MediaCityUK, one of the UK’s largest construction projects, is using advanced contactless access control technology from SALTO Systems to control security across the entire site.
Developed by The Peel Group, MediaCityUK is now home to new headquarters for the BBC, ITV and their Coronation Street studio complex, as well as the University of Salford and more than 100 commercial businesses.
Located at Salford Quays on the banks of Manchester ship canal phase one of the MediaCityUK development, which is spread over 36 acres of the 200 acre site, has seen around £650 million invested. Designed around the specific needs of the media and creative industries, the bespoke community features one of the biggest HD studio complexes in Europe; commercial offices; 378 apartments; a brand new hotel and a spectacular waterfront public piazza.
“As a large commercial environment tailored access control system, the SALTO XS4 and GEO platform solutions are ideal for MediaCityUK ,” comments Paul Carr, Northern Area Manager of SALTO Systems. “Working in consultation with the many stakeholders on site we designed a highly secure and flexible access control system to meet all of the security requirements of MediaCityUK .
The advanced system design of the SALTO data-on-card access control system allows end users across the site to control their buildings in almost real time through the SALTO Virtual Network (SVN). This software allows the stand alone locks to read, receive and write information via their operating smart cards. Data is captured from the cards at SVN on-line hot spots located at strategic points in the many buildings which upload and download user related information that is then used to permit, control or deny access,” Carr continues.
The XS4 handles, GEO cylinders, panic bars and wall readers control in excess of 500 doors spread across the whole development, with buildings covered including the Orange Tower, Blue Tower, Multi-storey car park, Studio Block, Greenhouse, Public Realm (road blockers, gates and barriers) and two residential towers. Other users include SIS (Satellite installation services) who have their own SALTO solution but also have access to MediaCityUK doors i.e. they carry access permissions on one card for two systems. This is the same for ITV who also run their own system.
Ramesh Gurdev, Managing Director, SALTO Systems UK, says: “Key control was a major consideration from the outset of this project due to the size of the development and its future expansion potential, so a ‘keyless’ environment was an absolute prerequisite to control access and give MediaCityUK full control over their security requirements.”
