Access Control Bristol
Authorised Paxton, SALTO and Gallagher installers serving Bristol and the South West
Bristol's Access Control Specialists
Controlling who enters your building — and when — is one of the most fundamental aspects of commercial security. At CJS Fire & Security, we design, supply, install and maintain access control systems for businesses across Bristol and the surrounding South West region.
We are authorised installers for three of the most respected access control brands in the UK: Paxton Access, SALTO Systems and Gallagher Security. Each platform serves a different type of premises and operational requirement, and our job is to match the right system to your specific situation — not to fit every client into the same box.
Whether you are a small Bristol office looking to replace a key-based entry system, a manufacturing facility needing zoned access control across a large site, or a multi-premises operation requiring centralised remote management, we have the experience and the accreditations to deliver a system that works.
Why Access Control Matters for Bristol Businesses
Traditional lock and key security has a fundamental weakness: you cannot control it in real time. When a member of staff leaves, you either trust them to return their key or you change the lock. When a contractor visits, you hand over a key and hope it comes back. When an incident occurs, you have no record of who was where and when.
Modern access control eliminates these vulnerabilities entirely. Electronic credentials — whether fobs, smart cards, mobile apps or biometric readers — can be issued and revoked in seconds. Every entry event is logged with a timestamp, giving you a complete audit trail. Access rights can be configured by individual, by role, by time of day and by specific door or zone.
For Bristol businesses managing staff across multiple areas, handling sensitive stock or equipment, or operating outside standard hours, this level of control delivers measurable security and operational benefits.
The business case is straightforward. You eliminate locksmith call-out costs when keys are lost. You remove the risk of unauthorised key copying. You can demonstrate due diligence to insurers with documented access records. And you can respond to security incidents with factual data rather than guesswork.
Instant Revocation
Deactivate lost credentials in seconds. No locksmith, no lock change.
Full Audit Trail
Every entry logged with name, door and timestamp.
Time-Based Access
Restrict access by time of day, day of week or shift pattern.
System Integration
Connect with CCTV, intruder alarms and HR systems.
Access Control Systems We Install in Bristol
We are approved installers for three market-leading platforms, each suited to different premises types and operational requirements.
Paxton Access Control
Paxton is one of the UK's most established access control manufacturers, with over 30 years of experience designing systems specifically for the British commercial market. Their products are installed in tens of thousands of buildings across the UK every year, and for good reason — they are reliable, intuitive to manage and genuinely scalable.
We install the full Paxton range across Bristol:
Paxton Net2 is a PC-based networked access control system that gives you centralised control over multiple doors from a single workstation. It supports up to 50,000 users, generates detailed event reports and integrates cleanly with CCTV and door entry. Net2 is the go-to solution for small and medium commercial sites — offices, retail premises, light industrial units — where you want proper networked control without enterprise-level complexity or cost.
Paxton10 is Paxton's most capable platform, combining access control and video management in a single unified system. It is cloud-enabled, meaning you can manage access across multiple buildings from any internet-connected device. Staff can use the Paxton Key App on their smartphone to open doors via Bluetooth — no card or fob required. For growing Bristol businesses with more than one site, or those planning to expand, Paxton10 provides a future-proof foundation.
Paxton Door Entry provides video intercom capability at your entry points, allowing staff or reception to see and speak with visitors before granting access. It integrates natively with both Net2 and Paxton10 and can also operate as a standalone system for simpler single-door requirements.
Paxton is particularly well suited to offices, schools, healthcare environments, retail premises and any commercial site where ease of administration and reliability are the primary requirements.
SALTO Systems
SALTO is a global access control manufacturer with a strong reputation for flexible, wireless solutions. Where Paxton is built around networked PC infrastructure, SALTO excels in environments where running data cables to every door is impractical — listed buildings, multi-tenanted properties, retrofits and large sites with high numbers of access points.
SALTO's core technology uses smart credentials to carry access data directly, meaning the system can function without a live network connection at every door. This makes installation significantly less disruptive and more cost-effective on complex or historic buildings.
SALTO XS4 is their core commercial platform, offering a wide range of wireless electronic escutcheons, wall readers and online controllers. It suits any commercial environment requiring flexible, scalable access control without extensive cabling.
SALTO KS (Keys as a Service) is a cloud-based platform that provides real-time remote management of access rights from any device. Access can be granted, modified or revoked instantly from a smartphone or web browser. This is increasingly popular with Bristol businesses operating flexible or hybrid working models, where staff access patterns change frequently.
SALTO is particularly well suited to hospitality, healthcare, education and multi-tenanted commercial buildings where wireless installation and flexible credential management are priorities.
Gallagher Security
Gallagher is a New Zealand-headquartered security manufacturer with a global reputation for high-performance access control in demanding environments. Where Paxton and SALTO serve the mainstream commercial market, Gallagher is the platform of choice when security requirements are more complex, site footprints are larger, or integration with perimeter security and other operational systems is required.
At CJS Fire & Security, we install Gallagher systems primarily for industrial and manufacturing clients across Bristol and the wider South West — and it is in these environments that Gallagher genuinely excels.
Gallagher Command Centre is their enterprise access control platform, providing centralised management of access rights, alarms, perimeter security and cardholder data across single or multi-site operations. It is built to handle the operational complexity of large industrial sites — shift patterns, contractor management, zone-based access, vehicle access and integration with HR and time-and-attendance systems.
Gallagher Mobile Connect allows authorised users to manage access, respond to alarms and review cardholder activity remotely via smartphone, which is particularly valuable for facilities managers responsible for large or multi-building sites.
