Building Security: Preventing and Detecting Unauthorised Access

Post by: admin - June 12, 2018
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Every business, building or site is different. The best Access Control Equipment for you may not be the same as for the business next door. The best way to prevent and detect unauthorised access is by identifying and understanding your particular security weak spots.

So what are the most common weak spots for unauthorised access into buildings and how do you prevent them?

Tailgating

Tailgating is probably the easiest way to gain access to a building without authorisation. The perpetrator just waits for someone to enter and follows behind them. Many people will even hold the door open for an unauthorised person out of politeness.

Training your staff on this matter is a good prevention method. Creating a culture in the office of politely questioning anybody they don’t recognise will reduce the risk of unauthorised access. This does leave significant room for error however and in larger companies, may not be realistic.

Turnstiles or Flap Barriers are a good way of eliminating tailgating. They only allow one person to enter at a time which slows foot traffic down and allows front of house staff time to observe and identify people as they arrive.

Turnstiles with swipe cards, camera or intercom features will add the extra level of security by only allowing access to authorised personnel and eliminating an intruder’s opportunity to tailgate behind them.

Door Propping

Humans are always looking for the most convenient way to do something, it’s in our nature. You could invest in the most high-tech control access equipment but if people are propping the door so that they don’t have to keep opening it, your systems are suddenly redundant.

Some access control systems can now detect when a door is propped open and alert security accordingly. Another way to resolve the issue is to invest in automatic doors complete with state of the art door sensors.

Keys and Access Cards

Giving keys to staff members makes you vulnerable to human error. People lose keys, misplace them or they can easily be stolen. Many people also have key-rings with the company’s name on them which makes it easy for burglars to identify your building as a target should the keys fall into the wrong hands.

Access cards are the more advanced version of keys as they are registered to a particular person. Cards can track who entered the building and when and can also be used as identification if a photo is included. It is usually easier and cheaper to block access to a card than it is to replace all of the locks should a key or card be lost.

Cards are however still susceptible to human error. To minimise the risk, ensure that the company name or address is not visible so that if it is lost, misplaced or stolen, the building cannot be identified.

What Access Control Equipment Should I Use?

Ultimately, most types of security systems have their own weak spots and your best option may be to utilise multiple security measures in conjunction with each other in order to truly minimise risk. Look at our catalogue of security and access control equipment to find the right combination for you.

What are your weak spots when it comes to Building Security? Leave a comment below, or for expert advice on the best security measures for your building, contact us today.

Improving Safety and Security with Turnstiles

Post by: admin - March 19, 2018
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Controlling access is one of the greatest security and safety challenges for property and event managers. They have a responsibility to protect customers and their own staff from threats ranging from armed robbery right up to terrorist attacks.

The great benefit of turnstiles is that only one person at a time can enter a building or enclosure – there’s no tailgating of an unauthorised person behind an authorised one.

This means turnstiles have a major part to play in creating a safe environment for staff and customers, whether it’s at industrial premises, a sports event, concert or even a Boxing Day sale.

In fact, Security Magazine reported in January that sales of turnstiles have increased markedly in the past few years because of increased security fears around the world.

The benefits of turnstiles

Turnstiles slow foot traffic, giving security and reception staff a chance to spot trouble before it occurs. They monitor and manage the movement of visitors and staff, permitting a steady flow of people so tickets can be checked, passes validated and numbers counted.

The modern breed of turnstiles, including flap barriers and waist high turnstiles, can be integrated with other security features such as swipe cards or cameras, with employee time cards to record arrival and departure times, and with bar code readers to detect pilfering and theft on exit.

They can also be used to prevent unauthorised entry – whether intentional or not – to secure or dangerous areas such as construction, industrial or mining sites, particularly when using full-height security turnstiles.

Australian-made turnstiles with Rotech

Rotech’s TriStar Full Height Turnstile is the first Australian-made product of its type and comes with multiple security and safety options.

