No more staying overtime at gym
The City of Rotterdam faced a challenge when it needed effective access control to manage its 70 unmanned gymnasiums. They were clustered in city districts and visited by tenants hiring out a specified time slot.
The gyms are supervised by on-site managers who, prior to the installation of the new access control system, were handing out keys to those renting the facility. Managers found it difficult to cope with the large numbers of keys in circulation and they had to rely on users to keep to their time slot and turn off the lights when they left.
Managers set timers to manage the heating, but the system was open to misuse as tenants could stay longer and often forgot to turn off the lights, resulting in increased energy bills and loss of potential bookings.
As a cost effective solution. Siemens Building Technologies Netherlands developed an access control system, using SiPass card technology, combined with Synco Siemens building automation system.
Managing director of Siemens Building Technologies Security Solutions (formerly Systems), Peter Hawksworth, said: “Access control effectively monitors and restricts the movements of staff and visiting personnel and provides valuable management information. Siemens systems control and restrict movement at doors, gates, barriers and turnstiles. They can link to fire and intruder alarms and monitor environmental sensors.”
Sites can be networked and managed centrally, saving money on manned security and data storage. Siemens card technology allows full interchangeability, so a range of card types can be entered into one system.
The system defines who has access at the time allocated. Instead of a key, the tenant is now given a chip card containing data relating to their booking. The system can also register who was using the facility at any given time. As soon as a tenant enters the gym, the access system activates the building automation system controlling air conditioning, heating and light management. Ten minutes before the session comes to an end, the tenant is alerted by an audible signal. At the end of the rental time the lights in the gyms switch off automatically and heating is reduced to a lower level to save energy.
It also controls the changing rooms, with the warm water automatically stopping after time allowance is up. The system registers the first and final rental sessions of the day and automatically selects the appropriate day or night levels of heating and lighting.
Each night the registered data from that day is automatically uploaded to each manager’s GSM modem. All details are recorded including the times that cleaners or engineers have been at work. Doors left open, technical faults or emergency incidents are reported immediately by text message.
ADT gets important role in movies!
ADT Hong Kong has secured almost 400 doors at the new Hong Kong Movie City complex.
The installers used the CEM AC200 SE security management system from CEM Systems at the Shaw Studios complex.
The access control from CEM Systems, a leading brand of Tyco International, is being used at the prestigious complex – one of the world’s most technologically advanced film and digital production facilities.
Located in Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong, it is owned by Shaw Property Holdings and covers 523,000 square feet, featuring an administration building, two-story film processing centre, and a world class 400-seat theatre.
To secure personnel and clients within the complex and to protect valuable assets and post-production facilities, the client required a reliable and highly secure security management solution. The CEM AC2000 system provides 24/7 security and alarm monitoring.
Said Andrew Fulton, business development director for CEM System products: “The system design includes 100 per cent system continuity using a secondary failover server, as well as intelligence at the door using CEM EtherProx IP card readers with internal database for off-line card validation.”
EtherProx readers support Mifare smart cards and come equipped with advanced features such as LCD screen, keypad, and internal database for card validation at the door – ensuring high level system stability even if offline from the host controller. The system can be easily expanded should the Movie City complex continue to grow.
Mixture of on- and off-line access
Rochester-based NT Security has specified and installed an “intelligent and cost effective” access control system at Royal Holloway, University of London.
The integrated package controls and monitors staff, student and visitor access through interior and perimeter doors at the Huntersdale administration building in Egham, Surrey.
Abloy UK has supplied Smartair locks, Update On Card readers, a portable programmer and ARX access control technology.
NT Security specified a combination of off-line and higher cost on-line access control equipment.
A total of 49 battery-operated Smartair locks were installed on internal doors, which Royal Holloway security personnel control and update using three UOC Smartair readers and a portable programmer.
Access through the perimeter doors is controlled by an ARX system, a sophisticated on-line access control package that NT linked to the university’s main IT system, so that any changes in access rights can be implemented easily.
Each Smartair-controlled door has its own battery power source and built-in reader, which identifies the user’s card, interrogates their access rights and allows or denies access.
All cards are automatically updated with the latest access information when the updater is linked to the IT network. The system information is automatically updated in each lock when an updated card is presented to that door’s reader.
Providing a user has suitable access rights, all they need to do to gain passage through a Smartair-controlled door is present their RFID card in the proximity of the reader and lock. This contactless method of access control not only helps maintain the easy flow of traffic, but is cost-effective as there is no operational wear and tear on the cards.
Door security is managed centrally from a PC, which creates, stores and modifies user access information. Door usage can be monitored using Smartair’s powerful audit trail facility, which can not only report which doors were opened by what cards, but can also detail all the doors opened by each card.
IP security management lands smoothly at T5
Heathrow Airport is using the CEM Systems security management systems to secure and enhance operations of its Terminal 5 (T5) building.
T5 is using two CEM access control solutions: one for the main airport operator, BAA and one for the T5 dedicated airline operator, British Airways (BA).
Security consist of more than 1,000 CEM IP card readers and 70,000 ID cards. The overall BAA access system forms part of a main building system integration that uses high-bandwidth fibre-optics.
T5 is the largest IP aviation implementation in the UK. The GB pound 4.3 billion building covers 260 hectares. To secure staff, retailers, immigration police, and a projected 30 million passengers each year, the project required a proven, fully integrated IP security solution.
“CEM has been consulting with the T5 project team since 2004,” said Andrew Fulton, business development director for CEM Systems. “Since the state-of-the-art AC2000 systems have been in operation at the BAA and BA Heathrow sites for over 18 years, it was an ideal choice to extend the CEM AC2000 systems to secure the prestigious T5.”
Over 1,000 S600e IP card readers with smart card technology were installed throughout to secure access gates, air-bridges, check-in desks, and other protected access points.
They have advanced features, such as onboard Ethernet, LCD, keypad, and internal database for offline card validation.
Said George Hope, security controller of British Airways: “The existing CEM AC2000 system at Heathrow was smoothly expanded to provide an access control solution at T5. On opening day, we only received six queries because of incomplete access permissions out of 43,000 cardholders. That is a successful opening day”.
University’s sports facilities secured
Doorware Ltd has installed a new access control system to secure the sports facilities at Dublin City University.
The facilities provided on the 85-acre university campus are said to be outstanding and DCU Sport caters for students, staff, alumni as well as the local community.
Facilities include a sports complex, sports grounds and a 5-a-side soccer centre, fitness gym, pool, courts, track and studio.
To control access to the gym, Doorware fitted Salto Mifare-controlled wall readers to the car park barriers and main entrance door. These are complemented by 312 Mifare-controlled i-Locker electronic locks that have been retro-fitted to the existing lockers. Members access the gym facility and the lockers via smart wrist bands.
The locker lock features a large twist-operated locking handle for ease of use, even with wet hands, and its durable wipe clean construction is resistant to most chemicals.
The access reader is built into the outside of the handle while the locking mechanism, electronic components and battery pack are all located on the inside of the locker door, safe from potential vandalism.
Staff can use their general ID for several other applications including general access control and cashless payment.
Management audit trailing and timed access is built into the i-Locker.