Digital access control system for the retail trade

Wuppertal, Germany, 1 December 2020.  Following the new German Federal/State resolutions of 25 November 2020 designed to contain the coronavirus, retail businesses with an area of more than 800 m² will be permitted to allow only one-person entry for every 20 m² of space. For smaller businesses, the limit is one customer for every 10 m² of retail space. The new digital access control system from Schmersal makes it easier for retail businesses to adhere to the tighter coronavirus rules without the need for major staff increases. 

To be able to maintain the limit, access management is absolutely essential. ‘Schmersal Access Control’ (SAC-IO-20) is an intuitive traffic-light system with integrated counter that automatically counts the number of visitors entering a building. As soon as a maximum number of visitors has entered, a signal tone is sounded to indicate that the person who entered the building last must leave. In addition, the access possibilities are signalled by traffic light colours: with green meaning ‘please enter’ and red meaning ‘please wait’.  The system has already been successfully tested in the retail industry. 

Key elements of the system are an indicator light (green, yellow, red) with buzzer and a programmable safety relay module from the PROTECT SRB-E series from Schmersal. This module is normally used to monitor safety switchgear and achieves the maximum safety level in machine safety. 
The traffic-light system is quick and easy to install, requiring just a conventional 230 V socket; the counter also needs to be set. The system offers a standard version for up to 20 people, while versions for up to 200 people are available, and comprises industry-tested components. For user-friendly operation, the system incorporates command devices from the Schmersal N range, which are designed for maximum hygiene and easy cleaning.

 ‘Many businesses have developed creative makeshift solutions for access management, but they often require considerable staffing or in many cases even raise the risk of contagion,’ explains Ulrich Bernhardt, Sales Manager for Control Systems at the Schmersal Group. ‘By contrast, Schmersal Access Control is a simple system that can be operated with very little investment and few staff. We have put our experience in safety systems into the development of the system. For decades, Schmersal has been working to ensure that people are protected from health hazards in their working environment.’