Building Security and Communications Systems

Building security systems and building communications systems are building automation components that combine voice, data and video within a structured system. They are sometimes called guard tour systems or guard control systems. Building security and communications systems are associated with access control, security, and biometrics applications. Access control identifies users and limits their access according to defined authorization rules. Technologies include biometrics, facial recognition, and iris recognition; cards and card readers; keypads and computer-activated key locking; door panels and egress devices; electric strikes and magnetic strikes; locksets and request to exit products; and electronic security. Telephone entry control, plastic identification (ID) cards, video ID equipment, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, and fingerprint recognition technologies are also available for use with building security and communications systems.

There are many different applications for building security systems and building communications systems . Typically, guard tour systems and guard control systems are used to help manage and supervise personnel (guards) who make periodic rounds (tours) of a facility or sector. These users perform various checks in order to prevent theft, fire, and equipment down-time. Some building and security communication systems are used in the aerospace industry or in manufacturing facilities that require high levels of security. Others are used in marine, medical, or pharmaceutical applications Guard tour systems and guard control systems are also used in food, beverage, chemical, and petrochemical processing facilities, as well as hydroelectric projects and power plants. Specialized building security and communications systems are also available.

Building security systems and building communications systems may includes wands or pen-like devices (stylus), one or more data transfer units (DTU), RFID cards, small and large RFID tags, wristband tags, pendant tags, and integral software. Although wireless guard tour systems are available, many building security and communications systems require the use of a cable to connect a DTU to a personal computer (PC). Typically, this cable is designed for use with hardware such as the universal serial bus (USB). In terms of software, building security and communications systems may allow system administrators to define tours, start points, control points, and incidents. When starting a tour, users scan their personnel tags and identify the tour type. The users then proceed to each control point, where they scan their tags until the tour is complete. If an incident occurs, a user may scan a tag from an incident booklet which corresponds to the event.

• Case Study:Canadian Systems Integration Company Standardizes and Streamlines Cable Labeling process with Brady Tagus Printing System
  Genesis Communications is a low voltage systems integrator that provides a complete range of design/build, consulting, and installation services for sound and video equipment, telephone and voice...
  (read more)
• Articles
  Error and paper process reduction are leading more pharmaceutical firms to embrace the latest shop-floor control systems Pan Speed: Hit a Moving Target Optimizing pan speed is a critical, but often...
  (read more)
• Articles
  A bold initiative at the drug manufacturer's Suffern, N.Y. plant aims to reduce cycle times by 70% and cut spending by 40%. The program, a pilot for all Novartis sites worldwide, has been "risky...
  (read more)

Pages: 1 - 3 of 454