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Home SectorsCommerce An Integrated Approach to Access Control

An Integrated Approach to Access Control

by Benchmark

Modern commercial office buildings require a specialised approach when it comes to security and site management. Buildings must be secure but must also allow ease of access to tenants and visitors. Additionally, building management teams are seeking solutions which add value, delivering efficiencies and cost-savings. 77 Coleman Street is an example of what can be achieved.

Kajima Properties’ development at 77 Coleman Street in the City of London is a luxury multi-tenant office comprising seven floors. The redevelopment included creating floors of office space, along with retail, leisure and restaurant units. The site has achieved a platinum connectivity rating from WiredScore.

Managing agent BNP Paribas and Kajima Properties wanted to implement a seamless and highly efficient access system to allow users and visitors easy access through reception and lifts. This needed to be supported by a robust security management system including video surveillance to keep people and the building safe. It was also important to keep any waiting time in reception to an minimum to avoid crowding, including providing easy access for disabled users, and for all entry to be touchless.

Tenants and reception staff needed an efficient, secure and easy-to-use system for managing visitors. An entry phone and door automation was required for anyone arriving out-of-hours or at the rear of the property, such as for deliveries. Finally, a key part of the brief was for any installed equipment, such as turnstiles and lifts, to aesthetically match the minimalist look and feel of the building.

Antron Security project-managed the design, supply and installation of the system, and acted as the contact for Kajima Properties and BNP Paribas.

Inner Range’s Integriti access and security management system was selected for the contract. The building’s regular users, of which there are more than 2,000, were issued secure proximity cards, carrying encrypted information about when and where the user is allowed to go. Cards are presented to readers embedded in bespoke Integrated Design Limited (IDL) entry turnstiles, which also allows them to be read by the KONE lift integration.

The lift integration with ‘destination control’ means the lift software takes into account where each of the building’s four lifts are, where the user’s ‘home floor’ is, as well as where other users are going/due to go, and instantly calculates the quickest lift for a specific user who is immediately directed to the most efficient lift via a display screen on the turnstile. If users are able to go to more than one floor, they can update their preference in the lift itself.

For the turnstiles, a bespoke set up of slim ‘speed lane’ turnstile pedestals, together with a separate glass gate, were specified. IDL’s Glassgate 200 opens away from the user, and closes behind, preventing tailgaters. Readers for proximity cards and QR codes were set into the turnstiles to create a seamless flow through the reception area.

Integriti also allowed Forge’s Bluepoint visitor management system to integrate with the turnstiles and lifts. For visitors to access tenanted floors, a tenant creates the meeting via Bluepoint. An email is generated and sent to the visitor, who can create a mobile QR code pass and save it to their smart phone wallet. When the visitor arrives, they scan their QR code at the reception desk, at which point their QR code becomes valid on the access control system. The visitor is then able to enter via the turnstiles and is directed by the display to the lift car they need. To leave, the visitor presents their QR code at the speed lane turnstile, which tells the system they’re leaving.

The QR codes are only valid for one entry and one exit, and only on the appointment date and at the planned appointment time. Afterwards, the QR code becomes invalid and is deleted from the system The code gives the visitor the ability to access everything they will need, from the entry turnstile and lift through to any locked doors en route.

The integration between Integriti and the Bluepoint visitor management system was achieved with an XML read/write interface, as well as API integration between a SQL database and a cloud-hosted VMS database using Microsoft Azure cloud services platform.

A BPT intercom system was installed to allow visitors out-of-hours contact with the security team, or for deliveries and contractors to use in order to access doors at the rear of the building. The system uses an ethernet distribution network, which means it can be expanded easily, and it’s possible to install long-distance connections that data networks can’t reach.

Video cameras from Hikvision have been installed throughout the site to create a hard-wired IP video system. These are integrated with the access control system, which allows for intelligent ‘cause and effect’ monitoring. System protocols automatically bring up specific camera feeds for security managers to view in response to alerts, and footage can be viewed along with other information such as if door status.

Integriti provides seamless integration with other smart building management systems. This includes encrypting all communications through every device and interface, and providing intruder detection compliant with EN50131. As well as enhancing security, it allows building managers to create more energy efficient sites by tracking how tenants use the building, and amending heating and lighting settings as a result.

Important in today’s business world, Integriti also provides trace reporting to identify a user’s movements if they have become unwell, and identify who else has been near them.

Other benefits for users include touch-free entry, a reduction in bottlenecks and crowding, a simple and efficient visitor management system, and robust security that doesn’t impact on the performance of the total solution.

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