• It is bi-directional and can be set to entrance only, exit only or used both ways, then locked outside opening hours.
• A soft start and stop feature makes it easy to use, even for a small child.
• High, wide entrance allows easy entry for personnel wearing hard hats and carrying tools.
• The frame and rotor are galvanised, and stainless steel is an option.
• High-capacity drive mechanism supports all types and sizes of rotating arms.
• Battery back-up can operate the turnstile to for up to 3000 cycles during power outages.
• Turnstile roof prevents unauthorised and unseen entry at unattended exits.
• Compatible with all access control systems.
• Can incorporate an alcohol breathalyser to prevent entry to working sites by personnel who have been drinking.
• Optional solar panel operation for remote areas or building sites.

Rotech prides itself on bringing the latest trends in automated security to Australia. Contact us to discuss how our turnstiles can help boost safety and security at your premises or major event.

How Retail Gates Can Help Stop Thieves in Their Tracks

Post by: admin - October 9, 2017
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Theft is a key concern for retail businesses around the world. Figures from the Global Retail Theft Barometer, published by Inside Retail, reveal that shoplifting and employee theft are the biggest causes of retail shrinkage, which costs Australian retailers nearly $3 billion every year.

Let’s take a look at some trends in retail theft, and how retail security gates can help supermarkets and other retail stores to deter thieves.

Risk factors and trends in retail theft

The Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) states there are a number of risk factors and trends in retail theft. These include:

• Store floorplans with numerous exits and easy-access change rooms can give sticky-fingered shoppers the chance to conceal goods and slip out undetected.
• Stores without security guards or gates have an increased theft risk.
• Teenagers make up a huge chunk of the shoplifting population.
• Catching shoplifters is difficult and rarely happens.
• Background checks and well-communicated anti-theft policies can be useful in cutting down on employee theft.

The role retail security gates can play in deterring theft

According to the AIC, research shows that access control is one of the most effective measures, alongside employee education, for reducing theft within a retail setting. Interestingly, the combined research studies note the impact of standalone CCTV as unclear and suggest it is most effective when implemented as part of a larger multi-faceted approach, while access control showed marked effectiveness on six out of seven occasions.

How Rotech can help

At Rotech, we specialise in access control solutions. Our Ecoport automatic supermarket gate is a functional and reliable access solution for all retail environments, including:

• Supermarkets
• Pharmacies
• Liquor stores
• Automotive and discount stores
• Gymnasiums and sporting venues

The Ecoport is safe, fast and secure, featuring electronic sensing monitors, adjustable microwave radar that allows for fast opening as soon as a person is detected, anti-tampering mechanisms that sound an alert if someone tries to force the gate and can be reset without expert knowledge, and a durable 6mm thick steel housing.

The chrome finish looks polished and attractive and suits all retail settings. You can even add matching barrier rails and posts to guide customers beyond the pay point. Set up couldn’t be simpler. Operating optimisation and testing occurs in our workshop, allowing for an economical installation at your premises.

When it comes to retail theft, the old adage about prevention being better than cure rings true. When shoplifters or thieves aren’t caught, goods aren’t recovered. Restricting access with an automatic gate makes it harder for a thief to abscond – so much harder they might even reconsider pilfering the product in the first place.

The Ecoport automatic supermarket entrance gate is one of many solutions in Rotech’s range of retail security gates. Talk to us about how we can help you reduce the risk of theft in your retail business.

Rotech Boom gate and pedestrian Gate combo saving lives

Post by: admin - January 31, 2017
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Workplace Health & Safety Laws in Australia are among the toughest in the world.  While a safe working environment is a high priority for most businesses – when safety issues are ignored the costs are high – both for the person injured and for the business.

From 2003 to 2015:

• over 7400 work-place injuries were caused by forklift accidents in Australia
• 50% of forklift accidents involved pedestrians and resulted in 68 pedestrian deaths.

                                                                                                              (Ref: Comcare.gov.au and Worksafe)

In a recent case where a forklift accident caused a severe injury to an employee, a well-known manufacturer was ordered to pay a civil penalty of $150,000 for the breach.

