Avoiding costly delays
Another benefit of bringing together stakeholders in a project’s beginning stages is it gives architects the opportunity to avoid many of the unpleasant surprises common to the building process, which typically lead to delays and dissatisfaction.
“One of the biggest surprises is the length of time it takes to incorporate access control into design,” says Ommert. “That surprise usually comes when access control is treated as an afterthought—an add-on, after the design has been finalized.”
When access control is added later in the construction process, it often results in a need for additional circuits, extra raceways, and power and conduit layout changes—all of which cost time and money.
Access control systems frequently extend into parking garages, warehouses, storage units, and other areas, so plans must also take into account the potential needs of the system outside the main building. Failure to consider access control in the design phase can create barriers to this process later on. For example, an owner may want access control to be implemented on a raised walkway connecting a building and a parking garage—but if the related considerations were overlooked in the design stage, the walkway may be limited by egress requirements. That is, installing an electronic access control system on the outside of the building would create a building code violation, because it would restrict egress from the parking garage. However, without such a system in place, anyone able to gain access to the walkway would be able to gain access to the building.
This is a common problem with balconies and courtyards as well—they seem appealing aesthetically until the problem of locking those doors to restrict access is remembered. Given such doors are required to grant egress, they cannot be completely secured with electrified locks, and may be limited to delayed egress locks or alarms.
Confirming code compliance
Once a tentative solution has been reached, one should ensure it will not conflict with any relevant codes. When considering which code requirements to follow, professionals should first identify which category the hardware falls into and refer to the applicable code section. State or local requirements could differ from those of IBC or National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101, Life Safety Code—thus, the published codes should be referred to for detailed code requirements, and the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) should be consulted for more information about local conditions.
Conclusion
Taking the time to consult with all stakeholders and properly integrate access control into the design process will help architects avoid many costly mistakes. Doing so will also help ensure future upgrades can be made easily and the facility has the appropriate balance of security and accessibility for all occupants, regardless of their respective levels of ability.
Ann Matheis is the marketing director, multi-family, at Allegion, PLC. She joined Schlage in 2004 as the residential channel marketing manager, a role which later incorporated sales operations responsibilities. Matheis’s broad experience in sales, marketing, and communications contributes to her work with Allegion residential security brands. She is a graduate of Indiana University, with a BS degree in marketing and a minor in psychology. Matheis can be contacted at Ann.Matheis@allegion.com.
