Buyer Guide: How to design a Hotel Lock System?

How to design Hotel Locking Systems

Introduction to Hotel Locking System Technology

Hotel Locks are available in two general lock types. Cylindrical latch locks and Mortise latch Locks. Cylindrical locks are also known as 'bored locks' since two perpendicular holes are bored into the door prior to installation. One bore extends through the face of the door and houses the lock chassis and the second bore through the door edge is for the latchbolt. Where as, Mortise locks require a mortise (or 'pocket') to be cut into the door prior to installation.

Also, hotel locks, both cylindrical and mortise style, are handed (the lock is specific to a left hand or a right hand door) and the locks are not field reversible. Which means, the correct lack handing needed to be purchased for each door. As you work through the total number of locks required (including any spares), think through the handing requirements for each. If you order from us, do not worry, once your order has been processed we will contact you for the final count of Right Hand and Left Hand units. In addition, please see our article on how to determine door swing and handing for a door lock for more information.

Cylindrical Style Hotel Lock

Cylindrical locks consists of a lock chassis, two levers (or knobs), a key-in-level cylinder and a latchbolt. Hotel style cylindrical locks include the common components plus incorporate a keycard access system and power supply (typically a battery storage area). See Figure 1-A.

Cylindrical locks are the most common lock type in use today and the lock type has several inherit advantages; They are quick to install, replace and/or to re-key. Cylindrical locks are also available in a wide variety of finishes and are easily modified to fit to door edge thickness and offer an array of strike options. The disadvantages for cylindrical locks are generally realted to the ability to absorb heavy use. In environments of high abuse or heavy use such as schools, hospitals and sports stadiums where the door activity is commercial in nature and the use cycle is rapid can take longer-term toll on even the best cylindrical lockset.

Cylindrical locks are highly versatile and can be used in many type of construction; the locks are available for both interior and exterior use, and are an efficient decision for both new or retrofit projects. Commercial Cylindrical locks are sold in two categories; Grade 1 (Heavy Duty) and Grade 2 (Standard Duty). Both grades are significantly tougher than common residential "tubular" locks. Commercial graded locks can also be fire rated, which is usually not possible for residential tubular locks.

Mortise Style Hotel Lock

Mortise style locks require a mortise (often referred to as a 'pocket') to be cut into the door. Through generally slightly more expensive than cylindrical locks, mortise locks feature a wider variety of available trim designs. Mortise locks also offer additional security and durability over bored locks. The mortise or pocket cut in the door is required to support integrated deadbolts that retract at the same time as the latchbolt. This feature provides hotel owners and operators with a stout deadbolt for extra guest security. The integrated mortise design is a better and stronger solution that using a separate deadbolt. That said, retrofitting exists doors with the required mortise can be difficult, expensive and requires a significant time commitment to achieve. See Figure 1-B

The disadvantages of mortise style locks include a slight increase in cost to purchase as the additional level of security (integrated deadbolt) comes with some additional costs. Also, the door prep (mortise pocket) is not standardized between manufacturers. As such, not all locks and be interchanged without modification to the door. Mortise locks are used in many types of construction. They are available for both interior and exterior doors and can be used in new construction as well as retrofits. Mortise locks can endure decades of use.

Hotel Locks are accessed through Keycard Readers incorporated into the Lock

Hotel Locks are primarily classified as a keycard lock. A keycard lock is a lock operated by a keycard, a flat, rectangular plastic card. The card stores a digital pattern that the door mechanism accepts before disengaging the lock. Keycard systems operate by swiping or inserting a magnetic stripe card, a smart card, or in the case of RFID cards, merely being brought into close proximity to a sensor. Keycards are frequently used in hotels as an alternative to mechanical keys and the newer keycard systems tend to use radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. There are several common types of keycard locking systems in use, magnetic stripe, smart card (embedded with a read/write electronic microchip), and RFID proximity cards.

Magnetic stripe (sometimes "strip") keycard locks function by running the magnetic stripe over a sensor that reads the contents of the stripe. The stripe's contents are compared to those either stored locally in the lock (hotel lock systems) or those of a central system (access control systems). In addition to the keycard access, hotel locks have the feature of a mechanical (traditional key) bypass in case of loss of power. A magnetic stripe card is a type of card capable of storing data by modifying the magnetism of tiny iron-based magnetic particles on a band of magnetic material on the card. The magnetic stripe, sometimes called swipe card or magstripe, is read by swiping past a magnetic reading head. Magnetic stripe cards have traditionally been used in credit cards, identity cards, and transportation tickets in addition to hotel locks. However, in the past few years, magnetic stripe card technology is starting to be replaced with smart card and RFID style keycards.

Smart card (embedded with a read/write electronic microchip) smart cards have a contact area of approximately 1 square centimeter (circa 0.16 square inches), comprising several gold-plated contact pads. These pads provide electrical connectivity when inserted into a reader or hotel style lock, which is used as a communications medium between the smart card and the lock. Smart cards do not contain batteries. The card is powered by the card reader / lock.

RFID proximity cards contain a small chip and induction loop which the transmitter on the keycard reader can access. The main advantages with RFID cards is that they do not need to be removed from the wallet or pass holder - as the keycard reader can usually read them from a few inches away. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. The tags contain electronically stored information. Passive RFID tags (those used with hotel style locks) collect energy from a nearby RFID reader's interrogating radio waves.

