BEST Access Locks: Interchangeable Cores, 9K Cylindrical and 40H Mortise Locks

Identify

Which BEST lock or core do I have?

Start with the lock's shape. A cylindrical lock fits through a round hole bored in the door; the 9K fits a 2-1/8 inch hole. A mortise lock's case sits in a pocket in the door's edge, and BEST's 40H family are mortise locks.

Then look at the keyway, the slot the key slides into. BEST's 9K FAQ sheet says interchangeable cores have a figure 8 design, whereas non-interchangeable cores have a single hole design.

BEST lists more than this page covers, including exit devices, door closers, electric strikes, electromagnetic locks, padlocks and the 48H and 49H mortise deadlocks.

For how rekeying, master keys and interchangeable cores work on any brand, see the general guide to commercial rekeying, master keys, SFIC and LFIC.

Source BEST's 9K and 40H catalogs, its 9K FAQ sheet, and its 7KC, 8K and 6K product pages.

The core

What is an interchangeable core, and why do buildings use one?

The core is the part of the lock the key turns in. BEST says it pioneered the small format interchangeable core (SFIC), and defines it this way: "Interchangeable cores can be installed and removed from the outside through the use of a control key." A non-interchangeable core has to be installed and removed by first taking the lever off.

When keys are lost, the core makes it possible to change lock combinations with no need for any lock disassembly, and a core can be rekeyed without total replacement.

BEST's cores come in 6- and 7-pin options, with masterkeyed shear lines that allow multi-level access. A masterkey system defines access by person and by area, and BEST's masterkey software generates the codes and prevents cross keying (one key opening locks it was not meant to).

BEST says its cores are hardware specific.

Source BEST's Key and Core brochure and its 9K FAQ sheet.

Key systems

BEST key systems: Standard, Premium, CORMAX, CORMAX+, Preferred and Peaks

A key system is a family of keyways (the shape of the slot the key slides into) and key blanks. BEST's brochure charts six, all on the SFIC, and gives Premium and Standard as its examples of a non-patented system.

CORMAX, BEST says, "protects against unauthorized duplication of keys through 2027." A patented side pin stops the core turning unless the proper CORMAX key is inserted, and BEST says CORMAX fits into any manufacturer's locking hardware requiring a small format interchangeable core.

CORMAX M Series keys operate both CORMAX and BEST Standard cores with J, K, L and M keyways, but "BEST standard keys do not operate CORMAX cores." The X Series is compatible only with CORMAX cores. The brochure's text calls its key blank thicker, but its chart prints the same 0.106 as the M Series.

CORMAX+ carries "Patent protection until June 2043." Its brochure says CORMAX+ cores fit into existing SFIC hardware and CORMAX+ keys are compatible with CORMAX M and X keyways.

Premium uses BEST's thickest key blank and a paracentric keyway, one whose keyline crosses the center of the core.

Preferred is "a patented system through 2024", a year that has passed, and is backwards compatible with Peaks 1CB systems. BEST's Peaks page calls Peaks a patented keying system, though the brochure's chart prints no patent year for it. Its 150 Series is for traditional BEST interchangeable core applications, and its 140 Series can be used to secure facilities using other makers' hardware.

Two documents state a grade. The Standard sell sheet's certifications row reads "ANSI/BHMA A156.5 Series—Grade 1", and the 9K catalog says "CORMAX cores are certified to meet the security, safety, and reliability requirements of BHMA A156.5 Grade 1."

Source BEST's Key and Core brochure, Standard Cores and Keys sell sheet, CORMAX specification sheet and CORMAX+ brochure; its CORMAX, CORMAX+, Preferred and Peaks product pages; and its 9K catalog.

Cylindrical

Will a BEST 9K fit my door?

The 9K is BEST's heavy duty cylindrical lever lock. The table gives the sizes and options BEST's 9K documents print.

The two 9K documents describe the standard core differently. The FAQ sheet says the 9K comes less core standard from the factory and that the standard core is the BEST SFIC; the sell sheet's keying row lists a 6-pin non-IC brass cylinder, with a 6- or 7-pin SFIC option.

The FAQ sheet adds that an interchangeable-core 9K can't be changed to a non-interchangeable-core 9K, or back, because the chassis are built differently.

Source BEST's 9K catalog, 9K sell sheet and 9K FAQ sheet.

Other makers

Will a 9K take another maker's cylinder or core?

BEST offers 9K levers for other makers' cylinders and cores, and its four 9K documents word the list four ways. A non-IC cylinder is a fixed one; a large format interchangeable core (LFIC) is a removable core of a different size from the SFIC.

Source BEST's 9K catalog, 9K sell sheet, 9K FAQ sheet and 9K product page.

Mortise

The BEST 40H mortise lock family: 45H and 47H

The 40H catalog names the 45H as the standard mortise lock and the 47H as the high security mortise lock. It says "The 40H series is listed by Underwriters Laboratories for use on a 3 hour A label doors" and "The 47H series locks conform to UL437 standard for key locks, referencing door locks."

A 47H note reads: "To maintain the UL437 standard for high security locks, order only M trim. Using H, R or S trim does not meet the UL437 standard."

Source BEST's 40H catalog.

Functions

Lock functions: which side locks, and what unlocks it

A lock's function says which side of the door locks and what unlocks it. BEST gives each a name, such as storeroom or classroom, a letter code and an ANSI function number.

The 40H design lets over 12 of the most commonly used lock functions fit in just 3 case configurations, which BEST calls universal functions; they can be configured without opening the lock case. Universal locks can only be ordered with sectional trim, and where escutcheon trim is needed the catalog points to a three-part lock.

Both catalogs print the same notice: "Locksets that secure both sides of the door are controlled by building codes and the Life Safety Code."

Source The function tables in BEST's 9K and 40H catalogs.

Electrified

Electrified versions: 9KW, 45HW and 47HW

BEST's W and M Series catalog says its 40HW, 8KW and 9KW electromechanical locks are locked or unlocked through a switch, switch lock, relay, access control system or other automatic control system. Its catalog defines two kinds: "All EU functions: Electrically Unlocked (Fail Secure)" and "All EL functions: Electrically Locked (Fail Safe)".

The standard lock voltage is 24 volts, with 12 volts as an option. The catalog gives the 40HW 0.60 amps at 12 volts and 0.45 amps at 24 volts, AC or DC. For the 8KW and 9KW its specification gives 0.50 amps at 12 volts and 0.18 amps at 24 volts with the supplied temperature control module, but its function table prints 0.60 or 0.45 amps beside DEU.

Every W series lock requires that temperature control module (TCM), supplied standard with every order. It reduces the current to the lock one second after power is applied and converts AC power to DC.

A request-to-exit (RQE) option, a normally open switch that closes momentarily when the inside lever or knob is turned, is offered on the 45HW and 47HW and, among the cylindrical locks, on the 9KW only.

The approval listings begin "UL listed for GYQS Electrically-controlled singlepoint locks or latches." for the 40HW and repeat it for the 8KW and 9KW. The W Series sell sheet lists "ANSI/BHMA A156.2 Grade 1 cylindrical lock" and "ANSI/BHMA A156.13 Grade 1 mortise lock", without the separate security grade the 40H catalog gives for the 45H.

Source BEST's W and M Series catalog, its W Series sell sheet and its 40H catalog.

Service

Service for BEST locks and cores

Elwin Security installs, repairs and replaces BEST locks and works with BEST interchangeable cores as part of its commercial locksmith service for commercial and multifamily properties in the San Francisco Bay Area. Calls are answered 8:00 AM-8:00 PM daily at (408) 539-0535.

FAQ

BEST lock and core questions