How entry solutions improve safety and security for healthcare teams

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The healthcare sector is arguably the UK’s most important and diverse. The NHS alone is the UK’s largest employer and teams here work in a huge range of different environments. It’s crucial that the technology used by the healthcare sector prioritises safety, ease of use and cleanliness at all times. At EA Group, we have years of experience providing entry and security solutions for the healthcare sector, from hospitals to GP surgeries and NHS trusts.

During this time technology has advanced greatly, with services designed for healthcare organisations driving a huge amount of innovation in our field. In today’s blog we’ll provide an overview of just a few of these services, and how they can improve safety and security around your premises.

Hermetic Medical Doors

At EA Group automatic sliding doors are some of our most popular products. This is for good reason – they massively improve the speed that people can travel around your site.

Naturally there is a huge amount of use that the healthcare sector can get from automatic doors. In the healthcare sector though, a lot of the areas will have critical requirements in terms of hygiene and the control of air leakage. This is where our hermetic medical doors are incredibly valuable.

These doors come with a completely airtight seal. This stops air from leaking through and has seen use in operating theatres and X-ray rooms, as well as in pharmaceutical production. These doors are easy to clean and prevent the spread of germs around your site. They can be sliding or hinged swing doors depending on the needs of your room.

These doors are tailored to the way people in the healthcare sector actually work. It even includes a large push button to open, which is extremely useful when you need to use your elbows.

Access control

Many areas of healthcare facilities need to be kept under a very high level of security at all times, whether this is to maintain sterility or to protect valuable patient or staff data. This is where access control and attendance systems are crucial.

We can install access control services across your site. This system is centrally managed, meaning you can assign and revoke access levels from a single PC. You can have multiple tiers of access, helping to secure your most important areas as required.

In terms of the different ways that you can access your premise, we offer a wide variety. You can use keypads to enter the premise, and then swipe cards, access tokens or even biometrics to access doors throughout. You can monitor the status of these doors from a central operating system or connect it to a device of your choice. This will send alerts when specific doors are forced and can give you a clear view of attendance at any time.

In an industry that needs to prevent disease transmission, something as simple as limiting when the need to touch doors can be incredibly valuable.

Speed gates

Throughout your facility we know how important it is to enable safe, secure access. Our portfolio of speed gates can help here. Speed gates can be strategically placed throughout the entrances of your site to improve security without increasing congestion.

Speed gates link into your access control, allowing you to track attendance without the use of a door. They also help to guide pedestrian traffic from one area of your site to another. They come equipped with tailgating features that track when someone has followed someone else through and sets off an alarm. In the case of emergency, the gates can automatically stay open to allow for a quick exit.

We know that accessibility has to be taken into account in the healthcare sector more than any other. That’s why we offer a selection of speed gates, speed lanes and swing gates that accommodate all levels of mobility. This includes access for people in wheelchairs and hospital beds.

Quality-of-life features

Our range of industry solutions can be customised to suit the healthcare sector. Similar to the hermetic doors we mentioned earlier, all of our doors can be customised to operate silently, improving patient comfort. Our doors feature directional sensors so they only open when they actually need to.

We’ll provide a free site survey to ensure we meet the needs of your organisation. Everything we provide should fit smoothly within your existing operation.

At EA Group we can provision speed gates, doors and access control systems made in the UK and install them bespoke for your business. Provisioning our products from the UK means that our maintenance and installation processes are incredibly efficient. There’s no worry about missing parts or shipping costs.

For more information about our speed gates or access control systems mentioned here, get in touch at +44 (0) 1372 459536.

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The advantages of an integrated access control service

For some businesses, security tends to work one of two ways. Without the proper preparation it is generally either a constant panic or an afterthought. Businesses in the second camp often end up being led to the first because of a lucky escape or falling victim to a security breach themselves. The best place to be is somewhere in between, and at EA Group we believe that there are some helpful pieces of technology that can help you find this balance.

Access control services are the perfect example. Access control is a broad term that encompasses any security solution used to enable or prevent entry to a particular area of your site. This could include keypads, swipe cards, access tokens or even biometrics. Getting access control right can help you find the perfect balance with your business security for some much-needed peace of mind.

In this blog we’ll explain why many organisations are moving towards access control services that integrate alongside one another as well as your IT system, as well as the specific benefits that it can bring for your team.

Manage your security from anywhere

In the past access control systems were installed on an analogue basis. They did their job and that was it. The only indication that there had been any potential security breach was an alarm being sounded on site. Things are changing now.

