ievo announces new fingerprint reader deployment

UK-based biometric recognition systems manufacturer ievo has supplied its “ultimate” fingerprint readers as an integral part of the security for the multi-million refurbishment and restoration of the Tyne Pedestrian and Cyclist Tunnels.

The fingerprint readers have been installed at access turnstiles to both ends of the unique construction site, effectively securing access to the entire site and the construction staff.

“Access through the two full height turnstiles at each end of the site is controlled by the biometric readers,” explained Craig White, Business Development Manager for Phoenix Eye Security. “Staff can be very quickly registered using the ievo desktop registration unit and the readers are powered by a PoE (Power over Ethernet) option which helps the whole site reduce energy consumption to achieve BREEAM rating.

“The site’s previous system of numbered tags and a signing book was simply no longer fit-for purpose whilst the concise and real time information the biometric system with the linked Paxton timesheet software not only creates a vastly safer and more secure site but gives precise information for the financial side of attendance.”

Cloe Snell, Regional Manager North for ievo Ltd, added, “Our biometric readers are designed for harsh environmental use, such as construction sites. The Tyne Pedestrian Tunnel project needed to remain operational regardless of the weather conditions or the amount of users enrolled – being able to provide a system that can help identify and manage a large workforce is what the equipment is designed for. The security staff like the ease of use for both enrolment and regular access whilst the overall system’s ability to generate accurate and reliable reports is a vast improvement upon the previous system used on site.”

Originally opened in 1951 as part of the Festival of Britain, the twin 900ft long tunnels – one is for pedestrian and the other for cyclists – were the first purpose-built cycle tunnel in the UK and the first to be used by both cyclists and pedestrians. The tunnels lie 12m below the bed of the River Tyne and 26m below the River’s High Water level. They also contain what was, at the time of construction, the longest single-rise escalators in the world and are still the four longest wooden escalators with a length of 61m and a vertical rise of almost 26m.

Article Topics

access control  |  biometrics  |  fingerprint authentication  |  ievo  |  UK