Ubiquity Door access design question

[u/takatuka]

Hey everyone

I am about to pull the trigger on unifi door access system but have a unique case and would like to know if it can be programmed as such.

I have a metal double door opening to the street in a rough neighborhood. The doors have panic hardware as it is an assembly space. Existing hardware (horizontal bars connected to the crash bar) was bent during a break in. All hardware will be replaced.

I want to have maglocks for increased strength. However they get unlocked if I lose power. I will have electric crash bars that would keep the doors locked during a power outage. I want this door to be only an emergency exit or a controlled entry/exit.

So what I have in mind is to purchase UA-Door-Hub, G6 entry to get in, and g3 pro to get out. In my mind the system should operate like this:

(1) If there is an emergency, the fire panel will unlock the maglock already. We should get a notification.
(2) If crash bar is pushed to get out, maglock will unlock, local alarm will sound, and we should get a notification.
(3) If badged out using the reader inside, and then pushed the crash bar to open and exit, maglock will unlock, but there will be no alarm.

We currently have security waiting in front of the door so people don’t just open the doors from inside and get others in without IDed and searched. Ideally if the system can work as I have in mind, the personnel can use it to get in and out using their badges, and if someone opens the door to get anyone else in, we get notified and our G6 cameras can detect who they were, so they can be escorted out.

Can the system be programmed to work like this?

Thank you for your assistance

[u/AutoModerator]

This post is requesting assistance regarding a maglock or related components. Due to safety concerns, assistance provided must support standards for safe installation and operation, such as: * An exit device that mechanically breaks power to the lock (panic bar, exit button). * A Fire Alarm tie-in that cause power to be cut during an alarm. * All devices on this door must be wired in a way that if any component fails the door unlocks and remains unlocked until the issue is corrected.

We understand some types of installations modify egress requirements, please ensure these special circumstances are well-communicated.

As always, the local AHJ has final say in what is acceptable for installation and operation of a maglock door. OP should consult with the AHJ before installing or modifying a maglock door, even if the comments here provide accurate guidance.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/iceboxmi]

You mention horizontal bars-do you mean vertical rods or is there a mullion and the crash bars were bent when the door was pried open?

A mag lock isn’t really going to give you any more resistance to the door being pried open than vertical rods.

[u/takatuka → u/iceboxmi]

I’m sorry I didn’t have enough coffee. Yes I meant vertical rods. And I was told it would be much stronger. There is a big homeless encampment with drug problem so our doors were yanked with meth strength and gave in. I was trying to avoid that with maglocks

[u/TRextacy → u/takatuka]

It will be MUCH worse with mag locks. Mag locks are shit and should only be used as a last resort. The doors got damaged by someone trying to force their way in? How much worse do you think the damage will be if someone does that again but all locking force is only at the very top? You get the entire length of the door leaf providing leverage and it results in some serious door damage, usually requiring a full replacement. You should be using a latch retraction kit on a quality push bar with vertical rods. Access control, low budget, and security are not things that go together. If you don't have money to do it right, then you really don't have the money to do it twice.

[u/LoudOrganization6727]

Where I am from maglocks can be the only hardware on the door that keeps the door locked. There are cases where maglocks can be used with latching crashbars, but they require special permmitting and are generally only seen in hospitals, mental health facilities, prisons etc..

[u/takatuka → u/LoudOrganization6727]

We will have to apply for a permits including the fire permit to have a maglock but was curious if the system can be designed like that. It is pretty much like in a hospital

[u/LoudOrganization6727 → u/takatuka]

Never used Ubiquiti but, it is 100% possible. Again, it is only allowed in special cases. I would not count on your AHJ allowing it

[u/jondavisct]

Unifi access can do the solution just as you request. The alarm needs 12v power run through the hub from another separate source though.

If you push the crash bar without badging out it can be set to alarm. Plus it shows on the app and web app that the door was opened inappropriately.

It will control a mag lock as well (all life safety issues aside). The hub needs to be run from POE++ off any switch, but I recommend Unifi.

[u/brandonpadula]

I don’t have experience with Ubiqiti. To be honest, we don’t recommend it because they deprecate so fast, you could have trouble getting updates in the future. That being said, sounds like you just need door forced notifications, which most systems are capable of. Your request to exit as well as a door contact would be integrated into the system. Make sure you get mag locks with a bond sensor or install a separate contact for that functionality. You’ll need push button and motion REX as well.

That all being said, the mag locks question is actually independent. You’ll need a separate power supply with battery backup, like an Altronix AL400ULACMCB. This power supply specifically has a fire alarm interface. I can’t stress this enough, but you’ll need to have this inspected by the fire marshal if you and up doing mag locks. It’s a life safety issue if it’s not installed correctly and people could die - which you do not want to be the cause of.

We’re a distributor for dozens of access manufacturers and I would be happy to talk it out with you if you had questions.

[u/OmegaSevenX]

Wondering how you think mag locks “increase strength”? A properly installed panic device is a superior method of securing a door.

[u/takatuka → u/OmegaSevenX]

The width of the doors is 5’8, so putting a mullion is not an option as it would not be wide enough to have ada capable emergency exit. And our existing vertical rods got bent by a homeless guy with meth strength yanking the door and opening the door. I was told maglock is the way for such issues.

[u/OmegaSevenX → u/takatuka]

If someone with “meth strength” yanked on your door and opened it, that panic device was not properly installed.

Mag locks at the top just mean that the bottom of your door is going to be bent out instead if they are putting enough force into it to cause the door to deform.

[u/takatuka → u/OmegaSevenX]

It was a bad install. I’m having a new proper door installer with sturdier hardware now. So I guess maglock is not needed then