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Risk Assessment Dictates Access Control Measures Security Options Must Account For Life Safety
September, 2008
By Chris Moore
Security and fire life-safety priorities often conflict, but they are both critical to the safety of a building's occupants and contents. Risk assessment is a necessary first step in devising a facility security plan to identify competing interests and find ways to balance them.
Building codes add further complexity since they are open to interpretation and may also appear to conflict with the facility security and life-safety needs. Demands such as barrier-free access, fire alarm, intrusion detection, access control, key control, patient wandering systems and baby nursery monitoring (hospitals), non-fire emergencies, evacuations, lockdowns (schools and universities), healthcare acquired infections (long-term health care and hospitals) privacy issues, and the requirements from the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) also arise.
Security and life-safety issues should be addressed early through an integrated approach to building system design. Bringing a security consultant into the mix after the facility is constructed can lead to a building that is not as safe or aesthetically pleasing. Installing security devices as an afterthought after construction is completed - such as the cutting an electric strike into a fire-rated opening without inspection - could result in code violations.
LOCK & KEY
The master key system represents the first layer of security in any building. Since it's used daily by many people, a properly managed and maintained system can provide basic access control for the lifetime of the building.
For higher-security buildings such as hospitals, a high-security restricted key system is recommended. These systems provide registered key control to prevent unauthorized duplication of the keys. The lock cylinders are drill and pick resistant, and many manufacturers are now offering a bump resistant option.
Further, these systems can be expanded to include electronic keys and cylinders for more sensitive areas. In this application, the electronic cylinder requires both the correct key depths and electronically programmed key before it will unlock.
The key is programmed similar to an access control system with time zones and access levels. A battery located in the key provides power to the cylinder, eliminating the need for wires at each door, making the cylinders virtually portable. Both the key and the cylinder may be interrogated for usage and activity.
The user now has access with one key to both the mechanical and electronic cylinders and is accountable for entry into the restricted areas by way of an audit trail. A proximity chip programmed to work with the buildings access control system may be added to the head of the key, allowing the user to carry only one credential for both the key system and access control system.
SPECIFIED USERS
Access control allows facilities to regulate access privileges by specific users, location, time of day and the day of the week. Most door hardware including door operators, mortise and cylindrical locksets, exit devices, gate, bolt and even cabinet locks are now available electronically. Beyond door hardware the access system can control parking gates, turnstiles, security revolving doors, X-Ray machines, portable drug carts and machinery.
The system can be integrated via software to audit time and attendance, digital video recorders (DVRs) and double as an intrusion alarm system. To meet the demand of higher security, a biometric reader or biometric credential may be added to the system insuring that a lost or borrowed credential cannot be used to gain access to a sensitive area. In an effort to reduce cost and eliminate excess wiring, many access systems are now available in a true networkable version using the building's existing network cabling for communication.
A video camera system can carry out the task of many security guards by monitoring multiple locations, local or remote, at one time. Video images can be sent to the DVR, which is simply a computer hard drive, and easily stored and recalled.
DELAYED EGRESS PROVISIONS
Delayed egress doorways can be specified and installed as an additional level of protection in an access control system, but this application is one of the potential areas of conflict as it integrates door hardware, security and the fire alarm. A magnetic lock or delayed egress system physically prevents exit from a building so the door must unlock immediately upon loss of power or fire alarm.
A fire alarm pull station equipped with an auxiliary switch - to cut the power to the magnetic lock or exit delay device separately from the fire alarm - must be installed in close proximity to the door. Proper signage must be attached to the door describing the operation of the opening.
The opening must be equipped with a manual reset switch, which is used to reset the door only after the delay cycle has been triggered, not the fire alarm. The building must be equipped separately from the fire alarm, in an area that is staffed, with one central manual reset/emergency unlock switch, which will unlock all of the magnetic locks and delayed egress systems in a non-fire emergency, and after the fire alarm is reset or loss of power is restored will re-lock all of the openings.
Proper power supplies are imperative. The correct power supply for the delayed egress application must be listed as an ancillary device to the fire alarm. The power supply must have high and low voltage fusing, internal fire alarm contacts and a low voltage ground fault interruption circuit.
SPECIALIZED APPLICATIONS
In health care and hospital facilities, patient, infant and asset tracking systems are needed for securing Alzheimer units, nurseries and expensive medical equipment. A radio frequency (RF) tag can be attached to the patient or equipment that can now be tracked by a series of antennae. If the RF tag moves to the perimeter edge an alarm is activated, locking the door (in patient and infant tracking) and alerting staff that there is an attempted violation of the area.
Exits must be visible in a fire or other emergency situation. Illuminated pathway systems and floor level exit signs combined with illuminated hardware and doorframes can improve building evacuations by providing a highly visible guide to safety. These egress-marking systems can consist of photo luminescent (glow-in-the-dark) material or electrical lighting that ties into the building alarm system.
A risk assessment will help catch potential problems, but there are no guarantees that the solutions put in place will prevent new risks from developing in the future. The most sophisticated security systems are often defeated by staff complacency. Through awareness, accountability and communication, however, the security and life-safety systems can function efficiently.
Chris Moore is Vice President of Sales with ASSA ABLOY Door Security Solutions Canada. For more information, see the web site at www.assaabloy.ca.
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