8" wide and 2-1/4" high
A2 n. an increment of .0125 typically used in a small format interchangeable core (SFIC)
A3 n. an increment of .018 typically used in a small format interchangeable core (SFIC)
A4 n. an increment of .021 typically used in a small format interchangeable core (SFIC)
access control n. any barrier or device, either natural or man made, that limits or prohibits, free or unlimited access
access control cylinder n. a replacement for a mechanical cylinder which incorporates electronic access control and allows the original host lock to function without additional wiring or hardware modifications
access control key fob n. any device other than a key designed to allow a token to be used and carried on a key ring
accessory position n. the position of an ignition switch intended to permit the use of radio or other equipment without turning on a drive train component
active case n. the exit device case mounted on the stile of the door on which the lock is located
active leaf n. the single door of a pair on which the active or locking hardware is mounted
active relocking device n. a device that places its bolts every time a safe door is closed and activation via attack prevents it from retracting its bolts
active retainer n. 1. a cylinder retaining mechanism which requires that the plug be rotated before the cylinder can be removed, 2. a plug retaining mechanism which requires that the plug be rotated before the retainer can be removed
actuator n. a device, usually connected to a cylinder, which, when activated, may cause a lock mechanism to operate
ADA abb. Americans with Disabilities Act
adjustable ball hinge n. a pivot with adjustable height for narrow stile doors
adjustable collar n. a spring-loaded cylinder collar which can fill a range of gaps between the cylinder head and the door or escutcheon surface
adjustable mortise cylinder n. any mortise cylinder whose length can be adjusted for a better fit in doors of varying thickness
AED abb. anti-explosive device
AFTE abb. Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners
after hours depository n. a locked receptacle for the deposit of items after regular hours
AHC abb. Architectural Hardware Consultant (as certified by DHI)
AHD abb. after hours depository
AHJ abb. authority having jurisdiction
alarm system n. a system of electrical and/or electronic components which detect and report dangers, such as fire or intrusion
aligning tube n. 1. a lock component which orients and joins the latch and knob spindles of certain bored locksets, 2. in some combination locks, a tube which houses the spindle, located between the dial ring and the lock
alignment pin n. the perpendicular projection from a master lever in a master keyed lever tumbler lock, which engages a group of combination levers and moves their gates to align with the fence
all-section key blank n. the key section which enters all keyways of a multiplex key system
ALOA abb. Associated Locksmiths of America, Inc.
Americans with Disabilities Act n. a US federal law dealing with minimum standards of building accessibility, as well as other issues concerning individuals with disabilities
angularly bitted key n. a key which has cuts made into the blade at various degrees of rotation from the perpendicular
annunciator n. an audible and/or visual signaling device
ANSI abb. American National Standards Institute
ANSI strike n. any of many strikes designed to fit door and frame preparations as specified in the applicable document in the ANSI A115 series, common usage refers to a strike with dimensions of 4 7/8" X 1 1/4"
ANSI 117.1 n. that section of the American National Standards Institute documents pertaining to handicap access
anti-friction adj. pertaining to a feature which, upon contact with the strike, allows smoother operation of a latch bolt
anti-passback adj. of or pertaining to an access control system feature designed prevent consecutive use of a given credential to allow entry by more than one person at a time
anti-punch collar n. a two part system installed on a spindle shaft and safe body to prevent the spindle shaft from being punched into the lock case
anti-rap adj. specifically designed to preclude bypass via attack based on sharp, repetitive blows to the mechanism
anti slip positioned adj. of or pertaining to the orientation of a cam on a profile cylinder which requires rotation before it may be removed from the lock case
anti-wrench reinforcement spring n. a lock cylinder spring designed to protect the inner and outer halves of a profile cylinder from being forcibly separated as a means of brute force entry
arbor n. the threaded end of a safe door handle
architectural finish code n. one of a series of specification codes used to indicate the color and texture of a metal end product that can be installed. Some finish specifications also note the base metal characteristics and processes used to obtain the end product.
architectural hardware n. 1. fittings applied to protect a surface of, or to facilitate use of movable members in a building such as doors, windows, or cabinets, 2. various fixtures used in building construction
arm (of a closer) n. door closer linkage which connects the closer to the frame or door, depending on the mounting style
armored escutcheon n. a usually hardened escutcheon, typically beveled, that resists physical attack
armored face plate n. a face plate that conceals all lock and/or cylinder mounting screws
ASIS abb. American Society for Industrial Security
assembly occupancy n. those buildings or areas which are designated as places of assembly according to life safety or building codes
associated change key n. a change key which is related directly to particular master key(s) through the use of constant cuts
associated master key n. a master key which has particular change keys related directly to its combination through the use of constant cuts
ASTM abb. American Society for Testing and Materials
astragal n. a molding attached to the face of the active leaf of a pair of doors and overlapping the inactive leaf
ATM abb. automatic teller machine
ATT abb. attendant's key
attack resistance adj. design qualities of a product that render brute force physical defeat methods less effective or ineffective
attendant's key n. a selective master key used in a hospital keying system
audit overrun n. a means of attack designed to eliminate entries in an access control database, overfilling and scrolling off previous entries
audit trail n. a specific group of events selected from transaction records and listed sequentially
authority having jurisdiction n. that person, usually within a municipality, charged with the application and interpretation of local life safety codes
automatic closing adj. pertaining to a door which is equipped with a door closer, or other device to close it without manual intervention. Frequently found in Life Safety and fire code requirements.
