161 prep
n. a standard door preparation which consists of a 2-1/8" cross-bore with a 2-3/4" backset, and a 1" edge-bore with a mortise 1-1/8" wide and 2-1/4" high

A2
n. an increment of .0125 typically used in a small format interchangeable core (SFIC)

A3
n. an increment of .018 typically used in a small format interchangeable core (SFIC)

A4
n. an increment of .021 typically used in a small format interchangeable core (SFIC)

access control
n. any barrier or device, either natural or man made, that limits or prohibits, free or unlimited access

access control cylinder
n. a replacement for a mechanical cylinder which incorporates electronic access control and allows the original host lock to function without additional wiring or hardware modifications

access control key fob
n. any device other than a key designed to allow a token to be used and carried on a key ring

accessory position
n. the position of an ignition switch intended to permit the use of radio or other equipment without turning on a drive train component

active case
n. the exit device case mounted on the stile of the door on which the lock is located

active leaf
n. the single door of a pair on which the active or locking hardware is mounted

active relocking device
n. a device that places its bolts every time a safe door is closed and activation via attack prevents it from retracting its bolts

active retainer
n. 1. a cylinder retaining mechanism which requires that the plug be rotated before the cylinder can be removed, 2. a plug retaining mechanism which requires that the plug be rotated before the retainer can be removed

actuator
n. a device, usually connected to a cylinder, which, when activated, may cause a lock mechanism to operate

ADA
abb. Americans with Disabilities Act

adjustable ball hinge
n. a pivot with adjustable height for narrow stile doors

adjustable collar
n. a spring-loaded cylinder collar which can fill a range of gaps between the cylinder head and the door or escutcheon surface

adjustable mortise cylinder
n. any mortise cylinder whose length can be adjusted for a better fit in doors of varying thickness

AED
abb. anti-explosive device

AFTE
abb. Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners

after hours depository
n. a locked receptacle for the deposit of items after regular hours

AHC
abb. Architectural Hardware Consultant (as certified by DHI)

AHD
abb. after hours depository

AHJ
abb. authority having jurisdiction

alarm system
n. a system of electrical and/or electronic components which detect and report dangers, such as fire or intrusion

aligning tube
n. 1. a lock component which orients and joins the latch and knob spindles of certain bored locksets, 2. in some combination locks, a tube which houses the spindle, located between the dial ring and the lock

alignment pin
n. the perpendicular projection from a master lever in a master keyed lever tumbler lock, which engages a group of combination levers and moves their gates to align with the fence

all-section key blank
n. the key section which enters all keyways of a multiplex key system

ALOA
abb. Associated Locksmiths of America, Inc.

Americans with Disabilities Act
n. a US federal law dealing with minimum standards of building accessibility, as well as other issues concerning individuals with disabilities

angularly bitted key
n. a key which has cuts made into the blade at various degrees of rotation from the perpendicular

annunciator n. an audible and/or visual signaling device

ANSI
abb. American National Standards Institute

ANSI strike
n. any of many strikes designed to fit door and frame preparations as specified in the applicable document in the ANSI A115 series, common usage refers to a strike with dimensions of 4 7/8" X 1 1/4"

ANSI 117.1
n. that section of the American National Standards Institute documents pertaining to handicap access

anti-friction
adj. pertaining to a feature which, upon contact with the strike, allows smoother operation of a latch bolt

anti-passback
adj. of or pertaining to an access control system feature designed prevent consecutive use of a given credential to allow entry by more than one person at a time

anti-punch collar n. a two part system installed on a spindle shaft and safe body to prevent the spindle shaft from being punched into the lock case

anti-rap
adj. specifically designed to preclude bypass via attack based on sharp, repetitive blows to the mechanism

anti slip positioned
adj. of or pertaining to the orientation of a cam on a profile cylinder which requires rotation before it may be removed from the lock case

anti-wrench reinforcement spring
n. a lock cylinder spring designed to protect the inner and outer halves of a profile cylinder from being forcibly separated as a means of brute force entry

arbor
n. the threaded end of a safe door handle

architectural finish code
n. one of a series of specification codes used to indicate the color and texture of a metal end product that can be installed. Some finish specifications also note the base metal characteristics and processes used to obtain the end product.

architectural hardware
n. 1. fittings applied to protect a surface of, or to facilitate use of movable members in a building such as doors, windows, or cabinets, 2. various fixtures used in building construction

arm (of a closer)
n. door closer linkage which connects the closer to the frame or door, depending on the mounting style

armored escutcheon
n. a usually hardened escutcheon, typically beveled, that resists physical attack

armored face plate
n. a face plate that conceals all lock and/or cylinder mounting screws

ASIS
abb. American Society for Industrial Security

assembly occupancy
n. those buildings or areas which are designated as places of assembly according to life safety or building codes

associated change key
n. a change key which is related directly to particular master key(s) through the use of constant cuts

associated master key
n. a master key which has particular change keys related directly to its combination through the use of constant cuts

ASTM
abb. American Society for Testing and Materials

astragal
n. a molding attached to the face of the active leaf of a pair of doors and overlapping the inactive leaf

ATM
abb. automatic teller machine

ATT
abb. attendant's key

attack resistance
adj. design qualities of a product that render brute force physical defeat methods less effective or ineffective

attendant's key
n. a selective master key used in a hospital keying system

audit overrun
n. a means of attack designed to eliminate entries in an access control database, overfilling and scrolling off previous entries  

audit trail
n. a specific group of events selected from transaction records and listed sequentially

authority having jurisdiction
n. that person, usually within a municipality, charged with the application and interpretation of local life safety codes

automatic closing
adj. pertaining to a door which is equipped with a door closer, or other device to close it without manual intervention. Frequently found in Life Safety and fire code requirements.

automatic deadbolt
n. a deadbolt designed to extend itself fully when the door is closed

automatic flush bolt
n. a flush bolt designed to extend itself when both leaves of the pair of doors are in the closed position

automatic key machine
n. a machine capable of cutting keys with manual operations limited to loading and unloading keys

automatic teller machine
n. a device for dispensing cash, receiving deposits and performing other banking functions upon presentation of the proper authorization

auxiliary lock
n. any lock installed in addition to the primary lockset

auxiliary spring
n. a secondary spring used to support the lever handles of a lockset

auxiliary spring rose
n. oversized trim that interlocks with a lock chassis and external lever as a means to mount an auxiliary spring