Elevator Access Control System with Magnetic Cards for Office Buildings

In multi-story office buildings, an uncontrolled elevator means anyone entering the lobby can access any floor—including the server room, finance office, or private workspaces of other tenants. According to building operations surveys in major cities, over 65% of internal office building security incidents involve unauthorized access to floors—from stray visitors to former employees who still have access rights.

Elevator access control using magnetic cards is a comprehensive solution to this problem: each card only allows users to select the floors they are permitted to access, while the remaining floors are completely disabled on the control panel. This article details the operating principles, integration process, and implementation considerations for office buildings.

Operating Principles: COP, DOP, and DES Module

What are COP and DOP?

• COP (Car Operating Panel): The control panel inside the elevator cabin — where users select their desired floor.
• DOP (Destination Operating Panel): A control panel located in the lobby of each floor, used in destination-dispatch elevator systems.

The elevator control system operates by inserting a layer of control between the card reader and the original elevator control board, so that the floor buttons on the COP/DOP are only activated when a user has swiped a valid card.

DES module (Destination Elevator Selector)

The DES module is an intermediate controller installed in the elevator control panel, receiving signals from the card reader and automatically:

1. Card authentication via the central access control unit.
2. Look up the list of permitted floors for that card in the database.
3. Activate (relay ON) only the permitted floor nodes on the COP.
4. With its advanced destination dispatch system, DES automatically calls the elevator and displays the cabin number as soon as the card is swiped in the lobby — users don't need to manually press the floor numbers.

Advantages of DES integration over traditional mechanical locking solutions:

Criteria

Mechanical lock (key switch)

The DES module integrates magnetic card technology.

Number of users managed

Limit (based on the number of keys)

Unlimited, managed via software.

Change access permissions

The physical key must be changed.

Instant software updates

Record entry and exit logs.

Do not have

Complete, includes timestamp and photo (if camera is integrated).

Hourly/daily access control

Are not

Yes (during business hours, weekends, and holidays)

Costs incurred when a card/key is lost.

Change all related keys.

Disable one card in the software.

Floor Assignment by Card: Actual Configuration

A typical office building with diverse tenants requires a flexible floor plan configuration:

• Employees of company A (renting floors 5-7): the card only activates access to floors 5, 6, 7, and the ground floor.
• Employees of company B (renting floors 10-12): the card only activates on floors 10, 11, 12 and the ground floor.
• Building security and management: master card access to all floors, including the technical floor and machine room.
• Walk-in guests: temporary passes issued at reception, limited to one floor according to appointment, automatically expire after the scheduled time.
• Basement parking: separate access rights based on registered parking spaces, preventing unauthorized vehicles from accessing the parking levels reserved for other tenants.

This configuration is centrally managed via software, allowing building administrators to edit permissions in real time without needing to interfere with the elevator hardware.

Integration with Existing Access Control Systems

The strength of modern elevator control solutions lies in their ability to integrate into the building's overall access control system, rather than operating as a standalone system.

• Using a single access card for office doors, parking garage doors, and elevators — users don't need to carry multiple cards.
• The user database is synchronized between the access control software and the DES module via Wiegand, RS-485, or TCP/IP protocols, depending on the device standard.
• Integrate with the timekeeping system to automatically disable elevator access when employees leave the office, preventing omissions.
• Connect security cameras in each lobby and inside the cabins, and compare the images with card swipe logs when necessary to investigate incidents.

Integrated checklist before deployment.

• Determine the communication standard of the existing elevator control board (Wiegand 26/34-bit compatible or the elevator manufacturer's own protocol).
• Check the maximum number of layers that the DES module supports (usually 16–64 layers depending on the product line).
• Confirm compatibility with your existing access control software (open API or closed-system).
• Plan and implement access control based on each tenant, with written confirmation from the building management.
• Standardize the process for issuing/revoking employee ID cards when employees enter/exit the company premises.

Logging and Auditing: Transparency for Building Management

Each card swipe to call the elevator is fully recorded: card code, user name, destination floor, and time accurate to the second. This data serves the following purposes:

• Conduct an investigation in case of property loss or unauthorized entry.
• Provide regular reports to building management on elevator usage density by time of day, assisting in maintenance scheduling.
• Meeting the compliance requirements of business tenants with high security needs (banks, technology companies, law firms).
• Export Excel/PDF reports with customizable time periods for internal audit purposes.

Firefighting Procedure: Fireman Mode is Mandatory

This is an uncompromising requirement when implementing elevator control: the system must strictly comply with current fire safety regulations.

