Physical Building Access / Keys

Still fairly new at this STS thing. My question is about building access / keys.



What access (keys) does the 'typical' STS have? Taking the duties described in the Wiki literally... I would assume that I would need access to the following.

• Clerks Offices.
• Stake Offices / Work Rooms.
• Libraries.
• Family History Centers.
• Satellite Receiver Closet (and cabinet).
• Audio sound system closet (and cabinet).
• Telecom / Internet Demarc Room.
• Any closet / room with low voltage wiring or patch panel.
• Closets that have sub panels that service electronic systems.

That amounts to access to just about everything. There a few rooms that I figure I don't need access to.

• Stake President and Bishops offices
• Baptismal fonts

Given that scenario... do most STS' just have a key that accesses the whole building (i.e. similar to what a Bishopric member would have?)? I


Just curious…

Typically the audio and sound system cabinets are handled by a contractor. Normally, you wouldn't have a key to get inside. Just the operator's position of the satellite rack.

The amount of work needing to be done in a FHC would strongly support having a key for that. Keys to clerks offices, could be a different story.

john84601 wrote:Given that scenario... do most STS' just have a key that accesses the whole building (i.e. similar to what a Bishopric member would have?)?

I can't speak for most STSs, but I have a master key that gets me into every room in every building. My stake president has wanted me to be able to get into all the clerk offices, and once you have that requirement, plus libraries, FHCs, demarcs, etc., it was easier to just give me one key with access to all rooms. But I could certainly see how some stake presidents might be a bit more conservative.

Another useful method is to have a master key to all the external doors of all buildings and then a key to the key box for each building giving you access to all local keys for that building.

I was able to obtain an Exterior Door key for all buildings in my stake, and the key to the 'lock box' referenced by rbeede... This is sometimes referred to as a 'contractor key'. It unlocks the lock box and in the lock box are keys to the entire building.

I also have a stake master - it gets me anywhere I need to go, particularly important when I'm installing and upgrading the network hardware and cabling. One key and I don't need to arrange anybody to meet me to do anything that I need to do.

Some buildings are also getting those key code (manual not electric) door locks on exterior doors and doors like the library. Those are nice because you have fewer keys to mess with then and changing the key code isn't difficult. Probably not as popular though due to the cost still in many areas.

rbeede wrote:Some buildings are also getting those key code (manual not electric) door locks on exterior doors and doors like the library. Those are nice because you have fewer keys to mess with then and changing the key code isn't difficult. Probably not as popular though due to the cost still in many areas.

The problem with those is it doesn't take very long before everybody knows the code. (At one building in my stake people get around the inconvenience of limited library keys by simply propping the door open then walking away because nobody wants to sit in there and wait for people to come by.)

RussellHltn wrote:Typically the audio and sound system cabinets are handled by a contractor. Normally, you wouldn't have a key to get inside. Just the operator's position of the satellite rack.

But even the directions for integrating the Webcasting box require you to install a 'Y' cable in the back of the Audio system. Is the FM Group just supposed to do this if we don't have access... or are we supposed to wait for an 'escort' to work on anything like this?

john84601 wrote:But even the directions for integrating the Webcasting box require you to install a 'Y' cable in the back of the Audio system. Is the FM Group just supposed to do this if we don't have access... or are we supposed to wait for an 'escort' to work on anything like this?

What documentation are you looking at? The one I found said nothing about a "Y" cable in the audio rack - just the satellite rack. (And I'm not sure as the author talked to the FM group about that plan.)

In my case the key for the satellite rack would prevent anyone from normal operation of the equipment. So either the cabinet must be left unlocked, or the STS has to have a key to it. But once that door is open, it only take a screwdriver to get into the back. So the back can't be locked from the STS.

Your situation may be different. But in mine, any repairs requires a tech to be flown out from SLC. If the fault is equipment failure, then the vendor absorbs the cost. If the fault is tampering, then FM Group pays. Can you see why the FM Group isn't likely to hand out keys to the rack?

RussellHltn wrote:Can you see why the FM Group isn't likely to hand out keys to the rack?

Sure... but in my buildings the Audio and the Satellite Receiver cabinets are completely locked. There is no access to anything. I couldn't even tell you if all the right "lights" were on. All I can do is sit and look at the outside of the cabinet.

In our building the receiver runs 24/7, which means there is nothing really to do... and little chance of a configuration issue.

At the same time, by leaving the receiver on all the time... we're cutting the lifespan of that piece of equipment. Consequently we're more likely to have a hardware failure in the long run.

My loose interpretation of what it means to be the STS is... if I'm not qualified to fix it... then I'm the guy that calls the support desk and tells them what I see (lights, smells, loose connections, etc.). Or am I to belief that if there is ever a problem... SLC just dispatches a tech with a complete set of spare parts? If that's the case... why are A/V systems listed as one our responsibilities?

Really... I'm just trying to understand what it means to support this equipment. Seems hard to do anything if your 100% locked out.... doesn't it?