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SLAC Security Systems Upgrades to Prioritize Ease-of-Use

(Image - new Security Department office plan)
Location for the new SLAC Security Office. (Image courtesy the SLAC Facilities Division.)

Imagine a redesign of SLAC security systems that boosts convenience for lab staff and users: Alpine Gate availability 24/7, open user access to Building 901, or an automated gateway that recognizes your car license plate to let you pass through with ease. SLAC and the Department of Energy are partnering to bring these improvements and others to the lab's security systems. The goal is twofold: improve lab security while prioritizing ease-of-use for SLAC staff and users.

"The key concept is user-friendly security with 24-hour controlled access," said Chief Operating Officer Alexander Merola. "We will be using state-of-the-art highly effective automation and technology to allow transparent but effective security."

At SLAC's Main Gate, a license plate reader will give an automatic "green light" to cars registered to SLAC staff, users and regular contractors. Alpine Gate will be configured to allow 24/7 site entry to personnel with current badges. Proximity-triggered badge readers will automatically open the gate. Similar proximity badge readers will provide quick, secure entry to access-limited lab areas, such as server rooms and experimental facilities at SLAC's lightsources.

The current Gate 17 will be replaced with new gates closer to the areas that need to be controlled, allowing open roadway access to the Linac Coherent Light Source office building (Building 901) and experimental halls, which will use badge readers for entry. Access to the accelerator areas will be controlled by an automated gate at the Linac Sector 30 and a new gate near Building 901 on Pep Ring Road. Meanwhile, lab security and safety will get a boost from new, closed-circuit TV monitors in critical areas.

To streamline visitor arrivals, the SLAC Badging Office will move to a new location at the visitor parking lot, just inside SLAC's Main Gate, by the end of January 2011. The new location will provide point-of-arrival access to visitor badges as well as directions to destinations around SLAC.

To make all of this happen, the SLAC Environment, Safety and Health Division is teaming up for the first time with the DOE Office of Health, Safety and Security technologies lab and the DOE Office of Science.

"This project is being used as a model for future work between the DOE HSS and Office of Science labs," said Acting ES&H Director Brian Sherin.

"The HSS technology lab's help is proving invaluable in selecting the best technologies for reliable and staff-friendly security at the lab," said SLAC Director Persis Drell. "The new systems will give our staff, users and visitors easier access over more hours, while boosting site security at the same time. It's a win-win."

The work has begun, and will continue through completion of the project, slated for the end of fiscal year 2011. More information will be released at SLAC's Annual Safety and Security Fair on October 29 and through SLAC Today. 

—Shawne Workman
  SLAC Today, October 11, 2010