With an integrated access control system, you can see the status of every device from one or more PCs. This is not only great for getting a clear overview of all your systems, but it allows for easier management.

Using your PC, you can update user access levels much more easily. At the push of a button, you can adjust permissions or even bar users from the premises entirely. This system can be scaled up to your needs – we’ve supplied premises with hundreds of doors and thousands of users.

Event reporting

As we mentioned previously, with analogue access control services you had very little information when it came to who was where around your premises. With integrated systems, you get a range of options.

Event reporting shows at a glance who is where around your site, by tracking which doors have been activated. You can monitor events as they happen or see detailed record logs. We know this sounds like a lot of detail, but for high-security areas in financial or manufacturing businesses, it’s a must. Event reporting also flags any time a door has been forced.

Remote monitoring

We know now that remote working is here to stay. You should be able to get the same peace of mind when working from home as you do when you’re in the office. An integrated access control service can help.

If any doors are forced or someone tries to access a restricted area of your site, you can set up your system to automatically send an email or text. This means you know exactly what has happened, even if you’re not there. Our systems also allow you to integrate your access control with your CCTV, monitoring them through the same device. If a door is forced, you can quickly cross-reference with CCTV to learn more.

Our security systems integrate with your intruder alarm. This stops you from entering the building if you do not have permission to unset the alarm. This helps to prevent false alarms and late-night call-outs.

HR and safety features

Access control isn’t just about security. It can also provide an extra level of convenience for many members of your team. Our management system comes bundled with a timesheet feature that gives you a complete record of who accessed your site and when. This allows you to create an accurate time and attendance report that helps with managing payroll and holiday hours.

This service is also ideal for workplace safety. You can link your access control alongside your fire alarms. This means that not only do you have a clear view of attendance during an emergency, but your access control will automatically unlock or open any doors around your premise. This service has tremendous value for just about any industry, but we’ve seen it put to great use in the education sector alongside our range of speed gates.

While this does sound like a lot of benefits, you might be worried about the user-friendliness of a comprehensive access control system. At EA we believe that we can teach any potential administrator to become an expert within 2 hours. Systems that control multiple sites and hundreds of doors need to be intuitive, and at EA we can provide this.

For more information about our access control systems or any of the benefits mentioned here, get in touch at +44 (0) 1372 459536.

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How to take advantage of the latest CCTV systems

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CCTV has come a long way in the past 20 years. Aside from mobile phones, there isn’t another service that has seen such rapid development in its capabilities and usefulness. At EA Group, we’ve seen this development first-hand.

Cameras previously only provided grainy black-and-white footage, where making out a face was almost impossible. Storage was an issue too. Video files used to take up masses of space, meaning it was inefficient or impossible to keep complete records. Things have changed now.

Modern CCTV services from the world’s leading security companies unlock a variety of new security benefits. These are all now available from EA, from night-vision to infrared cameras that detect body temperature. These features aren’t right for every industry but can be invaluable for teams in sectors like transportation. In today’s blog we’ll cover just a few of the benefits that adopting new CCTV services can provide for businesses.

Security benefits

We’ll start with the obvious one. Before any of the added extras a CCTV solution needs to improve your site’s security. Protecting people and assets around your site has to be a priority and we can help make this happen. Our solutions feature HD video and can include a colour display. Dome security cameras feature a wider range of motion for greater coverage in indoor spaces. Bullet cameras are more rugged and are ideal for maintaining a clear view of outdoor areas. Integrating these cameras into a single system means you’ll never miss a thing.

For over 30 years from our Surrey base, we have built an enviable position within the industry as a specialised company with the nationwide resources to offer a full and comprehensive CCTV design, supply, installation, service support and maintenance.

Remote monitoring

For many businesses, the days of the security control room are over. There’s a need for greater flexibility now and the ability to monitor your security feed can be invaluable.

Our systems can be bundled alongside a remote monitoring app. This allows you to check the camera feeds of multiple sites from home or anywhere with an internet connection. You can even add alerts when a camera is triggered. This of course has great benefits for security and improves response times during incidents, but it’s also convenient. Remote monitoring from a device of your choice allows you to check whether a delivery has been dropped off or if the bins have been taken out. Sometimes the little things are the most important.

Scalability

Most businesses need to have expansion in the back of their minds when they install new technology. You need to make sure whichever solution you use can support you for years to come. Our CCTV can do exactly this.

