INFINITE SYSTEMS INSIGHTS:
Reliable access control begins before the first reader is installed. The design stage determines which areas need protection, who may enter them, what credentials will be used and how the system will interact with doors, elevators, turnstiles and other building technologies.
1. Identify Controlled Access Points
Prepare an inventory of entrances, offices, restricted rooms, server rooms, technical areas, turnstiles, elevator floors and other locations requiring electronic control.
2. Define User Groups
Employees, tenants, administrators, contractors and visitors normally require different permissions. Define these groups before configuring the system.
3. Select the Credential Strategy
RFID, smart cards, biometrics, mobile credentials and QR codes serve different operational requirements. Some facilities may use several credential types within the same architecture.
4. Match Locking Hardware to the Door
Door material, frame construction, egress requirements and operating conditions affect the appropriate electronic locking arrangement.
5. Plan Controllers, Network and Power
Controller locations, communication paths, power supplies and backup requirements should be defined before cabling begins.
6. Define Building Integrations
Pedestrian entrance control.
Authorized floor access.
Temporary credentials.
Event verification.
7. Plan Emergency Operation
Access-controlled doors and related systems must be engineered with the applicable emergency egress, fire alarm and life-safety requirements of the project.
8. Design for Expansion
Consider future doors, floors, tenants, buildings and integrations when selecting controller capacity, credential technology and management architecture.
Access Control Design Checklist
- Controlled-door schedule
- User and access-level matrix
- Credential technology
- Reader locations
- Lock and door hardware
- Controller architecture
- Power and backup
- Network requirements
- Turnstile and elevator interfaces
- Visitor-management requirements
- CCTV coordination
- Emergency and life-safety interface
- Future expansion capacity
Need Help Designing an Access Control System?
Infinite Systems can assess your doors, users, credentials and integration requirements and develop a project-specific access-control architecture.