Access Control Systems Masterclass [Part 8] - A to Z of access terms

Access point
A door gate or barrier through which people or vehicles can gained access to a defined area.

Alarm event manager
A module which may be installed on the cable between a reader and door controller, allowing monitoring of eight additional points and providing eight programmable relays.

Alarm graphic
A picture which is assigned to either a door or alarm point. When an alarm occurs, the picture may be displayed (on the PC screen) to provide more information about the source of the alarm. An example would be a site plan, showing the location of the door.

Anti-passback
Limiting an ID device's use in one direction without first having been used in the opposite direction. For example, if an ID device has been used for entry, it cannot be used for re-entry until it has been used for exit.

Anti-tamper
A means of detecting unauthorised disconnection of cables or removal of covers from security equipment.

Area
A part of a building, typically a single room. One or more doors give access to the area.

Archive
Every transaction that occurs on a PC system is written to a file stored on the hard disk of the PC, so that searches can be performed at a later date. Periodically, a new file is created. The system will only retain a set number (usually six) of files on the hard disk, after which, the oldest will be deleted. These old files are called archives, and should be copied to a floppy disk and stored in a safe place.

Audit trail
A history of operator changes to the PAC for Windows database and setup.

Battery back-up
A means of automatically switching over to stored battery power during a local power failure.

Block
Equivalent to a Department in non-residential systems. A large tenant database may be divided into blocks for searching and reporting. A block may consist of one or more landings.

Block add
If a large number of keyholders are to be entered into the PC database, it may be more convenient to enter all the names, access groups and so on first, then to assign the keys at a later date.

Card (proximity)
An electronic identification device containing a unique code. This device is flat in appearance and the same size as a credit card. The device is held near to a reader to allow the code to be read. The controller then decides whether to release the lock.

Central network controller (CNC)
A piece of PAC hardware which allows PAC door controllers to be administered from a workstation running suitable PAC software.

Channel
A term used to describe the connections on a door controller for a single door - i.e. reader(s), locks and request to exit and door contact inputs.

Coil (ID device)
A finely wound wire coil used as an aerial to power the circuit (when placed in a magnetic field provided by a PAC reader) in an ID device to transmit its unique code to a PAC reader.

Coil (reader)
A finely wound wire coil used as an aerial to generate a magnetic field around the reader. This field enables the ID device to transmit its unique ID code.

Dataswitch
An item of equipment which allows multiple door controllers to be added to a system.

Department
Used for keyholder management. A large keyholder database may be divided into departments for searching and reporting. A department may consist of one or more workgroups. In residential systems, departments are referred to as 'blocks'.

Division
A system can be split into a number of sub-systems (called divisions) either on the same site or on different sites. Each division can administer its own system, but central control is at one specified PC.

Dongle
A device which fits into a serial port onto a PC allowing PAC for Windows™ to run in anything other than demonstration mode.

Door contact
A device, usually a magnetic switch, which may be installed on a door to monitor whether the door is open or closed. Can be used to generate alarms.

Door controller
A microprocessor based unit from which a number of doors may be controlled. The door controller makes the decision as to whether access is to be allowed.

Dynamic data exchange (DDE)
DDE is a Micros oft Windows facility that allows information to be transferred between different Windows-based applications. PAC for Windows™ uses DDE in two ways:

• i. To allow third-party applications to use the transactions generated on a PAC for Windows™ system - e.g. building management, time and attendance, etc.
  
• ii. A special form of DDE, NetDDE is used to allow more than one PC to administer a PAC for Windows™ system simultaneously over a network.

Electric door strike
An electric door locking device that unlocks the door when electrical power is applied to it. A fail-safe configuration operates in reverse, so that it is normally locked when power is applied and unlocked when power is interrupted.

Emergency override
In the event of a fire or other emergency, it would be usual for all doors on the system to be automatically unlocked.

Events (see Transaction)
System activity that generates messages to the reporting device.

Fail-safe lock
Fail-safe locks (also sometimes called 'power to lock') require a permanent supply to keep the door locked. This type of lock would normally be used if safety was most important , i.e. in the event of equipment failure the door would become unlocked.

Fail-secure lock
Fail-secure locks (also called 'power to unlock') require a supply to unlock the door.

Global anti-passback
Allows the anti-passback function to operate across many controllers in the building.

ID (identity) device
May be a card or some form of electronic key. Each ID device has a unique security code which is detected by the reader.

Key
An electronic identification device containing a unique code. This device is held near to a reader to allow the code to be read. The door controller then decides whether or not to release the lock.

Key code
A term used to describe the unique code stored within a PAC electronic key. This code is programmed at manufacture and cannot be changed.

Keyholder or cardholder
A person who carries an ID device. Two types of key/card holder exist:

• i. Personnel - usually a tenant or full time employee.
  
• ii. Visitor - a contractor or other person who requires some access around the site, but for a limited period of time.

Latchbolt
A device for automatically retaining a door in the closed position upon its closing.

Local alarm
A visual or audible signalling device located at a monitored door, window or similar position.

Lock strike
A plate attached to the door jamb to accept and restrain a bolt when the door is closed.

Lock time
The time that a door will be unlocked following a valid token being presented at a reader or a request to exit button being pressed. Note that this time may be shortened if a door contact is installed and the door opens and re-closes before the lock time expires.

Multi-site
A system which allows more than one group of door controllers on different sites (even in different countries) to be administered from the same central location.

Reader
The reader, which is normally fitted on the wall close to the door, detects the unique code in the ID device (or registers the code input by the individual) and sends the code directly to the door controller.

Relay
An electrically controlled device that opens and closes electrical contacts to affect the operation of other devices in the same or another electrical circuit.

Remote alarm
An alarm device used to signal violations at locations removed from the central station.

Request to exit switch (RTE)
Normally an RTE switch or button is used to open a door from the secure side. This switch (mounted close to the door) sends a signal to the door controller to release the lock. The identity of the person leaving is not recorded.

Time period
A means of defining a limited time during which access may be controlled. Consists of a start time, end time and one or more days.

Time profile
A group of up to three time periods, which may be assigned to an access group to restrict a keyholder's access to within the defined time limits. May also be assigned to a door to unlock the door during the defined time.

Transaction
Any event that occurs on a PAC for Windows system is called a transaction. All transactions which originate from a door controller are reported to the PC and stored on the hard disk for later analysis. In addition, the PAC for Windows system then decides the fate of each transaction - display on screen, printer, generate an alarm, etc.

Video Verification
This is a software feature that allows an operator to compare a person's appearance with that in a personnel database.

Visitor
A keyholder who is only allowed access for a limited period of time. The system will restrict the keyholder's access to the allowed dates.

Workgroup
Used for keyholder management. A large keyholder database may be divided into departments and workgroups for searching and reporting. Each department may have one or more workgroups. In residential systems, workgroups are referred to as 'landings'.