Mixed Deck — All ALOA Topics Flashcards

Which fire rating classification indicates a safe has been tested to protect paper documents (ignition point ~350°F) for 1 hour?

Answer: UL Class 350-1 Hour

UL Class 350 fire safes are tested to keep the interior below 350°F (the ignition point of paper) for the rated duration (e.g., 1 hour) when exposed to external fire.

The 2 most common key stops are :

Answer: Shoulder and tip

Explanation: In key cutting, the shoulder refers to the part of the key that stops against the lock face when fully inserted, while the tip is the end of the key that enters the lock mechanism. These two stops are crucial in determining the correct length and shape of the key, ensuring it fits and operates smoothly in the lock. The other options mentioned are not relevant in the context of key stops.

What is the key difference between a spring latch and a deadlatch regarding bypass vulnerability?

Answer: A deadlatch has an auxiliary plunger that locks the bolt when the door is closed, preventing loiding

A deadlatch plunger depresses when the door closes, locking the latch bolt solid and making it immune to loiding or credit-card bypass.

What are 'master wafers' (also called top master pins or master pins) in a pin tumbler master key system?

Answer: Additional small pins placed in chambers that allow the lock to be opened by both the change key and the master key

Master wafers are short pins added to a chamber, creating two shear lines — one for the change key and one for the master key — allowing both to operate the lock.

What is the 'maximum adjacent cut specification' (MACS) and why is it important in key cutting?

Answer: The maximum allowable difference in depth between adjacent cuts on a key, ensuring the key can be inserted without breaking the lock or key

MACS defines the maximum depth difference between any two adjacent cuts; exceeding MACS creates a key that cannot be smoothly inserted or withdrawn and may damage the lock.

Which bypass tool is specifically designed to slide between a door and frame to retract a spring latch bolt?

Answer: Loid / credit card tool

A loid (or shim/credit-card-style tool) slips between the door and strike to push back an unguarded spring latch bolt.

What is a 'gun safe' rated to and how does that differ from a UL-listed burglary safe?

Answer: Gun safes are typically not UL burglary rated and offer basic storage security, while UL safes meet independently tested standards

Most consumer 'gun safes' are not UL burglary rated and only provide basic security against opportunistic theft; true UL-rated burglary safes are tested to specific attack resistance standards.

Which automotive ignition issue is described as a cylinder that turns but does not engage the starter or accessory position properly?

Answer: Worn ignition wafers or a damaged ignition actuator

Worn ignition wafers or a damaged actuator prevent the cylinder from properly engaging ignition switch positions, requiring cylinder replacement or repair.

What is the primary difference between a 'commercial' and 'residential' grade lock per ANSI/BHMA ratings?

Answer: Commercial grade (Grade 1) is tested to higher cycle counts, greater force resistance, and more stringent durability standards than residential Grade 2 or 3

ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 (commercial) locks are tested to withstand 250,000+ cycles and higher force requirements, while Grade 2 and 3 have lower thresholds suitable for residential use.

In automotive locksmithing, what does 'all keys lost' (AKL) describe?

Answer: A situation where no working keys exist for the vehicle, requiring programming of new transponder keys from scratch

All Keys Lost (AKL) means no existing programmed key is present, requiring the locksmith to use specialized programmer tools to write new key data to the vehicle's immobilizer module.

What record-keeping practice is recommended for locksmiths regarding key codes and customer lock records?

Answer: Store records securely and confidentially, share only with authorized parties, and retain records per applicable laws and business policy

Key codes and customer lock records are sensitive security information that must be stored securely, shared only with authorized parties, and managed per privacy laws and ALOA ethical standards.

What is the purpose of a 'relocker' in a safe?

Answer: A secondary locking device that engages when the lock is attacked, making the safe harder to open even if the primary lock is defeated

A relocker is a secondary security device (glass or spring-loaded) that triggers and locks the bolt work if the safe is attacked, preventing opening even if the primary lock is destroyed.

In a master key system, what is a 'cross-keying' problem?

Answer: When two or more change keys in the same system can operate each other's locks, which is an unintended security flaw

Cross-keying occurs when the combination of master wafers and change key bitting accidentally creates a shear line that allows an unintended change key to open a different lock in the system.

What parts of the key most commonly stop it from deeper insertion in the cylinder than is necessary?

Answer: A and B

Explanation: Both the shoulder and the tip of the key can prevent it from deeper insertion into the cylinder than necessary. The shoulder can hit against the face of the lock, while the tip may come into contact with the back of the keyway.

Which power supply consideration is critical when installing a fail-safe magnetic lock on a fire egress door?

Answer: The lock must release (de-energize) on fire alarm activation

Per life-safety codes, fail-safe maglocks on fire egress doors must be integrated with the fire alarm system to release (de-energize and unlock) when the fire alarm activates.

What does 'keying alike' mean?

Answer: Multiple locks are configured to operate with the same key

Keying alike (KA) means two or more locks are set to the same key bitting so a single key can operate all of them, regardless of whether a master key system is in place.

What is the function of a 'construction master key' (CMK) in new building projects?

Answer: A temporary master key used during construction that is rendered inoperative when the building owner's permanent keys are first used

A construction master key allows construction workers access during building but is designed to be disabled (made inoperative) when the permanent change keys or owner's master keys are first inserted.

Which tool is used to cut carbide-tipped hardplate inside a high-security safe?

Answer: Carbide-tipped drill bits rated for hardened steel, often used with a slow drill speed and cutting fluid

Carbide-tipped drill bits (cobalt or solid carbide) operated at slow speed with cutting fluid (or with frequent pauses to cool) are required to penetrate the hardplate used in high-security safes.

What information does a locksmith typically need to verify before performing an automotive lockout or key service?

Answer: Proof of ownership (registration or title) and government-issued ID matching the vehicle owner

Locksmiths should verify proof of ownership (registration or title) and a matching ID to confirm the requester is the legal owner before servicing a vehicle.

What term describes the picking-resistant feature where pins have a spool or mushroom shape to create false sets?

Answer: Security pins

Security pins (spools, serrated, or mushroom) create a false set when picking, causing the plug to partially rotate before binding again.