3 Sep 2007

The University of Manchester has recently completed upgrading its entrance security with Fastlane plus barrier arm turnstiles from Integrated Design Ltd.  The University of Manchester is Britain's largest single-site university, situated in the heart of the city with over 5,000 staff and 35,000 students to keep secure.

The University had originally installed Fastlane plus R200 AS barrier arm turnstiles, the first generation of the Fastlane plus range, over five years ago.  With this in mind and the units being very well used, an upgrade to the latest design and technology was deemed necessary.  With the original equipment having worked so well, it was only right to see what Integrated Design had on offer.

The University worked with John Dent at BLE on the security requirements for the site, and chose the Fastlane plus R300 MA turnstiles from Integrated Design with two new passgates for disabled access and deliveries, at the main reception and rear entrance.  A total of seven lanes of R300 MA and two passgates were installed.  The R300 MA offers faster throughput and greater security features over the original R200 Model.

Fastlane plus is a state of the art barrier-arm optical turnstile which uses optical technology to monitor the passage of every individual entering and leaving the building, and the fast-acting barrier arms physically deter any unauthorised access.  The combination of these features, coupled with the Assa Abloy magstripe access control system on site, help prevent the most common of access control violations, such as tailgating, pass-back and unauthorised entry, which in turn creates an internal security perimeter and safe working environment for staff and students.

"We were really happy with the original Fastlane pedestals installed on site, but with such an increase in the level of technology available today and the change in architectural design, not to mention the high level of use they have received, an upgrade was imminent.  Fastlane plus was again the obvious choice as it gives the same fast throughput required for such a large number of people, while greatly improving on the current security and aesthetics.," said John Dent at BLE.

"It's really good to hear from an existing customer, when they feel the time has come to upgrade and they come back to us for a solution," said Alex Wilkins from Integrated Design.