Group 4 Technology SMS controls access at Avon Fire and Rescue Service

(15/06/2009)

Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) provides emergency and protection services to the communities of Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, covering an area of 134,753 hectares and a population of over one million.

While firefighting has traditionally been at the forefront of their work, AF&RS now have a wider remit – promoting community safety through events and education work, alongside attending a range of incidents and emergencies from road traffic collisions and fires, to flooding and chemical spills.

When locating to a new, groundbreaking Technical Centre in Avonmouth AF&RS selected to continue their existing 12 year relationship with Group 4 Technology.

The Technical Centre is the first of its kind in the UK, housing vehicle workshops, technical services department, central stores and driver training facility as well as all necessary administration and management support. The unique nature, high value of equipment and specialist services offered through this facility meant the security solution had to meet very specific requirements.

Group 4 Technology’s long standing relationship with AF&RS began by providing the security system for the Temple Back headquarters. The system at this site met all site security requirements so provided a starting point in determining the exact installation for the new Technical Centre. AF&RS also wanted the security system at the new facility to integrate with their headquarters, providing a networked solution across their sites.

When the new building was acquired by AF&RS the physical security was weak, consisting of a manual lock and key system. This existing solution was removed and Group 4 Technology installed the comprehensive Symmetry Security Management System (SMS) encompassing access control, identity & visitor management and badging to regulate movement throughout the site.

Contractors, visitors and all ranks of staff can have varying access rights controlled centrally through Symmetry. The system identifies each person by means of a card, which is presented to a reader located at the entrance to each access-controlled area. The system automatically grants or rejects access to the area, depending on the access rights set up for that user group. The user interface provides flexibility enabling sophisticated access rights to be set up quickly and easily to match each card holder’s individual needs.

Flexibility was a key requirement for AF&RS. With this facility being the first of its kind, AF&RS were keen the security solution offered a degree of flexibility enabling them to change and add to the system as needs evolved. The Symmetry SMS allowed AF&RS to establish the access control solution then add any additional features, such as photo identification, as required.

“We have always found the level of service to be of an excellent standard that not only meets but exceeds our expectations. This outstanding service has been proved once again with the successful installation of a second access management system at our recently refurbished Technical Centre” said Matthew Perriman, Building Surveyor Avon Fire & Rescue Service .

On-site the AF&RS Premises Support Officer manages the Symmetry SMS, monitoring and managing access throughout the Temple Back headquarters and the new Training Centre at Avonmouth. Centrally managing the multi-site solution saves time and administration overheads for AF&RS, while enabling them to react more quickly to required changes.

“Group 4 Technology have been working with Avon Fire and Rescue Service for over twelve years. We have always found the level of service to be of an excellent standard that not only meets but exceeds our expectations. This outstanding service has been proved once again with the successful installation of a second access management system at our recently refurbished Technical Centre” concluded Matthew Perriman.

Related topics:  Building access control system 

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