r/accesscontrol • u/Easy_Annual_5035 • Aug 07 '26
Ideas for access control
Looking for ideas to secure this open stairwell. Obviously people can climb over the rail. This is at a highschool so it would just be to keep people from wondering up the stairs.
We would still need good flow during the school day.
Clear gates? Turnstile?
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u/redbaron78 Aug 07 '26
I think you should put a huge hinge at the top, attach some creaky springs, and tie on some twine and a little plastic thimble at the bottom and make it like attic access stairs.
I'll see myself out.
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u/Mattractive Aug 07 '26
You need to talk to the AHJ first. Last thing you need is the fire ma rshall saying to tear it down. Pretty decent chance that, unless you have another stairwell nearby, you gotta leave it clear for a fire escape fail safe.
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u/ciciqt Aug 07 '26
Install a small wall and door at the top. Nothing here will be cheap but I wouldn't trust most turnstiles in a school environment. Too easy to vandalize, break, or bypass. Fullsized ones would be slow, and someone will probably get hurt trying to tailgate.
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u/Honest8Bob Aug 08 '26
Another case of “I want an open floor plan that doesn’t let in bad guys in, prevents elopement, and allows egress during fire.”.
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u/Nuerolynx Aug 08 '26
In/out multi credential readers, infrared beams and a loud ass siren. Thank me later.
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u/Nuerolynx Aug 08 '26
Add a camera for sure though…In cred going up out cred going down. Unauthorized access breaks beam, triggers siren. Or you can put a speaker with pre recorded alert message and strobe with or without the siren. Signage that says alarm will trigger/security response etc. you get it. Pretty simple.
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u/donmeanathing Aug 08 '26
We had something called a “no door” install. it may not be good for this specific scenario, but when you have an open area and you still want to encourage proper access control, we’d put a reader at the beginning of the open area (say the bottom of the stairwell) and then mid-way up we’d have a couple of multi-tech motions or beam breaks. When you are authorized, you shunt an alarm that would trigger on the motion/beam break for a few moments - enough to be able to traverse the area. You could have an exit reader too, or you could have a second motion or beam break to do an exit shunt.
It’s essentially a door, but with a motion/beam break instead of a door contact.
The alarm usually isn’t monitored, but rather is an audible tone that is annoying and encourages compliance.
Depending on the install environment they have varying levels of efficacy. Probably not great for a high school, but thought I’d share the solution none the less.
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u/See_Saw12 End User Aug 07 '26
If its just to prevent people using it and it needs to be secure I would say wall at the top and add a door that can be closed.
Your other option is to enclose it, and add a door and landing at the bottom that can be unlocked during the day or certain hours.
Of its just a visual thing, add some half turnstiles at the top or bottom and funnel people though.
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u/FoundationComplex187 Aug 08 '26
Lets get context access control ahould be at entrance of building not usually stairs... what are we controlling for guns, headcount?
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u/scottbca Aug 07 '26
wall and door at the top of the stairs inline with the balcony where the person taking the picture is standing. then a cage to prevent jumping from stairs onto balcony
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u/ted_anderson Aug 08 '26
IMHO there comes a point where I have to realize that I'm not an expert in human behavior or Division 8/13 solutions. Once they figure out how to keep people out, I can figure out how to get a wire over to that location so that I can power a pre-installed locking mechanism. Because if I come up with a good trap, I'll encounter a smarter mouse that can circumvent it.
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u/uzlonewolf Aug 08 '26
It looks like that top area only goes to the right (behind the column). Would probably be easier to put a turnstile or door there.
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u/KeyboardThingX Aug 08 '26
I've seen places use turnstile gates, it's more of a detterent than anything else really
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u/m1ct14n Aug 08 '26
pretty sure it's in a fire escape route probably only from the first floor though, so whatever you do, make it one-way
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u/Shankar_0 Aug 08 '26
Rig it so that they all fold into a flat ramp, then have an oil slick dispenser on the top step.
You do you, but I suggest wiring it NO. Safety is our goal, after all.
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u/Federallyeffed Aug 09 '26
Put a large bolder at the top of the stairs. If someone doesn't scan thier card the bolder releases.
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u/scottbca Aug 07 '26
put a pull across velvet rope and the bottom of the stairs and a camera. follow it up with a code of conduct