Access Control

The preference from the ‘Health and Safety Executive’ is that access to high level areas are either restricted or prevented with plant placed at ground level. However, when access is required for complying with roof warrantees and also the clearing of debris with other maintenance issues, this is often impossible to achieve.
To find out the solution, Housing Association Magazine hears from SAFETYWORKS & SOLUTIONS MD Marco Norman, the UK’s leading ‘Safety at Height ’ experts...

From appliances to energy management, the role of ‘smart home’ technology continues to expand. Previously only seen in private homes, smart technology is making inroads into affordable housing too. This comes as no surprise to those in the industry, since Housing Associations are already taking advantage of technology for effective asset management or improving tenant comfort and wellbeing.

The unique challenges presented in the last year in particular have highlighted an increased need for effective online operations for Housing Associations – an advancement and evolution of the already growing digital shift within the housing sector. A key driver towards expanding and embedding digital in Housing Associations is the need to adjust ways of working in order to save money, time and overall resources. Plus, both parties benefit when Housing Associations are better connected to their tenants – from sharing information, to understanding and supporting a diverse range of needs.  

The past year has been challenging for everyone, regardless of industry, role or geographical location. However, with challenges can also come opportunities – and, for housing and property managers, the past year has brought in huge changes to ‘standard’ ways of working, as well as new technologies having been implemented to help property management run more smoothly.

Introducing Optimum, the ultimate control & site care system, which allows you to take full control of your energy centre, plant rooms and the entire network.
Examples include full alarming to various locations, integration to access control, fire systems, CCTV, lifts and more.

Optimum is a Building Energy Management System (BEMS) that was designed in house by Enerza in order to seamlessly integrate all services into one dashboard.

Access control and door entry is a huge responsibility, and challenge, for local authorities and housing associations UK wide.

Technology developments have enabled better entry systems that are far more secure yet also more convenient and easier to manage. Modern intercom and access control systems, remote management and communication is something that offers local authorities and housing associations features that enable them to reduce costs and cut their carbon footprints by managing multiple sites from one place.

One of East Scotland’s largest independent housing associations, Fife Housing, has teamed up with access control and door entry experts, Videx, to equip 84 flats in and around the Fife area with bespoke access control systems, that have been tailor made to meet the entry requirements of residents.

Working with installer Caledonia Fire and Security, Videx has supplied audio intercom systems to 14 blocks of flats, which each carry key features that make them an ideal access control solution for housing association tenants and their various entry needs. The panels are also fitted with Videx’s standalone offline proximity system, MiAccess, which is perfect as part of a multiple entrance system without the need to cable between devices.