SALTO electronic access-control system increases security at Clifton College

15 January 2010

Clifton College in Bristol is a leading independent boarding and day school for girls and boys aged 3–18 years. The campus consists of around 40 buildings and with conventional key locks and pin-code locks to classrooms and buildings, the long-term security issues and staff responsible for carrying large bunches of keys were becoming an increasing concern.

Clifton is a School integrated into its local community and whilst on the one hand this is a huge bonus for the pupils and staff alike, it also makes the School vulnerable to minor opportunistic theft by unauthorised members of the public.

Colin Lewis, Director of Office Services at Clifton says: “Any type of school theft is abhorrent so when we found that our key and code-lock doors were not as secure as we would wish, we took immediate action to remedy the situation.

“We implemented an upgraded programme to replace the external locks with a modern, state-of-the-art electronic access-control system. Phase 1 saw installation of the XS4 Mifare controlled online locks from SALTO Systems into dormitory buildings and individual entranceways, which were installed by approved local SALTO business partner, Gem Security Centre Ltd.

Phase 2 extended access-control coverage into the few remaining buildings that were not covered in Phase 1 and we are now planning to retro-fit all internal doors within the School with electronic locks which will see us achieve our aim of having a totally keyless campus.

This will ensure we have no future key control issues and will enable us to make full use of our investment in access-control by using the additional functionality of the cards to implement pupil registration, time recording, meal registration, cashless catering, etc – all on one secure key card.”

Jim Caola, MD of Gem Security Centre Ltd says: “Almost all of today’s schools have a need for some type of access control system. The XS4 system, together with its SALTO Virtual Network (SVN) technology, provides 90% of what the School would get from a fully wired online system, but at the cost of a stand alone system.

It uses distributed intelligence in the locks and cards to allow them to manage their access-control requirements in a secure and comfortable way whilst simultaneously eliminating any potential problems with key control. It can programme key cards to allow access to specific rooms or areas within the School for selected periods only, with the doors locking at pre-specified times as required. And if security is breached due to the loss of a key card, the key card can be instantly deleted from the system without the need or cost of changing any locks – saving the school time and money.”

“The safety and security of our pupils and staff is paramount,” explains Lewis. “We have recently secured an ‘Outstanding’ grading in an Ofsted inspection where the inspectors were impressed with security arrangements we have in place. Since installing the SALTO access-control product, walk-in thefts have been eradicated and the system is helping us get on with our prime task of delivering education, whilst quietly providing the safe and secure environment we need.”