Project:Pedestrian Gate

Purpose

The aim is a new gate lock, or entirely new gate, triggered by RFID reader instead, or in addition to the existing padlock.

The purposes are:

• quicker entry
• better control on entering people (tail-gaters, padlock not properly closed, code passed on to non-members; relevant esp. in summer time when shutters are open often) ("code passed on" would mean solution (a) under "pre-7" below is beneficial)

Steps

• 1. Survey the present posts to see how strong they are and if they need any repair
• 2. Submit a design to the landlord for approval
• 3. Either we make our own or buy a gate. A nice wide one so people can get wheelchairs/trolleys through it easily would be good. Might be better to buy one which will shorten project completion time
• 4. Add to or modify any of the support poles to hold the weight of the new gate if necessary
• 5. Cut a hole in the existing fence
• 6. Mount new hinges
• 7. Run power and data to new gate position
• 8. Install weatherproof card reader and automatic lock
• 9. Test

Previous discussion

• Monthly_Meeting_26-11-15.
• mailing list, "Back gate padlock broken!"

Contributors

Des Quilty is happy to work on 1-6 but wouldn't be able to do it on his own, definitely would like to see a couple of people work on 4, that's not for one person..

Christian Jaeger is volunteering to work on 7-9 (possibly assisted by Jan S. and Jasper W. where needed (Project:Tool_Access_Control).)

Responsibilities

It can't be that the volunteers need to take on responsibility for security breaches happening in the future by way of the newly built gate. The community as a whole will need to take over responsibility, and is welcome to review the work done by the volunteers.

Details

(... insert details for steps 1..6 as necessary, please)

Step pre-7: Decision on which gate solution to chose

There are two solutions, (a) replace padlock with new locking solution; (b) leave padlock in place, but build new pedestrian gate into the fence.

In case (b) the pedestrian gate doesn't need to be very reliable, and doesn't need to be fail open in case of fire (true?, do people still remember the code), since the padlock can serve as a fallback. In case (a) the solution needs to be very reliable, and be usable in case of fire (fail open, or mechanically openable from the inside).

One way might be to use a fail-safe lock (stays closed if power fails) but have a local battery backup for fire safety / to be able to reliably leave the space. Also possibly the yard is big enough to be able to stay far enough from a burning building to be safe? Will there be a fire safety inspection, and could we ask them for an answer beforehand?

Step 7: Run power and data to new gate position

One idea is to use WiFi, to save on effort and cost for the Ethernet cable. Only needs cable from the radio shack, though.

People who voiced preference for cable for (expected) increase of reliability: (but at this time pre-7 is unclear)

• Jasper
• Mentar

Lock and flood light might need more power (together) than power-over-Ethernet can provide, hence a separate power cable may be needed in any case.

Step 8: Install weatherproof card reader and automatic lock

Still to be determined:

Lock: fail-open or fail-safe? (depending on "pre-7")

How to secure AC-node and its connection to the lock.

Step 8b: flood light

What kind of light do people wish/suggest? (LED presumably.)

Some lights available here and here, but those use mains power.

(What is the purpose, give light to people at the gate, pedestrians, cars? Fend off thieves examining the gate?)