• Fireman Mode: When a fire alarm is triggered from the fire alarm panel, all access control modules on the elevator must be automatically disabled — the elevator switches to direct operation mode without a card, prioritizing transporting people to the ground floor or emergency exit floors.
• The elevator was not programmed to stop on floors where a fire was burning.
• The system must have a physical connection (dry contact) to the fire alarm control panel—independent of software or LAN—to ensure operation even in the event of power outages or network failures.
• Regular fire safety drills must include checking the automatic mode switching function of elevators.

The construction unit is required to coordinate with the local fire safety approval authority to ensure that the acceptance documents are valid before officially putting the system into operation.

Checklist for Pre-Acceptance Fireman Mode Testing

• Confirm that the dry contact connection between the DES module and the fire alarm control panel is correct according to the drawing.
• Conduct a simulated fire alarm test, ensuring all access cards are immediately deactivated on all elevators.
• Confirm that the escalator is directed to the refuge/ground floor in accordance with local regulations.
• Verify that the system continues to function even after a LAN/software disconnection (based solely on the dry contact electrical signal).
• Keep the Fireman Mode test report as part of the fire safety acceptance documentation.

Investment Costs and ROI Calculation for Building Management

The cost of implementing elevator access control depends on the number of elevators, the number of floors, and the level of integration with existing systems.

Category

Factors affecting costs

Note

DES/ladder module

Number of floors to be controlled (16, 32, 64 floors)

The more layers a module has, the higher its price.

Card reader

Number of cabins + number of floor lobbies requiring external readers

The lobby floor requires a reader if using destination dispatch.

Management software

Number of users, number of integrated nodes

It is possible to use existing access control software.

Construction workers

Working overtime, coordinating with fire safety authorities.

Increase by 15–20% if nighttime construction is required.

Real ROI: For a 10-story office building, the cost of property damage, security disputes, or tenant safety complaints can far exceed the investment cost of an elevator control system within 2–3 years. Furthermore, this is a compelling advantage when pitching to financial or technology companies with high security requirements.

Common Mistakes During Implementation

• Choosing a DES module that is incompatible with the existing elevator control board will result in the need to replace the entire board, driving costs many times higher than initially estimated.
• Ignoring the connection to the fire alarm control panel may result in the system being rejected from fire safety inspection or pose a real danger in the event of an incident.
• No time-based access control — cleaning and maintenance staff need access outside of regular office hours compared to regular office staff.
• Lack of a process for revoking access cards when tenants terminate their leases — risk outsiders still having access to the old floor.

Installation for Existing Buildings: Minimizing Disruptions

Unlike new construction projects, installing elevator control systems in buildings already occupied by tenants requires careful construction planning:

• Construction will be carried out on night shifts or weekends to avoid disrupting daytime tenants' operations.
• The elevators in the multi-elevator system are rotated to ensure that at least one elevator is always operating normally.
• Thoroughly test each layer after installing the DES module before handover, especially for layers with complex access control requirements.
• Train receptionists and security personnel on procedures for issuing temporary passes, handling unreadable passes, and manually activating Fireman Mode if needed.
• Notify all tenants in advance about the transition schedule and how to use the new cards to avoid any unexpected disruption.

Quang Duc's Elevator Control Solution

Quang Duc Electronics and Telecommunications Co., Ltd. provides a complete elevator access control solution using magnetic cards for office buildings, including:

• Survey and consultation on compatibility with existing elevator control boards, eliminating the need to replace the entire elevator system.
• Install a DES module with integrated COP/DOP, supporting a variety of communication standards.
• Seamless integration with existing access control, security camera, and time attendance systems.
• Configure detailed access control levels for each tenant and user group.
• Ensure compliance with fire safety regulations with a fully tested and approved Fireman Mode.
• Flexible shift-based construction for buildings already in operation, minimizing disruptions.

Quang Duc's technical team has successfully implemented numerous elevator control projects for office buildings, and is knowledgeable about coordinating with building management and existing tenants.

Conclude

Accessible elevator systems using magnetic cards are not only a security solution but also an effective operational management tool for multi-tenant office buildings. Proper investment in this system increases rental value, enhances existing tenant confidence, and minimizes long-term security risks.

If your building is looking for a suitable elevator access control solution, contact Quang Duc today for a free survey and consultation.

Hotline: 0903 306 126 (Mr.Vũ Trần) | Website: cameraquangduc.vn