CAMT - Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician Lock and Key Services Questions and Answers

Question 1

A resident has moved out, and a new resident is scheduled to move in next week. What is the most important security procedure a CAMT must perform regarding the unit's door lock?

Accepted Answer

Rekey the existing lock cylinder to work with a new key.

Answer

Rekeying the lock is the standard and most efficient procedure between tenants. It involves changing the internal pins so that the old key no longer works, ensuring that previous residents or anyone they gave a key to cannot access the unit. This is a critical security measure to protect the new resident and the property.

Question 2

In a standard pin tumbler lock, what is the term for the line that the top and bottom pins must align with to allow the plug to rotate?

Accepted Answer

The shear line

Answer

The shear line is the physical gap between the inner plug (which rotates with the key) and the outer cylinder (or shell). For the lock to open, the key's bitting must lift the key pins and driver pins so that the break between them aligns perfectly with this shear line, allowing the plug to turn freely.

Question 3

Which of the following is a primary characteristic of a master key system in an apartment community?

Accepted Answer

A single key, the master key, can open multiple different unit locks, each of which also has its own individual key.

Answer

A master key system is designed hierarchically. Individual unit keys (change keys) open only their specific lock, while a master key is pinned in a way that allows it to open all the locks within its designated group, providing necessary access for maintenance and management staff.

Question 4

A technician is tasked with creating a new working key for a storage closet lock for which the original key has been lost. The technician uses a blank key and a file to slowly create the correct cuts by observing marks left on the blank. What is this technique called?

Accepted Answer

Impressioning

Answer

Impressioning is a skilled technique used to create a working key without disassembling the lock. It involves inserting a soft metal blank, wiggling it to create tiny marks (impressions) from the pins, filing those marks, and repeating the process until the key is cut correctly and opens the lock.

Question 5

Which component inside a pin tumbler lock is responsible for pushing the driver pins and key pins down, keeping the lock secured until the correct key is inserted?

Accepted Answer

The springs

Answer

Each pin stack within the lock's cylinder contains a small spring located in the 'bible' above the driver pin. This spring provides the tension that pushes the pin stack down, causing the driver pin to cross the shear line and prevent the plug from rotating without the correct key.

CAMT - Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician Practice Test

CAMT - Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician Practice Test

CAMT - Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician Lock and Key Services Questions and Answers