ECC to Expand Touchless Entry Door Upgrades for Greater Security, Access

East Central College will expand the scope of work for its touchless entry doors to provide better access, and increased safety at college facilities.

That’s thanks to a vote by the Board of Trustees Sept. 20 that approved a $31,067 change order for the work being conducted by TSI Global Companies, St. Charles.

The access door control and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) touchless entry project is an upgrade over the automatic door hardware now in place. The touchless entry mechanisms will help prevent the spread of viruses (like COVID-19), improve security and safety, and be ADA compliant.

The project is funded through the federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).

In June, trustees awarded the project to TSI Global at the cost of $165,805. The new cost of the project is $196,872, which includes upgrades to access doors at ECC’s Union and Rolla locations.

Initial plans called for the installation of touchless entry technology only at the doors used often, according to Vice President of Finance and Administration DeAnna Cassat.

However, she explained, it was suggested by Union police officers stationed on campus to equip every door.

Cassat further explained that the new touchless door system provides a mechanism for police to lock doors remotely and electronically on campus during a security threat.

“Originally we were only going to equip the doors that are regularly used,” Cassat said. “Now that we are installing it on every door, it is a way for us to know for sure all of the doors on campus are locked.”

She added that the touchless entry doors could all be installed by the end of the semester.