Access Control Systems enable you to control who has access to your sites and your properties.
Bristol-based Brunel Fire and Security design, install and maintain class-leading Access Control Systems across the UK based in Bristol but covering the UK.
Access Control Systems allow selective restriction of access to a property, building or room by authorised personnel and can be operated over a network, thus allowing you to manage the fire and security from one central point.
This can range from single access control systems to large, fully integrated multi-site solutions, incorporating card swipe, coded keypads, proximity card access or biometrics.
When considering which system is right for your business, you’ll need to consider the following;
- How many doors need securing?
- What is the physical make-up of the door; wood, aluminium, glass?
- What is the intended purpose of the door; entry or exit, people or cars?
- Is it free-exit or controlled exit?
- Volume of people or vehicles?
- What level of security do you need your Access Control system to provide?
Call 0117 259 1000 to arrange a free site survey or to talk through your Access Control requirements and tap in to our 25 years of experience to secure your business.
Is it worth checking?
- Do you know how many cards have been issued on your Access Control System? This is worth checking against the amount of employees you have on site – an access control system is only as good as the person administering it.
- Do you know who, in your building, has either lost or had a card stolen? Have they been deleted?
- It is always worth checking on the system to see how many cards have not been used in the last two weeks, to see why they have not been used and when they last had activation. If in doubt, remove the card from the system – the person will soon come and see you if they can’t get access, the security of your premises is more important.
- I would advise that a picture is issued on the card for recognition purposes, this way cards cannot be moved from between staff members.
- If you have temporary cards which have been printed, you may want to use them again – it is very cheap to buy overlay laminates to rebrand again.
- It is worth seeing how far an employee can get around the building without a pass and see how open your site is – where are the weak links in your current security arrangements?
An access control system will determine exactly who is allowed to both enter and exit your business premises, where they’re allowed to exit and enter and even when they are allowed to enter and exit.
Typically, such a system will use an identifier such as an access card, biometrics or a smartphone, which will not only authorise people to enter the property but will also log where and when, which can be valuable information when you own a business premises.
An access control system will constitute four key elements; a tag, reader, controller and lock.
Each user will have a tag, such as a card or a smartphone, which will be authorised on specific doors at specific times by an administrator.
These credentials will then be read by the reader. Should the tag be authorised at that time, on that door, and presented near to the reader, the door will unlock.
The controller is then the core of the system, which will store all of the information about who is authorised and when which is controlled by a central computer.
Finally, the lock is an electro-mechanical locking device.
When it comes to running a business workplace and ensuring that your employees are safe, access control is an excellent investment to make.
In short, access control will prevent people from breaking in, help you to keep track of valuable items, and will also enable you to keep an eye on your workplace, day and night.
Such a system will also give you an unparalleled level of data on who visits your site and when allowing you to further understand your company and its visitors.
Access control is robust, offering simple management that is both flexible and scalable, offering you a wide range of benefits, including;
- Easy to manage,
- Removes the hassle of traditional keys and provides a full audit trail,
- Grant access to specific people at specific times,
- Keep track of who enters and exits your business,
- Increased convenience to improve productivity,
- A security system that can grow and change with you.
The overall goal of an access control system is to minimise the security risk of unauthorised people accessing your business premises.
Businesses of any shape or size will be able to benefit from an access control system. There are large, more complex access control systems that are commonplace in larger businesses such as government buildings and healthcare settings, and there are also smaller systems for offices and other such premises’.
Should you be looking to take your business security to another level, access control should be a consideration for your business.
If an access card is lost or stolen, the most important thing is that the cardholder reports the situation. Then, the administrator will be able to revoke the access that the card had on the central database.
From this, the access control system will be able to tell whether this card is used and whether someone has tried to gain access to the premises.
Here at Brunel Fire & Security, we are specialists in designing and installing access control systems across the UK. We’ll ensure that each solution is tailored to our client’s exacting specifications and security requirements.
We’ll ensure that there is little to no disruption whilst your access control system is installed so that your business can run as usual.
A business that utilises an access control system will not only act as a crime deterrent and it will increase security, but it will also help to dramatically reduce your business insurance premium.
Here at Brunel Fire and Security, we have around 25 years of experience in providing access control systems to businesses across the UK.
All of the systems are designed in-house, thanks to our great deal of experience and expertise, and most importantly, we are passionate about what we do.
We’re SAFE contractor approved and CHAS accredited, so you have the peace of mind that the access control we supply will fit your needs and exceed your expectations.
Should you wish to discuss an access control system further, be sure to get in touch with our team today.