Thorne chose dual door controllers and single door stations from Dublin-based Access Control Technology (ACT) Ltd. The units are in place across all main areas of the stadium including offices and media facilities, and are serving as a management tool that will be expanded on a phased basis.
The football club is using both cards and readers from ACT, with the external doors being fitted with panel-mounted readers, some of which have been incorporated into existing intercoms units.
Hadrian Thorne of Thorne Access & Security said: "The ACT units function predominantly on non-match days rather than during games. The system has a hierarchy of privileges ensuring that only appropriate personnel enter certain areas. We are now able to manage all access rights in a thorough manner and the client is benefiting from the flexibility of the ACT equipment. External readers have been fitted with vandal-resistant covers which have already prevented damage to extremities in the first months of use."
The ACTpro 3000 two-door controller, as used at Burley FC, is expandable to 16 doors using ACTpro door stations. Up to 2,000 doors can be connected on a network and the system can be used with third-party ‘Clock & Data' and ‘Wiegand' format readers. ACT is known for open protocols allowing integration with other providers but at Turf Moor the controllers are being used in conjunction with ACT's own ACTpro-X 1030 slim-line proximity readers which read data stored on proximity cards or fobs to grant or deny access.
The controllers have a memory card slot that facilitates distributed intelligence, door plan and additional user rights. The units feature built-in TCP/IP connectivity, meaning that installers can ‘piggyback' on existing conduit which not only reduces engineering disruption on site but is a ‘green' approach in terms of minimising material usage.
Thorne Access & Security are also responsible for CCTV at the stadium and have recently installed dome cameras, upgrading from legacy static units. Hadrian Thorne continued: "The next phase will be to link ACT's access control to the stadium's CCTV. If a staff member, legitimate visitor, intruder or even an inquisitive fan seeks unauthorised entry, an intelligent edge device will react to a signal from the door controller. The device will fire to a pre-set and instruct adjacent cameras to record the event. A further development, planned for the summer, is integration of the ACT access control with an intruder alarm system from Texecom."
Turf Moor has been home to Burnley FC since 1883 and the ground even predates the formation of the Football League. The club gained promotion to the top tier of English football after winning the 2009 Championship play-off final, but despite a bright start that included four straight wins at home, the Clarets are now focused on staying in the division.
Thorne have an impressive track record securing major leisure facilities, and customers include Burnley's near neighbours Bolton Wanderers who also play in the Premier League.
