ACCESS CONTROL – VIVA LA REVOLUCIÓN

Access control. What is it?

Access control is simply a means of preventing and allowing access to areas of a building, to the correct people.

This could be achieved by means of a padlock whereby all staff that need access to that room, have a key to that padlock. However as business change staff, room usage etc – it’s usually more convenient to implement an electronic solution so that access rights can be updated without the need to hand out and return keys. Some systems have other benefits such as clocking in and out information, lockdown procedures and fire alarm override.

So, what’s the issue?

The issue is compliance. Most installations will consist of:

1x Magnetic Lock

1x Reader

1x Exit Button

1x Emgergancy Break Glass

If the door is a fire door, or forms part of an emergency escape route – it probably shouldn’t have a mag lock hanging on it.

Before you read on, it is important to note that not all emergencies are a fire. Panic events can occur for many reasons, where a mass of people will be attempting to escape a building.

Some Facts:

Building Regulations 2010 say there must be a minimum clear headroom of 2m – maglocks sometimes project below this.

BS EN 1125 2008 says that “Experience relating to escape from buildings and general safety have made it desirable that doors at final exits in public buildings, places of entertainment, shops, etc should be fitted with panic devices operated by a horizontal bar. The emphasis for products covered by this standard is on safe exit rather than security.” 

If fitted to a fire door, the lock must be tested with the door set. See EN14846.

EN179 & EN1125 state that a door which is electronically controlled must have a mechanical means of escape.

There are ‘standards’ in place. But we believe in the unfortunate reality that change will not be implemented by law, until a tragedy. See EN179, EN1125, EN13637.

Mag locks are also inherently insecure. Most can be forced open if provided with enough of a jolt.

Simply. Mag locks are not compliant with the relevant EU and UK standards. They require power when locked, they are not secure and they do not provide a means for a mechanical escape.

The solution? Call Ballum Security for a compliant lock. We work with Assa Abloy to provide compliant solutions. Assa Abloy is a global leader in access technology and is leading the way in compliant solutions. We can satisfy the standards, with a regular looking door handle, which provides a much higher level of security.