Mantraps or security portals have been in military facilities, mental hospitals, tech data centers and similar facilities for decades in one form or another.
The older mantraps consisted of a small enclosure that had two locking doors that were manned by a security officer.
The officer would let the person enter the enclosure through one door and the officer would clear him and unlock the second door and let the person into the facility, this process was slow allowing only two to three people per minute into the building.
The industry has evolved into fully automatic mantraps/portals that verify the user and allows access.
The “modern” mantraps can be equipped with bio-metric sensors, metal detectors, as well as anti-tailgating/piggybacking sensors to verify and clear the users into the building.
This type of mantrap has an average of four passages per minute for single slide doors or six passages per minute with bi-parting doors.
Since these technologies are the only means for positive access control they are mainly used in high risk facilities but they will become the norm for public facilities in the near future due to the rise of violent crime in schools, workplaces, and retail stores.
West Virginia’s American Access Control Systems AACS 400 Series, proudly took home the Gold in the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program for Best Pedestrian Entrance Control.
Their portals are manufactured in the US by Veterans using components that are manufactured in the US.
End users provided huge amounts of input during the development stages.
The end result is an extremely reliable, user friendly, robust and long-lasting portal.
American Access Control Systems portals currently installed in the field have over two million passages each over the last nine years, the failure rate is nominal at one failure every 425,000 passages.
The Main Control sends warnings of impending failures to the control console so the end user can call for service prior to the portal breaking.
Data from the last 1500 cycles can be downloaded to assist in the trouble shooting process.
The combination of low failure rate, early warning, and easy repair have made these systems user friendly, management friendly, and technician friendly.
Installation is a breeze requiring no modifications of the building.
Depending on the model the installation takes between 1.5 to 2.0 days from beginning to placing into service.
The portals are assembled at the factory, operation and sensors are tested prior to the portal being disassembled and shipped to your location.
These steps ensure that the portal is functioning properly and that installation is trouble free, fast, and requires minimal adjustments prior to being placed into service.
AACS portals are ADA compliant and eliminate the need for a dedicated portal for ADA use.
The electronics in the portals switch between ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) mode and normal operation depending on the badge presented.
If the facility supports two separate signals from the facilities security system, the portal will operate at normal speeds for NON-ADA users when a NON-ADA badge is presented and when an ADA badge being presented the portal operates at a slower speed to facilitate the user.
(See a demonstration of AACS portals ADA capabilities. Courtesy of American Access Control Systems and YouTube. Posted on Jul 26, 2018.)
A data base is available to the technician of the last 1500 cycles to assist in troubleshooting.
Early warnings of impending failures are displayed on the control console so the facility can schedule a service call prior to the portal breaking and being removed from service.
Alerts are sent to the security officer when there is a security violation or an attempted violation.
The Smart E-Stop feature attempts to open the door that the user entered the portal through three times, if the door opening is unsuccessful the clutch is disengaged allowing the portal door to be opened manually.
All sensors are laser based preventing ambient light interference.
The control console can monitor/control up to eight different portals from a single location.
AACS Series 300
The Series 300 is a 60 inch diameter portal that is available in bi-parting or single slide doors which allow 6 passages per minute for the bi-parting doors or 5 passages per minute for the single slide doors.
The AACS Series 300 is ADA compliant and can also be equipped with anti-tailgating/piggybacking, metal detection, and biometrics such as iris scan.
With AACS Series 300 Security Portals You Can:
- Prevent unauthorized access via tailgating
- Prohibit the exploitation of credentials via piggybacking
- Prevent forced entry
- Improve security environment
- Manage unmanned security portals via console
- Have direct contact with the person in the portal
- Improve productivity with faster throughput times
- And more!
(See a demonstration of AACS portals metal detection capabilities. Courtesy of American Access Control Systems and YouTube. Posted on Jul 26, 2018.)
AACS Series 300 Security Portal Features Include:
- Outside cabin dimensions 100”H X 60”D X 60” W with clear passage measuring 87”X34”
- Switches to a slower operating mode when an ADA badge is presented
- Connections can be made to the building’s fire alarm system, opening both doors immediately to allow evacuation.
