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The Physical Access Control Project Planner

A well planned access control project provides appropriate protection at a reasonable cost with minimum disruption. And if it's poorly run? Expect cost overruns, permitting delays, and a very, very annoyed workforce. An experienced system designer's guide to avoiding common access control errors.

By Jason Cowling

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Note: For key employees, involvement will extend through the later stages of the project. Understanding and communicating these requirements now will help set their expectations and will help you schedule necessary meetings, inspections and sign-offs down the road.

3. One crucial party often overlooked is the organization's information technology department. All access control systems reside at minimum on a PC, and almost always transmit data across the network, even in smaller environments. Consult with the IT group during the planning stage and schedule their involvement during the later system implementation phase.

4. The fire alarm system is oftentimes particularly challenging to successful access control implementations. Building codes from the National Fire Prevention Association such as NFPA 72 and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code must be consulted during the planning stages of an access control project. These codes often (but not always) require that an access control system be connected to the Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP). From the planning perspective this FACP connection is frequently a major issue. If your FACP is leased, part of a larger building fire alarm system, a proprietary system, or otherwise "locked", you will need to coordinate the unlocking of this panel with whichever 3rd party has ownership of that system. Your local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) has the final say on your access control system. Normally the role of AHJ is designated by the fire alarm department serving your facility. Other jurisdictions may have a Codes Department official designated to perform the role of AHJ. Be sure that your security contractors have experience working with this individual. As permits are often required for low-voltage work be sure to coordinate with your contractor on who will pull the permits. It is crucial to have these pulled well before your installation kicks off. Be sure to continually monitor the permit process; I have seen numerous job hold-ups due to the contracting party or contractor not performing due diligence on the permit process. Lastly, know that fire alarm codes are a highly organic subject matter. While the codes are vigorous and detailed, systems, buildings, code interpretations and AHJ's will influence the installation of your system. This knowledge is especially helpful if you are managing a diverse array of facilities. Be sure local project managers have a firm grasp of the above issues.

5. Do you have enough copies of your blueprints? Blueprints are oftentimes the bane of an access control project. Have your facility blueprints available in duplicate copies, enough for all your bidders and other parties to work with. Blueprints usually take a long time to obtain and typically need to be sent out to a third party capable for quality copies. Without blueprints your contractors will be making pencil sketches of your facility, you won't have anything formal to submit (if required) to the AHJ, and you willnot have an accurate layout of your system for future use.