Assessing Your Access Control Needs: Getting Your Foot in the Door (Part 2)

Nathan’s last article on access control solutions was set out to help you understand the different types of doors.  Part 2 focuses on different types of locks.

Access Control can be installed in several types of applications. Doors types are usually pretty common, and there are several different locks that can be installed on each style.

Electronic Strike:

This device can be installed on many different styles of doors but will generally require a metal frame to help support the lock (a door is only as strong as the framing that supports it).

Magnetic Lock:

This is commonly used when either the frame is not hollow and cannot support a strike. This is a very common lock you’ll find if you have glass or solid metals doors.  You may also find this style of lock on any application that is secured by a double door, whether it be glass, metal or wood.

Electric Bolt:

This lock is designed for special applications. You will typically find this type of lock on gates or secured fenced-in areas.

Keep in mind not all doors require a lock mechanism.  Access control can be implemented on several different applications that do not look like your typical door. For example, access control software with a valid badge reader can authorize the opening or closing of parking garage or access gates that you may encounter from within your vehicle. Another example would be electronic sliding doors that you may encounter while walking into office buildings, hospitals, or airports. Again, these doors use a motor to drive the doors open and closed, and they can be monitored by the access control system to give the ability to secure them at any certain time, in addition to providing access to only certain personnel.

Assessing Your Access Control Needs Pt. 1: Getting Your Foot in the Door

Looking into an Access Control project?  Be sure to keep the following valuable information handy. Whether you’re looking at tackling a DIY project, or hiring a professional company take care of everything, the few guidelines below will certainly help all parties involved.

For now, we are going to talk about the doors themselves.  There are several styles and types you may find in your building, and each one is going to have different characteristics that result in different methods of installing hardware.

Common Door Styles:

• Single swinging door
• Double swing door
• Double swing door with a center beam
• Electric motorized doors

Single Swing Doors:

This style of door will be the most common you’ll encounter when dealing with interior doors. Most often you will find them with metal frames, and they’re generally made of wood. Depending on the frame, you would usually want to go with an electric strike. This will be the simplest solution, and also the most cost-effective. In some cases, depending on the frame, a mag-lock (magnetic lock) may be needed, which will require you to have an emergency form of egress to exit the building.

Double Swing Doors:

Double doors can be tricky, and are commonly found in glass, wood or steel types. If the doors are interior and havethe ability to swing freely, you will have few options available, and may find yourself leaning towards the mag-lock option. Again, keep in mind that if this is the case, then you must find a way to have egress on the exiting side of the door. Some double doors may not be free swinging, and instead have locking mechanisms that require you to perform some type of action as you exit the door, such as the pushing a button or a crash bar. A crash bar is a large button that is the width of the door that you have to walk directly up to the door and push on to release the door before you can push it open. If this is the case, we may still be looking at a mag-lock solution.

Double-Swing Doors with a Center Beam:

Same concept as above, but when you have a center beam that acts as a stopper for the door, in some cases this can give you the ability to go with an electric strike. In the event you had to go with a mag-lock, you would basically treat the doors as if the center beam did not exist and follow the preceding guidelines.

Electric Motorized Doors:

Motorized doors can actually be very simple when you look past all the existing cable and components of the door itself. Special hardware will be needed, like a device called a “pin lock” that is used to secure the door in the locked position (most automatic doors already will have the device pre-installed in the door). Also, the doors have the ability to recognize when to open or close when someone is close enough to the door thanks to motion detectors usually located on the door or above the ceiling; this will act as the egress method for this door.

Keep in mind when looking at types of doors such as metal, glass or wood we can insinuate that certain models will restrict us to use a certain type of lock such as a strike or mag, but more importantly we need to be looking at the frame. Most commercial doors and frames are pre-fitted for hardware – this may require you to disassemble a piece or two of the door, but a little homework go a long ways.

Why Consider Access Control for Your Business?

Some business owners use access control entry systems to cover all exterior doors, thus keeping unwanted people out. However, some business owners find they need a door access control system only within certain areas of the business to restrict / permit access. Access Control allows you to identify when each employee enters and exits different areas of the building.  There are several different types of security access control systems to meet your business needs. When considering a door access control system, make sure to consider the three levels of access control options:

1. Card controlled access systems
2. Keypad access control & security systems
3. Biometric fingerprint access control systems

Card access controlled systems

There are many great uses for card controlled access to protect specific areas inside your business as well as the entire facility.  In my experience, I’ve seen several uses for access control in departmental authorizations, such as shipping/receiving, money room, computer room, and customer/employee records.  Basically, any sensitive area is an excellent target for individual card-controlled access.

Keypad access control & security systems

Keypad access control systems don’t require your employees to keep up with cards or security badges. However, they do require your employees to have a pin number to gain entry to your business. If you part ways with an employee or need to change a security access code, keypad access control systems allow you to immediately change your secure pin, without having to wait for a returned card or badge.

Biometric fingerprint access control systems

Biometric controlled entry systems aren’t as cost effective as the preceding solutions, but they’re the most secure if your situation requires top-notch security. These systems are usually expensive, but ultimately worth the high cost when it comes to protecting sensitive information. Biometric access control and security systems scan your employees’ fingerprints to ensure that employee has clearance to enter high security areas of your business – no cards or keypads are required.  These solutions are highly popular in government applications, casinos, banks, etc.

Regardless of your business model or scale of security, you can always find ways to utilize access control to increase security of your business for employee and business safety.

Big Solutions for Small Companies – Access Controls

Obstacles have always been present with small or midsized businesses, When you think of access control you think of multi-level buildings with restricted areas such as hospitals and police stations, while these are great candidates for access the small business find themselves no in the need to spend 10k or more on restricting just 1-2 rooms.

Access has come a long way in short period of time it has become more affordable and easier to install. The average system for larger applications can run near 5k a door, with the new network based card readers and locks the system has been cut nearly in half, not to mention the installation has become so easy anyone with any networking experience can now implement these systems. With the new Access system being network capable you there is no need for running cables all over your building everything can tie into the card reader while the reader is tied into the network that is already throughout your entire building.

With the new advances in the CCTV industry Access Control can also be implemented with you surveillance camera solution, making it more useful than ever. Being able to let someone enter a door remotely from home while being able to view them on the camera at the same time to ensure it is the correct person. Businesses like Veterinarian clinics, Pharmacies, and HR department know have the ability to secure their medicines, prescriptions and employee records with spending any more than necessary.