Commercial Locksmith

Locksmith Services for Your Colorado Springs Business

American Lock & Key in Colorado Springs, CO has a very wide and varied selection of security options to protect your business, employees, inventory, and records. From limited access to high-security locks, we will make sure your business has what it needs, professionally installed by our crew.

Master-Keying

The name master-keying refers to the idea of having a "master" key which can access all the locks in a system. In sophisticated systems, different "levels" of access can be given to different people. Master-keying systems can get quite complicated and require careful planning by a knowledgeable expert.

Rekeying

Rekeying is the process of changing the pins in a lock's cylinder to work on a different key. The term rekeying generally implies this process along with creating new keys (with as many duplicates as necessary) and assuring that the old keys will no longer work the lock.

New Lock Installation & Repair

Security is often complicated, and in the case of businesses, extend beyond simple knobs on office doors. We service a variety of locks on a variety of fixtures, from the main building entrance to desk drawers.

Emergency Commercial Locksmith Services

If you have lost the keys to your office or are locked out of the building, we can help! Our locksmiths can get you in, and our vans are equipped to perform other services such as making keys on the spot.

  • EMERGENCY EXITS

    Alarmed exit locks are most common in restaurants and malls. The benefits of an alarmed lock go beyond fire-related emergencies — they can alert you if a thief is trying to escape through a door that is required to be left open. Most have self-contained sound alarms; however, they can be set up to alert you in a number of different ways. They are typically battery operated and warn with a beeping sound when the battery gets low but may also be wired to run off the main power. Many of them allow you to over-ride the alarm with a key.

  • PANIC BARS/PUSH BARS

    Exit devices do not have to be alarmed, but in places of public gathering such as theaters, churches, and schools, they must be large and easy to activate to meet the fire code. These "panic bars" come in several different styles.

  • ELECTRICALLY ACTIVATED LOCKS

    Most locks, even those referred to as "electronic", still require a manual device to engage and disengage the bolt. Electrically activated locks, however, provide added functionality by allowing remote activation. These are most commonly the "buzz-in" systems you see in use in apartment buildings and reception areas, but they can also be put on a timer to allow public access based on day and time. A common use for these is in laundromats and other places that are not staffed. The mechanical portion of these locks come in two general types — electrically activated latches, which control the latch, and electrically activated strikes, which control the strike plate. In the event of a power outage, these locks can be either "fail-safe", which default to an unlocked position, or "fail-secure", which default to a locked position.

  • INTERCHANGEABLE CORES

    Re-keying a lock is a simple procedure. However, for businesses with high employee or tenant turnover, the cost of repeatedly calling a locksmith can add up. For motels and other businesses that constantly give out access to their facilities, re-keying a lock quickly to prevent unauthorized access is a major concern. Interchangeable core locks are one solution to these problems. They look the same as regular locks and can be keyed (or master-keyed) in the same way. However, a special "control key" can be used to remove the cylinder of the lock quickly and replace it with a spare. The original can then be taken into a locksmith, re-keyed at the customer's convenience, and become the next spare. Although costing more up front, interchangeable core locks easily pay for themselves, and are a great solution for emergencies as they can be swapped instantly. In addition, some high security lock makers have interchangeable cylinders that are compatible with other interchangeable core hardware.

  • KEYLESS LOCKS

    Commercial keyless locks (also sometimes known as "cypher" locks) usually use combinations rather than keys. Low-end keyless locks are mechanical and typically hold just one combination, whereas high-end keyless locks are electronic, and are a form of access control. Combination locks are a simple solution for businesses that have high employee or tenant turnover and need to add or remove access frequently. Mechanical keyless locks have their own advantages such as not having to worry about power outages or batteries. In addition, combination locks have the added advantage of being without keys that can be lost or stolen, and combinations can be changed quickly. However, combinations can be "stolen" by watching careless users, so more caution is needed.

  • DOUBLE DOORS

    Securing double doors can be a challenge, as they often lock clumsily into each other instead of a stable frame. One way to compensate for this is by adding what is called a "mullion". This is a removable post that can be installed between the doors when locked. The doors then latch into it instead of each other which provides much more stability. We can also install a special lock that creates a "three-point system" which, by throwing one lock, will bolt into the door frame at two points on the top and bottom as well as the adjacent door.

Specialty Products for Commercial Use

  • ADA COMPLIANT HARDWARE

    The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has its own Standards for Accessible Design, which regulates access for the disabled. This could mean adding levers or push bars rather than knobs. Being compliant with these standards can be confusing — if you have questions or need more information, please contact us.

  • DOOR REINFORCING PLATES

    Sometimes called "kickplates" or "magplates" depending on the location, having a reinforcing plate on your door will strengthen it to prevent break-ins, as well as covering cracks or splits in the wood that can result from doors that were kicked in. They can also cover holes from previous knobs or deadbolts. We also sell heavy-duty strike plates which protect the area where the latch hits the door frame, which is a common weak link in forced-entry break-ins.

