ASSA ABLOY Launches ‘Upgrade Your Openings’ Program to Improve Health and Safety in Public Buildings

ASSA ABLOY has introduced its “Upgrade Your Openings” program to support facility managers in addressing the changing needs of building occupants. With businesses, offices, and schools continuing to return to the workplace, efforts have been made to integrate touchless and automated solutions to create safer, healthier environments.

As part of the initiative, ASSA ABLOY is helping building managers address three emerging trends affecting commercial spaces post-pandemic:

  • Rapidly evolving user expectations, driving demand for safer, healthier, and easier access to spaces, along with more aggressive security measures
  • More strictly enforced adherence to the latest building requirements, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, and other building codes applicable to the jurisdiction and building type
  • Increasingly complex facilities management due to the increasing number and sophistication of building systems and security

“As the economy rebounds and facilities begin to reopen, the demand for healthier, safer, and more accessible environments is increasing, and in turn, adding to the overwhelming complexity of building management,” said Sean McGrath, head of US commercial sales and marketing, ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions Americas. “‘Upgrade Your Openings’ is ASSA ABLOY’s initiative to help offices, schools, hospitals, and other public spaces address the challenges of post-COVID facilities while meeting increasingly strict codes and standards.”

ASSA ABLOY’s comprehensive solutions can support:

Commercial offices. Wireless technology allows you to add access control to doors at a fraction of the cost of traditional solutions, making them an important option for upgrading the security of any facility. With hybrid work models becoming more popular and employees coming and going on a more irregular schedule, there may no longer be a need to have dedicated office space for each individual.

  • Create flexible workspaces: Wireless cabinet locks
  • Easily retrofit openings: ES100 wireless integrated strike and card reader
  • Reduce touchpoints and germ transmission: Safer2Open solutions

Education. The pandemic has resulted in facilities, especially schools, needing to control the number of people in a given area to improve safety.

  • Quickly gauge if a space is occupied: Status Indicator Locks by Corbin Russwin, SARGENT and Yale
  • Add hands-free solutions to any opening: Push/pull paddle trim
  • Eliminate catch points from clothing/equipment: Low profile, integrated trim

Healthcare. Applying touchless solutions to frequently used openings, such as doors in hospitals, can help reduce the spread of germs.

  • Open a door with a simple wave: Norton 6000 Series Low Energy Door Operator with Wave to Open Switch
  • Add security and access control to equipment areas, nursing stations, and cabinets: Wireless access control locks
  • Add hands-free solutions to any opening: Push/pull paddle trim

Other public spaces. As public places begin to open up, upgrades can be made to reduce germ transmission, control access, meet code requirements and increase energy efficiency on entrance doors, exterior building doors, interior doors, restroom doors, stairwells, gates, fences, containers and more.

  • Easily electrify narrow stile aluminum openings: Adams Rite 4300 Electrified Deadlatch with compatible low-touch push/pull paddle trim
  • Intelligent and sustainable Securitron M680E EcoMag® Magnalock for all-glass openings 

ASSA ABLOY is now offering a variety of training courses that feature products and solutions to help Upgrade Your Openings, including door controls, hands-free solutions, fire door, and security upgrades, and more.

Featured

  • Tradeshow Work Can Be Fun

    While at ISC West last week, I ran into numerous friends and associates all of which was a pleasant experience. The first question always seemed to be, “How many does this make for you?” Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
  • New Report Says 1 in 5 SMBs Would Be Forced to Shutter After Successful Cyberattack

    Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) play a crucial role in the U.S. economy, making up 99.9% of all businesses and contributing to half of the nation's GDP. However, these vital economic growth drivers face an escalating threat—cyberattacks that could put them out of business. Read Now

  • The Yellow Brick Road

    The road to and throughout Wednesday's and Thursday's ISC West was crowded but it was amazing. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
  • An Inside Look From Napco at ISC West

    Get a look into the excitement at ISC West 2025 from Napco. Hear from some of their top-tech executives live from the show floor. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
  • Upping the Ante

    I am not a betting man in terms of cards, dice, blackjack or that wheel with the black marble racing around the circumference of a spinning wheel, but I would bet on the success of ISC West this year. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.