As your business expands to new sites, new cameras can be added to your existing network. This is all supported by our project management team. We’ll always make sure that when we install cameras there is plenty of capacity for future upgrades. Our cameras also integrate with access control and intrusion detection systems. This means that as your business grows your security can match it, all provided and maintained by a single supplier.

ANPR

Different areas of your business naturally call for different security solutions. It’s important that more specialist services don’t work in isolation and can be monitored easily alongside the rest of your network. You may already use ANPR cameras for your car park or site entrance, but if not now is the perfect time to start.

ANPR cameras automatically log the number plate of every vehicle that enters your premise. This can be used for parking charges, but also for attendance logging or for security purposes. Our ANPR cameras integrate seamlessly with the rest of your network to create one complete solution.

Industry specific features

At EA Group we’ve provided security services to a huge range of industries, from business centres and retail spaces to high security financial institutions. While some features are always a must, such as a discreet appearance and clear video quality. There are also unique features that are necessary for some industries. Luckily, we can help here too.

We can offer covert cameras for maximum security with a layer of added subtlety. For the retail sector reducing the spread of infection is crucial to protect guests and staff. Temperature scanners are time consuming to use and create congestion. Our infrared cameras scan skin surface temperature in less than half a second, quickly flagging any anomalies and allowing your ream to react quickly.

Cameras selected by EA Group are designed to look good wherever you position them. The modern housing and the discreet colours blend in perfectly with any environment, whether it is ultramodern or has a more traditional décor.

Get in touch for more information or to book your free site survey.

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Improving Pedestrian Flow Control with Speed Gates

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Businesses and organisations of all kinds have recently had to consider the way guests move around their premises much more carefully. Reducing congestion and improving safety are new priorities, alongside security and ease of movement. No matter the scale of your organisation, we know that dedicating personnel to your entrances just isn’t feasible. At EA Group we’re looking at new ways to improve the flow of pedestrian traffic, with or without a manned element.

Speed gates can be the solution for you. Whether you are looking to add an extra layer of security to an entrance, or track attendance around different sections of your site, their appearance and versatility make them an ideal solution. In this blog we’ll explain how strategically placed speed gates can drastically improve the flow of pedestrian traffic around your site.

Improve security without increasing congestion

We know that making your premise into a more secure environment has benefits for both you and your guests. Not only does it protect your site from unwanted intruders, but a visually secure environment makes guests feel more at ease. Many security features and access control services can service to slow down entry if not implemented properly though.

Speed gates are an exception. The clue really is in the name here, and speed gates are designed to allow incredibly efficient access while still improving security. This is partly due to their design and ability to open and close in 0.8 seconds, and partly due to their ability to integrate with a wide variety of access control systems. Our EA speed lanes allow you to improve people-flow at a fraction of the cost of other solutions.

Your speed gates can work alongside the access control measures you already use or can be equipped with new ones. These include swipe cards, access tokens or even biometrics. These can be customised with your branding and can be tailored to only open certain speed gates around your premise, allowing you increase security in important areas.

Keep track of your staff and guests

In many environments, such as in schools or certain industries like manufacturing or logistics, it’s crucial that you know where guests and staff for record logs or in case of emergency. Your speed gates, combined with access control services, can make this process easy. Using access control integration, your speed gate will immediately log which person has entered through it on your database. For schools, this is a great way to monitor attendance, while in offices you can use this feature as a way to clock in or out.

Alongside tracking attendance more quickly, speed gates also serve to make the process more secure. We can offer full height speed gates that cannot be hurdled, as well as tailgating sensors that stop unauthorised access behind others.

Improve access for all people

People with mobility aids need to be accommodated for around your site, without sacrificing security or pedestrian flow. Speed gates are an ideal solution here as well. Alongside our speed gates, we can install extra wide models or glass swing gates that are ideal for wheelchairs or other mobility aids. These swing lanes are still compatible with all our access control features and are ideal for creating a more pleasant welcome for any guest.

At EA Group we can tailor your speed gates to meet the needs of your site. We know that in some entranceways such as in gyms or offices, space may be at a premium. We can customise our gates to ensure that they remain efficient and accessible while still fitting within the aesthetic vision of your site.

Work alongside your existing operation

You might already have a security presence at your entrance, even ones with existing entry solutions like tripod turnstiles. Speed gates can enhance this process by speeding up the flow of pedestrians. If you wish to have a manned presence monitoring your speed gates, then they can be customised to include a control desk and can be operated using buttons on this desk. This allows you to maintain a great level of security, while massively reducing congestion at your entrance.

