Key deposit
The name key depot originally stands for a key safe , which usually contains an object key for the fire brigade or police. The box is installed outside of buildings. If the transmission device of a fire alarm system according to DIN 14675 or an intruder alarm system has triggered and alarmed a scene, this also releases the door of the key box. The emergency services can remove the key and enter the building without any further loss of time.
The new, more comprehensive name describes the general safekeeping of a larger number of keys and key rings. In modern key depots, the keys are not only kept safe from theft, they are also electronically monitored and managed. In this case one speaks of a key management. The authorized persons identify themselves at an access terminal to remove the material. The keys to which a person has access are then released. The removal of a key is recognized via the contactless identification technology RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and electronically logged. This makes it possible to check which person removed or returned which key at what time.
Typical areas of application for these electronic key management systems are vehicle fleet management for rental companies or company-owned vehicle pools, access control to certain sensitive company areas and key management for security service providers or maintenance services.