Door Industry Journal - Summer 2020

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 86 THE door industry journal summer 2020 Automated Gates & Barriers Access Control in a Post COVID World Using tech to address evolving needs The experience of the Covid-19 pandemic has made us all more conscious of who is coming and going from our property. Whether it is a home, a business premises, industrial site or a public building, owners want full control over access for protection and peace of mind. What’s more, the issue of contact has come to the fore. While the interior of a property can be reorganised to accommodate social distancing, one-way systems and hand sanitiser stations, we need to consider how can we come and go from a facility whilst minimising the risk of infection through surfaces. And it’s not just about the permanent tenants - we want to protect all people within a premises – residents, the workforce, visitors, delivery drivers and customers. As we now look at access control in a new light an automated entry and exit can go a long way to giving businesses and property owners peace of mind. This offers an opportunity for manufacturers and installers of access control technologies. But any investment recommended to a customer must be proportionate and appropriate for use. There is also the question of balancing the need for control with the context of the property, ensuring that buildings and communal spaces remain welcoming environments. Combining existing automation products with the latest facial recognition and access control technologies offers the option of creating a contactless entry/exit system. Here are some considerations to make before you specify a solution for a customer. Automated gates – managing external access Automated gates can be a great way to manage who has access to a property, for both vehicles and pedestrians, and can form an effective part of the overall security provision. While the gate itself will provide physical security, the customer will want to feel in control of who enters the site, when and for what purpose. There are different options available. Intercom systems will allow the user to vet visitors, keypad entry can allow remote access for visitors with a specific code, remote controls allow an oncoming driver to open the gates without getting out of the vehicle, and a timer control can be used to open or close the gates at certain times of the day. Vehicle detection loops can be installed discreetly under the tarmac allowing the presence of vehicles to exit the gates and prevent closing whilst obstructed. Automatic doors – Internal control systems Control of a property should not just be limited to the external area; an internal access control solution can help to manage who has access to the property. It can even offer a view of who is in or outside of the building and provide a record of who has accessed the facilities within a time period. Pedestrian Speed Gates and automatic doors used with facial recognition systems or sensors can create a touchless entry and exit solution. This same technology can even complement a security system by limiting visitors to certain areas of the building without the need for additional staff. Pedestrian Speed Gates come in a range of different styles suitable for almost any environment and are designed to be an unobtrusive part of security provision. Equally door automation systems can work on sliding or swinging doors and can be sensor controlled for a truly touchless experience. Matthew Batson, Director, Bft Automation