Access Control Maintenance for Schools
Your school's access control system is a frontline safeguarding measure — but only when every component is working correctly. SchoolCare provides specialist access control maintenance for UK schools, including an annual on-site visit with a comprehensive written report, telephone and remote support, and expert guidance on health and safety compliance.
Safeguarding Starts at the Door
Access control systems are one of the most important physical safeguarding measures a school can invest in. Door entry systems, automated gates, fob readers, and keypad locks control who enters your buildings and when — protecting students, staff, and visitors every day. However, without regular professional maintenance, components wear, software falls behind, and faults develop silently, leaving your school vulnerable precisely when security matters most.
Safeguarding Duty
Schools have a legal duty to keep children safe. A malfunctioning door entry system or failed lock compromises your perimeter security and undermines your safeguarding policy. Regular maintenance ensures every access point functions reliably, every day.
Fire Safety Compliance
Access control systems that integrate with fire alarms must release doors correctly during an evacuation. A failed mag-lock or misconfigured release mechanism could endanger lives. Annual testing and maintenance verifies your system responds correctly to fire alarm activation.
DDA & Accessibility
Automated doors and accessible entry points must remain fully operational to meet your obligations under the Equality Act 2010. Maintenance ensures powered doors, push-to-exit buttons, and accessible entry systems work reliably for all users.
What Our Annual Maintenance Visit Includes
Every SchoolCare access control maintenance plan includes a thorough annual on-site inspection carried out by our qualified engineers. Following the visit, you receive a detailed written report documenting the condition of every component, any faults identified, remedial work carried out, and prioritised recommendations — providing a clear audit trail for governors, insurers, and health and safety officers.
Door Entry Systems
Audio and video intercom units are tested for clarity, functionality, and weatherproofing. Handsets, panels, and call buttons are inspected for wear, and wiring connections are checked for integrity. We ensure visitors can be identified and admitted reliably from every entry point.
Locking Mechanisms
Mag-locks, electric strikes, and motorised locks are inspected for holding force, alignment, and correct operation. We test both lock and release functions, checking that doors secure properly when closed and release cleanly when triggered — including emergency release scenarios.
Fob & Keypad Readers
Proximity readers, keypads, and biometric scanners are tested for responsiveness and accuracy. We verify that authorised credentials are accepted promptly and that lost or revoked fobs are correctly blocked, maintaining the integrity of your access permissions.
Fire Alarm Integration
Access control systems must respond correctly to fire alarm activation, releasing all mag-locks and secured doors to allow safe evacuation. We test this integration during every annual visit, verifying that all doors release simultaneously and reset correctly after the alarm is silenced.
Automated Gates & Barriers
Where your access control extends to vehicle gates or pedestrian barriers, our engineers inspect motors, safety sensors, photocells, and control units. We test opening and closing speeds, safety reversals, and manual override mechanisms to ensure safe, reliable operation.
Written Report
A comprehensive report is provided detailing the condition of every access point, any faults identified, remedial work completed, and prioritised recommendations. This report serves as your documented maintenance record for compliance, insurance, and health and safety audit purposes.
Your Legal Obligations
Access control systems in schools are subject to several pieces of health and safety legislation. Failure to maintain these systems can expose your school to legal liability, enforcement action, and — most importantly — genuine risk to the safety of students and staff. A SchoolCare maintenance plan helps you stay compliant across all relevant regulations.
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
The responsible person must ensure that all fire safety equipment — including access control systems integrated with fire alarms — is maintained in good working order. Mag-locks and electrically secured doors must release on fire alarm activation to allow safe egress. Regular testing and documented maintenance records are essential for demonstrating compliance during fire risk assessments and fire authority inspections.
Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008
Automated gates and barriers are classified as machinery and must be safe to use, properly installed, and regularly maintained. Safety sensors, photocells, and anti-trap mechanisms must be tested to prevent crush and entrapment injuries. Schools with automated vehicular or pedestrian gates have a duty to ensure these systems meet current safety standards and are maintained by competent persons.
Equality Act 2010
Schools must make reasonable adjustments to ensure their premises are accessible to people with disabilities. Automated doors, accessible push-to-exit buttons, and low-level entry systems must be maintained in working order to meet this obligation. A failed powered door or inaccessible entry point could constitute a breach of your duties under the Act.
Employer & Occupier Duties
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Occupiers’ Liability Acts, schools must ensure that premises are safe for staff, students, and visitors. Access control systems form part of this duty — a malfunctioning gate, a jammed emergency exit, or a failed lock can create serious safety risks. Documented maintenance demonstrates your commitment to fulfilling these duties.
Telephone & Remote Support
Your access control maintenance plan doesn’t just cover the annual visit. SchoolCare provides year-round telephone and remote support to keep your system running smoothly between inspections.
Telephone Support
Our experienced support team is available by phone to help with day-to-day queries — from adding and revoking fobs to adjusting access schedules and troubleshooting entry issues. You always speak to someone who understands access control systems, not a generic helpdesk.
Remote Diagnostics
Where your access control system supports remote connectivity, our engineers can log in to diagnose faults, adjust settings, update firmware, and resolve many issues without an on-site visit — minimising downtime and disruption to your school day.
Priority Call-Outs
If a fault cannot be resolved remotely, maintenance plan customers receive priority scheduling for on-site call-outs. We understand that a failed access control system is a safeguarding issue, and we treat it with the urgency it deserves.
Benefits of a SchoolCare Maintenance Plan
Compliance Confidence
Documented annual maintenance and a comprehensive written report demonstrate your school’s commitment to fire safety, accessibility, and safeguarding compliance — providing evidence for governors, auditors, and inspectors.
Reduced Risk
Proactive maintenance identifies and resolves faults before they compromise your school’s security. Regular testing of locks, readers, fire integration, and automated gates ensures your perimeter remains secure year-round.
Extended System Life
Regular servicing prevents premature wear and extends the operational life of your access control hardware — protecting your investment and deferring costly replacements.
Budget Predictability
A fixed annual maintenance cost replaces unpredictable emergency call-out charges. You know exactly what your access control maintenance will cost each year, simplifying budget planning.
Year-Round Support
Telephone support, remote diagnostics, and priority call-outs ensure you are never left without expert help when an access control issue arises — even between annual visits.
Expert Recommendations
Our engineers provide practical, honest recommendations for system improvements — whether upgrading ageing hardware, extending coverage to new buildings, or integrating with your fire alarm or visitor management system.
Protect Your School’s Access Control System
Contact SchoolCare to discuss an access control maintenance plan tailored to your school. Our annual visit, written report, and year-round support give you complete confidence that your entry systems are safe, compliant, and fully operational.
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