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Change is inevitable - but good management of facility security is your choice

Boon Edam Australia

By John Powell, National Technical Manager, Boon Edam Australia

 

Entrance technology is constantly evolving, so keeping your external and internal ingress and egress up to date is essential to maintaining performance and security.

 

No matter how excellent your technology was when it was installed, it doesn’t stay that way forever. In just about any field, good technology requires good maintenance to maintain its value. And the time will likely come when what was great when it was installed by the design, construction, engineering, or facility manager, is no longer the best “fit for purpose.”

 

Take the example of revolving doors, used globally and in Australasia to regulate traffic flow, exclude threats and enhance energy efficiency, with their always open/always closed functionality. Even these strong, long-lasting portals, like all entrances, go through several phases in their lifetimes, each giving the opportunity to improve ROI through upgrades, preventative maintenance and retrofits.

 

The same evolution is true of complementary speed gate entrance control systems designed for high-traffic areas like office buildings, as well as high-security areas such as logistics, telecommunications, financial and data centre areas, where they provide a secure and efficient way to allow authorised individuals to pass through quickly, while preventing unauthorised access.

 

Recent revolving door and speed gate technology advances include biometrics including fingerprint and retinal ID and touchless entry for safeguarding against both contact with virus, allergens, infectious diseases, and other surface-borne illnesses, many of which are also capable of airborne spread that can be curtailed by revolving doors’ continuous airlock functionality (Remembering that one in five Australian adults are affected by hay fever, allergic rhinitis, and the hundreds of thousands of cases of flu each year).

 

Management of these evolving technologies is increasingly integrated with building automation systems to improve user experience, energy efficiency, and security in various settings, while evolving advances in materials and security extending right through to burglar- and bullet-resistant performance.

 

Entrances can now also be equipped with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology for enhancing safety and accessibility, as well as being integrated with access control systems for enhanced security. 

 

But even the most versatile and durable doors require programmed attention to continue to prevent disruptions that could, if allowed to happen, inconvenience thousands and result in significant costs. A malfunctioning security door or access system of any design, can not only disrupt access, but also expose vulnerabilities, potentially requiring costly guard deployment at best, and breaches at worst.

 

Upgrading and Retrofitting Entrances for Enhanced Performance

 

A sustainability strategy that includes service, retrofits, and upgrades can significantly extend the life of your entrance products. This "cradle to cradle" approach ensures that, with proper care, there is no end to the usability of these products. They can be enhanced with new technology or retrofitted to function like new, providing excellent ROI for end users. They can complement or replace sliding or hinged doors to improve security while also offering immediate and long-term gains in internal energy efficiency.

 

The first step in deciding whether to upgrade or retrofit your entryway systems is to thoroughly evaluate your current infrastructure. Conduct a comprehensive assessment to pinpoint outdated equipment and potential vulnerabilities. Look for signs of wear and tear, obsolete technology, and areas where security might be compromised.

 

Setting clear security objectives is crucial. Are you primarily concerned with preventing unauthorised access, enhancing surveillance, or improving emergency response capabilities? Involving key stakeholders in this process - including technology and hardware providers - ensures that all potential risks are considered and that the chosen solutions align with the organisation's overall security strategy.

 

The retrofits and upgrades resulting can not only enhance security and performance, but also contribute to environmental sustainability. By upgrading existing systems rather than opting for a full rebuild, you significantly reduce landfill waste, supporting your facility’s green initiatives and minimising environmental impact.

 

Planning for long-term security investments is also essential when looking beyond today’s needs. Proactive budgeting for upgrades and retrofits can prevent costly emergency repairs and replacements. Consider the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), including maintenance and future upgrades, to ensure a sustainable investment. This approach enhances security and ensures efficient and cost-effective management of entryway systems.

 

Service for Long-Term Product Longevity

 

When managing security entrances, the day-to-day upkeep may become an afterthought, left to ad hoc processes or, worse, just repairing systems as they show signs of age or failure.

