The card reader in this photo was installed to prevent access to the stairs on the other side of this door. A card reader on the push side of a door with an electric strike and panic hardware doesn’t provide security, because you can just push on the touchpad of the panic to exit. To rectify that “problem,” someone installed a screw in the panic hardware so the touchpad will not retract the latch.
I’m thinking the security integrator should have asked a few more questions and worked through the egress requirements before beginning this installation.
Thank you to Lenny Scorpiniti of Walsh Door and Hardware Co. (who was not responsible for this installation!) for today’s Fixed-it Friday photo!
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Is the Card Reader by any chance to Deactivate an Exit Alarm?
Not on this particular door. The alarm / card reader wouldn’t create an egress problem, but the screw in the panic hardware would!
Isn’t that what a REX (request to exit) is supposed to do?
Seems like a better fix then to spend an arm and a leg for door and lock. Because we all know how “CHEAP” commercial grade doors and hardware are…. tehe (sarcasm)
I had a client request a card reader for a door with the same use. Even though I explained that the card reader will not prohibit access because of egress they still wanted it. So we installed it and it does nothing.
Wow! Spend that much money on card reader and installation and then stick a screw in expensive exit device. Ouch!!!
Are you sure this wasn’t meant for a Wordless Wednesday??
I’m thinking the security integrator should have looked for a different line of work.
I’ve seen this done to shunt an alarm so people who work in that building can be accounted for. It does not hinder egress but rather serves a different purpose. It may make sure that a persons time card does not conflict with the audit trail recording of the last time they exited (and did not reenter that particular day). It also can be used to confirm that the building is empty when the last person sets the alarm (all those who carded in have carded out). The screw in the touch bar is a whole other story.
They could have at least put it on the underside of the touchpad to maintain aesthetics, jeez. (Sarcasm, by the way.)
This doesn’t inhibit single motion egress…..as long as you carry a hex head driver screwgun that removes the screw while pushing the bar with your hip. Open your mind people! ;-/
I have seen this done multiple times. There are a number of uses for this. 1) As a REX (not advised) 2) as the out reader in an antipassback function. The cardholder must use the readers in proper sequence in order for the solution to work. When the cardholder enters the building or space, he is registered in the system as “In” and when he uses the out reader, his status becomes “out”. If he fails to use the exit reader, he will not be able to get back in until the condition is restored (i.e by his boss). There are variations on this function such as timed and global antipassback. 3) as a counting method to determine the occupancy levels (which can be included as a feature of item 2. Person enters, add one; leaves subtract one. At any given time (at least theoretically) an occupant count can be determined. 4) to deactivate an alarm associated with the door on the way out 5) to arm an intrusion detection system on the way out of the door. 6) to change the status of some electrical point such as lighting, heat etc.
Probably more.
Hi Jim –
I agree, there are code-compliant applications involving a card reader on the egress side. It could be used to shunt a delayed egress lock or an alarm. But in this case the reader is controlling an electric strike so it provides no security until the touchpad is “fixed” with the screw, which creates an egress problem.
– Lori
I see that and agree. My comment was mostly based on the question “Why put a card reader on the inside of the door”