Minimising the Risk

In a situation where employee walkways cross areas where heavy industrial vehicles are operating there is the potential for something to go terribly wrong – it is simply a matter of time.

An obvious solution to this problem is to separate pedestrians from forklifts.  While designated pedestrian walkways do separate the vehicle traffic from pedestrian thoroughfares it doesn’t go far enough, particularly in areas where the pedestrian traffic and the forklift traffic intersect.

This situation can be easily managed with the installation of automatic pedestrian swing gates on the walkway and a boom gate across road.  Electric locking mechanisms manage the operation of the gates to ensure only one gate is open at a time.

If you are looking for a solution to a vehicle or pedestrian access control issue – we are confident that, with our extensive range and high level of expertise, we will be able to provide you with a customised resolution to suit your situation.

Rotech’s range of automatic boom gates are designed to ensure quick, safe and secure vehicle access control.

Our pedestrian swing gate openers with electronic safety and positive locking provide the safest and most efficient option for industrial gates.

Rotech offers multiple options across our considerable product range including solar powered equipment. Customised solutions can also be provided for specific applications involving vehicle or pedestrian access control.

For more information about our product range call Alan Roberts at Rotech on (07) 3250 1123.

Gate Openers Improving Passengers’ Safety and Mobility

Post by: admin - July 29, 2015
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Passenger safety and mobility are two of the biggest concerns in public transport. This is why the government invests millions of dollars on state of the art equipment, such as CCTV cameras and automated doors and gate openers, to improve security and facilitate efficient flow of traffic in public terminals.

Manual and automatic gates, including turnstiles and boom barriers, offer many benefits to passengers and staff of public transport systems, from bus and ferry terminals, to airports and train stations. They not only improve safety and security by adding an extra layer of protection for crowd control and crime prevention, but these manual and automatic security gates ensure fast and efficient flow of traffic by facilitating the movement of passengers.

4 Simple Steps to Maintaining Turnstiles and Pedestrian Barriers

Post by: admin - June 2, 2015
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Is there a need to maintain turnstiles and other pedestrian access equipment?

As they are built to withstand prolonged and multiple use, turnstiles and pedestrian barriers such as flap gates, drop arm barriers and supermarket gates require very little maintenance once installed. However, like any equipment, it is a good idea to check them over once in a while. These machines are your investments after all, and to make the most of your investments you need to take care of them and make sure that they continue to function properly and last a long time.

There are only a few simple steps you need to follow in order to maintain the quality and performance of your pedestrian access control solutions:

1.  Clean them regularly. In retail areas pedestrian access control equipment is made to look visually pleasing. To keep them looking as good as when you brought them it is important to clean them regularly. Surfaces should be cleaned with a soft cloth and, where applicable, a good stainless steel cleaning product. Avoid using harsh cleaners as these may only damage or leave marks on any mirror finish.

2.  Check for dents, scratches and marks. Abuse of any pedestrian access equipment is the most common reason that the device may need repair or replacement. Closely monitor   your equipment and check for parts that are damaged. For full height turnstiles, check for slight bending or leaning of arms; this may signify loose rotor brackets that must be attended to before they get worse. Flaps on flap barriers and arms on supermarket gates should also be checked to ensure they have not been manually forced in any way. This might cause misalignment preventing them from opening or closing correctly.

3.  Preventative maintenance. Full height and waist height turnstiles are fully sealed with an IP65 protection. However the drop arm and flap barriers do need to be cleaned when necessary of general grime and insect infestations to keep them in optimal working order.

4.  Lubricate once a year. Use a synthetic grease to lubricate the moving parts of your machine at least once a year.

With these simple steps, you can greatly improve the longevity and durability of your turnstiles and other pedestrian barriers.

For high quality turnstiles, flap barriers, supermarket gates and gate openers, contact Rotech. We supply a superior range of pedestrian access control solutions, as well as vehicle access control solutions for a variety of applications. Get in touch with us today.

