A Simple Approach to Securing Hazards

What is door interlocking?

You may have also heard of door interlocking referred to as a mantrap or sally port. While the term “mantrap” is relatively self-explanatory, the term “sally port” has historic military origins, describing a secure gateway used to control movement in and out of a fortress.

In its simplest form, door interlocking involves two or more electronically connected doors that operate sequentially. One door cannot open until the other has fully closed, ensuring there is never an open path between a secure and hazardous area. This mechanism prevents accidental exposure to risks, protects personnel, and maintains containment in controlled environments.

Modern interlocking systems go beyond basic functionality by integrating seamlessly with advanced access control platforms. Additionally, their customizable settings allow organizations to tailor operations based on specific safety or security requirements. These innovations make door interlocking a highly reliable and adaptable solution for managing access in sensitive or high-risk areas.

Benefits of Interlocking Systems

Interlocking systems are a cornerstone of modern access control, offering improved safety, greater operational efficiency, and enhanced security.

One of the primary advantages is enhanced security.

• Enhanced Security
  Interlocking systems deliver a layer of security by restricting access to sensitive areas. By ensuring that only authorized individuals can proceed, these systems mitigate the risks of theft and vandalism. This proactive approach safeguards critical spaces, maintaining the integrity of your facility.
  
  
• Improved Safety
  Safety is paramount, and interlocking systems play a vital role in protecting personnel. By controlling access to hazardous areas, these systems help reduce the likelihood of workplace accidents. With interlocking systems, only trained personnel can access high-risk zones, ensuring a safer working environment.
  
  
• Increased Efficiency
  Streamlined access control processes reduce bottlenecks and enhance the flow of people and materials. This is particularly valuable in high-traffic environments where maintaining controlled conditions is essential. Interlocking systems enable smooth, efficient operations without compromising security or safety. By integrating these features, interlocking systems provide a comprehensive solution for managing access in diverse settings.
  
  

How Interlocking Systems Work

An interlocking system is a sophisticated type of access control system. Here’s a step-by-step look at how it works:

1. Entry: The process begins when the first door opens, allowing an individual to enter the vestibule area/
2. Locking Mechanism: Once the individual is inside, the first door closes behind them, triggering the interlocking system to lock the second door.
3. Authentication: The individual is scanned or authenticated using various security measures, such as biometric readers, metal detectors, or access cards.
4. Authorization: If the individual is authorized to access the restricted area, the second door opens, allowing them to pass through.
5. Exit: After the individual passes through, the second door closes behind them, triggering the interlocking system to lock the first door again.

This process ensures that there’s never a direct path open to the outside, maintaining a secure and controlled environment. By using this method, interlocking systems effectively manage access to sensitive areas, enhancing overall security and safety.

Industry Applications of Interlocking Systems 

1. Healthcare: In the healthcare industry, interlocking systems control access to restricted areas like operating rooms, laboratories, and patient records. This helps maintain patient privacy and ensures that external contaminants such as dust are kept outside, while hazardous materials are contained inside the restricted area.
   
   
2. Finance and Banking: Financial institutions use interlocking systems to secure areas such as vaults, data centers, and executive offices. By preventing unauthorized access, these systems help protect valuable assets and sensitive information.
   
   
3. Education: Educational institutions implement interlocking systems to control access to restricted areas like laboratories, libraries, and administrative offices. This ensures the safety of students and staff while protecting valuable resources and information.
   
   
4. Transportation: Interlocking systems are crucial in securing sensitive areas within airports, seaports, and transportation hubs. They help prevent unauthorized access, ensuring the safety and security of passengers and cargo.
   
   
5. Government and Military: Interlocking systems are essential for securing sensitive areas such as data centers, command centers, military installations, and prisons. They provide an additional layer of security, ensuring that weapons and contraband are not brought inside secure areas.

Watch our video below to see how door interlocks can work using a clean room as an example.

ICT’s integrated solution

Historically, systems have required additional tools to enable door interlocking, and they wouldn't work together with access control.

Unlike other solutions, ICT's integrated platform needs no additional software* and door interlocking can be configured in just a few short steps. 

Integration with Access Control

Integrating interlocks with advanced security and automation features is straightforward. For heightened security, interlocks can be combined with two-factor authentication, ensuring only authorized individuals gain access.

Building automation can also be seamlessly incorporated, allowing systems such as HVAC or lighting to activate automatically when an interlock is engaged. 

Enhancing Safety with Door Interlocking

As well as automation, integrations and two-factor authentication, there are other features available with an ICT system that add value when used in conjunction with door interlocking. These include: 

• Dual Custody is where an object is treated the same way as a human user, so you can control and monitor the flow of objects through a building 
  
• Compliance Types that ensure people entering a restricted area have the appropriate current training and certification
• Area Counting to limit the number of people in an area 
  
• Loiter Areas which allow users to transit through an area but prevent them from remaining too long 
  
• Dual Authentication where two authorized users must supply credentials to gain access 
  
  

ICT's unified access control, intruder detection, and building automation solutions mean that door interlocking has moved from simple containment to a multi-functional system that is increasingly safe, automated, and accountable. 

You can find out more about this and see how quick and easy it is to configure interlocks in Protege GX on our Door Interlocking page. 

 * Door interlocking in Protege WX requires advanced mode to be enabled. This is as simple as completing your Protege WX certification.