South Staffordshire College – Cannock Campus
Three-lane entrance security and access-control system delivered within a one-week half-term programme, with no disruption to teaching.
Three-lane entrance security and Paxton access control installation delivered during a one-week half-term programme at South Staffordshire College's Cannock Campus.
- Client
- South Staffordshire College
- Sector
- Education
- Location
- Cannock, Staffordshire
- Scope
- Access Control & Entrance Security Installation
- Programme
- 1 week
- Delivery window
- Half term
- Environment
- Education / college campus
- Services
- Access control, electrical infrastructure, data & containment
South Staffordshire College appointed RS Electrical to deliver a new controlled entrance system at its Cannock Campus, improving security and access control through the college's main reception.
The project centred on the installation of three automated speed lanes integrated with Paxton read-in and read-out access control. Alongside the entrance equipment itself, it required new electrical supplies, data infrastructure, segregated containment and specialist flooring works to create a permanent installation that integrates cleanly into the existing reception environment.
RS Electrical coordinated the overall package, delivering the electrical infrastructure and containment directly and working with approved specialist subcontractors for the speed-lane installation and specialist floor reinstatement.
With the main reception being an important access point for the college, the complete programme was scheduled for half term — providing a one-week window to complete and coordinate the works before students returned, avoiding disruption to teaching and the normal operation of the campus.
- Three automated speed lanes installed within the reception lobby, formed using four cabinets with 900mm-high glazed barriers
- Paxton access control with read-in and read-out functionality across all lanes
- New electrical circuits installed from the local distribution board with 30mA RCBO protection
- New 150mm galvanised cable tray system for power and data infrastructure
- Data cabling routed to the client-supplied main hub PC
- Segregated three-compartment containment installed beneath the speed lanes to conceal services
- Specialist floor reinstatement and safety-floor finish around the completed installation
- Inspection, testing and Electrical Installation Certificate on completion
Coordinating specialist trades within a one-week half-term window
The objective was to improve control and security at the main entrance to the Cannock Campus without disrupting how the college operates day to day. With reception acting as the main access point for staff, students and visitors, the works needed to be completed while the building was closed to students — giving a genuine one-week programme rather than a phased or out-of-hours approach.
Delivering the project in that window meant carefully sequencing several different trades through the same space. Electrical infrastructure and containment needed to be installed first, specialist flooring works then reinstated and finished the reception floor around the concealed services, and the entrance equipment and access-control elements could only be completed and commissioned once that groundwork was in place.
RS Electrical managed and coordinated the complete package throughout, directly delivering the electrical infrastructure and containment works while approved specialist subcontractors carried out the speed-lane installation and floor reinstatement.
Entrance security, access control and concealed services
Three automated speed lanes were installed within the reception lobby, creating a controlled pedestrian access point between reception and the wider college. The arrangement consists of three lanes formed using four cabinets, with 900mm-high glazed barriers.
Paxton access control was incorporated into the new entrance arrangement, providing read-in and read-out functionality across the speed lanes, so access through the reception security point can be controlled electronically using authorised credentials.
RS Electrical completed the electrical infrastructure required for the new entrance system. New circuits were installed from the local distribution board behind reception, with appropriate 30mA RCBO protection, and a new 150mm galvanised cable tray system was installed to provide a route for the power and data infrastructure needed by the entrance equipment. Data cabling was routed to the client-supplied main hub PC within the reception area.
A key consideration was how to introduce the necessary power, data and access-control cabling across the existing reception without leaving exposed services around the new entrance system. RS Electrical installed segregated three-compartment containment beneath the speed lanes to accommodate the required services, and approved specialist subcontractors then completed the associated floor reinstatement and safety-floor finish. This allowed the services to be concealed beneath the completed entrance arrangement, creating a permanent installation that integrates neatly with the existing reception environment rather than one built around visible trunking or surface containment.
Following completion of the electrical works, the new circuits were inspected and tested and the appropriate Electrical Installation Certificate was provided. The completed entrance system was commissioned and handed over ready for use when the college reopened.
Delivered within half term, with the campus reopening on schedule
The project was delivered within the one-week half-term programme and within the agreed budget. South Staffordshire College was able to reopen without disruption from the installation works, with the new entrance system providing a significantly more effective security and controlled-access solution for the Cannock Campus.
The completed installation combines three automated speed lanes, Paxton read-in and read-out access control, dedicated electrical supplies, data infrastructure, segregated concealed containment and specialist floor reinstatement, integrated into a clean reception finish.
Following the project, RS Electrical has subsequently been appointed to carry out additional Paxton access-control works elsewhere within the Cannock Campus — separate, later work rather than part of the original speed-lane contract, and a sign of the ongoing relationship with the college.
