With more and more apartments being built, keeping residents secure and safe has become a major priority for developers and building operators. In this regard, security devices from access control to intercoms serve as layers of defense that help protect people and properties.
With more and more apartments being built, keeping residents secure and safe has become a major priority for developers and building operators. In this regard, security devices from access control to intercoms serve as layers of defense that help protect people and properties.
“Door access control provides the first line of defense. It allows only the tenets with credentials to enter the building. The second line of defense controls visitors and delivery people. The third line of defense provides
surveillance of the area and provides video records of everyone on the premises. The fourth level of protection uses an IP paging system to keep people informed of any emergency situation, said a recent
technology note by Kintronics.
The fact that these technologies reside on the internet makes life easier for integrators, the note added. “Apartment building security network-attached security devices can provide walls of defense that increase safety in apartment buildings. All the technologies connect to the local area network, so they are easy to install and integrate,” it said.
Kintronics summarized the aforementioned technologies as follows.
Access control
Door access control and electric gates that control parking lots secure the entrances of an apartment building. “There are door readers that are controlled by card credentials,
smartphone and others that use biometrics. The credential-type readers are also called RFID or proximity door readers. They are easy to use but require the person to always carry the card. The credentials are also available as keyfobs that can be attached to a keyring. The latest door readers are connected to the network, so they are very easy to install,” the note said. “Biometric door readers can use a fingerprint, face or finger-vein to identify a person. These are more secure than the proximity or RFID readers because they identify the person rather than the credential (card) that they carry.”
Meanwhile, electric gates can be controlled using long-range readers, the note said, adding special readers use larger antennas to provide a range of over 40 feet. “This means a vehicle with a long-range credential can open the gate as the vehicle approaches,” the note said, adding there are a number of ways to integrate access control with the IP camera system.
IP intercoms for door access
According to the note, the
IP intercom is the second line of defense, providing access control for guests and delivery people. “The best IP intercoms include video so you can see the person at the door as well as talk to them,” the note said. “The new building intercoms are easy to install and communicate with an app on the resident’s smartphone. You can answer the door no matter where you are.”
IP camera systems
IP cameras, the third line of defense for apartment buildings, are used to monitor the activities of people who enter the apartment building. “They are positioned to watch all the doors, lobbies, hallways and parking areas. The intelligent cameras can send an alarm whenever motion is detected in certain areas. The video recording system allows you to review any activity. They can record crimes as well as record accidents. IP camera systems not only deter crime, they can reduce insurance rates,” the note said.
IP paging systems
Finally, an IP paging system can be used to notify people of any emergency situation. “If there is a fire, the security office can provide specific instructions to each floor, a single building or the entire campus. These IP speaker systems include the network interface and the amplifier providing an all-in-one solution that is very easy to install. This network attached speaker system attaches to the local area network so there is no extensive wiring required,” the note said.