The challenge of controlling access to one of the country’s only circus training schools have been solved by an innovative access control solution designed and installed by Delta Security.
Circus Space, The National Centre for Circus Arts based in Shoreditch, approached Delta Security to devise an easily managed solution that would ensure secure access for staff, students and visitors to different areas of the building, as well as safeguarding property and staff belongings.
Terry O’Dwyer, Building and Leasing Manager, says that creating a safe environment was paramount: “We have had a few incidents of people being in the building who shouldn’t be there, and wanted to create a more secure perimeter,” he explains.
“To put the challenge into context, not only do we have more than 100 full time students and staff, but we also have around 800 professional circus artists who use our facilities to warm up or train before a performance, and attract more than 600 visitors every week who are engaging in company team-building events or taking part in adult training classes.”
Delta recommended a solution centred on a SALTO access control system used in similar educational and theatrical venues in London and Manchester. Cardholders can be assigned different levels of access – including temporary access for visiting staff or performers – via a RFID-enabled Mifare card. The whole system can be securely managed from any PC on the network computer, enabling him to track the movements of each card, and if a card is lost he can immediately cancel it, trace it and issue a new one.
Since the system is wireless, it did not require extensive works to install, and it is easy to add to and grow the system as and when development is required: “We are a charity and need to account for every pound we spend,” Terry says. “With the wireless SALTO system we are able to phase the system in by installing it on priority entrances and exits first, and will look to expand it to include other doors and areas in the future.”
More than 500 cards are now in issue, with each card doubling as ID with a photograph included. Terry says that the new system has been well received: “All of the feedback to date has been positive, especially from our reception staff who reported a 60 percent improvement in their working conditions by no longer being constantly interrupted to answer the front door. Since the system has been installed, we have also had no further incidents of intruders being reported.”
Delta Security was chosen both for its local presence and proven track record. As part of Circus Space’s sustainability agenda, it looks wherever possible to work with other local companies, and Delta is a recommended provider to both Hackney Council and the local learning trust. The installation was completed within three weeks of appointment with minimal disruption to daily routines.
“We were impressed both by Dave Mundy, the Operations Manager at Delta, and his team who gave us the confidence that the system would work from the outset and be easily integrated into our daily routines,” Terry adds.
Dave himself says that it has been a privilege to work with such a locally celebrated venue: “We are pleased that we were able to provide a suitable solution to the school’s access control needs, and look forward to working with Terry and his team on future projects as the system expands.”
