There are many reasons that a business may choose to implement an access control system. The main reason is usually related to building security - essentially, being able to control who can and cannot enter a building, but the motivations behind this need are often more complex. Different organisations will have differing objectives in mind; a school or university may be driven by a need to safeguard students and staff, while a warehouse or manufacturing company may be more interested in creating security and audit trail touchpoints via access control.

An electronic access control system grants access based upon the presentation of authorised credentials. These systems can be easily configured to control and manage access rights across any part of the business with power being the vital component in ensuring these systems operate smoothly and without disruption. If any of these hardware options are compromised because of a power failure, the threat to site security and safety could be massive, not only that, but any breach in the system could also result in huge costs for the business.  

Whilst the failure of your access control system may be an alarming thought, it needn’t be a reality. A properly planned out system, based upon a thorough appraisal of your organisational premises and requirements can alleviate any of the potential issues associated with a potential power cut.   

Consider Different Lock Types

There are many types of locks that can be specified to suit any scenario. The most common, a magnetic lock, is a key component of most controlled doors, constantly drawing power to remain secure. Then there are lock’s that only draw power when activated to open, power safe locks that open in the event of a power failure or power secure that lock in the event of a power failure. For each of these lock types, there are many pros and cons, but what is most important is that each lock is correctly specified against the business requirements to reduce the risk of a system failure or potential security breach.    

Invest In a Good Back Up Battery  

From an access control perspective, the magnetic lock is by far the most common lock type in use due it’s low cost. For most businesses, a good back up battery is a cost-effective and sensible investment that ensures security is maintained in the event of a power failure. Based upon the many differing motivations behind implementing any form of door control, the back-up battery is often specified following a thorough review of requirements, for example, the size of door and lock, or the period of back up required in the event of a power failure. Should there be a power failure, a good back up battery can facilitate additional back up of between 2-8 hours.  

One of the key recommendations for any door controlled by a magnetic lock is to plan in a regular battery service. At TouchStar, we recommend that this is completed every two years to ensure that the batteries continue to hold their charge as required in any backup scenario.  

Look Out for an Accredited Company  

TouchStar is a National Security Inspectorate (NSI) Gold accredited company which means we follow the stringent standards of the UK’s leading certification body for providers of security and fire protection systems.

We won’t complete on your access control system until it meets the exact criteria set out in the design, with the highest quality and most reliable technology to match.   

Step by Step Access Control System Design You Can Rely On

Whether you are looking to implement a new access control solution or upgrade an existing installation, it needn’t be a headache for your organisation when you let the experts at TouchStar guide you through the process stage by stage. To find out more about how we can help your organisation, please get in touch.