29 Sep Elegant solutions to keep internal stairways secure in corporate offices
It is hard enough keeping a single floor secure, but when offices are split between multiple levels, it can be a logistical nightmare keeping track of all comings and goings, while maintaining secure access at the same time.
In offices with multiple floors – and internal stairs between them – there may be varying levels of risk from employees or visitors with differing levels of security permissions or clearances. Often, companies will restrict access to certain parts of the building or office space to certain teams or visitors, thus requiring different security requirements across the floors. In situations like this, Entrance Control gates are often used to secure different work areas. With gates placed at either the top or bottom of internal stairs, unauthorised accessed can be controlled.
Entrance Control EasyGate SPT
A top-of-the-range option often used for this purpose is the EasyGate SPT; a speedgate that features an infra-red sensor to monitor a one in, one out system. After an employee or visitor swipes their card, the gate monitors their passage and closes safely behind them, preventing tailgaters. While these gates offer greater security, they do require a bit more space than some other options, with a footprint of 1,500 mm long.
The EasyGate SPT is typically installed with a lane width of between 600 mm and 1,050 mm – although lane widths of up to 1,200 mm can be provided for. The gates can mount waist high glass barriers or taller glass barriers up to 1,800 mm high, for more secure areas where a business needs to prevent any particularly determined unwanted visitors from climbing over. The EasyGate SPT’s slim pedestal means space can be optimised, with two lanes sometimes able to take the place of a single, wider lane.
“The EasyGate SPT is one of our best-selling entrance control systems, giving our clients the peace of mind that comes with absolute trust in your system,” says Entrance Control General Manager Michael Bystram. “The SPT is a great option for securing stairs without sacrificing efficiency or compromising the aesthetics of the surroundings or company look and feel.”
Entrance Control SwingGate
The SwingGate is another popular Entrance Control option for securing stairs. It’s a lower cost option that comes with the benefit of a smaller 200 mm footprint, but it does not include the infra-red sensors available in the more advanced EasyGate SPT. Instead, SwingGates are programmed to close after a specified time – usually two or three seconds.
While these gates don’t have infra-red sensors to prevent tailgating, they will still stop if they make contact with something when closing and can have optional additional sensors added for improved safety and injury prevention as required. SwingGates are normally best deployed as a tandem gate, thereby minimising the glass panel lengths which, when swung open, take up important corridor or floor space.
“Our SwingGates are take up very little space, which is useful if the environment at the top or bottom of a stairway is cramped. They’re a perfect gate for controlling entry between floors with minimal fuss,” Michael says.
“Ultimately the decision comes down to the setting being considered and the stairwell being secured. SwingGates provide a lower level of security, similar to a swipe-card accessible door but in a more discrete footprint, whilst EasyGates provide a higher level of security and safety and can prevent tailgating.”
All Entrance Control systems features unobtrusive designs that blend seamlessly into their surrounding environment. Each system can be custom designed to align more with company aesthetics, including to match corporate brand colours or to feature a company logo.