Cumming GA Locksmith
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Access control is a fancy, modern day name for restricted access and crowd control. Picture yourself driving up to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Can you park anywhere on the property or is parking restricted for certain folks? Can you enter that massive building and walk freely wherever you choose? Of course not! Your access is restricted by many things and the on-site security makes use of locks, guard stations, windshield stickers, CCTV, keypad devices, biometric entry systems and many other ways of controlling just who goes where. So, what does any of this have to do with you? We see access control on a daily basis and once you learn to recognize it in its many forms, you’ll appreciate it all the more.
Here at Cumming GA Locksmith we help individuals and local firms utilize access control for greater security and for better record keeping and overall organization. You don’t have to live in the Cumming, GA metro area to make access control work for you; just call your local full service locksmith shop and tell them what you have in mind; they’ll offer individualized and cost effective ways to use and benefit from access control in your home and business life.
It sure does! Like anything else though; you must use restricted access the way it was designed. Crossing boundaries and abusing access control can get you thrown out of a building, arrested and even killed if taken to the extremes! When you go to a concert or public performance, you automatically look for your assigned seat based on what your ticket says. You don’t even consider going backstage or sitting in a private box; those are good ways to have the bouncers show you to the door! Now, think of a business like a jeweler’s shop. As a customer, you know to stay behind the glass cases and not try and access the owner’s office or the locked vault in the back. These are forms of access control and are implemented for the good of all and for the sake of order, security and organization.
Go to any town in the world and you’ll see access control at work. You’ll notice it in hotels, grocery stores, restaurants, movie theaters, art galleries, apartment complexes, office buildings, nursing homes, fast food outlets, sports arenas, retail shops, amusement parks, credit unions, universities, warehouses, resorts, cruise ships, destination resorts and national parks! These places and many more just like them make use of access control methods involving alarms, posted signs, locks, security gates, fingerprint locks, security doors, badges, swipe cards, key codes, combination dials, scanners, panic devices, video surveillance, retina scanners, exit bars, deadbolts, peepholes, intercom systems, loudspeakers, CCTV and lots more!
Panic bars, also known as push bars, are a modern-day wonder. They offer security, controlled crowd flow, ease of access and extra safety for anyone using them. In fact, they are so beneficial that many jurisdictions and building codes now require them. Panic bars are those horizontal metal bars that are on front and back doors. You see them everywhere including laundromats, movie theaters, shopping malls, hospitals, government offices, restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations, sports arenas and even nursing homes. By simply leaning on the spring-loaded bar, you automatically unlock and open the door at the same time. There is no need for a key or to turn any knobs; just push and go! You’ll notice that panic bars usually don’t have a knob on the other side of the door as they are almost always used for exits and are not meant for two-way traffic. Panic bars allow for faster and more even evacuation and their only drawback is that sometimes, they can lock-up and become stuck.
Keypad locks are also widely used in access control. You simply punch in your assigned number sequence and the door opens. You can see keypads in use in banks, call centers, restaurants, office buildings, hospitals, museums and nursing homes and on the back doors of many commercial locations including warehouses and storage facilities. There are no keys to lug around and a number sequence can be revoked and re-assigned for those that are terminated or promoted to a higher security status.
Closed circuit television and remote access video surveillance help monitor the results of access control. A person could use another’s swipe badge to gain access, but if security (or recorded tape) were to reveal a discrepancy, the imposter could be apprehended. Many locations use a time stamp option and video backup for security purposes and record keeping.
Swipe cards and badges
These popular methods of access control also dispense with regular keys. Instead, badges and swipe cards are used to allow entry into buildings and certain rooms so that only authorized personnel are allowed. These badges make use of photo IDs, computer chips and even bar codes to identify and authorize the badge holder. Badges can be worn on a clip, attached to a key chain or worn around the neck.
You don’t have to get fancy in order to enjoy the many benefits of access control; you can utilize many different locks and lock types, including padlocks, cylinder locks, mortise locks, deadbolts, cam locks, bump proof and high security locks, too. Even signs can be used to restrict access. The next time you valet park, notice the sign that designates the already parked vehicles to be retrieved by valet attendants only. Notice signs that say “no entry beyond this point” or “authorized personnel only” and you’ll notice that for the most part, these warnings are obeyed.
Find out more about the many benefits of access control and how it can work to your benefit. We invite you to call our local shop or that of your favorite full-service locksmith location. Ask about any of the above access control methods and don’t forget about retina scanners, fingerprint locks, key FOBS, proxy cards, electric strikes, and automated locking systems!