Combining these fast-operating gates with security personnel allows you to guide visitors smoothly throughout your site. This reduces crowds and creates a safer and more welcoming entrance for any guests or staff. This is especially useful in public spaces such as medical centres, stations, airports and larger commercial spaces.

At EA Group we can provision speed gates, made in the UK and install them bespoke for your business. Provisioning our products from the UK means that our maintenance and installation processes are incredibly efficient. There’s no worry about missing parts or shipping costs.

For more information about our speed gates or access control systems mentioned here, get in touch at +44 (0) 1372 459536.

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Integrating office doors with access control systems

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Every business owner in every industry has a few similar requirements for their office doors. The big one, of course, is that they should open and close when required. If your current office doors can provide this, great! But the way staff and guests enter and exit your office is more complex than it may first appear.

There are plenty of things you need to take into consideration when choosing a new entry solution, from the location of your door, the level of security you require and the level of footfall traffic you expect to pass through it. So, whether you’re looking to renovate an existing office, create a new one or just upgrade your manual doors to automatic ones, then this blog is for you.

Today we’ll cover why it’s important to integrate the office doors in your business with access control systems, how it’s done, and the benefits this will provide.

Why access control is crucial

Since 2020 and the pandemic, businesses have had to take a closer look at how people enter and exit their premises. You need to not only ensure that each area of your office is secure, but staff and guests can enter and exit without creating congestion.

In any office environment, accessibility is now more crucial than ever. It’s important that your office can accommodate all people, no matter their level of mobility. Many older entry solutions may not be able to fulfil this need. Access control systems allow you to better ensure the accessibility of your premise, allowing you to respond quickly in an emergency or to make the entry process simpler for those with mobility aids.

The final reason access control is so crucial is security. Whether you have dedicated office security or rely on an automatic solution, access control can genuinely provide some much-needed peace of mind. Whether you need to protect your business’ perimeter or secure a crucial area of your site, access control can be very valuable.

How to integrate your office doors with access control

We offer a variety of different access control measures that work alongside a wide variety of doors. For a modern and professional entrance, we recommend automatic sliding doors or revolving doors. These can be customised to suit any entrance. We can install access control measures on these doors, whether they are swipe cards that allow easy access in seconds, or access tokens that help you leave your keys in the past.

Your access control can be as simple or comprehensive as you require. For high security areas, we can integrate your access control system with a database system to give you accurate head counts and access logs. You can also set levels of access for specific areas, so all your staff can unlock the front door, but not everyone can access critical locations like your server room.

The way we connect your access control systems mean you can operate them all directly from one or more PCs. This means that you can manually operate any doors on your premise if needed, and also quickly ensure that all your systems are up to date. This central operating system can also integrate alongside your CCTV cameras and fire alarms, for added security, safety and quick responses to any incidents.

The benefits of integrating your doors with access control

Your office is made more accessible by integrating your doors with access control. Instead of relying on one member of staff with a set of keys turning up first each morning, your staff can now each have a customised key card that allows them to access your site every day without leaving doors unlocked.

Access control can massively help your HR department. It allows for far simpler event reporting. If each member of staff has their own key card, then you can see at a glance who is in the office and when they leave. This allows you to create a comprehensive timesheet with ease.

This solution also helps to improve security in the long term. Being woken up by an intruder alarm is no joke, especially when it’s a false alarm. Integrating your doors with an access control system prevents false alarms, as anyone without the ability to unset the alarm will not be given permission to enter the office. If you do have permission, the system unsets the alarm for you before unlocking the door.

Your access control can send you notifications if a door has been forced, or if someone has tried to access a restricted area. This allows you to allocate security resources to the right areas moving forward. You can also control all your sites through the same system.

For more information about our automatic doors or access control systems mentioned here, get in touch at +44 (0) 1372 459536.

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Automating your business’ doors

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Automatic doors are commonplace in many offices and commercial spaces across Britain. They allow for easier, more accessible and in many cases safer access to a building. However, if you don’t already have automatic doors at your business, installing them can seem like a challenging prospect especially if you don’t know what to look for.

We’re here to tell you that now’s the perfect time to consider automating your business’ doors. Due to the pandemic, businesses need to consider footfall congestion far more than in previous years. The benefits to upgrading external and internal doors around your premise to an automatic solution are numerous and today we’ll explain just a few of them.

