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How Facility Codes Work

The facility code is usually a number between zero and 255. This number is assigned to your access control system. Along with the sequence number, the facility codes is programmed into each card.

This combination of numbers, the facility code and card sequence, is read by the card read and checked against a database of assigned cards. If both the codes match, the door opens.

Unlike a sequence number, which must be unique to each card, the facility code is used on all your cards. An access control card reader may be able to read multiple facility codes. Your business may want to create a rule for assigning facility codes if you use more than one, for example code 50 for a New York office and 80 for an Los Angeles office.

Because you can use more than one facility code in an access control system, it is not required that your new cards have the same code as the old ones. If you do order cards with a new facility code, however, you will have to add it to your access control system.

How to Find Your Facility Code

There are two easy ways to find your facility code.

1. Look at the label on your last box of cards – your facility code will be listed there with your card information.
2. Look at your access control software to see your facility code.

How Sequence Numbers Work

The card’s sequence or range number is programmed into it along with the facility code. The combination of both numbers are what tells a card reader which cards have access to the building – both the facility code and sequence number must match for the card to work.

Because of this, it is incredibly important that cards do not have the same sequence number; because they have the same facility code and sequence number, the system cannot tell the cards apart. When you order new cards, order the cards in the next range of numbers.

For example, if your current box of cards ends with sequence number 120, your next cards should start with sequence number 121.

For most card formats, your card range is numbers between zero and 65,535.

If you aren’t sure what your card sequence is, or what your last order’s card range was, that information will be on the box. You can also look at your access control software to see which numbers have already been assigned in the system.