44 • ACCESSCONTROL
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DOUGLAS MASTERSON , technical manager at the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers ( GAI ), answers your frequently asked questions about access control and electric locking .
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF ACCESS CONTROL ?
Access control is used to ensure that only authorised people can move around certain areas of a building . It prevents unauthorised people from entering those parts of a building where or when they are not allowed .
WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT – SAFETY OR SECURITY ?
Specifiers , suppliers and installers have a duty to ensure that all products specified and sourced comply with the appropriate relevant regulations and legislation . There can be a conflict between ‘ security ’ and ‘ safety ’. In the event of an emergency , locked doors would prevent free exit , so electric hardware can be linked to a fire alarm system .
WHAT KIND OF ELECTRONIC LOCKING SYSTEMS ARE AVAILABLE ?
Digital push button locks are widely available , from mechanical digital devices through to sophisticated networked devices . An electric strike is one of the most common type of locking devices on a controlled door , although care needs to be taken in selecting these when side load pressure is an issue . Other devices available include electromagnetic locks , solenoid locks , solenoid bolts , motorised locks , mechatronic cylinders , and panic hardware .
DOES ANY ELECTRIC LOCKING DEVICE - WHETHER ELECTROMAGNETIC LOCK , ELECTRIC STRIKE OR ELECTRIC LOCK - HAVE TO BEAR A
CE MARK BEFORE IT IS FITTED TO A FIRE RESISTANT OR ESCAPE DOOR ?
Where a product falls within the scope of BS EN 14846 , it must be CE marked . It is illegal to place it on the market without a valid CE mark . Also , when fitting an electromagnetic lock to a fire door , the lock needs fire test evidence to prove it is suitable .
CAN AN ELECTROMAGNETIC LOCK BE USED AS A SOLUTION FOR ESCAPE DOORS WITH CONNECTION TO A BREAKGLASS CALL POINT , THE FIRE ALARM AND AN EXIT SWITCH ?
Despite not complying with BS EN 179 or BS EN 1125 , magnetic locks are acceptable according to Approved Document B 5.11 as long as there is a manual override on the escape side , and they are fail open if there ’ s a fire alarm or power failure . This scenario is subject to risk assessment of the type of over-ride provided . ( Please note that Scotland has a different approach to magnetic locks on escape doors .)
ARE THERE ANY STANDARDS I NEED TO BE AWARE OF REGARDING ELECTROMAGNETIC LOCKS ?
The Technical Standard TS 010:2016 for Electro-Magnetic Locking Devices is a performancebased standard . It will give specifiers and manufacturers of doorsets the confidence that the electromagnetic locking device will perform to the required level . It covers face-toface fixed , mortice , shear and external electromagnetic devices . Although the test method will test the holding force as a direct pull , the electromagnet , like many individual products that are tested to a product standard , will perform differently in a doorset
‘ Where a product falls within the scope of BS EN 14846 , it must be CE marked . It is illegal to place it on the market without a valid CE mark ’
‘ systems are now available for homes which can link electronic door locking with CCTV cameras and home alarms ’ test such as PAS 24 . However , TS 010 will give the manufacturer / distributor the confidence of consistency in electromagnetic lock performance .
WHAT OTHER SYSTEMS CAN I LINK TO THE ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM ?
Modern technology means it ’ s possible to link all sorts of other systems into access control . These can include : clocking in and out at a commercial property ; cashless vending systems in schools and colleges ; audit trails in sensitive environments and integration into building management systems .
IS ACCESS CONTROL PURELY USED IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS ?
No . The ‘ internet of things ’ means systems are now available for homes which can link electronic door locking with CCTV cameras and home alarms . All these can be controlled through an app on a mobile phone .
WHAT IS THE GAI ADVICE ON BEST PRACTICE REGARDING ELECTRONIC LOCKING ?
The GAI advises that you supply only CE marked products ( where a CE mark is possible ). Some products can ’ t be CE marked ( where there is no harmonised standard available ), in these circumstances use products you know or can prove to be of good quality . You can give your client guidance on Building Regulations and standards requirements , but it ’ s the Responsible Person and the Fire Risk Assessment they create which take the responsibility for how the building will comply . The flexibility allows the right solution for the particular application to be selected , as long as the right standard of fire safety is achieved – i . e . the possibility of escape when there ’ s a fire .
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL . CO . UK | JUL / AUG 2018 Sponsored by APECS