Reduce congestion and improve safety

Opening and closing doors manually greatly increases the potential to spread infection, especially in busy office environments that could have hundreds entering and exiting each day. Automatic doors help to negate this risk as they require minimal manual user input. For greater security, consider integrating your automatic doors with our access control systems.

Our doors allow you to reduce congestion in your entryway, reception area or any other location around your site. They allow people to enjoy a faster way to travel and reduce crowds throughout your business.

All our automatic doors also come equipped with a range of safety devices. They can come equipped with a self-charging battery pack that ensures normal operation of the door within 30 minutes upon power failure. Additionally, security is maintained through an electro-mechanical locking system for night security.

We can also offer hermetically sealing sliding doors that have been specifically designed for use in areas where hygiene and the control of air leakage is critical. These doors are used throughout hospitals and medical centres in the UK.

Create a more visually appealing entrance

The appearance of the entrance to your business has an impact that can’t be overstated. First impressions are important to prospective customers or potential new recruits alike. Creating a more aesthetically pleasing entryway is far easier when you have bespoke craftsmanship and modern materials at your disposal.

Our sliding doors are all design engineered specifically for the unique needs of your business’ premise. The EA1000 sliding door is our most popular choice and has been used in commercial spaces around the country, as well as in airports, stations, business centres and sites around the public sector. The EA 1000 is known for its high quality and reliability. We also offer curved sliding doors for a more unique entranceway or for those that have specific design requirements.

Create a comfortable welcome while saving money

Creating a welcoming space for guests and staff isn’t just about the visual element. It’s also about providing an environment that makes them feel comfortable. Manual doors have a tendency to be left open, especially in retail spaces or other areas with high footfall. This is not only likely to create a less pleasant indoor temperature, but also to hike up your energy bill.

For more solutions that can save on your energy bill while making for a more stylish entry, why not check out our range of revolving doors?

Prioritise accessibility

The first priority for many of our clients in the public sector or the transportation industry is accessibility. All people need to be able to access your site as smoothly as possible.

Accessibility should now be on the mind of every business owner as well. You need to guarantee that no matter someone’s level of mobility they can access your business with ease. Automatic doors mean that anyone can easily get inside without lifting a finger. This doesn’t just extend to people with disabilities, but also children and people carrying items as well.

User-friendliness is crucial to all our solutions at EA Group. You can adjust 37 different presets including the speed of door closing, or whether you want your door to be able to open half way. Our doors have been tested up to 3,000,000 complete sliding operations, so they won’t let you down.

Welcome more customers

In the retail space it can be difficult to stand head and shoulders above the competition. An automatic door could genuinely be the edge you need over your local rivals. A recent study showed that ease of navigation around a shop floor was one of the highest priorities, which is made easier by an entry solution that reduces crowding and congestion.

The modern design and ease of access provided by our automatic doors sets your business apart on a visual level. Similarly, if a door opens automatically as a customer walks past, they are indirectly more likely to take a second look inside.

For more information about any of our automatic sliding doors or revolving doors, get in touch. We’ll be happy to conduct a survey of your site and recommend solutions that can help. You can reach us here at 01372 459536

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What to look for in a revolving door system

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A revolving door is a brilliant way to create both a stunning visual presence and a smoother way for visitors and staff to enter your premises. Revolving doors have a number of benefits over more traditional entry solutions.

Revolving doors are the ideal entry solution for the current environment where controlled entry is just as important as easy entry. Not only are they stylish but are also energy efficient which allows you to maintain a comfortable environment within your business. With a revolving door, it’s difficult for conditioned air to be let out and outside air to be let in. They are also ideal for creating a one-way-system throughout your business.

At EA Group we can offer businesses a wide range of revolving doors, each suiting a different environment. We know it can be difficult to know which specific solution is right for your business, which is why we’ve created today’s blog. Here we’ll cover some of the major requirements that businesses have from their revolving door, and which door is right for you.

Create a great visual impact

We know that one of the main reasons behind installing any new entry solution is their visual appeal. Especially for business centres, commercial spaces and anywhere to do with professional services, your business needs to have a great first impression. A revolving door provides that with a grand appearance that will keep its impressive visual impact for years to come.

In terms of which door creates the best visual impression, it depends on the appearance of your building. Our all glass revolving doors are some of the most popular available today and for good reason. Not only does the glass provide an ultra-modern appearance, but it also lets the most light into your building, creating a more appealing visual inside and out.

