Smart Buildings Systems for Architects, Owners and Builders

The access control system is also important for life safety and is generally
interfaced to the fire alarm system to facilitate building egress during evacua-
tion. Access control systems must interface or integrate with several other
smart building systems (video surveillance, HVAC, and others) as well as share
data with business systems such as human resources and time and attendance.
These systems have also become more important in providing information on
building occupancy to other building systems such as lighting and HVAC
systems where the demand for lighting or HVAC may be dependent on or
coordinated with building occupancy.
The basic components of an access control system (Fig. 6.1) are as follows:

n A central host computer or server

n Control panels or system controllers connected to the host computer

n Peripheral devices such as card readers, door contacts, sirens, and sensors

connected to the control panels

Server or Host Computer

The server or host computer houses the operating parameters and the data-
base for the access control system. The host computer is networked and

System

Controller

Junction

Box

Electronic

Lock

Other Doors

Typical Door Setup

Card

Reader

Door

Position

Switch

Figure 6.1 Access control deployment at a typical door.

70 Smart Building Systems for Architects, Owners, and Builders