Entrance Control – How to Control Who Accesses Your Premises

March 7th, 2024

Last updated: March 7th, 2024

Security is a top priority for businesses of all sizes. Whether you run a small office or manage a large commercial complex, controlling who accesses your premises is essential for maintaining the safety and security of your employees, assets, and sensitive information.

Some businesses allow guests for events, or throughout the working day, which can cause more complications. Entrance control plays a vital role in this regard, as it allows you to regulate entry and exit points to your building effectively. In this blog post, we’ll explore the different types of entrances to commercial premises and discuss how you can control them to keep your building secure.

Businesses may need to consider numerous different types of entrance, and different levels of security based on what you are looking for. For example:

Main Entrances

These are the primary entry points to your building and are typically used by employees, visitors, and delivery personnel. Main entrances often feature access control systems such as key cards, biometric scanners, or keypad entry systems to restrict unauthorised access.

Emergency Exits

Emergency exits are designed to provide a quick and safe evacuation route in case of emergencies such as fires or natural disasters. While these exits should remain accessible at all times, they can be equipped with alarms or panic bars to deter misuse and ensure compliance with safety regulations.

Service Entrances

Service entrances are used for deliveries, maintenance, and other operational tasks. These entrances may have limited access and can be equipped with security features such as security cameras or intercom systems to monitor and control entry.

Car Parks

For buildings with parking, controlling access to parking entrances is crucial for preventing unauthorised vehicles from entering the premises. Automated gates, access cards, barriers, or ticket-based systems can be used to manage entry and exit from parking facilities.

Access Control Systems: The Top Method For Controlling Entrance

If you want to ensure that only pre-approved people can enter freely, there are a few different options, but an access control system is the option most businesses opt for, especially if they need a higher level of security.

Access control systems are security systems designed to regulate and manage entry and exit points to a building or premises. These systems use various technologies to authenticate and authorise individuals, allowing only authorised personnel or visitors to gain access to specific areas within a building. Access control systems are commonly used in commercial and residential settings to enhance security and protect against unauthorised entry. They can be linked with building management systems too, which allows more control for the business owners and management.

A control panel usually serves as the central hub of the access control system, managing communication between credential readers, door locks, and the system’s software interface. The control panel processes authentication requests, verifies credentials, and determines whether to grant or deny access based on predefined access permissions. This works in a similar way to a hotel, where key cards are a common method of controlling who can enter a specific area.

For a further level of control, these systems typically record access events, including the date, time, and identity of individuals accessing each entry point. This data is logged and stored in the access control system’s database, allowing administrators to monitor access activity, track movements, and generate reports for audit purposes. It can also allow you to check things like time-marked CCTV footage.

Doors and Barriers

Of course, all of the systems require physical doors and barriers, which can allow (or prevent) people accessing the building. Physical barriers such as turnstiles, bollards, and gates can be used to control pedestrian and vehicle access to your building.

These barriers can be automated or manned by security personnel to enforce access policies and prevent unauthorised entry.

Security doors need to be more advanced, and are often fitted with keycard systems or other security systems.

For those who are considering events and need to allow masses of people to enter a building, this can also be a challenge. For example, if you have a conference that is a ticketed event. This is usually too big of a job for a humble security door, and there may be turnstile systems that are more suitable. These are often linked to verified QR codes that can be used to allow access, and are used in conjunction with security staffing.

Ensuring Your Entrance Control is Covered

Protect your business, enhance security, and streamline access management with Commercial Access Control Systems. Robinsons Facilities Services can help you with every element of access control, from installation to maintenance.

Reach out to Robinsons Facilities Services today to find out more about our installation, maintenance, and emergency call-out services. We operate across the UK.