Australian Made Portable Turnstile with Solar Power in Turnstiles

Post by: admin - August 5, 2014
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The new and improved TriStar FH full-height turnstile is based on the 15 year old Sentinel FH design, but with many new features and improved operation. It is the first Australian-made product of its kind.

The new turnstile is now easier to use than ever, and with a soft start and stop feature, it is also extremely safe, even for children. We have changed the design of the turnstile rotor to give it a more open appearance, yet not compromising on the security.

The TriStar FH is a bi-directional turnstile with a galvanised frame and rotor; it can also be made from 304 or 316 stainless steel and on request, can be powder coated in specific colours to suit your requirements. The TriStar FH could be operated for up to 3000 cycles without mains power, with a battery back-up.

It is eco-friendly and can also work on solar power, solving the problem of power supply and helping to reduce costs, as the 240V power cables wouldn’t be required. Additionally, we can provide a portable base to enable easy movement and transfer of this free standing turnstile from one site to another. Also compatible with all access control, card and proximity systems, it enables you to easily integrate the turnstile into any security system.

With an in-built status indication feature, it lets you know when the turnstile is in operation, closed, or whether it has been manually released. It also has a warning light option that flashes if the status of the turnstile is interrupted for more than 10 seconds. We can also provide the TriStar FH turnstile with a roof and an anti-climb mesh, for additional security. The FH is created to provide our customers with a safe and secure method of access control with multiple features. We provide a 2-year guarantee on the mechanism of the turnstile.

Turnstiles: Providing Secure Access to Your Facilities

Post by: admin - April 29, 2013
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Installing access control systems is essential to secure any site or establishment from unwanted or unauthorised personnel. One of the most common options businesses use in their facilities are turnstiles. Turnstiles monitor access to specific areas in a site by allowing or restricting passage to authorised personnel.

Before investing in these security systems, however, it is necessary that you learn more about the many types of turnstiles to ensure that your investment offers you the best value for money.

If you need durable and quality turnstiles for your industrial or commercial establishment, our team at Rotech can assist you.  Along with an array of door and gate automation equipment we are also one of the leading suppliers of turnstiles in Australia.We are fully capable of providing you with the system that best suits your requirements.

Types of Turnstiles

Rotech is confident that our range of turnstiles and access solutions will suit most applications. Rotech’s turnstiles are of excellent quality and are aesthetically pleasing so they will complement any building design.

• Full height turnstiles – full height turnstiles are ideal for use in areas where the highest security is required, such as industrial plants and military installations. Rotech’s Sentinel series of full height turnstiles offers the greatest degree of security especially in facilities where there are unmanned access points. The Sentinel series allows two-way traffic, 15 people per minute throughput and are compatible with all access control systems.
• Waist height turnstiles – these are the most common types of turnstiles used to regulate pedestrian access in buildings such as offices and gyms. Rotech offers two types of waist height turnstiles: TriStar J series and TriStar E series. Our waist height turnstiles are bi-directional, with memory input, compatibility with all access cards and 25 people per minute throughput.
• Supermarket gates and turnstiles – Retail stores require a high quality finish on gates and turnstiles designed for pedestrian access control in supermarkets, canteens and self-service stores. Our Bulwark Manual Supermarket Turnstiles and Gates allow one-way traffic and are used along with barrier rails to guide customers to the pay point.

 

Benefits of Installing Turnstiles

• Security – turnstiles improve the level of security onsite by providing a physical barrier to stop unauthorised entry or entry without the proper identification. Security teams can also easily keep track of the people going in and out of premises as turnstiles restrict access to one person at a time.
• Savings – installing turnstiles can also bring savings to businesses as the need for security personnel can be reduced, although not completely removed. Guards can focus more on what should be done, which is security enforcement, instead of verifying IDs.
• Convenience – since our waist height and full height turnstiles offer very fast throughput, those with authorised access to facilities can get in and out of the site conveniently without having guards checking the identity of each person.

 

Turnstiles can be the first line of defence in your facility, so make sure to choose only the high quality turnstiles from Rotech. Contact us today and let our team help you create a more safe and secure environment.