SECURITY
You can’t put a price on peace of mind, which means security solutions are a vital part of the design and building process.
When considering the specific safety and security needs for education and care facilities a whole new set of challenges arise. Luckily there are ample ways to address these through clever, cutting edge solutions out on the market. From combined hardware and software solutions that stop trespassers in their tracks, through to designs that ensure exiting in emergency situations is as swift as possible.
Allegion, a company with several brands providing a range of security solutions for homes, businesses and schools is finding that when it comes to security, more and more people are transitioning from traditional keys to smart technology.
Marketing manager for Allegion in Australia, Craig Patterson, explains that the demand for electronic access control continues to grow “because it gives end users greater control over every connected opening, which means more command of their facilities as a whole”. This is a power that those tasked with managing security at education and care facilities would certainly value.
Users can configure locks, manage access rights and assign schedules from virtually anywhere. And greater control allows facilities to respond quickly in emergency situations.
Electronic credentials also provide an extra level of control by mitigating the risks associated with lost or stolen keys. This is because access rights can be deactivated immediately, and new credentials can be issued in seconds.
Allegion’s Schlage AD Series wireless locks, for example, are able to integrate into electronic access control systems. The locks feature builtin credential readers and access control sensors for simplified installation. The AD-400 enables a wide range of credential options including PIN and magnetic strip.
CASE STUDY: SL500 AUTOMATIC DOOR AT A.B PATERSON COLLEGE, GOLD COAST QUEENSLAND
A.B Paterson College, a private school based on the Gold Coast in Queensland recently engaged Burling Brown Architects to design a modern three-storey learning centre filled with natural light, featuring new technology and energy efficient glazing.
When it came to securing the main entrance to the learning centre, the architect, together with the client, opted for Assa Abloy’s SL500 automatic door.
“We sat down with the client and discussed what needed to be achieved. One of the major factors was that they needed to allow for the fluid movement of people in and out of the building,” says architect Andrew Brewer.
But naturally, with this fluid flow of occupants, the college also wanted to have the ability to control the security of the door from afar.
Assa Abloy’s SL500 automatic door had the flexibility to be retrofitted with the college’s existing SALTO security system. This system allows the college to have electronically programmed times where people can access the door and have an electronic locking system.
“The college is able to choose when to open and unlock the doors and in a security breach they can lock the door down,” Brewer explains.
The automatic doors are also the main path of escape in case of an emergency such as a fire.
“The door is linked to the college’s alarm system. If the fire alarm goes off, the door opens and stays open (rather than opening and shutting automatically) to allow the occupants to evacuate quickly.”
In an emergency if the power goes out, the door has its very own battery system that will allow it to still operate as needed.
There are so many factors to consider when securing a care or education facility, and these options are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the number of solutions around.
What’s clear though is that traditional locks and keys aren’t cutting it anymore – the future of security will largely be digital.
CASE STUDY: INTEGRATING SCHLAGE AD SERIES WIRELESS LOCKS WITH BADGEPASS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI
The University of Mississippi has more than 20,000 students, including 40 percent who live in campus housing. Originally, students were using physical keys to access their residential hall and room. This posed a security threat as there was no way to deactivate a lost or stolen key. There were also significant costs associated with replacing or rekeying mechanical locks.
To increase security and efficiency on campus they added Schlage AD Series wireless locks using Badgepass Totalcard to secure all of the resident’s doors.
Totalcard is a powerful campus card system that allows colleges and universities to easily identify, validate and track students and faculty members. Students can use their ID cards for a variety of things both on and off campus including purchases, attending events, accessing dorm rooms, tracking attendance in class and more.
By migrating to wireless locks and credentials for access, cards can be immediately deactivated in the system as soon as they are reported lost or stolen, minimising the risk of unapproved access.
Today the campus has installed nearly 3,500 AD Series wireless locks—adding security and convenience to every residence hall.
When it comes to security in aged care facilities, there are a whole new set of challenges that can differ substantially from those in the education realm. In aged care facilities resident elopement can be a serious concern – particularly among those suffering memory loss.
Allegion also offers a security solution here in the form of the Von Duprin CX Chexit concept. This controlled exit device, which is installed on exit doors, is designed to delay egress for 15 seconds.
The Chexit exit device can be integrated into a building’s emergency system and will release immediately in case of emergency.
Auxiliary locking, local alarm and a remote alarm output, along with an external inhibit input are contained in the Chexit assembly.