Security System

  1. 1 Objective
  • Specify the requirements for a new security system for Trinity United Methodist Church to be used to provide a layer of protection for Trinity staff during normal business hours.
  1. 2 Assumptions
  • South entrance door operation does not require modification or change (i.e., current functionality can remain as-is). This door has external key access, crash bar for emergency egress, and a capability to fix the crash bar in a depressed state (i.e., using an Allen wrench) which allows the door to remain unlocked. Use of the door in this state will be administratively controlled.
  • North entrance door (after modification) does not need to have the ability to be opened from the outside (e.g., using a key). This door does not currently have this capability and the South entrance door can be used for this purpose. 
  • The existing doorbell can be used to notify the staff that someone is at the front door requesting access. No additional means of notification needs to be provided by the new system.
  • There is an existing means of communication (i.e., intercom) between the operator stations (i.e., church admin office and Pastor’s office). No additional means of communication needs to be provided by the new system.
  • The staff will use the existing telephone system to call 911 in the event of an emergency. No “panic button”, automated notification, or similar types of notification needs to be provided by the new system.
  • The new security system does not need to provide a means to prevent “piggybacking”. This will be administratively controlled [needs validation].
  1. 3 Definition
  • The North entrance door refers to the north door of the main entrance pair of doors to Trinity United Methodist Church. The South entrance door refers to the south door of this pair and not the door located on the south side of the church.
  1. 4 Requirements (North Door)

    1. 4.1 General Requirements

    • Any components of the security system that are located outside of the church (e.g., mounted on the exterior of the church) shall be rated for exterior service (e.g., weather resistant, sealed against water intrusion, not susceptible to damage from UV sunlight) and capable of operating in anticipated weather conditions (e.g., ambient temperatures ranging from -30°F to +120°F).
    • Any components of the security system that are located outside of the church (e.g., mounted on the exterior of the church) shall be protected from damage due to vandalism (e.g., constructed of resilient materials, covered by a protective cage) and be placed out of easy reach to protect the system from obscuration or other defeat measures.
    • The new security system shall use 110 V AC power from an existing circuit (preferred), a new circuit added to an open slot in an existing panel (second choice), or be fed from a new circuit from a new panel (least desirable).
    • All electrical work shall conform to NEC and other applicable standards/codes. Contractor shall obtain a building permit if that is required by the city or county.
    • All doors (as modified) and system locking mechanisms or other installed door components shall meet OSHA, UBC, and fire safety codes.
    • All electrical/electronic devices shall be UL tested and approved (or equivalent, e.g., Factory Mutual).
    • The new security system’s components located at, near, or mounted on the North door shall not interfere with the existing operation or functionality of the South door.
    • The only off-normal condition that needs to be considered is a Trinity or general area power outage. Facility evacuation in the event of an emergency (e.g., fire) is considered a normal operation.

    1. 4.2 Normal Security System Operations

    • The new security system shall include two identical operator stations (i.e., having the same capabilities and controls); one located in the church administrative office and one in the Pastor’s office.
    • The North entrance door shall normally remain locked (i.e., preventing visitor ingress) unless released by a staff member or other duly designated individual.
    • The operator stations shall include a means to remotely release the locking mechanism for the North door such that the visitor can open the door and enter. The locking mechanism shall automatically reset to a locked state after the door has closed and remote input signal has ended or discontinued. Discontinuance of this signal may be accomplished, for example, through the use of a set time interval for lock mechanism release or based on the time the operator maintains pressure on the remote switch.
    • The security system shall produce a clear, audible indication (e.g., buzzing sound) that the locking mechanism has been released to inform the visitor when they can open the door.
    • The security system shall include a means of obtaining a clear, visual image (e.g., video camera) of the visitor(s) at the main entrance doors and transmitting the image to the operator stations for display. 
    • The operator stations shall include dedicated components for displaying the transmitted images (e.g., the system cannot use existing computer equipment or monitors). Resolution of the images must support operator-based decision making regarding visitor access. It is preferable for the images to be in color, but black and white may be necessary to stay within budget.
    • The operator stations shall include a means for staff members to control the pan, tilt, and zoom of the imaging device to support visitor assessment/recognition and access decisions.
    • The mounting location of the imaging device shall allow clear views of the entire entrance area as well as both sidewalk approaches (i.e., from the north and from the east).
    • The new security system shall include a means of clear, two-way voice communication between the operator stations and the North entrance door. Communications shall be controlled from the operator stations rather than the door (i.e., the visitor will not be required to depress a button to speak with someone at an operator station). Clarity of the voice communications must support operator-based decision making regarding opening the door and response to the visitor of that decision.
    • During normal operations, the security system’s door locking mechanism shall not preclude, or hinder in any manner, the ability for occupants to perform an emergency egress (e.g., “crash” out using the crash bar) through the North door.

    1. 4.3 Off-Normal Security System Operations

    • The North entrance door shall remain in a locked state in the event of a loss of system power.
    • During a power outage, the security system’s locking mechanism shall not preclude, or hinder in any manner, the ability for occupants to perform an emergency egress (e.g., “crash” out using the crash bar) through the North door. 

    1. 4.4 Failure Modes

    • In the event of a locking mechanism failure, the mechanism shall fail in a locked state but not preclude or hinder the ability for occupants to perform an emergency egress (e.g., “crash” out using the crash bar) through the North door.

    1. 4.5 Future Functions/Capabilities

    • It is desirable for the security system to be expandable in the future to support the addition of surveillance capabilities (e.g., video cameras) that might be strategically located to provide views of important areas of the church (e.g., other doors, hallways, sanctuary). Images from these surveillance capabilities should be viewable at the operator stations on the dedicated displays.
    • It is desirable for the security system to be expandable in the future to support the addition of a recording capability for all associated visual image feeds such that the previous 72 hour period can be reviewed by staff and/or law enforcement personnel. This capability should be able to support real-time and slow motion playback as well as faster-than-real-time reverse and fast forward.

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      Trinity United Methodist Church; 237 N. Water Ave. Idaho Falls, ID 83402                   208-522-7921        TrinityUMCIdahoFalls@gmail.com