11 Feb 2020
ACT Enterprise 2.11 & Deadbolt Monitoring
The latest version of Vanderbilt’s access control software, ACT Enterprise 2.11, contains several new features, most notably deadbolt monitoring.
So, what is a deadbolt? A deadbolt is a piece of metal that extends and retracts to add structural security and rigidity to a door. This is important because strike locks and magnetic locks can be bypassed with enough force. Therefore, a deadbolt offers much more reliability.
In 2.11, ACT Enterprise supports the operation and monitoring of door locks with deadbolts. The system can be configured so that deadbolts are withdrawn on an access/exit granted event, and are optionally withdrawn for a specified time zone. Deadbolt position can be monitored, and OP2/OP3 used to trigger, for example, an alarm if the door is held ajar(left open), or the deadbolt is unexpectedly unsecured.
Let’s take a look at some examples of how deadbolt monitoring can improve your access control security.
Use Case 1: Typical use scenario
Doors with motorized locks are usually used on a perimeter door with a door strike. When the cardholder presents their card, the deadbolt should withdraw. This takes about 300-500 milliseconds. During this time, the door strike is not activated, which stops the cardholder from trying to open the door while the deadbolt is withdrawing. After the deadbolt is withdrawn, the door strike is activated, and the cardholder may enter.
Use Case 2: First access:
The ‘Unlock Deadbolt on First Access’ time zone is set from 9 am to 5 pm. In the morning, when the first cardholder arrives at 9.05 am, the door is locked, and the deadbolt is secured. When the user presents their card, the deadbolt output is activated to retract the deadbolt. When the deadbolt is fully withdrawn, the door strike is energized, and the user goes through the door. After the Main Relay timer times out (usually 5 seconds later), the strike is de-energized, and the door is locked again. The deadbolt remains retracted for the rest of the day until 5 pm when the controller de-energizes its AUX relay which throws the deadbolt into the secure position.
Use Case 3: Alarm condition:
As in use case 2, except at 4.55 pm, someone places a fire extinguisher at the door to keep it propped open. At 5 pm, an alarm is generated “Deadbolt alarm – not secured” An output may be wired to a buzzer to sound an alarm on this condition. The alarm is cleared by closing the door.
Use Case 4: No Deadbolt Monitor
Where deadbolt monitoring is not supported a delay can be configured before firing the main relay (operating the strike) to give the deadbolt time to retract. Hence if it takes 1 second for the deadbolt to successfully retract, a delay may be configured that after an access granted event, delay activation of the main relay by 2 seconds. This delay ensures that if someone tries to access the door before the deadbolt is successfully retracted, the integrity of the deadbolt is maintained as the forces are applied to the strike rather than the deadbolt.