Aging Entry Systems: The Growing Problem for Property Management Companies

The beginning of 2024 has seen a huge increase in requests from Property Management Companies requesting us to investigate faults on existing Entry Systems installed within residential developments they manage. 95% of the systems we are called upon to inspect are 10 - 20 years old and were most probably installed when the property was originally built, with no maintenance carried out since this time.

Many have broken call buttons or have failed completely, and have been like this for years until the complaints from residents become too much to cope with. Technology has come a long way in the past decade and we are now able to upgrade and replace damaged & failed entry systems quickly and economically utilising existing cabling without the need to re-cable properties, in most cases we can even upgrade existing Audio Entry Systems to Video with no additional cabling required.

Why Use The Existing Cabling - When You Can Install a GSM System?

This is fine when you are connecting 1 property, however, where multiple properties are required to be connected this can become a nightmare for Property Management Companies as most property owners/tenants use their mobile phones to be the connected device for the entry system to call, this is all well and good until the owner/tenant changes their mobile phone & number or moves house completely, in both cases the phone numbers assigned to the property have to be erased & re-programmed which in some cases can be carried out remotely or in most cases require an engineer to visit site to reprogram the system which will incur a cost.

Required Features That We Notice Are Often Missing:

Push to Exit Button:

Many systems are not fitted with a Push to Exit Button, which is used to release the door when leaving the property, these can be in the form of a button or an infra-red sensor which means that you do not have to make physical contact with the button and is a favourite now following COVID.

Emergency Glass Break Switch:

Another and more serious component that is often not installed is an Emergency Glass Break Switch, this is not so necessary where a standard Lock Release is used, however, where a Electro -Magnetic Lock or Solenoid Bolt locking device is used it is a necessity as in case of emergency it allows the power to the locking device to be cut, so allowing the door to be released until the switch is reset, Many of these locking devices are found to rely solely on a Push to Exit Switch which only allows momentary timed release.

External Fire Man's Switch:

Another and more serious component that is often not installed is an Emergency Glass Break Switch, this is not so necessary where a standard Lock Release is used, however, where a Electro -Magnetic Lock or Solenoid Bolt locking device is used it is a necessity as in case of emergency it allows the power to the locking device to be cut, so allowing the door to be released until the switch is reset, Many of these locking devices are found to rely solely on a Push to Exit Switch which only allows momentary timed release.

If you are considering a New Entry System or Upgrade to an existing installation please ensure that you use a Certificated Approved Installer. If you would like further information or advice on available systems please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.