During the COVID-19 pandemic, nothing is more important than keeping hygiene standards high. Every surface that you come into contact with could transmit the virus, particularly in public spaces, so today we're going to talk about a few hygiene tips you can practice to stay safe.

Keypad Systems & Biometrics

Keypads and biometric systems are put in place to allow a certain cohort of people to access a venue while keeping others out. They're often found outside office buildings, in blocks of flats and at the entrances to public car parks.

With so many people using them each day, it's vital that you practice good hygiene before, and after, touching them.

Make sure that your hands are clean before you touch the buttons. If you can't access water and soap, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser. Once you've used the keypad or biometric system, disinfect your hands again and give the buttons or touchpad a quick clean with an antibacterial wipe. 

Intercom Systems

In order to speak into an intercom system, you might need to move your face close to it. As we know, COVID-19 can be transmitted through breath droplets, so there's a possibility that you (or the person before you) could have transmitted the virus onto the intercom system.

For that reason, we advise you not to put your face too close to the intercom system. Where possible, wear a mask to shield your mouth and nose and prevent droplet transmission. 

The other part of the intercom system, in your house or flat, can be wiped over with antibacterial spray to remove any droplets and prevent the spread of COVID-19 within your household. 

The Most Hygienic Access Control Systems

While there are some access control systems that require you to touch or speak into them, there are also a lot of wireless access control systems that will prevent unnecessary physical contact. If you're thinking about implementing a new access control system outside your property or workplace, we'd highly recommend opting for either a contactless card or key fob system. 

With these systems, each individual who needs access to a particular area has their own personal entry key. Better still, the keys don't need to come into direct contact with the system to grant access. These systems provide excellent security while limiting the potential hygiene risks, a great choice all round. 

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If you're interested in adding an access control system to your property, get in touch with our expert technicians by calling - 029 20 753 251. They can help you create a security system that will limit the spread of COVID-19. 

Read More: COVID-19 Cases Still Rising: Protect Your Business

Just like any other security solution, access control systems such as door entry controls may stop working from time to time. When this does happen, it can cause a potentially huge problem, especially if the access control system is installed at a workplace.

As a result, access control systems require regular maintenance to ensure they are fully operational and that any possible problems can be spotted and rectified as soon as possible. But who conducts the maintenance and what do they actually do? 

IDS Security Systems are here to explain...

Who carries out access control maintenance?

The majority of the time, the security company that installs your access control system will be the ones responsible for its maintenance. For example, if you were to get a door entry system installed by us here at IDS, we would cover all aspects of the system, which includes regular maintenance.

It is possible to get a third party to conduct maintenance but it makes more sense to get the installing company to carry it out as they will have knowledge and experience of the system which makes the maintenance of it more effective. 

Often, when you get a new security system installed by a professional company, you can sign a maintenance contract which involves regularly scheduled maintenance of the system. This will ensure that your access control solution is in tip-top shape at all times and if there were to be any issues, they can get sorted quickly.

What does an access control maintenance contract cover?

If you're wondering what does an access control system maintenance contract cover, here is a list:

• Details of the various parts of the system that will be maintained 
• The frequency of maintenance 
• The costs of any work conducted 
• Contact details 
• Costs of call outs and emergency work 
• Parts of the access control system that will not be covered 

If you would like more information on what exactly is covered during a maintenance inspection, we recommend asking for a checklist. Here, you can see exactly what is being carried out during the maintenance process.

Access control maintenance checklist

A typical access control maintenance checklist will include the following:

• Batteries being checked 
• System cleaned down 
• Ensuring all physical components are in full working order 
• Power supply checks
• Performance analysis 
• Full system test 

How can IDS help you?

Here at IDS Security Systems, with offer comprehensive security packages that include both the installation and maintenance of your access control systems. This is conducted by trained, experienced professionals that understand these systems inside and out, so are capable of identifying any potential issues quickly and efficiently. This allows security solutions such as door entry systems to be fully operational during the times they are needed most. 

To learn more about the access control systems that we offer, be sure to visit our access control page below. You can scroll down to the bottom to find the FAQ section where we answer all of the common questions that you may have.

Our Access Control Systems >

If you think you require more information on our access control maintenance, please do not hesitate to get in touch with a member of the IDS team today - our helpful and friendly team are always on-hand to help.

Access control systems are an exemplary electronic means of restricting access to your property, be it commercial or residential. Whether you own an office and want to keep better tabs on your employees' activities, or a homeowner who's sick of the neighbour popping in for a cuppa unannounced, an access control system will be your new best friend! Let's dive straight into the 5 most notable benefits of access control systems:

1. Hard to Duplicate 

If you have a disgruntled employee (or a bitter ex), it's possible that they could duplicate your key to gain access to your property.

Rather than changing the locks, you can simply change the passcode, remove the person's biometric data and deactivate any lost/stolen keycards or fobs remotely. 

2. Multi-Location Access

For businesses like schools, offices and hospitals, access control systems allow access at multiple entrances with a single keycard or fob, meaning employees don't need to carry a huge bunch of keys.