Hotel Locking System Lock Types: Features and Specifications

Hotel Lock - MF-C103 Cylindrical, RFID Single Latch Mifare Hotel Lock

The MF-C103 RFID electronic hotel lock from Maglocks features leading edge Mifare technology that can be easily installed in a standard 2-1/8" cylindrical door prep with little or no modifications required. RFID style locks offer many advantages over traditional swipe card locks:

No exposed card slots on the face of the unit. Helps prevent water/dirt from getting inside the lock unit and causing pre-mature failure.
No wear and tear on the read heads. Because cards are "waved" in-front of the lock (average 1.5cm range) they never make contact with a read head which eliminates the possibility of a damaged card breaking in the lock.
Single latch design allows for an easy do-it yourself installation.

Each lock Includes; Complete electronic RFID card hotel lock, two mechanical keys, cylindrical lock body, strike plate, installation tool pack to remove lock cylinder and installation screw set. Also, all maglocks equipment comes with Lifetime Technical Support included.

Lock Basics

Model NO.: MF-C103
Type: Electronic
Shape: Cylindrical Door Lock
Door Thickness Fits: 35-50mm
Usage: Hotel Lock
Material: Zinc Alloy
Lock Cylinder Length: 70mm

Features

Simple ,steady and solid
Adopt patented sealed capsule driving unit instead of motor, more stable and durable than motor
Stainless steel transmission structure
Simplified easy installation
Free-spinning handle
Easy to change batteries
ANSI Grade2 / CE certified

Specification

Standard Color: Satin Nickel, Satin Brass
Material: Zinc Alloy, Stainless Steel
Standard Mortise: Five-Latch(ANSI Reverse)
Optional Mortise: Five-Latch(ANSI)
Door Thickness Requirement: ≥3.8cm
Ways to Unlock: Temic Card or Mifare1 Card and Override Key
Weight: 3.2kgs [7 pounds]
Dynamic Power Consumption: 100-300mA
Static Power Consumption: <50μA
Working Temperature: -20ºC-70ºC
Storage Temperature: -25ºC-85ºC
Working Humidity: 20%-98%
Card Using Times: Unlimited
Battery Life: 12months
Open Time: 5s
Low Voltage Warning: 4.5v
Antistatic: >15000v
Power Supply: 4X1.5v AA Alkaline Batteries

Hotel Lock - Mortise Style latch with deadbolt Mifare Hotel Lock - MF-M103

The MF-M103 RFID electronic hotel lock from Maglocks features leading edge Mifare technology with a High quality Mortise Latch & Built-in Deadbolt. Designed for new installations or to replace old/outdated mortise locks.

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Mifare 1K proximity cards and Mechanical Key Operation.
High Quality Satin Nickel Scratch Resistant Finish
Elegant styling with no visible screws or card slots on the lock surface.
Featuring a free rotating handle designed to prolong mechanism life and eliminate the potential for a handle forced break-in.
Audit trail stores the most recent 256 transactions and maintains the information within the lock for up to 10 years.
Easy Install and program **requires HMS-MF hotel management software and encoder (sold separately)

Each lock Includes; Complete electronic RFID card hotel lock, two mechanical keys, mortise lock body with built-in deadbolt, strike plate, installation tool pack to remove lock cylinder and installation screw set. Also, all maglocks equipment comes with Lifetime Technical Support included.

Lock Basics

Model NO.: MF-M103
Type: Electronic
Shape: Mortise Door Lock
Door Thickness Fits: 35-50mm
Usage: Hotel Lock
Material: Zinc Alloy
Lock Cylinder Length: 70mm

Features:

Luxurious, solid and popular
Adopt patented sealed capsule driving unit instead of motor, more stable and durable than motor
Stainless steel transmission structure
Simplified easy installation
Free-spinning handle
Easy to change batteries
ANSI Grade2 / CE certified

Specification

Standard Color: Satin Nickel
Material: Zinc Alloy, Stainless Steel
Standard Mortise: Five-Latch(Euro)
Optional Mortise: Five-Latch(Euro Automatic)
Door Thickness Requirement: ≥3.6cm
Ways to Unlock: Temic Card or Mifare1 Card and Override Key
Weight: 3.5kgs [7 1/2 pounds]
Dynamic Power Consumption: 100-300mA
Static Power Consumption: <50μA
Working Temperature: -20ºC-70ºC
Storage Temperature: -25ºC-85ºC
Working Humidity: 20%-98%
Card Using Times: Unlimited
Battery Life: 12months
Open Time: 5s
Low Voltage Warning: 4.5v
Antistatic: >15000v
Power Supply: 4X1.5v AA Alkaline Batteries

As a comparison, you may wish to read our article on what is a door access control system. In the case of the hotel room lock, there is no central system, the keycard and the lock function in the same tradition as a standard key and lock. The keycard is programmed to operate the specific lock with an encoding machine normally located at the hotel front desk. Once encoded, the keycard is 'encoded or matched' to a specific hotel door lock much like a traditional key is matched to a specific lock. In the case a door access control lock, for example, the lock is controlled with a central system, it's the system that unlocks the door, not the card reader alone. This allows for more control over the locks, your card may only work on certain days of the week or time of day. Which locks can be opened by a card can be changed at any time. Logs are often kept of which cards unlocked doors at what times. Access control systems are used primarily in office buildings, manufacturing environments, stores, etc. where the user is granted access to a combination of doors during certain periods over an extended time.

We are here to help

If you would like one of our advisors and help with your product requirements or answer any open questions, give us a call 1.866.500.5625. We would be happy to assist.

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