Door monitoring: security and peace of mind for your building

In both the private and business sectors, you want to know whether the doors for which you are responsible are really securely locked . With door monitoring, you can get an overview from anywhere and receive a notification in the event of abnormalities and critical situations. Find out now how door monitoring works and what options there are.

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What is meant by "door surveillance"?

Door monitoring or Door condition monitoring is a way to have a full overview of doors in a building complex without necessarily having to be on site yourself. This allows building owners to see at a glance whether doors are open or closed or locked. With digital locking systems, this works very conveniently via software or an app.

Door monitoring also serves to exchange further information. For example, a message can be issued if a door has not been locked or has been open for too long. In various areas, this can be very useful and even a legal requirement.

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How door monitoring works

Digital access control is needed for intelligent door monitoring. An electronic locking system, such as the one available from BlueID, is excellent. If the basic prerequisite is met, further details of the door monitoring can be determined. Some opt for a system with a camera, so that the door can be monitored directly via a monitor. Others link the door monitoring to their mobile phone, for example to be able to access the condition of the door at any time via app and to be notified in the event of abnormalities.

In order for a door monitoring system to fulfil its desired function, a special sensor must be installed. In most cases, digital locking systems are equipped with this feature. It is therefore worthwhile to consider door condition monitoring when purchasing a new system.

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These are the options available for door monitoring

The simplest and most practical option is electronic door monitoring. It can be used, among other things, to monitor escape routes. In this variant, the escape doors are not locked, but only monitored. With the help of door contact monitoring, you can find out if the escape door is opened without authorisation. This is often noticeable by an acoustic or visual signal. In the case of networked systems, such a message is also possible centrally.

Fewer and fewer companies are also using mechanical locking systems. And when these are installed, an extension often takes place with the digital counterpart. The fact is that electronic locking systems are today's standard.

This is partly due to the fact that they have a wide range of options to offer – such as door monitoring. A conventional digital locking system allows you to keep track of who has gained access to which premises and when. In most cases, this function is already sufficient to be able to understand everything relevant. Sometimes, however, further door condition monitoring is necessary.

Monitoring is particularly relevant for the following types of doors:

• Exterior doors
• Doors to server rooms
• Fire doors
• Doors to medicine cabinets

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In these cases, it is usually not enough to just know the status – i.e. whether the door is open or closed. Rather, intelligent door condition monitoring is required for further information.

Thus, the following applies: Which form of door monitoring is suitable for you depends on many individual factors such as your personal preferences and mandatory requirements.

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Advantages of door monitoring

Of course, each system is structured slightly differently. Nevertheless, most door monitoring products have the following advantages:

• Comprehensive overview according to the user's needs
• Quick and easy installation
• Rapid commissioning

In addition, an action can often be taken directly via the software or app . For example, if you are informed that a certain door cannot be opened, you can arrange for a remote opening.

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When is door monitoring worthwhile?

Door condition monitoring can be useful in many cases. If many employees work in a company building with several entrances, it takes a lot of time to check all the doors after work. It is more efficient and faster with a door monitoring system that gives the company management a quick overview.

In the case of fire doors, appropriate monitoring is also useful. They must be closed at all times. Only then can they fulfil their purpose and prevent it from spreading in the event of a fire. Therefore, if a corresponding door is open, the system immediately informs a facility manager or other responsible person. This is not only relevant for safety, but also for insurance coverage. If compensation is claimed after a fire, door monitoring can provide the necessary proof that the obligations have been fulfilled and that the fire doors were closed.

Door condition monitoring is also of great interest to operators in apothecary cabinets and server rooms. There are certain safety guidelines that must be adhered to. Whether it's prescription drugs or sensitive data, unauthorized access can cause a lot of damage. Intelligent door monitoring ensures that a door is not open for too long by sending out a message.

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Result

Thanks to door monitoring, you always have an overview of the status of your doors. Depending on the system, you can not only see which doors are open and which are closed. You can also see if doors are locked or who gained access last . Depending on the area of application and industry, different functions and possibilities are required. At BlueID, there are therefore different solutions that can be individually tailored to your needs.