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Smart cards could 'overhaul' fire risk management
14 Mar 2011

Contactless smart cards could help building managers to ensure that firms are properly prepared for breakouts of fire, it has been claimed.

According to Dick Clark, director of Smart Media Innovations, smart cards can be combined with a building's core access management system to massively reduce the time and effort required to complete fire drills, while also helping businesses address their risk management procedures.

Demand for smart cards has been increasing in recent years because of the benefits they can bring in terms of security and safety of staff, he wrote on Security Park.

"The operating in sensitive or high-risk sectors - such as financial services, government, and petrochemical - are expanding the scope of their identity and access management strategies to improve their ability to locate and positively identify individuals, control access to facilities, and ensure a convenient and safe working environment," Mr Clark added.

He explained that it is important businesses using smart cards as part of their access management systems keep records up to date if the information is to be of any value to fire and rescue services in the event of a blaze.