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Fettes College


Client: Fettes College
HF divisions involved: Fire & Security

Project Description: Fettes College, one of Scotland’s most prestigious independent schools, approached our Fire & Security team with a need to enhance its security infrastructure. With over 1,000 students, staff, and visitors accessing the campus daily, maintaining high levels of safety and access control is a top priority for the college. After conducting an initial survey, we were commissioned to install a comprehensive access control system across 40 internal doors and 9 external vehicle and pedestrian gates, using an advanced Paxton 10 system.

As a large educational institution, Fettes College required a solution that would ensure safety for students, staff, and visitors by restricting unauthorized access. The new system had to embrace simplicity with management by centralising control over multiple entry points, both internal and external.

And on top of that, it had to provide flexibility for staff and students with varying access levels, ensuring smooth daily operations while offering enhanced security around the perimeter of the school to protect against external threats and ensuring controlled vehicle and pedestrian access.

As with any security system installation, we ensured that the new package will support scalability for future expansion and upgrades as the campus grows or security needs change.

Project Challenges: One of the primary challenges faced during this project was the need to complete the installation during the school holidays. This timeline was strategically chosen to ensure that the work could be carried out without disrupting the students and staff. Coordinating the project to take place during a limited window of time required advanced planning. We had to ensure that all materials and equipment were available and that our team was fully prepared to execute the installation efficiently within the holiday period.

With some areas of the campus remaining operational for maintenance and administrative functions, our team had to work around these restrictions while still ensuring that the installation met all safety and quality standards.

Even though students were not present, safety always remains a top priority for the entire HF Group. We implemented strict safety protocols and procedures to ensure that our team could work without incident, minimising any potential hazards during the installation process.

Completing integration testing and ensuring that all systems were fully functional before the students returned was critical. We had to thoroughly check every access point to guarantee that the system would operate seamlessly, providing a reliable security solution from day one.

By addressing these challenges head-on, we were able to successfully complete the installation on time, ensuring that Fettes College was fully equipped with an advanced security solution before the new school year began.

The new Access Control System

The new security access control system we installed was a Paxton 10 access control system, an integrated platform that offers both access control and video management, providing an all-in-one security solution.

Access Control for 40 Internal Doors:
Paxton 10 readers were installed across 40 key areas within the college, including classrooms, staff offices, and sensitive administrative areas. This system allows the school to manage who has access to specific zones, ensuring that only authorised personnel can enter certain areas. The system also allows time-specific access, meaning that doors can automatically lock and unlock at pre-set times according to the school’s schedule.

9 External Gates for Vehicle and Pedestrian Access:
To secure the perimeter, we fitted the system on 9 external gates, ensuring controlled entry for both vehicles and pedestrians. The system allows school security to monitor and manage who enters the campus, restricting entry after hours or during events. Paxton 10’s integration with external gates also ensures swift lockdown protocols in case of emergency situations.

Centralised Management:
Paxton 10 provides a cloud-based management platform, giving school administrators the ability to monitor all access points remotely in real-time. Any unauthorised access attempts trigger instant alerts, enhancing response times. This level of control ensures that the security team at Fettes College can manage the entire campus from a single dashboard, streamlining operations and ensuring that no area is overlooked.

The system we installed is designed to grow with the school. As Fettes College expands or needs to upgrade its security features, Paxton 10 offers seamless scalability, allowing more doors, gates, and features to be added without replacing the existing infrastructure.

The Importance of Access Control in Educational Institutions

In educational environments like Fettes College, the importance of robust access control systems cannot be overstated. Schools must not only protect their students, staff, and assets but also create an environment where learning can take place free from external threats. Modern access control systems offer:

Safety and Security: Restricting access to sensitive areas ensures that only authorised personnel and students can enter, reducing the risk of theft, vandalism, or more serious threats.

Student Protection: A robust security system helps protect students from external dangers, such as unauthorised visitors, while allowing staff to respond swiftly to emergencies.

Operational Efficiency: Integrated systems like Paxton 10 simplify the management of school facilities by centralising control, improving response times, and reducing administrative overhead.

For schools like Fettes College, a tailored security solution offers peace of mind that the campus remains secure and adaptable to any future needs.

With years of experience delivering tailored security systems for schools and educational facilities, we understand the specific needs of institutions like Fettes College. With branches across the UK, we are well-positioned to provide ongoing support, no matter the location. This means we’re always nearby for future upgrades, routine maintenance, or emergency repairs.

The Paxton 10 system installation at Fettes College is just another example of the security services we can deliver with cutting-edge security solutions for complex educational environments. By partnering with us, schools and other education sector facilities gain access to scalable, reliable and robust security systems that ensure the safety of their students, staff, and facilities.

For schools seeking to enhance their security infrastructure, our Fire & Security services provide the expertise, technology, and nationwide support necessary to create a safe and secure environment. Whether it’s routine maintenance or emergency call-outs, we’re here to protect your campus 24/7.

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