Securing Jewish schools with physical access control solution
Terror attacks at Jewish schools in Paris, together with a number of hoax bomb threats to Jewish schools in the United Kingdom and the USA, have placed the international Jewish community on high alert. With Jewish day schools considered high risk for attacks, many schools—especially those located in urban centres—are focused on security.
In light of the covert and overt risk to scholars and their educators, the South African Board of Jewish Education (SABJE) decided to enhance physical security measures at a number of the schools under its domain around Johannesburg.
Turnstar, recognised for its development of high-security physical access control barriers, has provided seven Titan full-height turnstiles to the SABJE for deployment at a number of the Board’s day schools.
The Titan turnstiles, manufactured with black frames and blue rotors to match the schools’ colours, are ideal for use in severe operating conditions and are virtually maintenance-free, providing superior longevity and reliability.
Installed at the main entrances to the SABJE schools, the turnstiles are fitted with customer-supplied biometric access control readers. Each turnstile is equipped with LED indicator lights, which provide visible feedback on whether the turnstile is locked or whether access has been granted. The Titan 3, three-arm turnstiles were manufactured and installed to provide ease of access for scholars carrying school bags and sports bags.
“The SABJE required a solution that would provide scholars and educators with the assurance of uncompromising security. The use of our Rotalok rotating locking mechanism ensures ongoing operation of the turnstiles, even in adverse conditions. This ultra-heavy-duty electromechanical locking mechanism allows for bi-directional operation and has been tried and tested over the past two decades to provide unequivocal service levels,” says Craig Sacks, MD of Turnstar.
Factoring in the age and lack of life experience of some of the scholars, the Rotalok mechanism has an Anti-Trap® safety system to ensure that nobody can be entrapped in the turnstile, thereby eradicating any possible sense of panic. Added to this is the mechanical key override which allows an operator to unlock the turnstile in the event of a power outage or in emergency scenarios.
“The safety and security of individuals is paramount to this particular installation and allows for maximised security levels for scholars, educators and visitors at these SABJE schools,” says Sacks.
