Trade Topics

April 2009

Access Control Systems

Access control systems are used to protect sensitive areas of a facility. Their function is to restrict and track users' access to the facility based on door location, time of day and day of the week.

In some instances these systems are used for nothing more sophisticated than as a replacement for hard key systems eliminating the need to constantly rekey a building after an employee or tenant leaves. In other cases they are one part of a comprehensive security program.

History

Access control systems emerged in the 1980’s as a means to electronically control and track entry into a building. These early and cumbersome host based systems, VAX or Unix driven, are today considered dinosaurs as they were limited in their controls and reporting capabilities as well as very expensive. They were beyond the reach of most small to medium companies until the early nineties.

In the 1990’s Windows based PCs, with client/server environments, allowed these systems to evolve, becoming more user friendly and affordable attracting large and small companies, property managers, building owners, and government entities.

Still popular today, the PC based systems have seen the emergence of browser based software which allows more flexibility within, and easy deployment throughout, an organization. The balance of this article will favor a browser based system.

Illustrated above is the flexibilty of the browser based system: via the internet or the company LAN, authorized persons can administer the system's settings, permissions and reports.

Typical System Components:

Either PC or Web Browser Software
Access Control Panel(s)
Power Supplies (access control panel & door hardware)
Card Readers and Cards
Electronic Door Hardware
Cabling

Software:
Each access control manufacturer develops their own proprietary software - some run on Windows, some are Linux based, with a very few being Mac compatible. Before buying you will want to review the software to make sure it's user friendly, feature rich and of course, expandable. The S2 browser based system is the example in the illustrations.

Card Readers and Proximity Technology:

Proximity technology is the most popular reader technology. A proximity card is presented within a 2”-4” read range of the card reader, the reader will be beep and the LED on the reader will change colors to indicate the card has been read. If the card is authorized the door will unlock.

Costs:

Typical per door cost is $2,500 - $3,000. This includes all the necessary components and labor for the installation This average cost is based on a system with a minimum of four or more doors with no special electronic door hardware needs.

Electronic Door Hardware – The Real Cost Variable

The overall system costs will be greatly impacted by the type of door hardware required to control the doors. The cost estimates given above are for electric locksets, electric mortise lock bodies, electric strikes, and electrifying of Von Duprin 33 or 99 series crash bars.

Specialty electronic hardware or complete replacement of existing vertical rod crash bars will drive these costs much higher. I have seen instances where equipping doors with the correct electronic hardware have run $5,000 - $10,000 - for just the hardware.

System Integration

One of the real powers of the browser based system (like the one illustrated -S2 Security) is the ability to seamlessly integrate with video surveillance (digital video recorders, network video recorders, and network cameras), photo identification management, and intrusion alarm systems. The S2 Security system provides affordable features and functionalities that were previously only available to large system users.

It is customary that security systems providers work directly with end users and not be lumped into the General Contractor's scope of work.

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