New Opportunities for 1-4 Door AccessSecurity systems contractors not currently involved with access control might want to take a second look at this market and learn the components of simple access (doors, identifiers, controllers and software). These self-contained security systems, which handle from one to four doors, typically function in standalone environments and are accessed by only a single computer for programming and reports. Simple access control is frequently used by smaller companies to limit access to their facilities, eliminating the need for a guard as well as the cost and headache associated with key control. Thus, these kinds of systems present an opportunity that security systems contractors should seriously consider. Despite being small in size, one- to four-door access systems offer features and versatility that are truly exciting and are the steppingstones to larger access applications. Doors Are Protected Via Controlled or Free Egress To control access, a door must be modified in some manner to provide signals to the system to let it know whether or not the door is open or closed, prohibiting passage of unauthorized people. The signal is fairly simple; a door contact tells the controller whether or not the door is open and generates an alarm if the door is forced open without the access control system clearing someone. This contact may also be used to determine how long a door is open, preventing free entry to an area by propping open a door. Additionally, it can limit the amount of time a door can be left open in cases where it is acceptable to prop a door open for a period of time (such as a loading dock). Doors can be protected by controlled egress or free egress. A controlled egress door requires permission from the access control system to allow someone to enter or exit through the door. This type is used where entry and exit must be logged or where areas on both sides of the passage must be controlled. Care must be taken to allow the door to open freely from the inside in case of power failure or fire alarm system activation. Free egress doors are more common, as they allow people to pass freely from the secured side of the door to the unprotected area. The inside of the door has a free exit door handle, which can't be locked from the inside. A request-to-exit device (either a manual push button or automatic device) to shunt the door contact or otherwise tell the controller that passage is permitted prevents false alarms. Either type of door requires a mechanism to secure the door, such as a magnetic lock or electric strike. For one- to four-door systems, it is common to either hire a locksmith to install the electric strike or magnetic lock, or request that the building owner (or general contractor) perform this work outside of your contract. Currently, Card Readers, Keypads Are the 2 Most Popular Identifiers To identify people who are permitted access to the secured area, some sort of mechanism is needed to differentiate them. While there is a world of options available, by far the two most common are the card reader and keypad. The keypad is the least costly, requires no other expense (such as cards) but is the easiest to breach. It is very valuable as a supplemental device to verify ownership of a card, but on its own, it is too easy to circumvent and has no way of verifying that the person entering is the person who owns the pass code. A card reader, either magnetic stripe or proximity, is the most common and a more secure method for entry. Magnetic stripe cards are the least expensive but must be slid through a card reader, which causes some mechanical wear and tear both on the card and the reader. While proximity cards do not have the mechanical element and are considered more durable, they can cost much more than magnetic stripe cards. Smaller System Controllers Don't Require Complicated Software The door and identifier elements are pretty much the same regardless of system size. The controller used really defines the access control system, and here too, the available technology is allowing greater sophistication in what used to be considered entry-level systems. In fact, the small controller is often the building block used in larger systems, with the only real differentiator being the software. |
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