How to secure your property with access control
Securing a property is about more than just fitting a lock to a door. A good security setup should control who can enter, protect key areas, allow safe exit, and provide a practical solution for the people using the building every day. Access control is one of the most effective ways to manage this, whether it is used in a commercial building, office, school, healthcare site, apartment block, warehouse, or restricted access area.
This guide explains what access control is, the key components used in a typical system, the benefits it can provide, and the main steps to consider when choosing and implementing a system for your property.
What is access control?
Access control is a security system that manages who can enter a building, room, gate, or restricted area. Instead of relying only on keys, access control systems use electronic devices such as keypads, proximity readers, cards, fobs, intercoms, controllers, and electric locks to control entry.
A basic access control system may secure a single door using a keypad and electric lock. A larger system may control multiple doors, manage hundreds of users, record access events, and integrate with intercoms, fire alarm systems, door monitoring, and other security equipment.
Access control is commonly used to protect offices, staff areas, apartment entrances, schools, healthcare buildings, warehouses, server rooms, plant rooms, gates, and commercial entrances.
Why is access control important?
Traditional keys can be lost, copied, or difficult to manage when staff, tenants, or contractors change. Access control gives property owners and managers more control over who can enter and when.
With the right system, users can be added or removed without changing mechanical locks. Different people can be given different access permissions, and doors can be secured automatically after use. This makes access control a practical option for both everyday convenience and improved security.
Key components of an access control system
A complete access control system is usually made up of several different components. The exact equipment required depends on the door, building, user requirements, and level of security needed.
Access control reader or keypad
The reader or keypad is the device used to request entry. This may be a keypad, proximity reader, card reader, fob reader, or combined keypad and proximity unit.
Keypads allow users to enter a PIN code. Proximity readers allow users to present a card, tag, or fob. Combined units can offer both options, giving installers and users more flexibility.
Access control controller
The controller is the part of the system that decides whether access should be granted. In a standalone system, the keypad or reader may include the controller built in. In a larger system, a separate controller may manage one or more doors.
The controller receives the user input, checks whether access is allowed, and then activates the locking device.
Electric lock or magnetic lock
The locking device secures the door. Common options include magnetic locks, electric strikes, electric releases, drop bolts, solenoid locks, and specialist locking devices.
Magnetic locks are normally fail-safe and release when power is removed. Electric strikes and electric releases work with a suitable latch or lock case and may be available in fail-safe or fail-secure versions depending on the model. The correct lock depends on the door type, frame, escape route requirements, and security level required.
Press to exit button
A press to exit button allows authorised occupants to leave from the secure side of the door. When pressed, it signals the access control system or locking device to release the door.
Press to exit buttons are available in many styles, including stainless steel, plastic, narrow, illuminated, touch-sensitive, and wireless versions.
Emergency door release unit
An emergency door release unit provides a manual method of releasing the door in an emergency or fault condition. It is commonly used with fail-safe locking systems and controlled escape routes.
The type and location of emergency release equipment should be selected to suit the building, door, escape route, and relevant safety requirements.
Power supply
Access control equipment requires a suitable power supply. The power supply must be matched to the voltage and current requirements of the lock, reader, controller, exit button, and other connected devices.
Some installations may also require battery backup, fire alarm interface relays, timers, or fused distribution boards.
Intercom or door entry system
Intercom systems allow visitors to call occupants before access is granted. Audio intercoms provide voice communication, while video intercoms allow visual identification of visitors.
Intercoms are commonly used on apartment entrances, office receptions, gates, commercial entrances, and visitor access points.
Cards, fobs and credentials
Proximity cards, tags, and tokens are used to identify authorised users. They are convenient for staff, tenants, residents, and regular visitors because access can be managed electronically without issuing traditional keys.
If a card or fob is lost, it can usually be removed from the system without replacing the door lock.
Door monitoring and accessories
Additional equipment may include door contacts, lock monitoring outputs, timers, relays, indicators, door loops, mounting brackets, protective housings, and cable management accessories. These components help complete the installation and improve reliability, safety, and usability.
Benefits of access control
Access control provides several important benefits for property security and day-to-day management.
Improved security
Access control helps prevent unauthorised entry by restricting access to approved users only. Doors can remain locked while still allowing authorised users to enter using a PIN, card, fob, reader, or intercom release.
Better control over users
Users can be added, changed, or removed without replacing mechanical keys. This is especially useful for businesses, schools, apartment blocks, healthcare buildings, and sites with staff or tenant changes.
