Card Access Locks at WPI

The purpose of this page is to acquaint the WPI Community with the card access lock system on campus and to provide a general description of its functionality and how it is administered.

As early as 1999, we recognized that there was a growing need to provide increased access to facilities on campus while maintaining tighter security. The solution turned out to be the first implementation of the card access system. It proved so successful that all residential buildings and many academic buildings now have some form of card access system.

We gain a great deal of flexibility with the card access system. Our need to maintain records of brass key assignments is not necessary for card-accessible doors, since the data is programmed and attached to the identification card record. Further, the turn-around time to change card keys and reconfigure lock schedules is minimal. The real flexibility and convenience comes with the ability to manage door schedules programmatically. Doors can be locked and unlocked remotely, and they can be put on a schedule to accommodate departments' needs during the academic year, term breaks, and summer.

For new installations of card access equipment, please contact Liz Tomaszewski of Facilities Services (+1-508-831-5454, or ltomasz@wpi.edu).

Stand-alone Locks

There are currently two versions of card access on campus, stand-alone and networked/hard wired. Stand-alone locks were the earliest locks installed. As the name implies these locks are not attached to a network or external power source. Stand-alone locks need to be programmed manually and have the internal battery replaced as needed.

These locks have a capacity of 5,000 identification numbers and have a programming interface which can take direct input from WPI's Banner database. Manual programming is accomplished through the use of a hand held device.

Networked/Hardwired Locks

In 2002, we decided to implement a hardwired/networked card access system for all residential and selected academic buildings. It was decided to go with B.A.S.I.S. - Best Access Systems Integrated Solutions. This product provides access control, ID card management and alarm monitoring in a single software management package.

All residence halls have been functioning with the card access system since August 2003. All exterior doors, stairwell doors, and other areas needing access (laundry rooms, for example) are equipped with card readers and motion detector devices which allow exit. The card reader allows entry for anyone with a properly-coded identification badge. These devices are hard-wired to the main system which communicates specific events to the alarm monitor at the Campus Police Station.

Currently, four academic buildings are networked into the card access system:

Three of these four buildings have been accessible with ID cards since 2003. We have worked with the departments located in these buildings to define open door policy, hours of access and a hierarchy of access levels. The system has demonstrated a high degree of convenience and flexibility.

Programming Locks and Key Access

Card access doors in the resident halls are locked 24/7 and are accessible only with a properly coded identification card. Currently the individual rooms are accessed with a brass key.

Atwater-Kent Labs, Kaven Hall, Fuller Labs and Goddard Hall card access doors are programmed to unlock in the morning and lock up at night at a time that is most convenient to the departments that are located in these buildings. Doors that are not programmed as card accessible can still be opened with a brass key.

Identification Cards and Programming Access

Identification cards serve as the "keys" to access doors that are card-access controlled. The ID number can be programmed to access any door or group of doors on campus. Further, the programming can be so specific that it can limit individuals or groups to different hours of access to card access doors. For example, we currently use temporary cards that are preprogrammed for access to specific doors during specific times of day for canteen and newspaper vendors.

The ability to program identification cards for access to different buildings at different times provides us the flexibility we need when exceptions arise to our routine schedules on campus. If a visitor is coming to campus and needs access to one or more buildings, a temporary card can be programmed and assigned; upon departure, the card can be reprogrammed. Cardholder identification numbers can be changed in this system with ease, so that if anyone within the WPI community loses an identification card, the user can be issued a new card with the next issue code, thus disabling the missing card.

Finally, with the system comes the ability to audit events and changes. Any changes to access levels to individual identification cards can be tracked, as well as modification to individual doors or alarm devices throughout the card-access system. We are also capable of tracking access by identification number to any card access door.

Special Events, Holidays, and Breaks

We have the flexibility of programming doors for specific events. Door schedules can be easily modified to meet the needs of the faculty and students, and exceptions are handled with minor programming. Holidays and breaks can be created and maintained in the card access system. Combining timezones, access levels, and holidays can create a wide range of access options for students, faculty, and staff.

Programming for access currently is handled by Liz Tomaszewski in Facilities Services, with Paul (Skip) Girard (pgirard@wpi.edu) and Andy Stone (astone@wpi.edu) ) as alternates. At some point in the future, it may be desirable to have the administrative assistants in each department program the doors in their buildings.

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Last modified: Aug 15, 2007, 14:12 EDT