automatic deadbolt n. a deadbolt designed to extend itself fully when the door is closed
automatic flush bolt n. a flush bolt designed to extend itself when both leaves of the pair of doors are in the closed position
automatic key machine n. a machine capable of cutting keys with manual operations limited to loading and unloading keys
automatic teller machine n. a device for dispensing cash, receiving deposits and performing other banking functions upon presentation of the proper authorization
auxiliary lock n. any lock installed in addition to the primary lockset
auxiliary spring n. a secondary spring used to support the lever handles of a lockset
auxiliary spring rose n. oversized trim that interlocks with a lock chassis and external lever as a means to mount an auxiliary spring
- B -
b-t
abb. bow-to-tip
B label
n. a classification by Underwriters Laboratories for doors with 1 1/2 hour rated fire protection
back plate
n. a thin piece of metal, usually with a concave portion, used with machine screws to fasten certain types of cylinders to a door
backcheck
n. the resistance provided by a door closer as a door is opened
backset
n. the distance between the center of a cross-bore and the bolt edge of a door or drawer
balance (a combination)
v. to dial a combination 1 number high and 1 number low to verify a correct combination setting
ball bearing
n. 1. a metal ball used in the pin stack to accomplish some types of hotel or construction keying, 2. a ball, usually made of steel, used by some lock manufacturers as the bottom element in the pin stack in one or more pin chambers, 3. any metal ball used as a tumbler's primary component, 4. used as a means of repairing a drilled hole in a safe when welded in place
ball bearing hardplate
n. a hardplate that contains metal balls, typically two types, imbedded in a honeycomb pattern, or free moving within a hardplate envelope
ball bearing hinge
n. a hinge which uses ball bearings between its knuckles to reduce friction
ball catch
n. a latch which uses spring pressure to force a ball bearing into a recess in its strike
ball locking
adj. a method of locking a padlock shackle into its case using ball bearing(s) as the bolt(s)
barium ferrite card
n. an access control system credential consisting of magnetized ferrite embedded in a plastic card with polarity and location being important features
barrel bolt
n. a surface mounted slide bolt which has a cylindrical shape
barrel key
n. a type of bit key with a hole drilled into the shank from the tip
barrier free
n. having to do with the absence of restrictions to access by the handicapped
Barron, Robert
the Englishman credited with the invention of the double-acting lever tumbler in 1778
Basic Building Code
n. former name for BOCA National Building Code
battery eliminator
n. an electric device designed to provide energy to equipment normally requiring batteries for operation
BBC
abb. Basic Building Code
bell box
n. the protective enclosure for a bell or other alarm sounding device
Bell type key
n. a key whose cuts are in the form of wavy grooves milled into the flat sides of the key blade. The grooves usually run the entire length of the blade.
bevel (of a door)
n. the pitch on the leading edge of a door which allows clearance for closing
bevel (of a lock)
n. the pitch of the face designed to match the bevel of a door. Some locks have an adjustable bevel.
bezel
n. a threaded collar commonly used to secure certain cylinder or lock assemblies
BHMA
abb. Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association
bible
n. that portion of the cylinder shell which normally houses the pin chambers, especially those of a key-in-knob cylinder or certain rim cylinders
bicentric cylinder
n. a cylinder which has two independent plugs, usually with different keyways. Both plugs are operable from the same face of the cylinder. It is designed for use in extensive master key systems.
bicycle padlock
n. a padlock with sufficient shackle clearance to secure a bicycle
bi-directional cylinder
n. a cylinder which may be operated in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction by a single key
bi-fold door
n. a door with two or more sets of hinges, the additional set(s) allows the door to have an accordion action when opened
Bilevel capable
n. typically a key that can operate two compatible mechanisms which have different security features
binary cut key
n. a key whose combination only allows for two possibilities in each bitting position: cut/no cut
binary type cylinder or lock
n. a cylinder or lock whose combination only allows for two bitting possibilities in each bitting position
biometric
adj. of or pertaining to a lock with a hybrid mechanism, part of the mechanism identifies a physical attribute such as finger print, voice print, etc. while another part is a mechanical mechanism
bit
n. 1. the part of the key which serves as the blade, usually for use in a warded or lever tumbler lock 2. v. to cut a key
bit height
n. a measurement from the post of a bit key outward to the end of the bit
bit key
n. a key with one or more projecting bits
bit thickness
n. a measurement of the bit from one side to the other side
bit width
n. as inserted into a lock, a measurement from the leading edge to the trailing edge of a bit
bitting
n. 1. the number(s) which represent(s) the dimensions of the key 2. the actual cut(s) or combination of a key
bitting depth
n. the depth of a cut which is made into the blade of a key
bitting list
n. a listing of all the key combinations used within a system. The combinations are usually arranged in order of the blind code, direct code, and/or key symbol.
