What are the pros and cons to a FOB pool gate entry system

Started by AlexM1 • 12 replies • 5033 views

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AlexM1 (Oklahoma)
Posts: 287

Posted:

What are truly he pros and cons to a FOB entry system to a pool system..... ALSO.... our fitness center is on the inside of the pool area so is it necessary to have a FOB lock for that entry(entry to the fitness center) also?.... If we did have such a system, we could cut off those individuals who were delinquent in their dues payments but would this..... could this... make people angry enough that they would start jumping over the pool fence to get in?

KevinK7 (Florida)
Posts: 1,343

Posted:

Get a taller fence?

RichardP13 (California)
Posts: 1,767

Posted:

If the privileges of those delinquent were legally taken away, then those jumping the fence and delinquent would be trespassing. Call the police or security patrol, if you have one.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Remind us of your setting,Alex: How many dwellings? Condos, or? Are you on the board?

Tell us more, why is your board considering a fob system?

Do many residents' units overlook the pool?

Do you have onsite security staff?

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Along with my questions above, If the only way to use the gym, is to walk through the pool area, why would the gym need fob access?

We have fob entry to our pool & spa--there are two gates and the post & glass fence is 4-1/2 feet tall. People with disabled fobs COULD pull a BBQ area chair to the fence and go over it. But that's happened maybe twice in the 9+ years I've lived here. During that period, we've probably suspended privileges to all common area amenities, disabled fobs to them, perhaps 6 times due to delinquent accounts, but those owners or their tenants didn't try to go over the fence.

The pool closes at 10p Sun.- Th, and at midnight F. & Sat., when the pool area is locked. It re-opens at 5a. We've had a few partiers go over the fence but security sees them and kicks them out. We have fined the owners in those 3-4 instances.

We do have 2 cameras at the pool area and security officers who watch their monitors and also patrol the pool area. In addition, many of us residents have good views of the pool.

I guess the "con" would be cost based how much bang your board expects to get from its bucks.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

I would like to point out the coordination issue... Who is responsible for enabling/disabling the FOBs? Is it the same people or separate? Reason being that how does one know an account is behind or been caught up? Is there a time limit that says "3 months behind you lose access?". If the account is up to date, then what is the process of notifying to enable? Would there be a day or 3 day wait?

Renters would not be able to access if their owners have lost the right. Would both owner and renter have FOBs? I don't have a problem with that but some do. As long as the owner is up to date. It would be the owner's responsibility to take the FOB back from the renter NOT the HOA's.

This is just some issues to think about. FOB's are okay but not perfect. It's not the equipment but the process...

Former HOA President

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By AlexM1 on 07/26/2014 8:06 AM

What are truly he pros and cons to a FOB entry system to a pool system

Pros: Better control; if a key is lost you don't have to rekey you simply make a new card; ability to suspend a key for delinquent accounts; can hold people accountable.

Cons: Cost (costs more initially then typical lock and keys); Need power at the entry points; may require an internet connection as well

Quote:

Posted By AlexM1 on 07/26/2014 8:06 AM

our fitness center is on the inside of the pool area so is it necessary to have a FOB lock for that entry(entry to the fitness center) also?

I'm not fully understanding this. If you mean that the only way into or out of the fitness center is the through the pool, then perhaps not. If you mean that the entrance to the fitness center is independent of accessing the pool but you could go through the fitness center to the pool, then yes.

Personally, if you going to use FOB systems, I would get one for all common amenities.

Quote:

Posted By AlexM1 on 07/26/2014 8:06 AM

If we did have such a system, we could cut off those individuals who were delinquent in their dues payments but would this..... could this... make people angry enough that they would start jumping over the pool fence to get in?

Depends on the people.
Perhaps they will just borrow a neighbors key or have someone hold the gate open for them.

As others have said, if jumping the fence is a concern, get a higher or different fence.

KellyM3 (North Carolina)
Posts: 2,239

Posted:

I can see zero negatives to installing a keyless entry system for your pool....and your fitness center if you want to track entrance/exit to the exercise area. The cost should not be much different to wire up two doors over one. The cost is in the hardware and computer. The HOA should offer a free fob up front and charge for replacements while ALWAYS deactivating lost fobs and limiting the amount of active fobs in circulation at one time by a single account.

I consider the keyless entry system at our neighborhood an important cost of doing business and an absolute tool for proper property management. Don't worry about fence jumpers. Earlier posters are right in that trespassing should be immediately abated using proper authorities.

A two door system will cost a couple of thousand dollars. You will need a low-speed DSL type connection that will run you between $600 and $1,000 annually off your regular budget.

I find that users tend to respect the property a bit better if it's known that access can be tracked by date and time - not out of intimidation but by the fact that someone is watching and protecting the property as reasonable as possible.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Kelly makes an important point about tracking users via their fobs. We, for instance, have no cameras in our gym, but if a user abused the equipment (which never has happened in 9+ years) AND the abuse was reported shortly thereafter, the owners of the fobs that used the gym around that time would be suspect.

We do have fobs for almost all of our common areas. The first two are free and $25 apiece for lost or additional fobs. They always are deactivated when a unit becomes vacant and new fobs assigned for new residents. Our PM and security staff handle all registration, etc. The PM reports alleged violations to the board in our monthly board packet, ex. session portion. If we decide to suspend fob common amenity privileges, a letter goes to the owner from the PM.

But will Alex (the OP) come back to this topic??

AnnH5 (Florida)
Posts: 304

Posted:

Pros: You can cut off access for any reason (delinquent fees, lost key, owner moves and doesn't turn in key).

Cons: Expense. Administration (who is going to activate and deactivate) with associated fees. Cost of the system plus installation.

We have such a system. The only con I can report occurred when a Board member decided to abuse the system and activate 24/7 access for their friends. For that reason, I would suggest that the control be given to the management company and not by "volunteers".

AlexM1 (Oklahoma)
Posts: 287

Posted:

AnnH: Do not understand.....how can this be done for friends unless their friend(s) had access to a free FOB

KellyM3 (North Carolina)
Posts: 2,239

Posted:

The property management company should handle keyless entry fob distribution and gate access management. In fact, it's part of normal property management at this point.

Any amenity is subject to abuse by board directors. It's very difficult to legislate ethics in an HOA setting.

AnnH5 (Florida)
Posts: 304

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By AlexM1 on 07/28/2014 6:47 AM
AnnH: Do not understand.....how can this be done for friends unless their friend(s) had access to a free FOB

The access is set up for only defined hours of operations (such as 8am to 8pm). Our access cards do not work during non-operational hours. Our "President" went into the system and changed up his friends (other owners) access so that they could enter into the facility 24/7. SO even if the clubhouse/pool was technically closed, his buddies could go in whenever they wanted to and do whatever they wanted to do.

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