Choosing the right access system for your Fairfax, VA business depends on a number of factors. Whether you’re protecting a business, school, hospital, parking garage or other facility, you need to make sure that your system can handle multiple users, intrusion attempts, access control technology updates and more. Working with an experienced locksmith can ensure that you get the appropriate system for your specific needs.
Here are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing your access system.
Why choose an electronic access system?
Physical locks and keys are a time-honored access control system, but they have their flaws. First, keys can be lost, copied or stolen, which means it’s harder to verify exactly who has access to your building.
There’s also no way to put a time limit on when a person can enter the facility, unless you plan to rekey each lock every time someone gets fired or otherwise has their access revoked. For large-scale operations, this is not only impractical but expensive.
Additionally, someone has to be in charge of keyholder management, and if there are multiple access points, each employee or manager will need to carry around multiple physical keys.
Electronic access systems solve all of these problems, whether you use key cards, keypads or biometrics. It’s much easier to control who has access to your building—and for how long.
Types of access control systems
There are three broad categories of access systems:
Autonomous systems: These systems have internal memory and do not need external software or intelligence to operate. They may not offer remote management, and their capacity to handle large numbers of users may vary.
Online systems: Online systems use a remote server to handle access control operations. When someone enters a code, swipes a key or uses biometrics, the information is sent back to the server. If the access is approved, the server sends a signal to unlock the barrier.
Distributed intelligence systems: These types of systems use a controller to grant access. When access is granted, the information is sent to the server and controller to record and report the event. When the communication is down, the server records the event.
Other things to consider
In addition to the type of access control system you choose, there are other things to consider. For example, you may want your access control to integrate with CCTV and other surveillance equipment, including intruder and fire alarms. This will create a robust security system that ensures only authorized personnel get into the protected areas—and it also makes it much easier to revoke their access when necessary.
To choose the right access system for your business, you want to work with an experienced system designer and installer. They’ll have the latest access control technology updates in Fairfax, VA, so you can rest assured that you’re getting a top-of-the-line access control system.
What makes up an access control system in Fairfax, VA? While they’re tailored to the individual needs of the organization or individual, there are four main elements that every access control system has in common. When building or designing access control technologies, it’s wise to work with experienced locksmiths—they’ll help you determine which technologies are easiest to use and most logical for your needs.
Read on for an overview of the four key elements of an access control system.
Access control barrier
The first element you’ll need is an access control barrier. This could be anything from a locked door to traffic barriers commonly seen in parking garages. You might use a fence and gate as a barrier, walls or whatever your business requires to keep others out.
The type of barrier you choose will depend on your location’s physical requirements. Naturally, barriers to keep out vehicles will look different than barriers to keep out foot traffic. Consider where you’ll be placing the barrier and what kind of security concerns you want to address.
Access control verification or identification equipment
Next you’ll need to determine what kind of verification or identification equipment you’ll need. Key cards and keypads are popular, since they’re easy to carry around or memorize. Again, the type you choose depends on your specific needs. In a hospital, you might use key cards to keep out unauthorized personnel or visitors, while a simple code entered into a keypad can be used in retail facilities.
When deciding which kind of verification or identification equipment to use, give serious consideration to safety and security: Can your employees share cards and codes with each other, or will that present another security issue? For example, if you want to protect your retail store’s stockroom, a code is often shared between employees. In other facilities, however, you might need to choose personalized access codes for each employee or visitor. Biometric systems can be a great way to address these needs.
Access control panel to control the barrier
You’ll also need a control panel to control the barrier and determine who is allowed access. Choose a control panel that will grow along with your facility, since you’ll need to maintain a database of authorized personnel.
Communication structure to connect each element
The final piece of your access control technologies is the communication structure, which transmits information between each element above. Your locksmith or access control system designer will recommend the right type of communication structure for your specific access control system.
Security is important, especially in this day and age, so it makes sense to get a state-of-the-art access control system to protect your business.
When you need experienced locksmiths and access control technologies in Fairfax, VA, call Artie’s Lock and Key. We can design, install and program access control systems for your office, hospital, retail facility, apartment complex and more. No matter what the size and scope of your system, we’re ready for the job. Call us today to get started.
When you hear the word “safecracking,” images of a burglar trying to break into a safe or bank vault probably come to mind. While attempted robbery certainly is one type of safecracking, there is also perfectly legal safecracking that can be performed by a professional locksmith. This post will teach you the ins and outs to expand your safecracking knowledge.
Illegal safecracking techniques
The most common safecracking method involves drilling a hole into the face of the lock and then using a rod to push or bend the lock’s levers out of place. Once the levers are out of the way, the robber can easily open the safe and steal the money, documents or other items inside.
Another method is lock manipulation, where the safe is opened without defacing the lock or safe. We see this technique used in heist movies, where the character will open the lock by listening to the lock’s contact points while moving the wheel. What the movies don’t show, though, is that this technique requires a ton of time, patience and safecracking knowledge.
Essentially, the robber must carefully listen to the lock to determine its contact points, mark the results and finally try a number of possible combinations until the lock finally opens. This method can take hours, so it’s not the preferred method for bad guys.
A robber can also use oxy-acetylene torches or plasma cutters to bore through the actual safe. While this method doesn’t require as much time, it does create a ton of smoke, which can alert the authorities that something fishy is going on.
