Pool passes

KevinC1,

Our association, just two years ago, hired a service to install a magnetic key card accessible gate. It has worked wonderfully for us. We issue these “key card” to homeowners that are current of their assessments. We have also assigned the cards to the lot # itself not to the homeowner, if they sell their home, the card goes to closing and it is given to the new owners. We do charge a homeowner($ x), If the card is lost, stolen or damaged beyond it’s intended function.

With computer access the cards can be assigned to specific homeowners and we can turn these cards on and off with a “click” of just one key on the keyboard. It has been a fantastic investment for our community.

What state do you reside in? This may help others to give you better advice with your particular situation.

Chuck W.

We use little tags with a number on them along with wrist bands. We had each person pick it up and sign pool rules...then recorded the number at that time. Try Peachtree Business Products as they have everything for property management supplies. Their website is: www.property.pbp1.com

Hi Kevin,

You should be able to locate lots of companies that can make plastic badges on the Internet or perhaps even try a local printing company like Kinkos if you have one around. They may have a stock of blank badges and can print whatever you want on them.

We use the elecrtonic "fob" system at our facility. Been working great for two years. The fobs cost more than magnetic cards, about $ 8 each versus $ 3 each, but our concern was any damage to the card reader would shut down the facility for days until it could be replaced. The fob reader has no exposed parts and doesn't even require contact with the fobs. Just wave the fob six inches in front of the reader and the gate unlocks.

As Chuck pointed out, either system can record exactly who is in the facility at what time, can work on programmed hours, lost cards or fobs cane be easily deactivated so no one else can use them, and if someone doesn't pay their dues, their access can be suspended.

We installed a Alarm Lock on the gate and then assigned a four digit code to each home owner for use to enter the pool. Only cost is the lock and then the coding unless someone will install the codes and download them when required free of charge. That was me because I had a laptop and the time.

Advantage is the lock can be coded to prevent entry during specific hours and maintains a log of who entered and when.

We investigated the card reader also and the lock company we use had trouble with kids putting gum, etc. in the slots so we opted for the Alarm Lock and informed them we would hold them responsible if their code was used when vandalism occurred.

If the card reader is vandalized, close the area until it can be repaired. Inform the members and also inform them of the costs that they are paying for the vandalism.

Consider a security camera that covers the card reader.

There are so many ways to do pool passes. Purchasing a camera, taking pictures of the Owners and their families and creating a pool pass, using the pins with a number on it, as you stated, using a card reader at the gate (which doesn't ensure someone else using the pass) Google pool passes and you will have many choices to choose from.