 

Bear in mind that not all providers offer the same levels of ongoing service and support, which can significantly impact the TCO over the life of the entrance. So deal with maintenance companies that have an ongoing commitment to the operation and reputation of their technology, not just making the sale and leaving the premises.

 

A reliable service agreement spanning a lifetime of equipment ensures that your entrances remain operational for the longest time, avoiding unexpected breakdowns that can disrupt your facility and add unforeseen expenses and risk management liabilities.

 

In this context, preventative maintenance is crucial for protecting your entrance investment. Regular inspections, including applying lubricants, replacing worn parts, and upgrading software, are essential for maximising product longevity. By incorporating preventative maintenance into your service agreement, you not only extend the life of your entrances but also avoid costly, unexpected failures.

 

A tailored service agreement provides a range of benefits: predictable budgeting, proactive management, and discounts on parts and labour. With regular maintenance scheduled at least twice a year, you can ensure that your entrances operate smoothly, relieving your facility staff from the pressure of managing these systems and allowing them to focus on other areas of expertise.

 

The Smart Choice: Benefits of a Service Agreement

 

Investing in a service agreement for your entrance systems offers a range of benefits that ensure smooth operations and long-term reliability. Regular inspections should be conducted at least twice a year.

 

A service agreement also allows for predictable budgeting, helping you avoid costly surprise failure, downtime, expense and statutory compliance and reputational failure. This proactive management approach relieves your facility staff from the pressure of managing these systems, continuously saving you money over time – rather than scrimping a few savings up front, and pushing the expenses of poor decisions further down the chain for someone else to cope with later.

 

Key benefits of a service agreement include:

 

• Regular inspections: Maintain optimal entrance performance with regular inspections that should be conducted as per manufacturers recommendation, based on particular product type, or customised to the needs of different systems
• Predictable budgeting: Eliminate unexpected costs and downtime with tailored programmes.

• Tailored solutions: Customise the agreement to fit your facility's unique needs and traffic patterns. No two facilities are exactly alike.

• Proactive management: Free your staff to focus on their primary responsibilities.
• Cost savings: Benefit from discounts on parts and labour.

• Ensuring equipment is operating as designed. This is important both from a safety and a security perspective, including ongoing compliance with statutory regulation.

 

Sustain and Future-Proof Your Security Entrances 

 

With proper service, well-planned upgrades, and strategic retrofits, your security entrances can last a lifetime.

 

Our Boon Edam "cradle to cradle" philosophy ensures that, with regular maintenance and timely updates, products including can provide continuous, reliable performance over extended periods.

 

The oldest Boon Edam revolving door still in service is the Tourniket, first produced in 1903. Initially a manual revolving door, it has been updated with modern technology but remains a popular choice for diverse projects. 

 

Continuity, evolution, and innovation are in the blood of our company, which has celebrated more than 150 years in businesses.

 

Refreshing your systems with upgraded technology, or retrofitting them to be like new again, offers a great return on investment, ensuring your facility remains secure and efficient indefinitely.

 

Take care of your products, and they will take care of your security needs, today, and in the future.

 

About the Author

 

John Powell is the National Technical Manager for Boon Edam Australia, overseeing service and installation operations across the country. He manages the nationally recognised service and installation team and is responsible for service and maintenance operations. Mr. Powell also leads Boon Edam's efforts in providing audits and condition reports for revolving and security doors.

About us:

About Boon Edam

With work environments becoming increasingly global and dynamic, smart, safe entry has become the centre of activity in and around many buildings. Royal Boon Edam is a global market leader in reliable entry solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, with 150 years of experience in engineering quality, we have gained extensive expertise in managing the transit of people through office buildings, airports, healthcare facilities, hotels, and many other types of buildings. We are focussed on providing an optimal, sustainable experience for our clients and their clients. By working together with you, our client, we help determine the exact requirements for the entry point in and around your building.

Contact details:

Jack Mallen-Cooper
PR Consultant
Whyte Public Relations
(02) 9901 4306
[email protected]