Door Access Control System Installation: Step-by-Step Guide

Business facilities these days are much different than what they used to be. Earlier, locks and keys were enough to safeguard your office, but that is not now. Now, it puts your business facility at risk of theft, burglary, or vandalism. So, the question is- what works now to safeguard business facilities? 

It is the door access control system installation. Whether you have a small or large office, keeping track of who enters your business facility and when is a must to ensure safety and security. 

Wonder why this is so? The door access control systems are modern and advanced tech-based systems that streamline the access control management of your business facility. But it all depends on the door access control system installation. 

Delve into the comprehensive door access control system installation guide and everything you need to know about the door access control system installation. 

Door Access Control System Installation 

It is crucial to know what door access control system installation is before we move to its installation procedure. It is a system using which businesses can restrict and permit access via doors based on authentication. 

This ensures that only authorized people can enter your business facility and no one else can. The door access control systems use electronic devices and credentials such as cards, keypads, or biometric data to figure out whether to give access or not. 

Have a look at the key components of the door access control systems installation for businesses:  

• The access control panel is deemed as the brain of the door access control system and communicates with readers and controls door locks. 
• Readers are the devices that identify the users via keycards, PINs, biometrics, or mobile credentials.
• Electric locks, such as magnetic locks or electric strikes, unlock when access is granted.
• The access control management software manages users, configures permissions, and tracks access logs. 

Considerations To be Made Before Door Access Control System Installation 

Getting started with the installation? It’s best to plan smartly and ensure that your business facility is ready for the installation rather than directly jumping into it. Businesses need to take note of plenty of things before starting with the door access control system installation. 

Site Assessment 

Assess your business facility, such as the access points, vulnerabilities, and wiring pathways. Before you begin with the door access control system installation, decide which doors need access control systems and how many users will be accessing them. 

Additionally, determine the desired access control patterns, such as the restricted hours or areas. Planning and deciding these things beforehand will make the installation easier. 

Compliance and Legal Requirements 

Next comes the compliance and legal requirements. The doors need to be fail-safe during emergencies. Also, the devices should be accessible to people with disabilities. 

Infrastructure 

See if your business’s physical infrastructure is ready for the door access control system installation or not. Businesses need to make sure that they have a stable power supply for locks and control units. 

Verify that the office building has adequate internet and cabling infrastructure, especially if opting for networked or cloud-based systems. 

Choosing the Right System 

Which door access control system is right for your business also needs to be figured out before getting started with the installation right away. It might seem a bit daunting due to the options available, but not that difficult. 

Consider the factors outlined below to choose the right access control system: 

• Business size
• Number of access points
• Security level
• Scalability for future needs

Tools and Materials Required 

Gathering the tools and materials you’ll require during the installation is another consideration worth noting. 

The tools required during the door access control system installation include: 

• Drill and mounting tools
• Wire stripper/cutter
• Screws, anchors, connectors
• Ethernet cables or access control wiring
• Multimeter for testing

Step-by-Step Door Access Control System Installation Process

Understood the prerequisites of door access control system installation? Now comes the door access control installation process step by step. Have a look at the steps outlined below to secure and safeguard your office. 

Plan Layout 

Planning the layout is the first thing that goes into the door access control system installation. Planning the layout of your business facility means deciding on the doors and where to install the readers, locks, controllers, and power supplies. 

Businesses also need to plan the cable pathways as this ensures minimal interference and optimal concealment. It’s better to prepare for the installation challenges, such as cable lengths, wall materials, and door types. 

Install Hardware 

Begin with installing the door hardware by mounting the maglock or the electric strike. The maglocks are best for doors that require fail-safe locking. 

Whereas the electric strikes are ideal for fail-secure applications. While drilling and mounting hardware on the door, ensure proper alignment for seamless locking and unlocking. 

Install The Reader 

Mount the reader at an accessible height and consider using the mounting template to be assured of accuracy. 

Once done, route wiring from the reader to the control panel location. Do not forget to secure all cables using conduits or raceways for neat and safe wiring. 

Install The Control Panel 

Consider installing the control panel in a centralized and secure location, such as an IT room or a locked cabinet. Also, connect readers, door locks, power supply, and other devices such as exit buttons, motion sensors, and others. 

Label all wires to avoid confusion during troubleshooting. Failing to do so might result in a delay in solving the issue. 

Power And Network Setup 

Setting up the power and network is the next step. Connect the door access control system to the power source, most probably on the uninterruptible power supply (UPS). 

If it is a networked system, then you need to run the ethernet cable from the control panel to your network switch or router. Consider assigning static IPs if required for cloud access. But all this requires proper grounding, as this helps you to avoid power surges. 

Install And Configure 

Install the door access control system on a local server. You can also access it using the cloud-based platform. For this, you simply need to create an administrator account and add users and their credentials. 

Define the permissions for the specific users and the access schedules by door or zone. Also, set alerts and notifications for unusual activity. Some door access control systems also offer mobile apps for remote control and reporting. 

Connect and Test the System 

Testing is a must before putting the door access control system into operation. Consequently, conduct thorough testing to ensure that the system is working as planned or needs some fixes to be done. 

Test each reader to verify access for the authorized users, see if the system denies when an unauthorized user tries to access, and verify the door locks release properly. 

Also, review the software logs to ensure that the access events are getting recorded properly or not. Testing enables you to spot the issues and fix them before operating it. 

Ongoing Support and Maintenance 

The last step is ongoing support and maintenance. This also enables you to address the issues then and there only. 

The ongoing support and maintenance of door access control systems are a must to ensure optimal performance. 

Post Installation Tips and Maintenance for Door Access Control Systems

It’s not about merely getting the door access control systems installation done. You also need to maintain it well over time to ensure it performs its best and gives you the best return on your investment. This is what ensures safety. Have a glimpse into the post-installation tips and maintenance. 

Routine Maintenance 

Most businesses only care about getting the door access control systems installation done. But completely forget about the maintenance. This hampers the system’s performance. Consequently, get the routine maintenance done. 

The routine maintenance includes cleaning the readers and locks, testing batteries, and verifying the system’s response times and connectivity. 

User Management 

User management is also one of the most significant maintenance tips for businesses. The user’s access permissions need to be reviewed and updated at regular intervals. Remove access to former employees or the ones who have left the organization. 

For added security, businesses can also enforce credential expiration policies. Doing so will automatically expire the credentials of the person no longer working with you. 

Software Updates and Backups  

Updating the hardware and software on a routine basis is another add-on maintenance tip. This helps businesses identify vulnerabilities. Consider scheduling automatic backups to avoid data loss. 

Provide Training to Staff 

Most significantly, provide training to your staff and employees on how to use the door access control systems the right way. Teach your employees to use credentials properly, report issues, and respond the access denials. Conduct short training sessions or give them user guides to understand. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid During The Door Access Control Systems Installation 

Be sure to avoid these common mistakes during the door access control systems installation to be assured of seamless performance later on. 

• Missing to conducting the site survey, which in turn results in misplacement of readers and locks. 
• Improper cable management results in signal loss and damage over time. 
• An inadequate power supply can result in inconsistent lock performance. 
• Not adhering to the compliance requirements increases the likelihood of legal fines or penalties. 

Wrapping Up

Installing the door access control systems builds your market reputation and shows that you value your employees’ and customers’ safety over anything else. The next step? It’s best to hire a door access control system company to help you with the installation and ensure it is done in the right way.