Convenient entry
Access control can make entry quicker and more convenient for authorised users. Cards, fobs, PIN codes, and intercom release options are often easier to manage than large numbers of keys.
Reduced key management
Lost keys can create security problems and may require locks to be changed. Electronic access control reduces reliance on physical keys and makes user management easier.
Flexible security levels
Different doors can have different levels of control. For example, a main entrance may use an intercom and reader, while a staff-only area may use a keypad, and a high-security room may use monitored locking and restricted credentials.
Integration with other systems
Access control can often be integrated with door entry systems, fire alarm interfaces, automatic doors, gates, barriers, CCTV, alarms, and building management systems.
Professional appearance
Modern access control equipment can provide a neat and professional finish, especially when using suitable readers, exit buttons, door loops, brackets, and mounting accessories.
Choosing the right access control system
Before choosing an access control system, it is important to understand the property, the door, and the users.
Consider the door type
The door material, frame type, opening direction, and existing lock hardware will affect which locking device is suitable. Timber, metal, aluminium, glass, internal, external, single, and double doors may all require different solutions.
Decide how users will gain access
Think about whether users should enter using a PIN code, card, fob, intercom call, remote release, or a combination of methods.
A small office may only need a keypad. An apartment building may need an intercom system. A commercial site may require proximity readers and controlled user management.
Check escape route requirements
If the door is on an escape route, the locking system must allow safe exit. This may require fail-safe locking, a press to exit button, an emergency door release unit, fire alarm interface, and suitable system design.
Fire-rated doors and escape route doors should always be assessed carefully by a competent person before electronic locking equipment is installed.
Choose the correct lock
The locking device should match the door and application. Magnetic locks are commonly used for fail-safe access control. Electric strikes and electric releases are useful where a latch or lock case is already fitted. Drop bolts, solenoid locks, and cabinet locks may be better for specialist doors, cabinets, cupboards, or concealed installations.
Select the right power supply
Check the voltage and current draw of all equipment before selecting the power supply. The power supply should have enough capacity for the lock, reader, controller, and any accessories connected to the system.
Consider future expansion
If the site may need more doors or more users later, choose equipment that can be expanded. A system that works for one door today may not be suitable if the building later needs several controlled doors.
Think about the environment
External doors, gates, industrial sites, and exposed locations may require weather-resistant or vandal-resistant equipment. Indoor office doors may need a cleaner architectural finish.
Steps to implement an access control system
A well-planned installation will usually follow these steps.
Assess the property
Start by identifying which doors, gates, rooms, or areas need to be secured. Consider how people currently enter and exit, who needs access, and where the main security risks are.
Choose the access method
Decide whether each door needs a keypad, proximity reader, intercom, card reader, fob reader, or combined access control device.
Select the locking device
Choose the correct lock for the door type, safety requirements, and level of security required. Make sure the lock is compatible with the door, frame, and access control equipment.
Plan safe exit
Ensure users can exit safely from the secure side of the door. This may involve press to exit buttons, emergency door release units, fire alarm release, and suitable fail-safe operation where required.
Specify the power supply and control equipment
Check the voltage, current draw, controller requirements, relay outputs, and any need for battery backup or fire alarm interface.
Plan cable routes and accessories
Consider how cables will be routed between the power supply, controller, reader, lock, exit button, and accessories. Door loops, junction boxes, mounting posts, brackets, and housings may be required.
Install and test the system
Once installed, the system should be fully tested. Check entry, exit, lock release, emergency release, power failure behaviour, and any fire alarm interface where applicable.
Maintain the system
Access control systems should be checked regularly to ensure locks, readers, buttons, power supplies, and emergency release devices continue to operate correctly.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Avoid choosing a lock before checking the door type and frame.
- Avoid using an undersized power supply.
- Avoid forgetting emergency release requirements.
- Avoid assuming all locks work the same way.
- Avoid fitting equipment without considering fire doors or escape routes.
- Avoid using access control equipment outdoors unless it is suitable for the environment.
- Avoid leaving user credentials active when staff, tenants, or contractors no longer require access.
Final thoughts
Access control is a practical and effective way to improve property security, manage entry, and reduce reliance on traditional keys. Whether you need a simple keypad-controlled door, an intercom entrance system, or a more complete access control installation, choosing the right equipment is essential.
A good system should secure the property, suit the door, allow safe exit, support the users, and be installed using compatible locking devices, readers, power supplies, exit buttons, emergency release units, and accessories.
Browse our range of access control systems, magnetic locks, electric release locks, exit buttons, emergency door release units, intercoms, power supplies, and installation accessories to find suitable products for your property.