Access Control System Installation

Access Control Systems typically use an identifier, such as an access card, to authorise employees or people to enter certain areas, and because they are able to record who accessed where and when, they can provide valuable data to help you track how your buildings and sites are being used.

• Ionisation Alarm (for invisible smoke particles)
• Optical alarm (for detecting the larger smoke particles and suitable to use throughout buildings)
• Heat alarm (for detecting heat. Heat sensors are therefore ideal for kitchens)
• Combined alarms or multi-sensors (detect both smoke and heat)
• Mains alarms (connected to your buildings electrical supply, meaning you won’t need to change batteries)
• Interconnected alarms (for an additional level of safety by ensuring that if one alarm triggers, every alarm in that building does)

Mechanical keys are still the most popular and simplest form of physical access control. However, access control systems are becoming increasingly popular for business, as there are many drawbacks as to why access control system is better than mechanical keys. A few of the benefits to access control are;

• Employees lose keys
• Keys don’t leave an audit trail of access
• If you have a large building, keys can become difficult to manage

The right system depends on the number of access points, the level of control required, the size of the user population, and how the system needs to be managed day to day. A small single-site business with a handful of employees has very different requirements from a multi-site organisation managing contractors and shift workers. The starting point is a site survey that maps the access requirements against the building layout and identifies the system architecture that best fits those requirements. Britannia carries out access control surveys and provides recommendations based on what the building actually needs rather than a standard specification.

Access control doors on escape routes must release automatically when the fire alarm activates, ensuring occupants can evacuate without obstruction. This is achieved by connecting the access control system to the fire alarm panel, so that an alarm signal triggers the release of controlled doors. The specific configuration depends on the door type, its role in the escape route, and whether it also serves a fire compartmentation function. Britannia designs access control installations with fire alarm integration in mind from the outset, and where both systems are installed by Britannia, the integration is planned directly against the existing alarm panel configuration.

A fail-safe door unlocks when power is removed or when the fire alarm activates. This is the standard configuration for doors on escape routes, ensuring people can always exit in an emergency. A fail-secure door locks when power is removed, which is appropriate for doors where security must be maintained even during a power failure, such as server rooms or secure storage. The correct configuration for any given door depends on its function, its location relative to escape routes, and any fire safety requirements for that part of the building. Incorrectly configured doors are one of the most common access control compliance issues and should be reviewed as part of any new installation or takeover.

Installation work will involve some disruption, particularly at the doors being fitted with new hardware. Britannia plans access control installations to minimise the impact on normal operations, including scheduling work outside core hours where the site requires it. For larger installations, phased delivery can be arranged so that not all access points are affected simultaneously. The extent of disruption depends on the scope of the work and the operational requirements of the site, which are established during the survey and planning stage.

Modern access control systems log all access events, including successful entries, failed attempts, and any manual overrides. This creates a time-stamped record of who accessed which door and when, which can be used for security investigations, compliance reporting, or operational management. The depth of the audit trail depends on the system specified and how it is configured. For sites where audit trail data is important for compliance or insurance purposes, this should be factored into the system specification from the outset. Britannia can advise on the audit trail capabilities of the systems it installs and how to configure reporting to meet specific requirements.

Yes. Britannia provides maintenance and support for access control systems following installation, including scheduled preventive maintenance visits and responsive support for faults. Access control systems require periodic maintenance to ensure door hardware, readers, and the central management software remain in working order. Regular maintenance also provides an opportunity to review access permissions and ensure the system still reflects the current requirements of the building. Maintenance agreements can be discussed as part of the installation quotation.

It depends on the number of doors, the credential type and the door hardware already in place. We quote from a free site survey, door by door, so you are not paying for a specification the building does not need.

Access control should be installed by a third-party accredited installer – we are SSAIB-approved – and any door on an escape route must comply with fire safety requirements so it releases on a fire signal. We prove that interface on handover and record it.