Never Compromising Access Control for Glass & Aluminum Openings
We’ve seen a shift in recent years where buildings feature more and more glass, both in exteriors and interior spaces. Along with the comfort and illumination benefits of daylighting, glass provides a sense of openness, a view to the outside world, a connection to nature, and even to each other – all big plusses, particularly for work settings. We have also seen a shift to more aesthetic and higher performance doors that incorporate glazing or use glass as the primary material for the full door itself.
One of the challenges end-users have faced is finding the proper hardware and access control products when integrating the functionality of traditional types of doors into glass openings. The fact is it’s not necessary to compromise on that functionality anymore, not with the many new types of solutions that are available today.
Switching from mechanical door locks to electrified openings continues to accelerate in the door security industry. As a result, the latest innovations make it more economically feasible and beneficial for property owners, facility managers, and security professionals to upgrade to keyless and electronic access control (EAC) that use wireless and other technologies.
These advancements provide a much higher level of security, accountability, and access control features. EAC data, for example, provides audit trails and information that integrate with key and asset management programs as well as building management software. Electrified hardware and EAC solutions are now as practical for all-glass openings as they have been for hollow-metal and other traditional doorways.
Electronic Access Control for Glass
More and more electronic access control options, auto operators, electric strikes, maglocks, wireless readers, and other electrified mechanisms for glass applications are now available, and in sleeker profiles.
For instance, low-profile, retro-mounted HES 9100 and 9200 Series electric strikes set a new industry standard for openings and tubular style exit devices that feature integrated adjustability, adaptable voltage sensing technology, and field selectable fail secure/fail safe. Installation is easy and requires no drilling of extra holes or cutting into different header conditions. Simple-to-install, surface-mounted solutions like this do a great job of harmonizing security with design.
For locksmiths, it’s important to embrace such digital technologies for glass openings as well as traditional doors. Gaining expertise in these solutions presents increased opportunities to expand your ability to help end users migrate to even higher levels of security and, as a result, grow your business.
Access control should never be a compromise, no matter what type of opening someone encounters. With new solutions that address the challenges that formerly posed issues with these applications, the time to secure our doors is now.
To learn more about ASSA ABLOY's glass and aluminum openings solutions, visit our website.