Access Control Systems
- Fob, card, code or biometric
- Lost fobs cancelled in seconds
- Fail-safe locking where required
- Fixed quote after survey
Access Control Systems
Keys get copied, lost and never returned. Access control replaces them with fobs, cards, codes or fingerprints that you can issue, change and cancel in seconds. You decide who can go where, and when, and you have a record of every door that's been opened.
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Control who goes where, and when
ICE Electrical installs access control for offices, plant rooms, server rooms, schools and residential blocks across London and the South East, wired and integrated by NICEIC-approved engineers.
Call 03335775805 to book a Site Survey.
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I’m here to help
By asking you a few questions either via phone or email I can immediately provide a realistic estimation of the cost.
Our access control treatment process
Step 1 Contact
Book a site survey or call 03335775805. Tell us which doors need control, who needs access and whether any are on escape routes.
Step 2 The Quote
We recommend readers, locks and software for each door, then send a fixed quote covering hardware, cabling, power supplies and setup.
Step 3 The Works
Our engineers fit locks, readers and controllers, install backed-up power and link escape-route doors to the fire alarm so they release safely.
Step 4 After care
Every door is tested, including fire alarm release, users are loaded and your team is shown how to manage access and run audit reports.
Emergency Hotline
03335775805
Helpline open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
When calling please have
the following ready:
- Your Name
- Company Name (if applicable)
- Site Postcode
- The problem you're having
- Email Address
Get a Quote
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FAQs
Pricing & Payment
How much does access control cost per door?
It depends on the reader type, the lock, the condition of the door and whether the system is standalone or networked. After surveying each door, we provide a fixed quote, so you can see exactly what's included before approving the work.
Booking & Response Times
Can you install access control without closing our office?
Yes. Most doors can be fitted in a few hours, and we plan the work around your opening times, including evenings and weekends where needed. Doors stay usable with keys until the new system is commissioned. Staff are issued credentials before switch-over.
The Work Itself
Can access control work with our CCTV and door entry?
Yes. Access control can be combined with door entry panels at the main entrance and linked with CCTV so you can see who used a door at a particular time. We'll design the systems to work together from the start.
What is the difference between standalone and networked access control?
Standalone systems control one or two doors independently. Networked systems manage many doors from one platform, with scheduled unlocking, access groups and full audit trails. Networked is usually better for multi-tenant buildings, larger offices and multi-site estates. A standalone system can often be upgraded to networked later.
Should we choose fobs, cards, keypads or biometrics?
Fobs and cards suit most offices and blocks. Keypads work for plant rooms and contractor areas. Biometric readers suit high-security rooms where a borrowed card isn't acceptable. Many sites use a mix, and we'll recommend what fits each door. Credentials can be mixed on one system.
Regulations & Compliance
What is the difference between fail-safe and fail-secure locks?
Fail-safe locks, such as magnetic locks, release when power is lost and are normally used on escape doors. Fail-secure locks stay locked without power and suit doors that aren't escape routes, such as server rooms or stores. We'll agree the right type for every door before installation.
Is it legal to lock doors on a fire escape route?
Escape doors can have access control, but they must release instantly in an emergency. That usually means fail-safe locks, a link to the fire alarm that releases doors when it activates, and a green break-glass unit beside the door for manual override.
Certificates & Paperwork
What records does an access control system keep?
Networked systems record every door event, including who used which credential, at which door and when. You can run reports for a specific person, door or time period, which is useful for security investigations and tenant disputes. Retention of these records can be set to suit your policies.
Guarantees & Aftercare
What happens if an access-controlled door fails?
Call 03335775805. A door stuck locked or unable to secure is treated as urgent, and our 24/7 engineers can be on site within 60 minutes to make it safe and get the door working. Any permanent repair is then booked at a time that suits you.
What happens if we lose an access fob or card?
You simply cancel it in the software and issue a new one. Unlike lost keys, there's no need to change locks. We'll show your team how to do this during handover, and we can manage users for you if you prefer.
Our experts can arrive on site within 60 minutes
- COVID-19 secure
- Nationwide coverage, available 24/7
- Able to arrive within 60 minutes of your call
- Free survey provided prior to quotation
- Emergency response team
- Offer a bespoke service designed to suit all your needs
- All technicians hold professional health and safety qualifications, including BICSc, IOSH, IPAF & Safe Contractor
Choosing how people get in
- Proximity fobs and cards: quick, familiar and cheap to replace. The most common choice for offices and residential blocks
- Keypads: useful for plant rooms, bin stores and areas used by contractors, with codes changed whenever you need
- Biometric readers: fingerprint or face recognition for high-security areas where a lent card isn't acceptable
- Smartphone credentials: access via an app, with no physical card to manage
- Combined readers: card plus PIN, for doors that need two levels of security
Many sites use a mix, for example fobs on the main entrance and biometric readers on a server room.
Standalone or networked?
Standalone systems control one or two doors with their own reader and controller. They suit small offices, single plant rooms or a block's bin store.
Networked systems manage many doors from one piece of software, often accessible from anywhere. You can set access levels by group, schedule doors to unlock during business hours, and pull an audit trail for any door, person or time period. For multi-tenant buildings and larger estates, this is usually the better long-term option.
Fire safety comes first
Locking doors on an escape route must never trap people inside. Every access-controlled door we install on an escape route is designed so it releases when it should:
- Fail-safe locks, such as magnetic locks, release when power is removed. They're normally used on escape doors
- Fail-secure locks stay locked without power. They're used where security matters more and the door isn't an escape route
- Fire alarm interface: escape doors are linked to the fire alarm so they release automatically when the alarm activates
- Green break-glass units beside the door give a manual override in an emergency
We'll agree the approach for every door with you, and with your fire risk assessor where needed, before installation.
Locks, doors and power
An access control system is only as reliable as the door hardware and power behind it. We check the door, frame and closer are in good condition, fit the right lock for the door type, and install dedicated power supplies with battery backup so doors behave predictably during a power cut.
For residential blocks, access control is often combined with door entry and intercoms at the main entrance and CCTV in the lobby.
Why ICE Electrical for access control?
- Escape-route doors designed to release safely, with fire alarm integration as standard
- Electrical supply, cabling and hardware installed by one NICEIC-approved contractor
- Systems sized for today with room to add doors later
- Software set up, users loaded and your team shown how to manage it
- Ongoing support and fault repairs, with 24/7 cover if a door fails
Take control of who goes where
Book a site survey and we'll recommend the right access control for each door, with a fixed quote. Or email enquiries@iceelectrical.co.uk.