Schlage Computer-Managed Locks Enhance Security at University of Connecticut Health Center

IR Security & Safetys Electronic Access Control Division (EACD) has announced that over 600 doors at the University of Connecticut Health Center, with the numbers growing monthly, use standalone, battery-operated electronic access control (EAC) systems via computer-managed locks. These EAC systems, or CM (computer-managed) locks, are employed in areas that pose life safety hazards and security issues as well as general building access.

FORESTVILLE, CONN. -- March 20, 2003 -- IR Security & Safetys Electronic Access Control Division (EACD) today announced that over 600 doors at the University of Connecticut Health Center, with the numbers growing monthly, use standalone, battery-operated electronic access control (EAC) systems via computer-managed locks. These EAC systems, or CM (computer-managed) locks, are employed in areas that pose life safety hazards and security issues as well as general building access.

For instance, CM locks are used on the operating room doors, assuring only those that are supposed to be in those suites get in," attests Bruce McPherson, locksmith, University of Connecticut Health Center. Other locales include, but are not limited to, labs that contain radioactive or similar materials, areas in which drugs and related medical supplies are stored, and locations where critical electrical/mechanical equipment is housed.

As an example, the entire floor of one building is a lab and the only access to it is with a CM lock," adds McPherson. Oftentimes, our labs are used for a short period of time, maybe up to six months. Because we use CM locks here, we dont need to rekey locks or worry about how many keys are out there, just waiting to be improperly used after the students and researchers leave. CM locks are also used in areas of general access, such as the student lounge, where it is too impractical to issue a key to every student. Instead, we simply recode the lock every year."

According to McPherson, the Health Center also employs the standalone Schlage systems for doors that need to provide after-hours access for staff, allowing them easier access to their designated work areas, yet raising the level of security and providing an audit trail to identify who comes and goes and at what time.

This is especially imperative in areas such as laboratories and pharmacies, where it is important that records are kept of who gained access and when," emphasizes McPherson. We can use the audit information to rule out people that might be involved in an incident. Recently, in one of the labs, an experiment went awry. Much time and money was wasted. Having the in-and-out audits, we were able to narrow a list of many down to only three people and, from there, determined who was responsible for the problem."

The Schlage CM lock is a self-contained battery-powered card access device. It functions much like a hardwired system but at a fraction of the cost because everything is mounted right on the door. This eliminates the need for separate power supplies, controllers and miles upon miles of wiring.

These locks require very little maintenance, needing a battery change about once every three years. They are easy to install and offer every possible configuration option one can imagine. For instance, they are used with keypads, magnetic stripe cards, proximity cards, iButtons and even biometric HandReaders, allowing organizations to use their legacy access credentials.

The LockLink software used to program the locks also works on Von Duprin exit devices. By simply replacing the outside trim with the Locknetics on Board" version, organizations obtain instant card access.

I use both a laptop and PDA to program the EAC systems," informs McPherson. Without being an expert, you can design a management system with LockLink. Our existing database was easily imported. The software is straightforward and steps one through the program. For instance, you can list all doors to which an individual is supposed to have access. I was up and running on the software in an afternoon and it took only an hour to learn LockLink Express."

Serving approximately 1500 patients and visitors a day, the University of Connecticut Health Center, with 35 buildings totaling over 2 million feet and 8,000 doors, is composed of the School of Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, John Dempsey Hospital, the Uconn Medical Group, Uconn Health Partners and University Dentists. It is situated on 163 acres of wooded hilltop in historic Farmington, Conn.

About IR Security & Safetys Electronic Access Control Division
Since 1969, IR Security & Safetys Electronic Access Control Division (EACD) has provided premium electronic access control solutions, including electromagnetic locks, monitoring consoles, electromechanical locks and strikes, electrical and electronic exit devices, power supplies and controllers to security professionals and their customers. Leading brands such as Recognition Systems, Schlage, Locknetics on Board" and Von Duprin comprise the Electronic Access Control Division of IR Security and Safety, which serves an international clientele from its headquarters in Forestville, Conn. Phone is 866-322-1237. The IR website is www.irco.com.

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For a downloadable, high-resolution photograph from the University of Connecticut Health Center, go to www.brighamscully.com and click Photographs/IR Security & Safety.

For more information...

Jeff Koziol            
IR SECURITY & SAFETY
860-314-5209   
jeff_koziol@irco.com

Tom Brigham                 
BRIGHAM SCULLY            
818-716-9021                 
tbrigham@brighamscully.com