bitting orientation
n. the specification of how a written combination is to be applied to bitting positions of a key (tip-to-bow, etc.)
bitting position
n. the location of a key cut
blade
n. the portion of a key which may contain the cuts and/or millings
blank
adj. uncut, see also "key blank"
blind code
n. a designation, unrelated to the bitting, assigned to a particular key combination for future reference when additional keys or cylinders may be needed
block master key
n. the one pin master key for all combinations listed as a block in the standard progression format
blocking lever
n. a lever in a safe deposit lock which blocks the renters key from completely entering the lock until the guard key has been inserted and turned
BMK
abb. block master key
BOCA
abb. Building Officials and Code Administration International (formerly Basic Building Code)
BOCA National Building Code
n. the model building code developed and published by BOCA
bolt
n. any movable projection which blocks the movement of one object relative to another
bolt cup
n. a thimble shaped device in a safe door frame that a locking bolt extends into when the door is closed and the bolt(s) are extended
bolt head
n. the part of a bolt that enters a strike
bolt motor
n. 1. a mechanical device that extends and retracts the door bolt(s)of a safe, normally engaged by closing the door and disengaged by a time lock, 2. a mechanical device (usually electrically powered) that extends and retracts the bolt of a safe lock. It is commonly disengaged by an electronic input such as that from a keypad.
bolt sensor switch
n. a switch installed to detect when a lock bolt is extended or retracted
bolt shim
n. a plate or plates mounted to the frame of a vault to provide equal gapping for each locking bolt
bolt tail
n. the part of a bolt retained in the lock case that contains the bolt slot and maintains bolt alignment
boltwork button
n. the component which automatically triggers extension of the locking bolt(s) when the door is in the closed position
boltworks
n. 1. the combination of bars, rods, plates and linkages in a safe door designed to hold the door in the locked or unlocked position depending on the status of the lock itself, 2. any part of a lock other than a cylinder, turnpiece, or operating handle that affects movement of, or the ability to move, the bolt
bond box
n. the removable container within a safe deposit box compartment
bored lock
n. a lock for a door prepared with one or more cross-bores and one or more edge-bores
borescope
n. an internally lighted optical instrument for viewing normally concealed or inaccessible components
boring jig
n. a tool, temporarily affixed to a door, which provides a template structure to guide drill bits properly when preparing for the installation of specific hardware
bottom of blade
n. the portion of the blade opposite the cut edge of a single bitted key
bottom pin
n. usually a cylindrical shaped tumbler which may be conical, ball shaped or chisel pointed on the end which makes contact with the key
bounce
v. a method used to open certain safes involving dropping the safe and relying on gravity and inertia to move the bolt and open the safe
bow
n. the portion of the key which serves as a grip or handle
bow stop
n. a type of stop located near the key bow
bow to tip
n. a specification that a bitting combination is recorded starting at the bow and proceeding to the tip
box of wards
n. a complete unit of intricate wards installed in or on a lock case
box strike
n. a strike equipped to line the bolt cavity for both aesthetic and protective purposes
brace Lock
n. a deadbolt lock that engages an independent bolt, one end of which is mounted in the floor away from the door
Bramah, Joseph
the Englishman who had the world's first patent of a locking mechanism in 1784. It was the first lock incorporating a cylinder whose key did not contact the lock bolt directly.
Bramah type lock
n. a lock or cylinder using a mechanism with sliders, normally arranged in a circle
bridge assembly
n. a removable frame that contains the wheel pack and wheel post that is often found in mechanical vault locks
bridge ward
n. a center ward attached to the interior of a lock by means of a bracket
broach
n. 1. a tool used to cut the keyway into the cylinder plug 2. v. to cut the keyway into a cylinder plug with a broach
building master key
n. a master key which operates all or most master keyed looks in a given building
build-up dimension
n. 1. the distance between two different shear lines, as expressed in units of the manufacturer's increment or as an actual measurement 2. the dimension of the buildup pin required in a particular chamber, which will allow one key to operate at the plug shear line and a different key to operate at a different shear line
build-up pin
n. the additional element of a pin stack required to allow operation at different shear lines in a cylinder
bullet catch
n. a friction catch with a projecting latch which is spherical or dome shaped
bump key
n. a cut key, cut to allow the user to replicate the action of a pick gun
burglar alarm
n. a system designed to detect and report conditions, which may indicate intrusion or attempted intrusion
burglar resistant
adj. of or pertaining to a security container designed to resist forcible entry for a specified period of time determined by the rating of the container
button knob
n. the knob in a key-in-knob lock that includes a push or turn button
bypass key
n. the key which operates a key override cylinder
by-pass tool
n. a device that neutralizes the security of a locking device, or its application hardware, often taking advantage of a design weakness
by-passing door lock
n. a lock with a bolt that extends to block parallel movement of another door
by-passing sliding door
n. Two doors mounted on tracks parallel to each other that when one or both are slid to opposite extremes block the opening. Typically, one may be moved behind the other to allow access.
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