Introduction
At first glance, elevators may not appear to be all that different from one another. However, if you examine closely, you will see several key variances that might have an influence on the safety of your facility.
This is why securing the elevator should be high on your priority list. Elevators are high-traffic places that are vulnerable to a variety of security flaws, which can pose various dangers in terms of building security.
Security Vulnerabilities of Elevators
Around the world, there are about 900,000 elevators that provide 325 million trips every day. With the high number of individuals taking the elevator regularly, every building management must examine the following vulnerabilities in order to keep their properties secure.
Elevator Hitchhikers
Whether you access control system is based on a keycard or a smartphone setup, individuals who don’t have official access may still be able to ride the elevator. After all, entering and departing elevators with other individuals is totally normal and almost never appears strange.
An intruder can use this approach to his or her advantage by following someone into the elevator. Furthermore, most elevator users will not act as “de-facto security guards,” challenging and discouraging others from hitching or tailgating a ride, especially if the elevator is crowded.
Elevator Vultures
When someone waits on an elevator for an extended period of time, it is assumed that they are proceeding to another level. Even if a hitchhiker obtains entrance to the elevator, he or she may still be unable to reach a certain level without the proper code or keycard. That’s when the invader turns into an “elevator vulture.”
An elevator vulture is someone who stays out in the elevator and waits for someone else to press the floor button for him. The more crowded the building, the more frequently the elevator visits each floor. As a result of this, this makes it easier for them to have access to their destination.
Button Pushers
There are certain people in a firm who have a keycard or a smartphone with universal access. It might be the building manager, janitor, or maintenance worker, for example. If these persons are not paying attention after unlocking the elevator, a second person may be able to “piggyback” by selecting a guarded floor soon after the authorized person has used his card.
Fire Mode Vulnerabilities
Every elevator must have a “fire service mode” according to building standards. When this function is enabled, all elevator security and access control systems are disabled. However, this could be taken advantage of because by simply pushing the emergency button, an intruder can quickly obtain access to any level.
Aside from that, the fire service keys are typically the same for all elevators manufactured by a single supplier. In an emergency, fire departments utilize these keys to bypass elevator security. When an intruder obtains these, they could have immediate access to any floor.
What is a Reliable Elevator Access Control System?
To address many elevator vulnerabilities, most companies employ an elevator access control system to restrict entry through external doors. This is beneficial, especially in multistory structures where you wish to keep some parts off-limits to visitors.
Furthermore, a reliable elevator access control system is ideal for restricting access to specific levels of a building that may be dedicated to sensitive or confidential processes. It is also helpful for areas where you need to store restricted documents.
What Does a Reliable Elevator Access Control System Consists of?
These systems usually include a credential reader in the cab and a controller box, which is generally found in the elevator control room. Based on the door access control credential, an elevator access control system determines which levels can be accessible. For example, all staff workers can go from the ground floor to the fifth floor, but only managers can go from the ground floor to the eighth floor.
A key card is typically used to operate an elevator access control system. Once inside the elevator, a person may pick the right floor and scan their card to confirm they have access to that floor. These cards can be configured to enable entry to a single floor or a mix of floors.
How Does an Elevator Access Control System Work?
Elevator access control systems are more complex than those linked to door locks. They must be plugged into your elevator’s control panel in order for the entrance device and elevator to communicate effectively. Depending on the elevator access control system you select, you may be required to install traveling wires in the elevator shaft, which might be expensive.
Types of Elevator Access Control
Single Elevator Access Control
Single elevator access controls are typical in smaller buildings that are either shorter or have a lower level of traffic. This type, as the name indicates, has only one elevator, making it easier to set up than a more complex multi-lift system.
Elevator Banks
Elevator banks are seen in larger or busier establishments. This kind may feature a destination dispatch system that allows you to enter the floor number you wish to visit.
Smart Elevators
Passengers use smart elevators by selecting the floor they want to travel to rather than pressing the up or down buttons. They are then guided to an elevator that will take them to their destination with the fewest stops possible.
Types of Elevator Access Control Configurations
Public Elevator with Private Access to Selected Floors
This type of configuration includes a public elevator where anybody can enter by pushing the call button. However, once inside the car, the passengers will need to use a card reader, which gives them access to specific floors. This setup usually has a call button in the lobby.
Private Elevator for General Access to Any Floor
In contrast to the first setup, this allows a passenger with validated credentials to call the elevator. Once inside the elevator, the individual will choose any floor to which they have access. Instead of a call button, a reader in the foyer allows cards to request for a private elevator.
Private Elevator with Private Access to Selected Floors
This setup combines the preceding configurations, but with extra security. Aside from needing a card reader to call the elevator, the passenger has to conduct a card read once inside. This approach grants the passenger access to specific floors based on their credentials.
The Importance of Having Elevator Access Control System in an Establishment
Area Restriction
Having elevator access control systems for your business is essential, especially if you need to keep the general public, customers, or vendors out of specific areas of a building.
For example, there’s a floor dedicated to the kitchen staff members where they do their usual operations, such as meal preparations for the hotel guests. If there’s an implemented elevator access control, no one will disrupt the dedicated area’s function.
Protection Against Elevator Vulnerabilities
Because you can design an elevator access control system based on the building guidelines, you also limit the accessibility of all room floors altogether. This approach prevents the elevator hitchhikers from catching an elevator to a room they don’t have permission to access.
Building Security
At specified intervals, an elevator access control system can give particular persons access to a specific floor of a building. However, a company’s staff can change frequently. There might be employees that misplace keys or fail to return them when their employment ends.
