PROPER FACILITY INFRASTRUCTURE AND PEDESTRIAN FLOW MANAGEMENT

The passage zone is an area encompassing the space where individuals registering with the access control system and utilizing entry control are expected to be present and move. The entry zone includes the information and pedestrian flow management zone, the access authorization zone for the passage section, the passage zone within the gate/device, and the exit zone. Communication routes within the passage zone should only be for individuals intending to pass through the access control system and for supervising personnel. Communication routes should not intersect and should be of adequate width to prevent excessive congestion.

To organize pedestrian traffic in the passage zone and ensure the safety of individuals, as well as the proper use of entry control systems and devices, the following should be applied:

1. Technical solutions, i.e., technical means of information dissemination (e.g., informational pictograms, regulations, instructions, markings) and technical devices (e.g., fixed barriers, mobile barriers, communication route markings on the floor).
2. Direct control and supervision by appropriate services (e.g., security services at a stadium).

Information dissemination methods should be selected based on the information recipient, i.e., the target group of people using the system and devices (example criteria: multilingualism, unspecified group of people (e.g., public facilities), specified group of people (e.g., workplace).

Information that should be available in the passage zone is divided into:

1. Training on how to use the system and devices (e.g., how to place a magnetic card on the reader, information that the arms or wings of the device should not be pushed before authorization to pass is granted, device operating instructions).
2. Prohibiting inappropriate user behavior (e.g., no entry, no dogs allowed, or no passing with luggage).
3. Mandating appropriate user behavior (e.g., marking for bicycle passage, marking direction of movement).
4. Warning (e.g., markings indicating the passage zone is out of use due to maintenance or service).
5. Regulatory (e.g., regulations defining the rights, obligations, and conduct of individuals within the protected zone, i.e., after passing through the entry control system).

In the passage zone, the only communication routes, apart from those mentioned above, should be:

• a communication route for individuals heading to the passage section,
• a communication route for individuals leaving the passage section (e.g., those who did not receive positive authorization to pass),
• a communication route for supervising services (e.g., security services at an event venue or stadium).

Communication routes should not intersect and should be of adequate width to prevent excessive crowding.
To properly design the passage zone within a facility and create appropriate operating conditions for the pedestrian traffic control system and device, it is necessary to, among other things:

1. Comply with applicable safety standards for building infrastructure (e.g., width of evacuation routes, possibility of leaving the controlled zone in case of malfunction of the access control system or device, provision and establishment of procedures for system failure or emergency).
2. Design the entry zone infrastructure depending on the type of passage and characteristics of the controlled group of people (e.g., people with luggage, children, disabled individuals using wheelchairs, or people with trolleys for transporting goods).
3. Select appropriate infrastructure supporting the operation of access control systems (e.g., guiding barriers, markings, graphic and displayed information).
4. Design an appropriate number of communication routes and their mutual relationship and functionalities (e.g., no intersecting communication routes).
5. Establish proper cooperation with access control systems and fire protection systems.
6. Establish rules for access and assistance for passage, as well as control of disabled individuals and those using devices/vehicles for their transport (e.g., wheelchairs).
7. Ensure adequate throughput of the designed pedestrian traffic control passage.
8. Determine and select devices and infrastructure to support the level of control (e.g., basic, standard).
9. Supplement or, if absent, develop a facility protection plan that includes procedures for situations such as system failure, congestion before devices, and evacuation in case of threat.

INFORMATION AND PEDESTRIAN FLOW MANAGEMENT ZONE

A zone located within the entry zone, encompassing an area where pedestrian traffic is managed by information (pictograms, traffic lights on devices, floor markings), technical solutions (e.g., fixed barriers, portable barriers), or direct control and supervision by appropriate services (e.g., facility security service).

For passages where congestion is anticipated due to the use of a pedestrian traffic control system, all the aforementioned methods of pedestrian flow management should be applied, i.e., information, technical solutions, direct control, and supervision by appropriate services responsible for pedestrian traffic safety.

In places where congestion is not expected due to the use of an entry control system, it is recommended to selectively apply one or two of the aforementioned methods of pedestrian flow management, depending on the risk assessment.

The zone should not be designed in such a way that communication routes intersect (e.g., the communication route for individuals who have not received positive authorization to pass through the device’s passage section and are leaving the authorization zone must not intersect with the communication route for individuals heading to the verification zone).

The zone should be equipped with information regarding system usage.

It is recommended to place information in this zone regarding rights, obligations, and rules of conduct (e.g., regulations for sports facilities, stadiums, workplaces, etc., for individuals within the secured zone (after passing through the access control system).

ACCESS AUTHORIZATION ZONE FOR THE PASSAGE SECTION

A zone encompassing the area for an individual to learn how to obtain authorization and use access control devices, as well as other information related to passing through the passage section. This zone should be located directly in front of the access control device’s passage section.

The reader/controller used to verify entry authorization into the passage section (e.g., card reader, ticket reader, controller) should be located in the place specified in the device documentation. If the device does not have a dedicated location, it should be placed in direct proximity to the passage section so that entry into the passage section during verification by two people at the same time is not possible.

Actions related to the authorization process should be easy and user-friendly for every person for whom the passage is intended (e.g., clear, concise information placed at an appropriate height, clear visual or audible signaling indicating receipt or non-receipt of entry authorization).

If access authorization zones are in close proximity to each other, visual signaling should be used. Non-directional audible signaling can misinform or mislead individuals in adjacent passage sections.

PASSAGE SECTION

The device’s working area, encompassing the range of moving elements and the device’s sensor detection system.
The width of the passage should be adapted to the planned type of pedestrian traffic and the level of security (e.g., movement of individuals in wheelchairs). The passage section must not be in direct proximity to stairs, landings, or other devices that could affect safety and passage ergonomics. The communication route should be free of thresholds and significant differences in ground height. The floor surface of the passage section should be made of anti-slip materials. The passage section should be adequately illuminated. It is recommended to use a single passage section for a single direction of movement (it is possible to establish two-way pedestrian traffic for a single section only if there is low pedestrian traffic intensity and no risk of congestion before the devices).

EXIT ZONE

The area after exiting the passage section, encompassing communication routes along with the area where information is conveyed to individuals heading to the passage section from the entrance side.

1. Appropriate markings aimed at organizing traffic after individuals exit the passage section (e.g., marking directions and names of communication routes).
2. Appropriate marking for individuals heading to the passage section from the exit side (e.g., in the case of two-way pedestrian traffic or attempts to pass through
   the passage section without authorization).
3. Designation of areas for official duties by assigned security services (e.g., at sports facilities, stadiums).