The service life of a mechanical locking system.

Despite the growing interest in digital and high-tech access solutions, mechanical keys and locks remain the most popular solutions on the market due to their durability and affordability. Especially in residential areas, they represent an omnipresent access method that continues to show stable growth.

The global market for mechanical locks is expected to reach a volume of USD 9.6 billion by 2026, with an annual growth rate of around 5 percent between 2020 and 2026. These figures indicate that most people will continue to handle mechanical locks in their daily lives, even though more and more technologies such as facial recognition or mobile access enable easy entry.

One of the reasons why mechanical cylinders are still in high demand is their easy replaceability and the possibility to expand the systems without difficulty. During the lifetime of a mechanical locking system, changes often occur: keys are lost, new rooms or even buildings are added and need a lock. If this is the case in a facility or property, additional cylinders can be installed quickly and easily. While replacing or adding new cylinders is quickly done, managing a complex mechanical locking system requires responsible action and care.

Why is proper management of a mechanical locking system important?

It is essential that building managers are thoroughly familiar with the security requirements and access systems of their building. In order to ensure the highest level of security—from the janitor's area to the storage room—they must keep track of how many locks and keys there are and who can use them. When using a master key system—that is, when one key can open several locks—they must adhere to a set plan that ensures certain keys only open certain doors and that as few keys as possible are in use.

For example, someone renting an apartment with a garage and basement ideally only needs a single key for efficiency, which opens the house and apartment door as well as the garage and basement doors.

Facility operators must determine the needs of the residents and users of their building and select or maintain new locks accordingly. For example, locking cylinders installed in environments with high humidity—such as in a swimming pool or outdoors—should be equipped with oxidation protection, lubricated, and regularly maintained. Maintenance or cleaning at regular intervals, for example once a year, also supports the smooth operation of the cylinder, increases security, and extends its lifespan.

Likewise, keys—especially when they frequently change hands—must be protected against unauthorized copying.

What is the lifespan of a mechanical locking system?

Although not all locks are the same, the lifespan of a mechanical lock in daily use can be up to thirty years. Normally, however, it is between fifteen and twenty years.

The mechanical durability of the keys, however, does not always correspond to their security protection. Even if a locking system still appears to be in good condition, its lifespan in terms of security may have been exceeded. This can be caused by a number of security impairments that go beyond mechanical wear and tear.

For example, if the patent of the key is only valid for a limited time and expires after ten or twenty years, anyone could copy the key after the patent expires. The same applies if keys are lost, misplaced, or if there is no longer an overview of who has access to what with which permissions. All this means that the lifespan of a lock has expired.

Therefore, building managers who want to ensure comprehensive security in their facilities must take into account the limitations regarding the lifespan of a lock and consider replacement, even if the lock is still mechanically functional. With careful planning, maintenance, and management strategies, the security and protection of facilities and buildings can be maximized.