Page 12 - Security Today, March 2019

Continued Integrity
Multi-phase access control upgrade moves from outdated legacy to updated networked solution
BFy Michael Bone
or the County of Travis in Austin, Texas, research, dedication and the right team resulted in the perfect integrated security solution for its sprawling campus and multi-location facilities. The Security Division of the Facilities Management Department (FMD),
which governs security projects for the County, realized its goal of a consolidated and upgraded access control, surveillance, intrusion and life safety platform with networked power that provides data on system integrity and assists with uptime and proactive monitoring and maintenance.
Travis County stretches some 35 miles and includes 81 different buildings ranging in age, size and overall purpose, encompassing more than three million square feet of office space. Some locations are historical buildings where project execution required a delicate hand. Occupied spaces also dictated detailed coordination so staff and community members would not be inconvenienced. The Coun- ty’s footprint includes courthouses, correctional facilities, commu- nity centers, clinics, data centers, labs, forensic center, fleet services, stadium, show barn and park ranger facilities. The city of Austin is growing dramatically, continually expanding the need for new facili- ties and services.
Goals and Challenges
Many of the access control systems were inherited from buildings ac- quired and converted to commercial space as the County grew. There was a mix of different types of systems in place at different buildings— and of course getting all those solutions to talk to each other and
10
0319 | SECURITY TODAY
report in a consistent manner was unwieldy at best. The goal was to move from the older legacy systems in place to a cohesive system that could be actively monitored, controlled and managed from a single user interface and platform. Key to these capabilities was an integrated power solution that could be proactive managed and monitored.
Some of the critical remote monitoring capabilities from the con- nected power solution installed by systems integrator Preferred Tech- nologies LLC (Pref-Tech), Houston, provide the end user real-time notification of AC loss, overcurrent alerts, low battery warnings and other intelligence that allows FMD to address situations before they progress to a dangerous or critical area.
During the project, currently ongoing and slated for completion in 2021, older access control was removed and migrated to newer readers and controllers and locks were also upgraded. Buildings de- ploy a full spectrum of different access control technologies, includ- ing barcode, proximity, smartcards and Bluetooth readers. New IP security cameras were added, as well as upgraded Category 5E and 6A structured cabling. The specification also calls for new parking management, alarm monitoring, security communications, intrusion detection and life safety systems.
One of the important criteria for the access control migration, according to Stephen Davis, CPP, PSP, PCI and Security Division Manager for the Facilities Management Department, was a cohe- sive solution that would allow the department to provide the best service to county departments and offices. The Travis County FMD manages and provides professional services for project management, planning, design, construction, maintenance, operations and leases.
ACCESS CONTROL
Steve Lagreca/Shutterstock.com