21 NCAC 29 .0504             TECHNICAL INTEGRITY

(a)  Locksmiths shall service and install security devices at the highest level of security afforded by the manufacturer of the product.

(b)  Locksmiths shall inform clients of the dangers of introducing new keys into a master keyed system without reference to the original bitting array. Locksmiths shall not introduce random keys into a master keyed system without obtaining the signature of the client on a written warning notice of the compromised system.

(c)  Locksmiths shall inform clients of the dangers in keying a mechanical lock to operate on several keys in a fashion that requires multiple chambers to be left empty or stacked with more than two master wafers in any chamber (maison keying). Locksmiths shall not key mechanical lock cylinders in this fashion without obtaining the signature of the client on a written warning notice of the compromised system.

(d)  Locksmiths shall follow industry and manufacturer standards and insure random and complete recombination of cylinders and combination locks for optimal security maintenance. Examples include the following:

(1)           The repeated use of a standard key or combination for multiple customers or job sites.

(2)           Filing the plug on a mechanical lock cylinder as a means to enlarge the shear line.

(3)           Leaving multiple chambers of a mechanical lock empty without written notice required by Paragraph (b) of this Rule.

(e)  Locksmiths shall follow manufacturer recommendations for the proper installation of locking devices and shall not omit or disable any security feature, such as a safe relocking assembly or deadlatch, to the detriment of the client's safety and security.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 74F-6;

Temporary Adoption Eff. August 13, 2002;

Eff. August 1, 2004;

Readopted Eff. June 1, 2017.