Building access control systems help you effectively limit access to a facility according to pre-defined rules. Access control is one of the most important components of facility safety and management. Access control does not just limit who has access on the job site or the building, but also protects from injury and excessive damage. In short, it helps reduce risks of loss of equipment, personnel and valuable property.
Access control systems help you to safely control access to a facility by identifying users who have given access authorization, whether by physically being there, or by using software devices. It becomes possible to track users and their actions. Access can be controlled according to various criteria such as user identification, level of access authorization, or time-based log in/out. Generally, building access control systems provide an audit trail that clearly shows who, where, when and how each user has accessed what doors and at what specific times. In fact, it becomes possible for you to develop a full picture of who, what, when, where and how all of these facilities are used and managed.
A typical building access control systems system combines a single, high security system with a smart card reader. The card contains a digital photo of the cardholder’s fingerprint. This digital fingerprint is then read by the security system. If it matches the fingerprints of authorized users, the doors open accordingly. However, if the match is unsuccessful or if an unauthorized user tries to enter the building, an alarm is activated and motion sensors are activated too.
Building access control systems are used in a variety of situations. They are usually installed on public building entrances and at other restricted areas. Some are also designed to automate door access systems. Such automation allows a building owner to open a specific door or a group of doors after being logged in to a secured access code via phone or internet. The system can allow for a person to use an access code in place of a physical pin number that needs to be inserted on the keys. Such a system is called “smart building access control systems” and is usually embedded with smart card readers.
In some building access control systems, a smart key fob is also used. This is a special type of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) key fob. Rather than having a card reader, such a fob is programmed to respond to voice commands. It has a button which, when pressed, activates a circuit. If the circuit is already activated, it will result in a prompt message being sent to the building owner. On the other hand, if the circuit has not been activated, then a beam of infrared light will be emitted from the device towards the area where the user is trying to gain access.
Electronic access cards, also called EAC (Electronic Access Control) cards, are a popular choice for building proprietors. These cards, unlike their proximity fobs, do not require manual entry. Instead, they are enabled with an embedded magnetic field. These magnetic fields prevent unauthorized access because they lock on to any metal object that is in proximity of the card’s sensor. Electronic access card readers are also called keywords. These are typically used in parking lot access systems.
Building access control systems can be divided further into two categories: standalone systems and integrated systems. As the name suggests, standalone systems are meant to be installed on one’s own building premises. They are completely self-contained and do not require any type of external connection. Integrated systems, on the other hand, are comprised of many different components – some of which are permanently installed in your building while others are meant to be removable.
With the wide array of available options today, it is possible for a building owner to tailor the security system to his or her needs and requirements. For instance, some buildings may require additional features such as access control cameras, fire alarms, motion detectors, closed circuit televisions, and closed circuit video cameras. Others may need only simple access control software. It all depends on your building requirements and on your budget. You can easily find commercial access control software online at affordable prices.