Accommodate varying levels of traffic

Revolving doors are used by a wide variety of different industries. Many of these, including the transportation sector require a solution that can allow many people to access your premise in a safe and organised way. High-capacity revolving doors are the perfect solution here.

One of the first things you need to consider when choosing a revolving door is the capacity it will have to support. Our standard capacity doors, such as the all glass solutions we mentioned earlier can support roughly up to 38 people a minute per door. If you require a higher capacity, we recommend installing multiple doors, or considering one of our high-capacity revolving doors. These two wing doors allow for an even higher flow of people. These solutions are ideal for airports, stations and indoor event venues.

This should also inform your decision on the number of wings you choose for your revolving door. To allow for a more comfortable entry experience a three-wing door is perfect.

Create a more accessible entrance

It’s important to accommodate all people when creating an entrance for your business. Our revolving doors can be customised and augmented to create a safe and convenient entrance for anyone.

Alongside manual revolving doors we can also include systems with power assisted drives that require minimal physical force to operate. We can also install automatic sliding doors alongside manual ones, both created bespoke to fit your entrance to the millimetre. This allows wheelchair users and those with other accessibility needs to access your premise with ease, without sacrificing the visual appeal of your entrance.

Despite the accessibility of our entrance solutions, we never fall short on security. Our revolving doors can integrate seamlessly alongside access control solutions and our expert team can advise on how your entrance solution can work alongside CCTV.

Our framed revolving doors can also be equipped with manual night sliding security doors and panic breakout options to further improve security.

Create a comfortable and inviting environment

A revolving door’s job doesn’t end once a visitor has passed through them. They provide just as much impact to the interior of your space as they do to the outside. One of the main purposes of a revolving door is to be energy efficient. This is naturally best achieved with one of our manual revolving doors, but they can also reduce your heating bill.

Using a four-wing revolving door reduces the amount of outside air allowed in to your premise. This means that less conditioned air from inside can escape, creating a much more comfortable internal temperature for a fraction of the cost. Many of our revolving doors are also designed and Made in Britain. This reduces their carbon footprint from manufacture to installation and means that any maintenance or replacement parts can be provided very quickly.

Since 1984 we have had the pleasure of installing and integrating high quality automation products across the UK. For more information about any of the solutions mentioned here, get in touch at +44 (0) 1372 459536

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What is a Speed Gate?

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Speed gates are a form of turnstile designed to allow users to enter faster than traditional turnstiles or swing gates. They integrate with access control services and their response speed is generally much faster than other gates.

Compared to the traditional tripod turnstiles that you’re probably used to seeing at stations and stadiums, speed gates are new technology. They’ve recently risen in popularity and are set to be the number-one entry solution for years to come. Many commercial buildings, schools, healthcare facilities, transportation hubs and offices have already adopted speed gates.

As providers of entry solutions and security systems, we’ve noticed a trend of businesses who ask us for an older entry service but change their mind once they understand the benefits that speed gates can provide. That’s why we’ve written this blog today, to help you and your team to understand the benefits these gates can bring to your business.

Aesthetic

The first difference you’ll notice when you compare speed gates to traditional turnstiles is their appearance. Our speed gates, from Swing Lanes to Speed Lanes, all feature a contemporary and modern finish, featuring glass gates and metal frames. We also offer a choice of finishes to suit your entranceway.

Speed gates offer more flexibility for businesses when it comes to customisation. At EA Group, we can carry out a survey of your site to ensure that the gate we provide properly meets all your requirements. You can choose from a range of models that differ in speed, appearance and width. We know in many reception areas in schools, business centres and healthcare facilities, space is at a premium. That’s where these bespoke gates shine, as they are able to be tailored to fit any space, whether you need three lanes for a gym, or over a dozen at an airport.

Security

The primary purpose of any entry point is to maintain the security of your premise. Speed gates provide a variety of great ways to keep your building secure, without sacrificing ease of entry. Our speed gates feature a 0.8 open/close time. This speed is not only great at guaranteeing unimpeded access for authorised people, but also prevents tailgating.

Our speed gates also include sensors that can detect whether one person is entering at a time as they should, or whether others are piggybacking through with them. This can then send an alert to any on-site security personnel or reception staff. Security features like this make speed gates such a popular choice when it comes to creating a safe unmanned entrance.

We also offer taller EA Slide Gates that prevent unauthorised entrants from hurdling over them.

