North West Access Control Systems

40+ Years Protecting North West Businesses

Access Control Systems for Your Business

When a key goes missing or a member of staff leaves, traditional locks leave your premises exposed. Changing locks is expensive, slow and only solves the problem until the next key goes astray.

Access control replaces keys with cards, fobs, mobile phones or fingerprints. You decide who can go where and when, grant or remove access in seconds and see a full record of who came and went.

Full Circuit Fire & Security designs, installs and maintains commercial access control systems for businesses across Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Cumbria. Since 1981 we’ve helped North West businesses secure their buildings without slowing their people down.

Access Control Designed Around Your Business

Every access control system we install is built around your building and the way your team works. That could be a single front door with a fob reader, or a multi-site network controlling hundreds of doors across several buildings.

We install trusted brands including Paxton access control and Videx door entry and intercom systems. All work follows industry best practices, and we are SSAIB certified, BAFE accredited and CHAS approved.

How Access Control Works

An access control system has four main parts:

• Credentials: the card, fob, phone or fingerprint each user presents
• Readers: mounted beside each controlled door to read the credential
• Locks: electric locks, such as magnetic locks or electric strikes, that release when access is granted
• Software: where you add users, set permissions and view reports

When someone presents a credential, the system checks whether that person is allowed through that door at that time. If they are, the door unlocks. Every event is recorded, so you have a full audit trail.

Access Control Credentials

We’ll help you choose the right way for your people to get in:

• Proximity cards and fobs: simple, low-cost and easy to issue
• PIN keypads: useful for shared areas or as a second layer of security
• Mobile credentials: staff use their smartphone instead of a card or fob
• Biometric readers: fingerprint access with nothing to lose or share
• Dual authentication: two methods together, such as card plus PIN, for high-security areas

Biometric Access Control

Fingerprint readers give you secure access with nothing to lose, lend or copy. They’re ideal for server rooms, stock rooms, pharmacies, cash offices, laboratories and other areas that need tighter security.

We can fit a single reader on one door or multiple readers across your site, and they work with a wide range of access control systems. Fingerprint data is biometric data under UK data protection law, so we’ll advise on how to use it responsibly and offer an alternative for anyone who can’t or won’t use it.

Door Entry and Intercom Systems

Door entry systems let you see and speak to visitors before letting them in. We install audio and video intercoms from Videx for offices, schools, medical practices, care homes and residential blocks.

Visitors call from an entry panel at the door, and staff or residents answer on a handset, a monitor or their smartphone. Door entry can work alongside access control, so staff use fobs while visitors use the intercom.

Access Control and Fire Safety

Doors on escape routes must let people out quickly in an emergency. We design every access control system so that controlled doors on escape routes release automatically when the fire alarm activates or the power fails, with green emergency door release units beside the door.

Because we also install and maintain fire alarms, we make sure your access control and fire alarm work together safely.

Time and Attendance

Access control can link to time and attendance software to record staff hours automatically. That removes the need for a separate clocking system and gives you accurate data for payroll.

Access permissions can also be tied to working hours, so staff can only enter at the times they’re scheduled.

Lockdown for Schools and Sensitive Sites

Access control systems can include lockdown functions. At the press of a button, selected doors lock to keep people safe inside during an incident. This is particularly useful for schools, healthcare settings and public buildings.

Manage Access From Anywhere

Cloud and app-based access control lets you view and change permissions remotely, even when you’re off site. You can unlock a door for a delivery, add a new starter, cancel a lost fob or check who’s in the building, all from your phone or computer.

If you run more than one site, you can manage every building from one system.

Benefits of Access Control

Access control protects your people and assets while saving time on day-to-day security. It gives you:

• Restricted access to sensitive areas
• A full log of who enters and leaves
• Instant access changes with no locks to replace
• Simple staff, contractor and visitor management
• Multi-site control from one system
• Remote management from anywhere
• Integration with CCTV and intruder alarms
• Safe release of escape doors when the fire alarm sounds

Complete Security Integration

Access control works best as part of your wider security. Link it with your CCTV to see who came through each door, and with your intruder alarm so the building arms automatically when the last person leaves.

Installation and Maintenance

Our team of trained technicians handles the installation, sets up your users and permissions and shows your team how to manage the system.

Doors take a lot of wear. Locks, door closers, readers and power supplies all need checking. Regular access control maintenance keeps everything working, with prompt repairs if anything goes wrong.

We can also take over the maintenance of an existing access control system, or upgrade older systems to modern, app-based control.

Our Access Control Installation Process

1. Get in touch. Fill in the short form or call 01254 665 766.
2. Site survey. We review your doors, frames, locks and how people move around the building.
3. System design. We recommend readers, credentials, locks and software.
4. Clear quotation. You receive a detailed, no-obligation quote.
5. Installation. We install at a time that suits your business.
6. Setup and training. We add your users, set permissions and train your team.
7. Maintenance. We keep your system working with regular servicing.

How Much Does Access Control Cost?

The cost of an access control system depends on:

• The number of doors you want to control
• The type of doors, frames and locks
• The credentials you choose
• Cloud or on-site software
• Door entry, lockdown or time and attendance features
• Integration with fire alarms, CCTV and intruder alarms

We’ll survey your premises and give you a clear, fixed quotation.

Why North West Businesses Choose Full Circuit

• Installers of Paxton access control and Videx door entry
• Systems designed around your building and your team
• Safe integration with your fire alarm
• Integration with CCTV and intruder alarms
• SSAIB certified and CHAS approved
• Over 40 years’ experience, based in Blackburn

Access Control Systems for Every Sector

We install access control for offices, manufacturing sites, warehouses, schools, care homes, private medical practices, hospitality venues and managed residential blocks.

Access Control Installation Across the North West

We install and maintain access control systems across the North West, including:

• Lancashire: Blackburn, Burnley, Accrington, Darwen, Preston, Blackpool, Lancaster, Morecambe, Carnforth, Chorley and Skelmersdale
• Greater Manchester: Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Heywood, Salford and Wigan
• Cumbria: Windermere, Ambleside and Keswick

Access Control FAQs

How much does an access control system cost? It depends on the number of doors, the type of locks and the features you need. We’ll survey your premises and give you a clear quote.

Can access control work with our existing doors? In most cases, yes. We’ll check your doors, frames and locks during the survey.

What happens if a card or fob is lost? You cancel it in seconds and issue a new one, with no need to change locks.

What happens to access controlled doors in a fire? Doors on escape routes are designed to release automatically when the fire alarm activates or the power fails.

Can I manage access control from my phone? Yes. Cloud and app-based systems let you manage doors and users remotely.

Can access control track staff hours? Yes. It can link to time and attendance software.

Do you install Paxton access control? Yes. We install and maintain Paxton systems for businesses across the North West.

Can you maintain an access control system someone else installed? Yes. We can inspect it, repair faults and take over the maintenance.

Get Your Free Access Control Quote

Tell us which doors and areas you need to control and we’ll send a clear, no-obligation quotation. Call 01254 665 766 or get your free quote online.