Access Control & Intercom Systems

Access control is the physical enforcement of a security policy. A well-designed system controls entry points using electronic locks, readers and credentials, while logging every event for audit purposes. TG Baker installs systems ranging from standalone door controllers to networked platforms managing hundreds of doors across multiple sites.

Door entry and intercom systems provide visitor management at external entry points. Audio and video intercom panels allow staff to verify visitors before granting access, either locally or remotely via IP. We install both surface-mount and flush-mount panels to suit the building's architecture and exposure conditions.

Credential types include proximity cards, smart cards, mobile credentials, PIN entry and biometric readers. We specify the credential technology based on the security level required. For standard commercial premises, encrypted smart cards are typically sufficient. For higher-security environments, we deploy multi-factor authentication combining card plus PIN or card plus biometric.

Biometric readers eliminate the risk of lost, stolen or shared credentials. TG Baker installs facial recognition terminals and fingerprint readers as either primary credentials or second-factor verification. Facial recognition is particularly effective at high-throughput entry points where speed matters, such as turnstiles in stadia or staff entrances in NHS facilities.

All biometric data is processed in compliance with GDPR and the UK Data Protection Act 2018. We configure systems to store biometric templates rather than raw images, enforce retention policies and restrict administrative access. These controls are documented in the project handover.

Our process follows the same four stages as all TG Baker projects: design, install, commission, maintain. During design, we carry out a site survey to establish the number and type of controlled doors, the credential strategy, integration requirements and network infrastructure. We produce door schedules, wiring diagrams and system architecture drawings.

Installation is carried out by our in-house engineers. We install controllers, readers, locks, power supplies and structured cabling. We do not subcontract. Commissioning includes enrolling test credentials, verifying every door's lock and unlock behaviour, testing fail-safe and fail-secure configurations, and integrating with fire alarm panels for emergency release.

Maintenance contracts cover firmware updates, hardware health checks, battery replacement and cardholder database management support. For multi-site clients, we provide remote diagnostics and same-day call-out where required.

For organisations with multiple premises, TG Baker deploys centralised access control platforms that manage all sites from a single interface. Cardholder records, access levels and door schedules are administered centrally, with site-level controllers operating independently if the network connection is lost. This architecture ensures that doors remain controlled even during a WAN outage.

Integration with other building systems is a core capability. Access control events can trigger CCTV camera presets, activate lighting, log entries in a security information management system, or feed data to occupancy monitoring platforms. We configure these integrations during commissioning and document them in full.

TG Baker installs access control and intercom systems in stadia, commercial offices, NHS hospitals, universities, schools, retail premises, industrial facilities and public-sector buildings. We work across the UK from our offices in Glasgow and Blackburn.