Integration

One of the greatest innovations that speed gates bring is their integration with a variety of access control services. Our speed gates here at EA have the ability to embed most manufacturers’ access control readers beneath the top glass cover. This means you can use ID cards, QR codes, or even biometrics to enter your premises.

These integrations are ideal for a number of industries. For schools, where it is crucial to keep a clear record of attendance, your speed gate’s access control service can link to your IT system to show exactly who is where. For areas where security is paramount, such as in secure areas of commercial spaces, biometrics can be used.

Accessibility

As much as it’s important to increase the security and appearance of your building’s entrance, it is just as crucial to ensure that every person can enter in a safe and efficient way. That’s why our speed gates come equipped with a variety of accessibility features.

As part of our initial survey process, we ensure that anything we provide for your site falls within accessibility guidelines. To ensure that people with wheelchairs and other mobility aids can still enter efficiently we offer wider EA Swing Gates that still offer the same great appearance and integrations.

Versatility

One of the main reasons for the popularity of speed gates is how they can be tailored to work effectively in a variety of situations. Their modern appearance and integration with access control is part of it, but they also have other useful features available.

In the case of emergency, speed gates can easily be configured to open manually, or lock into an open position to allow a far quicker flow of traffic. The ability to manually open or close gates can also be controlled by a button operated by security personnel, to create a manned entry solution.

In summary, speed gates have soared in popularity because they do exactly what they say on the box. They allow for a quick entrance, while keeping your business secure. There are no long queues and accessibility is prioritised. If you’re interested in accessing speed gates yourself, why not get in touch with EA Group? We have decades of experience in installing and maintaining turnstiles and gates , and you can quickly get in touch with one of our experts at +44 (0) 1372 459536

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Why should I automate my business’ turnstiles?

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Turnstiles are some of the simplest and most reliable entry solutions available to businesses today. Their timelessness has made them an ideal choice for a number of industries who need to ensure security in high-footfall areas. Education, transport, business centres and the sports sector all commonly use turnstiles for creating a protected yet welcoming entrance.

Turnstiles service as a great visual deterrent for any possible infiltration. They are a low security measure that can still reassure guests that they are entering a protected space. At EA Group, we offer turnstiles to cover two distinct approaches, controlling crowds and restricting access. For either of these purposes we usually recommend waist high turnstiles, but full height turnstiles may also be of use when a higher level of security is required.

Access control technology is constantly advancing, and current trends are leading towards a more contact-free approach to entry. This has led to a push towards more automated entry solutions, and turnstiles are no exception. At EA Group we believe that automation should be a simple process, so our blog today will explain the process and why automated turnstiles can benefit your business.

Improve security and safety

Automated access control systems and turnstiles work hand in hand to create a solution that can greatly reduce unauthorised entry. Turnstiles are visually imposing, and can be difficult to climb under or over, but for authorised staff or visitors they don’t impede access.

Access control solutions can be used to better control the flow of footfall traffic. You can customise controls to allow employees to pass with ease, but require human control to grant access to any visitors. Access control systems also allow you to have a clear view of who is where on your site at any time. Our service integrates seamlessly with visitor management systems, allowing you to gain a real-time record of attendance.

This is ideal for the education sector where greater control is needed to clearly distinguish which areas of their premise should be accessible by staff, students or the general public. Automated Turnstiles provide enough of a visual deterrent to block entry and can work alongside any key card or access token system that you may already use.

The modern approach to entry

At EA we are at the forefront of the latest innovations in business accessibility. Over the past two years, one of the more unsurprising trends has been the move towards contact free services. We’ve seen a huge push from business towards autonomous services that require no human touch, turnstiles are no exception.

Our full-height turnstiles and swing gates are compatible with a whole range of contact free access control solutions, including swipe cards, barcode scanners, coin tokens and tickets. Of course, this can all be overridden in the case of an emergency and we can include fire alarm integration to make this process simple.

Automated turnstiles work brilliantly alongside CCTV cameras to provide a more robust security solution. Although they are a quick way to enter any premises, turnstiles do force any entrants to move in a single file and makes them wait long enough to be picked up by a camera. For more information about how you can integrate CCTV alongside your access control service, visit our security systems page.

Combining aesthetics with functionality

The aesthetics of any entry solution plays a surprisingly important role in their effectiveness. Turnstiles might just be a mechanical barrier that usually features rotating arms, but they can have a genuine psychological impact.

Automated turnstiles generally do not impede access. Most authorised entrants are able to bypass them in a matter of seconds, but they help your team and visitors to feel like they are in a protected space. Hence why aesthetics are important.