- Fire alarm override allows the security officer to close the doors in the event of an attempted security breach. When this is activated the inside door(s) close, the portal scans the interior of the portal to ensure no one is inside, the exterior door(s) close when clear then the portal automatically locks down.
- Smart E-Stop technology forces the person out the same door that was used to enter the portal when the E-Stop is activated.
- Console alerts security of an alarm situation and allows for override of detection systems by an authorized individual.
- Console displays the current status of up to eight portals individually or collectively logs 16,000 cycles of data for troubleshooting assistance.
- Main Control is internally protected to prevent failures due to overload conditions
- Voice message is programmable on-site allowing for a custom message to meet the facilities needs.
- Laser-based tailgating system immune to ambient light
- Laser-based safety sensors immune to ambient light
- Five-hour battery backup
- Secure automatic emergency release. Our portals use E-Stop, a secure automatic emergency release, that NEVER gives a clear passage thus keeping the facility secure.
- Powder coated finish available in all RAL listed colors
- Custom finishes available in stainless steel #4 & non-directional
- Optional Metal Detection
- Optional Left Object Detection
- Glass options include 9/16” safety glass, BR1, BR2, BR2 with film (BR3)
AACS Series 400
Better technology means better reliability and better security.
The AACS Series 400 makes security easy.
Designed to easily replace existing swing doors without additional construction, the AACS Series 400 is a fully customizable, ADA compliant security portal solution.
Trusted to meet the high-security needs of America’s most secure facilities for years, AACS security portals are made in the USA with US components.
All parts are always readily available. The product is assembled and tested in the factory to ensure all corresponding parts fit properly, eliminating the time-consuming problem of field modifications.
The electronic panel is pre-wired and labeled for plug-and-play use.
AACS units do not require a pit to be dug into the floor, eliminating costly and time-consuming construction!
The Series 400 is a 48 inch by 60 inch portal that is available in bi-parting doors which allows six passages per minute.
The 400 can be installed in an existing doorway by removing the swing door from the hinges and mounting the portal against the frame.
This portal is also ADA compliant, and can be equipped with anti-tailgating/piggybacking, metal detection, left object detection, and biometrics such as iris scan.
(See a demonstration of AACS portals anti-tailgating/piggybacking capabilities. Courtesy of American Access Control Systems and YouTube. Posted on Jul 26, 2018.)
With AACS Series 400 Security Portals You Can:
- Prevent unauthorized access via tailgating
- Prohibit the exploitation of credentials via piggybacking
- Prevent forced entry
- Improve security environment
- Manage and monitor unmanned security portals via console
- Manage traffic with faster throughputs
- Improve productivity with faster throughput times
- Customize a solution
- Have in-factory assembly and pre-testing
- Have faster installation and shorter downtime
- And more!
AACS Series 400 Security Portal Features Include:
- Outside cabin dimensions 100”H X 60”D X 48” W with clear passage measuring 87”X34”
- Switches to a slower operating mode when an ADA badge is presented.Smart E-Stop technology forces the person out the same door that was used to enter the portal when the E-Stop is activated.
- Console alerts security of an alarm situation and allows for override of detection systems by an authorized individual.
- Console displays the current status of up to eight portals individually or collectively
- Logs 16,000 cycles of data for troubleshooting assistance.
- Main Control is internally protected to prevent failures due to overload conditions
- Voice message is programmable on-site allowing for a custom message to meet the facilities needs.
- Laser-based tailgating system immune to ambient light
- Laser-based safety sensors immune to ambient light
- Five-hour battery backup
- Secure automatic emergency release. AACS portals use E-Stop, a secure automatic emergency release, that NEVER gives a clear passage thus keeping the facility secure.
- Powder coated finish available in all RAL listed colors
- Custom finishes available in stainless steel #4 & non-directional
- Optional Metal Detection
- Optional Left Object Detection
- Glass options include 9/16” safety glass, BR1, BR2, BR2 with film (BR3)
- Connections can be made to the building’s fire alarm system, opening both doors immediately to allow evacuation.
