Multi-resident security options

[bkg]

Been reading through a number of the security threads, but nothing quite addresses my need.

We're building on acreage that is on a private, gravel road with 10 lots. We currently have a manually operated cattle gate at the entrance to the area, but we're looking at installing a "proper" entrance gate.

As part of this, we're looking for automation options. Ideally, we'd like to be able to identify who enters and exists either via solar-powered code or card reader, with support for UPS/FedEx/Garbage man... but I suspect this is well above what we would like to spend.

Any recommendations, thoughts or laughter?

Thanks!

 

[kbs2244]

When I was making deliveries a few of the stops had keypad entry locks.
We had a code that was ours, as did everybody else.
This was into pre-schools and every family had their own code.
It would log who came in and when.
This was into buildings so there was no exiting code asked.
I think they were afraid it would slow everything down in case of a fire.

With the cost of computers falling I would not expect a log in/log out system to be very expensive.
I would not be surprised if the gate costs more than the lock system.
Check with some local security contractors.

 

[72Anthony]

This was into buildings so there was no exiting code asked.
I think they were afraid it would slow everything down in case of a fire.

Unless you are in correctional / detention facility, some areas of courthouses or hospitals; all the magnetic or electronic locks will unlock when the fire alarm is activated.

 

[ddawg16]

The problem with wireless is that if someone steals the transmitter or passive RFID device....or the authorized person is not in their normal car (rental?).

Keypad is the best....and as KBS noted, each person can have their own code so there will be tracking of who came and went....should you want to be big brother....

 

[wuntunearlybko]

i dont know how many ppl you are talking about but number codes are too easily shared. if you dont have some way to enforce "no sharing" then over time more and more ppl will have access. fingerprint scanners work great and are pretty easy to setup. we have a system like this at work where you scan your finger print to get in the employee lot.

http://www.gateopenerkeypadhouston....-locks-security-system-Houston-Baytown-TX.htm

-cutts-

 

[gordon_gjs]

Unless you are in correctional / detention facility, some areas of courthouses or hospitals; all the magnetic or electronic locks will unlock when the fire alarm is activated.

Correction - All magnetic/electronic lock will unlock if tied into the fire alarm system. I have seen inspections were locks failed to unlock during a fire test because the installer did not tie it into the fire alarm system, of course they failed because of it.

 

[bkg]

i dont know how many ppl you are talking about but number codes are too easily shared. if you dont have some way to enforce "no sharing" then over time more and more ppl will have access. fingerprint scanners work great and are pretty easy to setup. we have a system like this at work where you scan your finger print to get in the employee lot.

-cutts-

Great points. There is the potential for 10 houses to be behind this gate. Could be as simple as 1 code per house, or as complex as 1 code per person... And then 1 code for UPS, FedEx, Garbage, etc.. very easy to make this more complex than it needs to be.

I think the only way to prevent sharing is to go with a card... but that adds extra complexity (and cost) that we dont' really want/need, IMHO... So that brings up the idea of phone integration (my house is 1/4 mile + from the gate, as an example), but then again, we're now getting more complex than we perhaps need to be.

I'm fundamentally against anything biometric... Both because of the high cross-over error rates and the fact that I wear quite a bit of tinfoil.

 

[bkg]

When I was making deliveries a few of the stops had keypad entry locks.
We had a code that was ours, as did everybody else.
This was into pre-schools and every family had their own code.
It would log who came in and when.
This was into buildings so there was no exiting code asked.
I think they were afraid it would slow everything down in case of a fire.

With the cost of computers falling I would not expect a log in/log out system to be very expensive.
I would not be surprised if the gate costs more than the lock system.
Check with some local security contractors.

I suspect we'll make the gate ourselves... I think the action is going to be the most expensive portion - seem openers as much as $3-4K. WAY more than we want to spend.

I have a lot of research to do!