CBES has installed proximity readers, door controllers and management software at Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Kent. The products from Access Control Technology (ACT) make part of an IP-addressable system.
The access equipment is controlling access to more than 200 doors including critical areas such as operating theatres, casualty, pharmacy, admissions and high-dependency units. Access control and CCTV have been interfaced with the hospital’s baby tagging to provide more security on maternity wings where about 100 babies are born each week.
Tunbridge Wells is using ACTpro 1040 multi-format proximity readers which are supporting MIFARE cards. CBES opted for cards in which identity details are embedded behind a sector, an extra level of precaution which reduces the risk of card cloning. As well as cards, the readers also support fobs. They generate Clock and Data or Wiegand output and feature tri-colour LED indication as well as a bleep tone for audible indications.
As with any hospital, the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust required equipment that would balance ease of access in emergency situations with appropriate controls in clinical areas. ACT’s access control management software is giving the hospital a system with a hierarchy of access rights for staff members according to job profile. The database allows distinctions to be made between clinical and non-clinical staff, the areas of practice for surgical and nursing personnel as well as basic criteria such as gender and likely shift patterns.
The readers at Tunbridge Wells are being used with ACTpro 4000 two-door controllers which are designed for high-traffic volumes in environments such as a hospital where changes to the cardholder database are a regular occurrence. Networkable up to 4000 doors, the ACTpro 4000 can manage up to 60,000 users. These controllers excel in data reading and encoding which allow ACTWinPro to function alongside an institution’s core personnel/enrolment system.
CBES have commissioned a fully integrated electronic security solution at the hospital using Pelco CCTV cameras and Galaxy intruder alarms from Honeywell. Dublin-based ACT adds that its access control equipment integrates with all major brands of intruder alarm.
The Tunbridge Wells Hospital has attracted international interest. It is the first National Health Service hospital in England to provide single en-suite in-patient rooms which number 436. The A & E department at Tunbridge Wells Hospital treats 65,000 patients on average every year. Built by Laing O’Rourke at a cost of £225m and opened in 2011, the hospital has a trauma centre, accident and emergency department, orthopaedic centre and women and children’s centre.
About the installer
CBES is a construction, security, mechanical and electrical and risk management company. The security systems division covers access control, CCTV, perimeter protection, intruder detection and security tagging. As well as healthcare, the division works in retail, education and the automotive industry. CBES has won RoSPA awards, is SSAIB-certificated and holds relevant BSI/ISO certification in all its operational areas.
About Access Control Technology (ACT)
Access Control Technology (ACT) Ltd was formed in 1995 and has clients such as Coca-Cola, Twickenham Stadium and Asda Stores Ltd. ACT recently acquired Sicura Systems. Upcoming is the launch of the ACTVIQUEST range of integrated VMS and access control. ACT have also launched their Cloud-based workforce management web site www.actcloud.net promoting visitor management (ACTvisitor) and Time and Attendance (ACTontime). ACT offices are in Dublin, Ireland and Manchester. Visit: www.accesscontroltechnology.com
