NCJ Number
146303
Journal
Security Management Volume: 37 Issue: 11 Dated: (November 1993) Pages: 53- 55
Date Published
1993
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Factors considered in the design of an access control system for the Denver International Airport (DIA), scheduled to open in 1994, are examined.
Abstract
The sheer size of the facility, with 6,463,670 square feet of floor space, made designing an access control system a challenge for the director of airport operations. The solution was a unique access control system design that involved integrating and interfacing the old with the new. The resulting system uses distributed processing architecture to allow information from the central database to be sent out to and stored in field computers and control panels so that decisions on granting access and other aspects of security can be processed locally. Intelligent device controllers (IDC's) in the field monitor and control airport terminal doors and airfield gates and communicate with the central computer. Each IDC stores up to 20,000 cardholders and up to 10,000 transactions before unloading to the central computer. In addition, the IDC can control alarm input points and command specific output points, even during a communications failure. In addition to the use of IDC's, the DIA has a closed circuit television (CCTV) system that is capable of handling 2,096 cameras and 256 monitors. The CCTV system is configured with one central alarm receiving location and 25 remote controlling locations for continuous monitoring. The DIA's photo imaging badge system includes solid-state cameras, tripods, color printers, badging work station, laminator, and magnetic stripe encoder. The airport also has audio intercoms, doors requiring card access, and a fire alarm system.