Safecracking penalties
Whether it’s opened with a plasma torch or drill or through lock manipulation, unauthorized safecracking is undoubtedly a crime. Safecracking carries the same penalty as burglary under Virginia law, so the penalties can be severe. Depending on what’s stolen, the burglar can spend years locked up in a federal prison.
Under Virginia law, safecracking also refers to the act of stealing the safe and then opening it at a different location. So even if the burglars don’t take the time to open the safe at the business, they’re still committing the same crime later on.
Legal safecracking
Safecracking can also be a legal practice if it’s performed by a reputable locksmith. Pros will often use the lock manipulation technique mentioned above instead of drilling, but if the safe must be drilled, pros follow quite a few safety tips with safecracking to prevent permanently damaging the safe or destroying the contents stored inside.
Don’t try to open your safe by yourself
It takes years of practice and training for a locksmith to open safes successfully without causing any damage. Needless to say, it’s not a DIY job! So, if you find yourself locked out of your safe, call our team at Artie’s Lock and Key. We follow all safety tips with safecracking to ensure we don’t damage your safe or your precious belongings.
Whether you have a commercial safe or a personal one, hire our team to open it quickly and efficiently.
Because it holds back flames and smoke for an extended period, a fire door can be the difference between life and death in an emergency. But there’s a lot more that goes into fire doors than the door itself. To be an effective fire door, it must also have the proper type of lock.
Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about fire door locks and choosing the right locks for fire doors.
Why are different locks required for fire doors?
Fire door panels can be made of several different materials like timber, steel, aluminum, gypsum (for a filler) or Vermiculite boards. Regardless of the material, they must adhere to safety ratings imposed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for 20-, 45-, 60- or 90-minute fire protection. The door components, including locks, hinges, handles and more, must also meet these fire ratings.
If the door components, especially the locks, don’t meet the NFPA protection requirements, the door can fail and won’t protect the building’s occupants from smoke or flames. Fire door locks are typically made of high-quality steel, as this metal has a much higher heat tolerance than metals used for traditional locks, like brass or die-cast zinc.
When choosing the right locks for fire doors, it’s a good idea to consider a lock that’s attached to your building’s fire security system. When the door is opened, an alarm is triggered that alerts all building occupants and the local fire department that there is a fire somewhere in the building.
Balancing safety and security
A fire door lock must also be able to function as a standard lock to keep intruders out while allowing for easy exit in the event of a fire. So, building managers and property owners must find a way to balance occupant security with their safety should a fire ever break out. It’s essential that you hire a professional to not only install the fire door, but also to fit it with a lock that defends against intruders and flames.
Let us handle your fire door needs
As we just mentioned, you should always leave fire door installation to the pros—and when you need help, call our team at Artie’s Lock and Key. Here are a few reasons to choose us:
Wide range of services: Our services extend beyond traditional locksmithing. On top of opening your business, home or car locks, we’re capable of installing and repairing fire doors with the proper locks.
Forty years of experience: We have over four decades of experience performing all of our services. When you choose us, you can rest easy knowing the job will be done right the first time.
Fast response time: There’s no need to wait around for someone to install your new fire door or open a lock. We’re dedicated to arriving ASAP to meet your needs.
Whether you need a team to install fire door locks or open up your locked car door, we’re standing by to assist. Give us a call today to see what we can do for you.
There’s nothing more important than safety in a school environment. Unfortunately, many schools aren’t properly equipped with the safety measures and protocols they need to keep students and staff as safe as possible. The good news is that there are lots of options for schools to boost security, including access control systems. Keep reading to learn more about how to optimize school security in VA with access control.
The importance of access control for schools
It’s essential to keep schools protected from security threats, and access control systems can improve safety significantly. There are a lot of different ways to boost VA school security with access control, but every option offers some key benefits. Access control systems can put the minds of school administrators and parents at ease by restricting access to school grounds and improving the safety of a school facility. Ultimately, an investment in an access control system is an investment in safety, security and peace of mind.
Access control options for schools
If you’re interested in boosting school security in VA with access control, it’s worth it to consider the different options out there. Here are a few of the most common types of security systems in use at schools:
Video surveillance systems: One security option for schools is video surveillance. Video surveillance systems allow school administrators to monitor who is coming and going and ensure that only authorized persons are entering schools. In addition, video surveillance gives schools extra security by providing documentation in the event of a break-in or criminal activity so law enforcement has video evidence of the incident.
Door barricades: Another popular way to improve school security in VA with access control is by installing door barricades that automatically lock down a school facility in the event of an emergency. These systems can be very helpful in allowing administrators to quickly and effectively secure a school and address whatever emergency situation is at hand.
Electronic access control systems: One of the most effective options for schools is electronic access control. An electronic access control is designed to limit access to school facilities by ensuring only authorized individuals are able to gain entry to the school premises. Anyone with permission to enter can be given a key fob or code to gain access. As an added benefit, electronic access control systems can be personalized and programmed to limit access to different areas of a school to certain faculty members or teachers and ensure students, parents and authorized visitors only have access to certain doors.
Want access control? Call a locksmith today
Learn more about optimizing security in your school buildings with help from an access control locksmith by reaching out to Artie’s Lock and Key. With decades of experience providing our customers with comprehensive locksmithing services, our team has the expertise necessary to assist you with all your security needs. Give us a call today to find out more about everything we have to offer and to get started with a consultation and quote.