Because the system provides a proximity card or key fob for each user, you can just remove an individual device from the system. This method eliminates the requirement for each elevator’s locks to be changed.
Where to Find Affordable and High-Quality Elevator Access Control Solutions in the Philippines?
No matter where you are in the Philippines, you can trust the Internet of Things Philippines Inc. to provide you with outstanding and dependable elevator access control systems that you can install for your business. Our company always makes sure that every product we deliver will improve your operations.
Internet of Things Philippines Inc. is a dynamic company that uses IoT technology and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to help transform every business, household, and other sectors for the better. We provide lasting solutions embedded with the latest technology and knowledge to improve elevator security for your company.
What Products Should You Purchase from IOT Philippines Inc. For Your Elevator Access Control System Needs?
IOT Philippines Inc. has partnered with several brands, such as IDTECK, Suprema, Software House, and EntryPass, to deliver cost-effective and high-quality elevator access control systems that you can utilize for your business.
IDTECK
IDTECK’s Enterprise Software is a powerful total security solution that includes enhanced system functions, such as ID badging, visitor management, video surveillance integration, elevator access control, and fault-tolerant system.
The software features an elevator access control system for visitor management with combined video surveillance of a Samsung DVR/NVR interface. It also has seamless integrations with fire alarm, BAS, BMS, and other systems, and it is compatible with iMDC, iEDC, and iFDC controllers.
IDTECK’s Standard Software is another excellent professional solution that you can utilize for elevator access control systems and primary time and attendance systems. It contains additional modules for system expansion, featuring professional time and attendance, ID badging, visitor management, and video surveillance. The software also has multi-site management that you can operate via LAN/WAN communication, and it has a maximized system performance with the distributed system environment.
ELEVATORR384SRPKG1 Elevator Access Control Panel (34 Bit Wiegand Reader Compatible)
IDTECK’s ELEVATORR384SRPKG1 Elevator Access Control Panel is an elevator access control solution with 64K byte ROM program memory and 512K byte flash memory data. Around 20,000 to 50,000 users can utilize this system with a 3,000 to 20,000 event buffer. This elevator access control system can manage up to 384 floors, with 12 floors per controller, and you can expand up to 32 controllers per loop. It also has ethernet connection for added connectivity.
ELEVATOR384PKG1 Elevator Access Control Panel (26 Bit Wiegand Reader Compatible)
IDTECK’s ELEVATOR384PKG1 Elevator Access Control Panel is a great access control panel that up to 50,000 users can utilize for elevator access control systems and primary time and attendance systems. It features controls on up to 384 floors, with 12 floors per controller, and is expandable up to 32 controllers per loop. The software supports up to four critical panels per elevator, schedule setting by floor or ID, and integration with iTDC Standard Elevator Pro.
Suprema
LIFT-IO Suprema Elevator Access Control I/O Module
Suprema’s Elevator Access Control I/O Module is intended for the successful and reliable elevator floor access control of your business. This system can be easily mounted and set up. It operates via secure RS-485 and can control up to 12 floors with an encrypted connection in a stable manner. This elevator access control system can also be linked in daisy chain configuration for up to 10 devices.
Software House
AS0074-000 R8 Eight Output Bus Module
The AS0074-000 R8 Eight Output Bus Module from Software House allows you to enhance the capabilities of your elevator access control system. Alarm monitoring and elevator access control are two common applications for the module. Through a flexible two-wire RS-485 RM bus, it can also find modules up to 1,220 meters away from controllers.
The program also has eight form C dry contact relay outputs, as well as three status LEDs per unit and production to allow for rapid diagnostics and troubleshooting. Because of its compact, modular design, it requires only a small amount of panel space in your elevators.
AS0073-000 I8 Eight Input Bus Module
The AS0073-000 I8 Eight Output Bus Module from Software House is a versatile, low-cost module that enhances the input and output capability of any elevator access control system. This module works with the whole Software House iSTAR and apC access control panel line, as well as typical alarm monitoring and elevator access control applications.
It also provides eight Class-A supervised inputs, with three LEDs per input to help the installer diagnose and troubleshoot the input circuit. For example, red is for when the information is in alarm, green is for normal condition, and yellow is for supervision error. You can also turn off the LEDs through a DIP switch setting.
EntryPass
EP-L3800-PSU (EntryPass 4 Readers Elevator Control Panel RS485 with Power Supply Unit)
The EntryPass EP-L3800-PSU is a control panel that allows you to establish floor-by-floor elevator access control for cardholders. This system allows you to restrict access from 8 to 136 floors and set access levels for individual cards based on corporate or building regulations. It also accommodates RFID and biometric reading technologies.
EP-HIO-PSU (EntryPass Hybrid Input Output Control Panel with Power Supply Unit)
The EP-HIO-PSU from EntryPass is built-in with a web server where you can do network configurations, such as IP address, subnet mask, and server IP upon logging in. This system does not require factory programming because the firmware may be upgraded via the onboard web server. It also has a maximum of 16 inputs and outputs.
Conclusion
Elevators are essential to multistory establishments as they provide an efficient and convenient mode of transportation. However, you should still prioritize the safety and security of your property. This is where elevator access control systems come in.
Not all elevators are alike. That’s why you need to choose an elevator access control solution that caters to your needs. If you’re looking for a suitable option for your business, IOT Philippines Inc. has got you covered.
Reach out to us today via email or our contact numbers so we can assist your further.