Add People is one of the North West’s best-known digital marketing agencies. Founded in Altrincham in 2002, the business has grown to a team of more than 250 people, supporting over 4,000 small and medium-sized businesses with their digital marketing.
With staff, clients and deliveries coming and going throughout the day, the office needed doors that stay secure without ever getting in the way, and that never stop anyone leaving in an emergency.
Enter CCR Systems, ready to replace an ageing setup with a modern UniFi Access control solution built around safety from the ground up.
| Client | Add People |
|---|---|
| Industry | Digital Marketing Agency |
| Locations | Altrincham, Greater Manchester |
| Technology Installed |
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An office entrance has two jobs that can pull in opposite directions. It needs to keep unauthorised people out, but it must never prevent people getting out, especially when every second counts.
Add People’s previous access control system was due an upgrade. The business wanted one modern platform covering its main entrance and internal doors, along with a better way for visitors to announce themselves at the two front doors.
The new system needed to be:
CCR Systems designed and installed a UniFi Access control solution across Add People’s main entrance and an internal door, configured throughout as a fail-safe system.
Every electronically locked door has to answer one question: what happens when the power goes? A fail-secure lock stays locked, which suits stock rooms and comms cupboards where security comes first. A fail-safe lock releases, which is the right choice for doors people rely on to get out of a building.
At Add People, the main entrance is also a route out for staff and visitors, so fail-safe locking was essential. It also supports the business’s obligations under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which says emergency doors must not be locked in a way that stops anyone opening them easily and immediately in an emergency.
The green emergency door releases add a manual override on top. If anyone needs to get out quickly, one press releases the door straight away, with no fob, code or button sequence required.
"Access control is about more than keeping the wrong people out. Add People's entrance is also the way out for a lot of people, so fail-safe locks and emergency releases were non-negotiable. UniFi gave us a clean, modern platform to build that around."
With UniFi Access from CCR Systems, Add People now has an access control system that keeps its office secure while making sure every controlled door opens the moment it needs to. Visitors have a clear welcome at the front door, staff move around easily and the whole system is managed from one place.
It’s a smart addition for a business that has built its name on helping others grow. Looking ahead, the platform leaves plenty of scope to add further doors or pair access control with CCTV for a joined-up view of who comes and goes.
Looking to upgrade your access control system? Contact CCR Systems to find out how we can keep your building secure and your exits safe.
A fail-safe access control system uses locks that release when power is removed. If there is a power cut, a fault or an emergency door release is activated, the door unlocks so people can leave freely. Fail-safe locking is commonly used on entrances and escape routes where getting people out safely is the priority.
A fail-safe lock unlocks when it loses power, while a fail-secure lock stays locked. Fail-safe suits doors on escape routes, such as main entrances and office doors. Fail-secure suits areas where security matters more than exit, such as stock rooms, server cupboards or cash offices. Many buildings use a mix of both, chosen door by door.
A green emergency door release is a manual override fitted beside an electronically locked door. Pressing it cuts power to the lock, releasing the door immediately so anyone can open it. It works independently of fobs, cards or software, giving a simple and reliable way out in an emergency.
Yes. As well as NFC cards and fobs, UniFi’s third-generation readers support Touch Pass, which lets users unlock doors with a phone or smartwatch using Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. Credentials can be issued, changed or revoked centrally through UniFi Access software.