  • KEY BOXES

    Key boxes are key storage units that can be accessed with a combination. They are used quite commonly in real estate when keys are required to be kept on-site. They can be permanently or temporarily installed.

  • DECORATIVE LOCKS

    Decorative locks are not necessarily for stylish homes. Upscale buildings or offices sometimes choose to install locks with high-quality finishes such as brass, steel, or bronze. We can custom order locks to fit your style of decor. Call us or come visit our shop for more information or to browse our selection.

  • DOOR CLOSERS, HINGES, ETC.

    We perform services and installations on many other door accessories including door closers and openers, hinges, and "door ajar" alarms which go off if a door is kept open for too long. For more details, please contact us.

Access Control Systems

The advent of electronics has given employers the ability to exercise more control over their employees' access than was ever previously possible. Security systems that integrate mechanical and electronic technology to provide control are called "access control" systems. Systems are made up of several different components which, although costly, can be customized and provide a high level of control

  • TAKING CHARGE OF ACCESS

    Access control gives management more flexible security than a master key system. Once a master key system is in place it requires a locksmith to change, and unauthorized key duplication can be a risk. Access control systems allow an administrator to change individual locks or even groups of locks "on the fly" simply by quickly programming the computer-controlled door locks.


    The "keys" are usually combinations (remembered by users) or digital cards/fobs (kept by users). More exotic systems can use biometrics (fingerprints, retina scans, etc.).


    These systems also go one step beyond traditional master keying by allowing access based on date and time. Employees can be allowed entry only during standard business hours, while other employees with higher clearance can be allowed in on evenings and weekends. Special time zones and holidays can be programmed, and with the use of electrically activated locks, doors can be locked or unlocked on a timer. There is even a "first-man-in" feature that works as a safeguard and will not open the doors until the first employee arrives.

  • TRACKING ACCESS

    Access control takes another step beyond standard security systems by providing an audit trail that documents employee access. Even if your business does not require heavy access restriction, being able to record suspicious activity is a major advantage of advanced security systems. Each access point makes a log of the location, date, and time of every employee that has used it. The logs usually hold thousands of entries and can make note of invalid entry attempts. Locks can be networked into a central computer or individually queried by a notebook or pocket PC.

  • ON-SITE ESTIMATES

    The doors of access control systems can be hard-wired together and tied to a central computer (even monitored in real-time), or they can be battery-powered and installed like standard locks on individual doors (and programmed at the door). There are any number of manufacturers and products — and quite a range of capabilities and prices. We can install an access control system for $850 to $3000 per door — depending on existing doors/hardware, and on customer requirements. An on-site survey and estimate can be easily arranged — please contact us for more details.

 High Security

The process of controlling the distribution of keys in a system is sometimes referred to as "key control". Keys in a standard system are easily copied by anyone who has access, from the company president down to a part-time cleaning person. Conscientious security managers will sometimes print "Do Not Duplicate" on the key, but this provides only a small defense. High security keys solve this by only allowing duplicates to authorized individuals.

  • A SHAPE FOR EVERY KEY

    High security key manufacturers have come up with a solution to unauthorized key duplication by limiting access to their proprietary key blanks. High security keys are made in a variety of different shapes, each of which are different from standard keys as well as from each other.


    These key shapes are patented, so there is no chance of overlap in a manufacturer's key shape, and key blanks are authorized to be duplicated at only one vendor in any given area.

    In addition to isolated key shapes, high security locks can also have additional features that enhance security. We carry different brands of high-security hardware. The Schlage Primus series utilizes side-loading pins in addition to the standard top-loading ones. Medeco Keymark uses proprietary key shapes that won't allow other keys to even fit their locks. Key blanks for both brands can be issued only to certified vendors.


  • SECURITY WITH EASE

    Switching over to high security locks does not necessarily mean replacing the existing hardware. Our high-security cylinders will often fit into the customer's locks, increasing key control. They can be master-keyed and can often be integrated into existing systems. Some manufacturers, such as Schlage, even have a line of high security keys that will fit into standard cylinders but won't allow standard keys to operate their high-security cylinders. Medeco Keymark has a line of high-security cylinders that can be swapped into most commercial locksets, including the popular "interchangeable core" hardware.

  • QUALITY AND VERSATILITY

    In addition to enhanced key control, high security locks are also nearly invulnerable to picking and some are reinforced with hardened steel pins that resist drilling and other forceful attacks. Their parts are also more precise than standard locks, making the chances of a key inadvertently opening your locks much slimmer. High security locks can also be put on a variety of fixtures. In addition to standard deadbolts and knobs, specialized high-security cam locks can be put on things like desks, cash boxes, and key storage cabinets to give added security to just about anything.

Call our experienced team today to learn more about commercial locksmith security services from American Lock & Key at (719) 632-7588.

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