For a planned new build-to-rent development in the city, Becorp, a rental property development and management company in Barcelona, sought a modern electronic alternative.
A keyless solution would save property management time, which is often spent handling hundreds of physical keys. The burden on staff is especially great when properties are newly occupied or vacated, a regular occurrence in large build-to-rent complexes.
They targeted a wireless solution to combine greater control with cost efficiency; a range of adaptable devices to secure multiple door types, including fire doors; and modern security to project an appealing, dynamic image for Becorp housing.
With over 1,000 individual homes at their new build-to-rent development, Becorp knew mechanical security would create a huge workload. Each apartment requires 5 keys per cylinder — many thousands in total. Rental turnover is often high. This means regular cylinder and key changes, eating up even more management time and resources.
Their chosen solution — Smartair Wireless Online with mobile keys managed by the Openow app — incorporates around 3000 battery-powered escutcheons, 200 knob cylinders and 125 wall readers. Just under 400 communications Hubs communicate between doors and the software system in real time. With Online system management, security staff can check the live status of any access point, open doors remotely or lock-down in case of an emergency.
Residents use secure mobile keys in their own Openow smartphone app, instead of physical keys. The app also enables easy locking by deadbolt projection: After presenting their phone, a resident simply moves the handle upwards to lock a door securely.
Facilities staff stay in control by using the Openow app for credential management: Virtual keys can be created, sent and cancelled from anywhere, with no metal keys to administer. No locks need to be changed when someone loses a credential. “Physical key management for any large development puts severe pressure on operational costs,” says Becorp’s Xavier Casals. “Choosing Smartair wireless locks and mobile management via Openow helps us to minimize them.”
Energy efficiency is another important ethos behind Becorp’s new development. Because Smartair locks are wireless and battery powered, they consume much less power than equivalent wired locking — supporting efforts to promote more sustainable domestic living.
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are available for many Smartair devices: These detailed life-cycle audits help customers like Becorp to make informed choices about their footprint during the construction and specification of a building. At Becorp’s new Barcelona development, Smartair and Openow are helping to ensure cost, time and energy efficiency all work hand in hand.
