Access can mean the ability to enter, consume, or otherwise interact with a certain space or product. Someone who has been given authorisation to access a space or item is said to have “permission.” Determining who can and cannot access a space is called “access control.” There are several types of access control and several applications.
Vehicle Barriers
If you own a business with a large or a small parking lot, you can still benefit from restricting access to your parking lot. Depending on your business, you might want to restrict access all of the time or perhaps just during certain periods. Many facilities such as libraries, banks, and outdoor parks use vehicle barriers to restrict cars after hours. Very few people and no members of the public have any legitimate reason to be on the premises of a bank or public park while it is closed. Therefore, a complete barrier is often desirable.
Some organizations such as national parks use a selective vehicle access control system to prevent anyone from entering without paying for entry. Other systems allow park goers to enter the park but require they pay a certain parking fee to exit. Though this is not precisely access control, it still falls under the same umbrella.
In the past, you would need some sort of security guard or employee to operate the vehicle barrier system. That could very quickly become expensive and inefficient. What do you do overnight if certain people are authorized? Do you pay somebody to sit in a guard house all night? Well, in the past, that was the only option. Newer model systems do not have the same drawbacks.
Newer systems can be linked to an intercom where someone can operate the door remotely. This is fairly common at places like apartment complexes that already have a security guard on duty. The security guard will have a remote that allows him or her to raise and lower the boom. However, that would be incredibly inefficient for residents of the apartment complex. For those who have permanent access to a parking lot or building, some sort of tag or identification is issued that allows the driver to automatically trigger the gate. Oftentimes, this is accomplished with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The tag is placed somewhere inside the car so that when the driver who has access to the parking lot arrives, the automated gate recognizes the unique frequency of the authorized tag and raises. This is the most efficient system.
Security Fencing
A sturdy metal fence is a classic choice for restricting access to a certain building or parking lot. It is a classic because it is simple and reliable. There are a few drawbacks to security fencing, but in many situations, it is the right choice.
Obviously, fencing is a rigid sort of security solution to access control. Therefore, it is not terribly customizable. A fence is a static structure that restricts access to everyone equally. That is one of the shortcomings of security fencing. It is in no way selective. Another shortcoming of fencing is that it is not very reliable. Almost everyone has climbed a fence in his or her life. Depending on the type of fence, they are not terribly difficult to climb. Also, mischievous kids take a sense of pride from climbing fences and accessing areas they are not supposed to.
Security fencing has advantages though. A chain link fence is a very versatile option for access control. If you are trying to control access to a large area, a temporary construction site, or across uneven ground, you might consider a fence. Fencing can be placed wherever a fence post can be driven, so you do not need to worry about straight lines or level ground. A sturdier solution such as an iron gate might provide more reliable control but is not versatile enough to be applied in any situation.
Many of the problems with a security fence can be solved with a locked gate. You can give the key to those who have permission to access a certain area. This will not prevent someone from climbing the fence, but it is definitely a deterrent.
However, companies such as Brunel Security offer high-quality fencing that solves many problems with security. High-security fencing with “W” shaped patterns is almost impossible to climb. It is also very sturdy. This type of fence is absolutely ideal when keeping intruders out is your highest priority. If aestheticsare also a priority, you should look into a mesh fence. Mesh fences are somewhat flimsier than high-security fences, which also makes them difficult to climb. They are not as sturdy as other fences, though. Their main appeal is that they are more aesthetically pleasing, so they are perfect when looks are a consideration as well.
High-Security Doors
Perhaps you don’t care very much who is in your parking lot, but you want to restrict access to the building itself. This is probably the most common concern amongst business owners and apartment owners. A high-security door can control who is allowed to enter your building. High-security doors are oftentimes made of metal with magnetic locks that withstand over eight hundred pounds of force.
The advantages of a high-security door are that it is simple. If you order one of these doors, a team of professionals will measure and install a door that fits your space and your needs.
The doors can be opened with an access card or code much like the Radio Frequency Identification that controls vehicle access. They can also be opened remotely by a security guard or other employee. These doors are ideal because they are going to require much less installation time than a gate that has to encircle an entire premises. A door can be installed very quickly.
Whichever option, or combination of options, you choose should be within your budget and fulfil your needs. Whether you need to restrict vehicles, persons or both, you should be mindful of who you are allowing access to your facility.
