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It's not unusual for a building to house a combination of business, residential, retail outlets and leisure facilities.

This ‘mixed-use' concept is showing no sign of slowing down. With each individual entity concerned about who has access to its square meters, mixed-use buildings are helping to fuel the growth of access control systems in the region.

Technologically, access control is a secure system that monitors objects or people throughout a building, effectively providing electronic records of when and where users enter and exit.

Security personnel can help regulate and monitor access control by ensuring each authorised person carries their access card with them at all times. Visitors can be asked to report to reception and given a visitor's pass, only allowing them access to certain areas.

But access control isn't just about technology and systems. Technology is only as effective as the person using it. With this in mind, FMs need to make sure the person using the equipment has received the right training.

FM's should also consider the possibility of a security breech. With well-trained security personnel, if an intruder is observed by CCTV, or an alarm triggered, security guards may be able to contain the problem, locking down access and trapping the intruder.

If access cards are issued and used correctly, FMs will be able to monitor movement within a building. As technology develops and is updated, more intricate and advanced methods of security are being implemented in access control systems.

Radio frequency identification, (RFID) is used as an automatic identification method. It stores and retrieves data using devices called RFID tags or transponders. The tags can be attached to an object, animal or person for identification or tracking purposes and work via radio waves.

When coupled with smart cards, RFID can have up to eight lines of information that can be linked to various technologies. High-frequency RFID tags are being used in building access control, replacing previous magnetic strip cards with proximity cards.

Proximity cards could be described as ‘intelligent access control cards'. They can automatically detect when authorised personnel are approaching the building and validate their entry.

Another form of advanced access control is biometrics. This is an elaborate security system that typically analyses unique traits of an individual in order to authorise access. The accuracy of a biometric system is its selling point, as it can scan fingerprints, irises, measure hands or even detect and analyse a person's voice patterns.

In a region where development is on the rise, access control is a security measure FM's must consider.

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