The same applies to your home, why have a front door key, a back door key and a conservatory key when you could have an access control system to secure them all.

3. Increased Protection

If you have valuable items in your home or business, access control systems offer far better protection than standard doors.

On the off chance that someone with authorised access decides to take advantage of the access control system, you'll be able to determine exactly who it was by logging into the access control network.

If you want to add yet another layer of protection, why not add a CCTV system too?

4. Simplify the in-&-out system

Without an access control system, it can be complicated to manage the comings and goings of employees who work irregular hours, for example, night shifts.

Rather than doors needing to be manually locked and unlocked as employees come and go, one benefit of access control systems is that they offer a 'unlock only when necessary' scenario. Employees can gain access quickly and the doors will lock automatically behind them. 

This could also be incredibly handy if your youngsters come to and from the house during unsociable hours, and can't be trusted to lock the door behind them!

5. Record Entry & Exit Data

The final benefit of access control systems is that you can accurately record entry and exit data.

The moment that someone uses their keycard or fob to enter the building, the date, time and location are recorded. This data can provide invaluable insights into the behaviour of your employees.

For example, is there one person who always shows up late, is there one person who's working later into the night than they should be - and so on. 

If you think that your property could benefit from an access control system then don't hesitate to get in touch with a member of the IDS team! 

Combining an access control and security barrier system allows you to benefit from multiple levels of security.  Here at IDS Security Systems Ltd, we offer bespoke security packages that combine our both our access control and security barrier systems to create access control barriers that suit your exact requirements.

The Security Barriers

We install security barriers all over the country. Our customers can choose from gated systems, barrier systems, rising bollards or even turnstile systems depending on the placement and purpose of the security system. Once the security barrier is selected, a decision can then be made about the type of access system you’d like to integrate.

Choosing the right Access Control System

There’s plenty of choices when it comes to choosing the right kind of access control system for your security barriers. At IDS Security, we try to make sure we can offer our customers the most up-to-date and convenient technologies. Some of the options you can choose from include:

• Key fob systems
• Smart card systems
• Intercom

These access control systems are ideal if you have the same people returning frequently, but you want to avoid any unauthorised personnel from accessing your premises. Key fobs and smart card systems are particularly effective for use with security barriers outside places of work. Intercom systems are particularly useful if you need to control the entrance of visitors.

Whichever combination of access system and barriers you require we will do our best to accommodate. Please get in touch if you want to inquire about our access control barrier systems or any of our other security systems.

If you run a business, whether it’s large or small, it's important you have an office security system in place to keep it safe from crime and other forms of disruptive activity.  Thefts, fires and break-ins cost organisations millions of pounds every single year, so offices would be making a wise investment to install a proper and effective office security system. Here at IDS Security Systems, we offer a comprehensive range of security measures that will ensure your office is adequately protected. Build your own, bespoke office security system with a little help from the IDS team.

Access Control Systems

Access control systems are incredibly valuable within an office setting because they allow access to your premises to authorised personnel only – this is a perfect option for an office that contains private and sensitive information. Access control systems come in various forms also, which makes them a great option for a range of offices. From fully computerised multi-site networks of control points to internal doors, we have an access control system that'll be perfect for your office. We utilise the latest security technologies such as biometrics and key fobs to ensure that your office security system is up-to-date, and offering maximum levels of safety at all times.

Access Control Systems >

Read More: 5 Benefits of Access Control Systems

CCTV Cameras

These are a simple yet very effective means of keeping your business secure, allowing you to detect and record criminal activity. With surveillance technology progressing massively in recent years, there is no better time to implement a network of CCTV cameras around your office. We are continuously implementing the latest developments in CCTV technology, such as fibre optic transmission and digital recording, to provide you with contemporary solutions that you can place your entire trust in. Feel free to get in touch with our security specialists if you'd like to add CCTV cameras to your bespoke office security system.

CCTV Cameras >

Read More: CCTV Systems for Small Businesses

Intruder Alarms

Intruder alarms are also a great measure when it comes to protecting businesses and offices. We are able to include our state-of-the-art intruder alarms as part of your office security system. These will be installed and maintained by our team of experienced professionals, making the entire process stress-free. Intruder alarms are extremely effective because they can be monitored around the clock from our monitoring station, giving you peace of mind that your office is always being observed. 

Intruder Alarms >

Read More: Types of Intruder Alarm - Which One is Right for You?

Fire Alarms

With fires contributing to countless injuries in the workplace every year, it is imperative that a proper fire safety measure such as a fire alarm is incorporated into your office security system. It is required by law, under Section 4 of the government’s guide to fire safety in the workplace, to have a ‘fire detection and warning system’, so this is not an office security system measure you can miss.

The type of fire alarm system you choose depends on the building and the nature of the work that is carried out within your business. To get a better understanding of the exact fire alarm solution you need, speak to our security system technicians.

Fire Alarms >

Read More: Business Fire Alarm Requirements

Each one of these security measures will go a long way to protecting your office if you incorporate them into your office security system. Why not combine a number of these solutions to create one bespoke, comprehensive office security system? Contact us today by clicking below to submit your enquiry form!

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