Without security, the increased liability may impact many areas of a business

At its core, an access control system allows users to move through a facility according to a set of pre-defined privileges. Users carry and present "electronic" keys to readers, which then interact with a control unit and a "key" database to accept or reject the user's key. If accepted, the system will allow the user through the door by energizing a door lock to open. If rejected, the user cannot pass through the door.

Ask yourself the following questions:

Do you have security concerns with specialized areas of your facility?

Access control can limit access by unauthorized people to designated areas (ie. Computer rooms, testing or development labs, and executive offices) thus providing enhanced security against theft of material, intellectual property and proprietary documentation.

Do you have employees who you do not want in the building before or after hours?

Access control can be used to allow such employees (ie. Contractors, seasonal labor, etc.) into only their designated work spaces at specific times. Certain rules can be applied to prevent access unless a supervisor has already entered the facility.

Do you wish to track and monitor employee movement within your facility?

Employee traffic patterns can be developed. Additionally, if a problem occurs within the facility history logs can be reviewed to narrow down potential candidates to review.

Do you want to provide customized zone control for employees?

Using access control integrated with lighting and HVAC systems can help control and manage energy consumption. For example, keying into a zone will turn on heat and lights, not before.

Reduce energy costs through intelligent energy management

Energy management implies some level of control over the timing and the amount of energy usage. Controllable energy in a building is primarily expended in:

• Building environment (HVAC)
  
• Lighting
  
• Processes

Government regulations mandate an environmentally friendly design

A Building Automation Systems can deliver the control required for real energy savings. What about LEED Certification? Twenty points in the LEED Certification Program can be implemented or partially facilitated through a Building Automation System. Additional points can be applied for based on the novel or unique use of the Building Automation System to achieve sustainability.

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Freedom to Choose

So many manufacturers, so many choices!

The Open System standard brings together any variety of manufacturers and/or systems within your building to a single, open network. Circon has partnered with a number of specialized manufacturers to provide you with a wealth of integrated, interoperable applications. Circon Systems can turn your building into a valuable productivity tool.

This is an example of a typical scenario for an application of the Circon Integrated Building Automation System.

At 8:45am on a Sunday, Susan arrives at her place of work; a two-story office building automated by a Circon open architecture control system. She presents her ID card to a card reader to unlock the door. Upon card presentation the lights automatically turn on inside the lobby and in her work area. She notices she is the only one in the building and enters the building code into the keypad, disarming the security monitoring system in her area.

Susan recognizes the familiar silent hum of the HVAC system starting up, quickly bringing the air temperature to a comfortable level in her work area. On a regular workday, these same systems would have already been on according to the buildings work schedule. Only the maintenance staff knows that the heating equipment has built in LonWorks control, connecting seamlessly to the Circon System. This has reduced the frustration resulting from single source supply options and expensive maintenance contracts.

Several other employees arrive throughout the morning opening doors with their ID cards, each entry logged and recorded by the system. Motion detectors throughout the office tell the Circon System which areas are occupied, providing lighting and heating only as needed, reducing energy costs and consumption.

At 4:15pm, the last employee is ready to leave. He enters the arming code, a siren blasts and the lighting blinks, letting any stragglers know that the alarm system is about to be set off. All but emergency lights are turned off automatically, and the heating/cooling system is "set back" for the night to conserve energy. Security monitoring is armed as soon as he leaves. All these systems are integrated seamlessly as one, saving the maintenance staff from the frustration of computer clutter.

If a break in occurred during the night, if a fire broke out, or if a critical piece of equipment fails, the Circon System would inform an off-site monitoring station over a dedicated phone line. The station operator would then dispatch the police, fire department, or maintenance personnel immediately.