For Bristol manufacturing and industrial businesses, Gallagher addresses challenges that mainstream commercial systems are not designed for. Managing contractor access across a large site with multiple entry points. Restricting access to hazardous areas based on training records or certifications. Integrating vehicle barrier control with personnel access. Running time-and-attendance alongside access control from a single platform. These are the problems Gallagher is built to solve, and our engineers have the experience to specify and deliver these systems properly.
Other Systems We Work With
In addition to our three approved platforms, our engineers have hands-on installation and maintenance experience across a broader range of access control systems. This means we can service, expand or integrate existing systems that clients already have in place, without requiring a full rip-and-replace.
Systems our engineers have experience with include Honeywell, Texecom, Hikvision, Avigilon, Vanderbilt, BPT, Comelit, Nortech and TDSi. If you have an existing system from another manufacturer and need maintenance, an expansion or integration advice, contact us and we will advise on what is possible.
Types of Access Credential We Install
The physical credential — the thing a user presents to gain entry — can take several forms depending on the system and the security level required.
Proximity Fobs & Smart Cards
The most common credential type for commercial premises in Bristol. Fast, reliable and easy to administer, these RFID-based credentials are issued to staff and deactivated instantly if lost or when employment ends.
PIN Keypads
Work well for lower-risk internal doors or areas where issuing individual credentials is impractical. Access codes can be changed remotely and programmed to expire at specific times.
Mobile Credentials
Allow staff to use their smartphone as an access credential via Bluetooth or NFC. Both Paxton10 and SALTO KS support this, and it is increasingly popular in modern Bristol offices where staff prefer not to carry additional cards or fobs.
Biometric Readers
Use fingerprint or facial recognition to verify identity at the point of entry. Suited to high-security environments — secure server rooms, pharmaceutical storage, data centres or any area where the strongest possible credential verification is required.
Video Door Entry
Combines an entry camera and intercom at the access point, allowing staff to visually verify visitors before granting access. These systems integrate with CCTV and access control platforms to provide a complete visual audit trail of every visitor interaction.
Vehicle Barrier & Gate Control
Integrates access control with physical barriers for site entry management. Particularly relevant for Bristol industrial and manufacturing sites where vehicle access needs to be managed alongside personnel entry.
Sectors We Serve Across Bristol
Commercial Offices
Manage staff access across multiple floors, restrict server rooms and boardrooms, control out-of-hours entry and maintain a complete log of building activity.
Industrial & Manufacturing
Our Gallagher-based solutions are specifically suited to the demands of large industrial sites: shift-based access, contractor management, hazardous zone restrictions, vehicle barrier integration and time-and-attendance functionality.
Education
Schools, colleges and training facilities across Bristol use access control to manage who enters the building during operating hours, restrict staff-only areas and maintain safeguarding records.
Healthcare
Clinics, care homes and medical facilities require strict control over medication storage, records access and restricted clinical areas, with the audit trail to demonstrate compliance.
Retail & Hospitality
Restrict stockrooms, cash handling areas and back-of-house operations while keeping customer-facing areas open and welcoming.
Residential Developments
Apartment buildings and housing developments use access control for communal entry points, car parks, bin stores and individual floor access without the cost and complexity of managing physical keys across a large resident population.
Our Installation Process
We follow a consistent, structured approach on every access control project in Bristol.
Free Site Survey
A CJS engineer visits your premises to assess your access points, existing infrastructure and security requirements. This is completely free and carries no obligation.
System Design & Proposal
We produce a clear, detailed proposal covering the recommended system, hardware, installation scope and fixed price. We explain our recommendation in plain terms and will always specify what your situation actually requires — nothing more.
Professional Installation
Our engineers handle all cabling, hardware mounting, controller installation and software configuration. We work efficiently and agree all access requirements with you in advance to minimise disruption.
Commissioning & Training
We fully commission and test every access point before handover, and train your team on day-to-day administration so they feel confident managing the system independently.
Ongoing Maintenance
We offer service contracts covering planned preventative maintenance, remote support and priority call-out for faults. Our engineers are Bristol-based, which means fast response when you need it.
Why Bristol Businesses Choose CJS
We are local. Our engineers are based in Bristol. When something needs attention, we can respond quickly — you are not waiting for a national contractor to dispatch someone from outside the region.
We are specialist. Fire and security is everything we do. Our engineers are trained and experienced specifically in the systems we install, which means cleaner installations, fewer issues and better long-term reliability.
We are brand-approved. Our Paxton, SALTO and Gallagher installer status means regular manufacturer training and installations carried out to full specification with complete warranty support.
We are straightforward. Our quotes are detailed, fixed and transparent. No loss-leader pricing, no surprise call-out charges, no hidden costs.
We serve Bristol and the surrounding area including Bath, Weston-super-Mare, Clevedon, Yate, Thornbury, Keynsham and the wider South West.
Local Engineers
Bristol-based, fast response, no national call centres.
Brand Approved
Paxton, SALTO and Gallagher certified installers.
Specialists
Fire and security only. No generalist contractors.
Transparent Pricing
Fixed quotes, no hidden costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book Your Free Access Control Survey
If you are considering access control for your Bristol premises — whether starting from scratch, upgrading an existing system or expanding into new areas — the first step is a free, no-obligation site survey.
One of our engineers will assess your site and provide a clear, honest recommendation with no pressure and no charge.
1 Unity St, Bristol BS1 5HH
We aim to respond to all enquiries within one business day.