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Access Control Systems – ACS
To control access, doors are modified in some manner to provide signals to a system which determines whether a door is open or closed. To enter or exit the door, authorization must be proven.
Usually they work like this: a door contact tells the controller whether or not the door is open and generates an alarm if the door is forced open without the access control system clearing someone. The contact may also be used to determine how long a door is open, preventing free entry to an area by propping open a door. Additionally, it can limit the amount of time a door can be left open in cases where it is acceptable to prop a door open for a period of time (such as a loading dock)
The system prohibits passage of unauthorized people. To identify people who are permitted access to the secured area, some sort of mechanism is needed to differentiate them. While there is a world of options available, by far the two most common are the card reader and keypad.
Access Control Systems may also include magnetic lock only and magnetic delayed exit (egress) devices, cameras, intercoms, panic buttons, manual door releases, push exit buttons, and/or Exit Motion Detectors (REX).
Access Control Systems include the following components:
• Controller. The central control panel may be a physical device, or software that runs on one of your servers. It lets you create accounts, change access rules, and view entry and exit reports. The smallest systems don't have a central panel: they're run from the keypad or scanner, and you program them using a laptop. Look carefully at what options you have for reports and setting up usage rules: cheaper systems are often less flexible.
• Automatic locks. Electric strikes or magnetic locks can open and close on commands from the central computer that controls the system. Electric strikes are cheaper and more common – they're familiar to many people as the locks on doors at ATM enclosures. Magnetic locks are better for glass or aluminum doors. For parking areas, you can choose between full overhead doors or simple swing gates.
• Access device. This is the most variable part of an access control systems: it can include several types of card readers, keypads, or biometric scanners. (See below for details.) However it's done, the access device is what lets users identify themselves to the system.
• Database. The database will show entry and exit, an individual in a secure area.
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Related topics - Intrusion Detection Systems, Vindicator System