That’s why at EA we’ve taken time to ensure that we can offer a variety of different turnstiles to meet the needs of many industries.

  • For business centres, where professionalism is key, our Tripod Elite solution replicates the sleek style of a swing gate with a style that will remain impressive for years to come.
  • Where accessibility is crucial, our glass swing gates can be installed alongside turnstiles where a wider entrance is needed.
  • For high security areas or where tailgating needs to be prevented, such as in sports facilities, our full height Glass Pass allows for efficient entry without the need for attendants.

All our solutions are designed from robust materials and are built to last for many years to come. We also make sure that they are tailored to fit the architectural requirements of your business, enhancing security without compromising on space efficiency.

For more information about any of our access control solutions, get in touch. We’ll be happy to conduct a survey of your site and recommend solutions that can help. You can reach us here at 01372 459536

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How can I integrate CCTV and ANPR with my car park barriers?

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Parking barriers are an essential security tool for a huge number of industries. At EA Group we’ve supplied parking solutions to a huge range of businesses, from the public sector to businesses, contractors and industrial estates. The main purpose of our automatic gates is access control. They improve the security of your site by greatly impeding the access of any unwanted guests. While our barriers are always installed according to the specifics of your site by our experienced engineers, there are steps you can take to further increase your site’s security.

This is where our CCTV and ANPR systems are perfect. These services add an extra layer of security to your gateways and can be fully integrated alongside your traffic barriers. At EA Group, we have 30 years of experience as an expert installer and CCTV service provider. The technology has changed a lot in that time but the principles behind it has remained the same.

Here’s our guide to integrating CCTV and ANPR system to your barriers, and the benefits that this process can bring.

ANPR Integration – A fast and effective entry solution

Many businesses are now integrating their automatic barriers with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology. Installing ANPR cameras on your barriers allows you to control traffic access, allowing authorised vehicles to enter and exit with ease. All you need is a list of authorised number plates and a visitor management process.

This is a great solution for commercial car parks that need to keep track of number plates for billing purposes. Our cameras function at their best no matter the weather conditions or the time of day. The cameras we use were initially developed for speed enforcement, meaning that they are ideal for capturing the license plate of any non-paying drivers attempting to leave quickly.

All of the automation on our ANPR solutions is processed entirely on the camera, meaning that you don’t need any additional tech for them to work at their best alongside your barriers. They also store all video capture on a micro-SD, ensuring nothing is lost in a data outage. If using this solution, we recommend regularly updating your list of authorised license plates to remove any former employees.

CCTV Integration – Ensuring maximum security

While recording number plates is a great way to ensure a safer and smoother entry process, CCTV surveillance provides an extra layer of peace of mind. We can install CCTV cameras on the entry and exit of your premise, allowing you to better analyse both those entering and leaving.

As well as being able to record who enters and leaves your premises, integrating your barrier with CCTV can have a number of other benefits. For example, for commercial or transportation business, you can monitor the duration of stay of visitors. For groups of car parks or parking areas on larger business sites, you can also use CCTV to update any potential visitors on the capacity of individual parking zones.

At EA Group we have decades of CCTV experience. This means that we not only know the best cameras for the job, but how to install them too. All cameras will look good wherever you position them, discreet but not too discreet. Cameras can be tailored to suit both modern and traditional architecture, and all cameras have exceptional build quality.

The installation process – Barriers for any situation

Each industry has different requirements from their barriers. A commercial car park has different needs than a school, a police or government site has to have a very different barrier than a quarry. Thankfully our team here at EA Group can help.

We start the process with a survey. Our team will visit your business and carry out a full site survey but also specific analysis of your entrance and exits for safety purposes. It also means we can better inform which barrier solution is right for you. We’ll work alongside you, as well as experienced architects, property agents (if applicable) and facility management teams to create a service that suits you for many years to come.

Our FAAC 620 Automatic Barriers are heavy duty solutions, ideal for transportation industry or heavy industrial sites. These can help control entry of even the largest machinery. For residential or commercial usage, our FAAC 614 solution can still provide robust protection, but is much faster and more versatile. Once you’ve found the right barrier, we’ll then discuss integrations and whether a camera solution can provide great value for you.

If you have an existing barrier solution, and are looking to provide an extra layer of security to it, get in touch. Whether you would like an additional or refreshed barrier solution, or would like to introduce our ANPR or CCTV solutions alongside the barriers, we can help.

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