Design who goes where
Drop doors onto a floor plan (upload your own, or use our sample) and assign readers and zones — or switch to List mode to type out each door and the parts on it. We size the controllers and pricing automatically.
1 · Pick a reader & zone, then tap the plan to add a door
How access control works with the rest of your system
Door entry isn't a separate silo. Your readers, locks and door controllers sit in the same single app as your AI cameras, intruder alarm and fire detection, so events on one trigger sensible action on the others.
Doors and alarm in one app
Manage credentials, schedules and door status alongside your AI cameras and Ajax intruder, fire and panic devices in a single app. No separate logins, no jumping between systems.
Every door event pulls footage
When a door is opened, forced or held open, the camera covering it ties a clip to that event. You see who was actually at the door, not just a name in a log.
Fire signal releases escape routes
On a fire alarm signal, doors on protected escape routes release automatically so everyone can get out safely, while the event is recorded for your records.
Linked to 24/7 ARC monitoring
Tie door events into the same monitored, dual-path (broadband + 4G) system that handles your alarm, so a forced or held-open door at the wrong time can raise an alert at our ARC.
What to consider when designing door entry
Good access control is about safe exit first, then security and accountability. These are the points worth getting right before any hardware goes in.
Fail-safe vs fail-secure
Doors on escape routes should be fail-safe so they release if power is lost; secure store and plant rooms can be fail-secure to stay locked. We choose per door, not per building.
Always plan safe egress
Every door people leave through needs a free way out: a request-to-exit (REX) button or sensor plus an emergency break-glass that mechanically releases the lock. People must never be trapped by a credential failure.
Monitor door position
A door position sensor tells the system when a door is forced or propped open. Without it you can lock a door but never know whether it actually closed behind someone.
Match credential to the risk
Use the right strength for each door: a fob or PIN for general areas, and face recognition or fob-plus-PIN where the risk is higher. Higher-security doors deserve stronger, harder-to-share credentials.
Keep a full audit trail
Log who used which door and when, and who was refused. A clear, timestamped audit trail settles disputes and shows exactly what happened around any incident.
Use schedules and zones
Grant access by time and area so cleaners, staff and contractors only get through the right doors at the right hours. Disable a lost credential instantly without changing a single lock.
Power it to keep working
A monitored PSU with battery backup keeps doors and readers behaving correctly through a power cut, and warns you if a battery is failing before it lets you down.
Plan your door entry with us
Book a free site survey and we'll design safe, monitored access control that works as one system with your cameras, alarm and fire detection.
Frequently asked questions
Systems can be built around face recognition, fob or card readers, PIN keypads and video door entry, so you choose the unlock methods that suit your property. Most installations combine these with zones, schedules and audit logs, letting you control who gets in, where and when, and review a full record of every entry. For Essex and Suffolk homes and small businesses, the right mix is agreed during a free, no-obligation site survey.
Zones let you group doors so a fob, PIN or face can open some areas but not others, which is ideal for separating staff, customer and storage areas in a small business. Schedules restrict access to set times, such as office hours only, and automatically lock out credentials outside those windows. Every grant and denial is recorded in the audit log, giving you a clear, time-stamped trail of all activity.
Homeview Surveillance is SSAIB and BAFE approved and has been installing security systems since 1997, so work is carried out to recognised industry standards. This matters for insurance and compliance, and it gives small businesses in Colchester, Clacton and across Essex and Suffolk confidence the installation is done properly. Equipment is specified and fitted to suit your building rather than supplied as a one-size-fits-all kit.
Yes, door entry and access control can be integrated with your intruder alarm and AI 4K cameras so events are tied together and easier to review. For added protection, systems can be connected to a 24/7 Alarm Receiving Centre with police response, meaning verified alarm events are escalated around the clock. Ongoing support and maintenance keep readers, schedules and audit logs working reliably.
Start by booking a free, no-obligation site survey, where the doors, entry points and access methods you need are assessed in person. You will receive a tailored recommendation covering face, fob, PIN or video entry with the right zones and schedules, and finance is available to spread the cost. Call the Clacton-on-Sea head office on 01255 436150 to arrange a convenient time.