- Fire alarm override allows the security officer to close the doors in the event of an attempted security breach. When this is activated the inside door(s) close, the portal scans the interior of the portal to ensure no one is inside, the exterior door(s) close when clear, then the portal automatically locks down.
(See a fire alarm override demonstration. Courtesy of American Access Control Systems and YouTube. Posted on Jul 26, 2018.)
AACS, recently partnered with California-based Security Dealer Marketing, to unveil a new website, featuring improved navigation for product pages, better imagery, among other content improvements.
The new design is said to provide a comprehensive understanding of the company’s portfolio of security doors and portal offerings.
The site features detailed information about the access control products, as well as partner and industry-specific support.
“We truly value our relationships with our customers and have not just built a website around that philosophy, but the entire business,” says AACS CEO Dave Jones.
“We truly value our relationships with our customers and have not just built a website around that philosophy, but the entire business,” says AACS CEO Dave Jones.
As a veteran-owned business, supporting American businesses and vendors is paramount at AACS, he continues.
“All of our portals are 100% ‘Made in America.’ However, we have taken that ideal and have made it part of our core DNA.
“For example, we chose to manufacture our portals using U.S. steel over foreign aluminum for a long useful life. We carefully selected and bought the highest quality components and subassemblies from American manufacturers.”
“We designed our portals using American engineers; we assemble portals in our factory in West Virginia, and our technicians are highly trained American veterans.
(See AACS Customer Testimonial by John Bustle, of VarcoMac Electrical, speak to the reliabilility, ease of use and robustness of their eight year-old AACS portals. Courtesy of American Access Control Systems and YouTube. Posted on Jul 10, 2018.)
American Access Control Systems Takes Gold in the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards
American Access Control Systems
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Best Pedestrian Entrance Control
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AACS Series 400 Security Portal
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is specifically designed to honor distinguished government and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced value, benefit and intelligence to end users in a variety of government, homeland security and public safety vertical markets.
The 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program drew an overwhelming response from industry leaders with a record high number of corporate and government nominations received, as well as record breaking ‘ASTORS’ Presentation Luncheon Attendees, with top firms trying to register for the exclusive high – end luncheon and networking opportunity – right up to the event kickoff on Wednesday afternoon, at the ISC East registration!
Over 130 distinguished guests representing National, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms, gathered from across North America, Europe and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:
The Department of Homeland Security- The Federal Protective Service (FPS)
- Argonne National Laboratory
- The Department of Homeland Security
- The Department of Justice
- The Security Exchange Commission Office of Personnel Management
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Viasat, Hanwha Techwin, Lenel, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Verint, Canon U.S.A., BriefCam, Pivot3, Milestone Systems, Allied Universal, Ameristar Perimeter Security and More!
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program highlighting the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition, and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.
The 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program was Proudly Sponsored by ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, Desktop Alert, and Royal Holdings Technologies.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.
Comprehensive List of Categories Include:
| Access Control/ Identification | Personal/Protective Equipment | Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism |
| Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System | Interagency Interdiction Operation | Cloud Computing/Storage Solution |
| Facial/IRIS Recognition | Body Worn Video Product | Cyber Security |
| Video Surveillance/VMS | Mobile Technology | Anti-Malware |
| Audio Analytics | Disaster Preparedness | ID Management |
| Thermal/Infrared Camera | Mass Notification System | Fire & Safety |
| Metal/Weapon Detection | Rescue Operations | Critical Infrastructure |
| License Plate Recognition | Detection Products | And Many Others! |
Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?
Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
2018 Champions Edition
See the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Champions Edition – ‘Best Products of 2018 ‘ Year in Review’ for in-depth coverage of the outstanding products and services of firms receiving American Security Today’s 2018‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards.’
Nominations for the AST 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program will officially open as of January 1st, 2019 at americansecuritytoday.com.
Enter Early to Maximize Media Coverage of your Products and Services at Kickoff, and Get the Recognition Your Organization Deserves!
And be sure to Register Early for the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East 2019 to ensure your place at this limited- space event!
2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Luncheon at ISC East
