CES locking system for Rehazenter Luxembourg

Mechanical and OMEGA LEGIC locking cylinders –
a combination offering many options 

The Kirchberg district of Luxembourg is a centre of modern architecture.  The administration of the European Union, the European Parliament, the European Court of Justice and – of course – all major international banks have modern administrative buildings here.  With the new Rehazenter, the Luxembourg architects m3 architectes s.a. - Dell-Linster-Lucas created a masterpiece of innovative architecture at this prestigious location, a rehabilitation centre with a clear focus on people and their needs.  Its locking system comprises a mechanical CES system of the KM 6 series and electronic OMEGA LEGIC cylinders and was planned, supplied and installed by the Luxembourg steel retailer Gilbert.  The two systems can be easily combined and also permit subsequent extension and/or enhancement by new applications. 

Successful architecture supports convalescence

"That the quality of the environment contributes to the recovery of patients," explains project manager Mr. Jürgen Simon, "was a central idea for the team of architects when conceiving a contemporary architectural language.  We deliberately moved away from the design features that traditionally characterize hospitals, senior citizen homes or nursing care facilities." Natural lighting and climate, natural and authentic materials carefully selected for the specific purpose, such as exposed concrete and wood, rubber or linoleum, glass façades opening to the south, inner courtyards that are full of light and include a garden designed to match the straight-lined architecture, all of these elements contribute to the wellbeing not only of staff and visitors but above all of the patients, even during prolonged stays.

The function of a rehabilitation centre with about 72 in-patients and between 250 and 300 out-patients per day and a large number of very different rooms – therapeutic and doctors' rooms, a pharmacy, a sports hall and indoor swimming pool, a restaurant, conference rooms, administrative offices, plant rooms and car park – made the planning and security of the locking system a challenging task.

Sophisticated locking system down to the finest detail

The system that was planned, supplied and installed by the specialist steel retailer Gilbert of Ehlerange, Luxembourg, comprises more than 1,000 units and includes a CES locking system of the KM 6 series combined with electronic OMEGA LEGIC cylinders.  A key reason for selecting the highly sophisticated mechanical locking cylinder of the KM series was that it enjoys trademark protection.  Unlike patent protection, this offers legal protection against unauthorized reproduction of keys for an indefinite period of time, a security feature that goes far beyond the usual standards. 

"Although the locking system in the Rehazenter has turned out to be much more complex than we had originally thought, everything works as desired," says Mr. Jean-Marie Fautch, the technical manager responsible for this project.  m3 architectes planned an initial security concept and the locking system was then finalized in detail in close cooperation with the technical management of the centre and the experts from Gilbert. 

Mr. Jürgen Simon, m3 architectes project manager, explains: "Our office based the bid and the planning of the locking system on the specifications of the Rehazenter management.  As a consequence of the on-going structuring of the client's staff, the actual decisions on groups of locks and access authorizations were only possible after the contract had been awarded – as is usually the case.  At that time, we had already clarified the security concept, the access control, the departmental structure, etc. as the decision-makers named by the client had been continuously involved in the discussions about these issues during the years 2005 and 2006.

During our excellent preparatory collaboration with Gilbert, whom we found to be a competent and professional partner, the client successively provided us with additional and more detailed data on these aspects.

This process of fine-tuning with the client is very intense and usually continues for months after the commissioning of a project because the experience of the daily use often brings up new items.  This was the reason why we wanted – and found – flexible technical solutions for the locking system."

Many of the special features and details that had to be considered in time only became apparent during the specific coordination meetings.  Mr. Stephan Bergmann, responsible for the locking system business at Gilbert, gives one example: "Initially, the first-aid cabinets with the defibrillators that would be distributed all over the building were only to be provided with the cylinders supplied by the furniture manufacturer.  But this would have meant that every doctor would have to carry an additional key.  It was much safer and simpler to integrate the first-aid cabinets in the locking plan and to grant locking authorizations to the competent personnel.  Of course, we also provided for a situation in which no person authorized to unlock the cabinet is within reach.  In such cases, you can – as with a fire alarm system – break a glass window and remove an emergency key." 

Patients' apartments protected by OMEGA LEGIC cylinders

Another specific problem for the design of the locking system was created by the patients' apartments.  These apartments accommodate long-term rehabilitation patients who prepare for an independent life outside the clinic in appropriately furnished own flats in the protected environment of the Rehazenter.  While attendants, physiotherapist, etc. must be able to enter the apartments at any time, the personal effects and valuables of the patients have to be protected against unauthorized access.  For this reason, the operator of the centre wanted a record of all locking events, which would afford control over the persons entering these apartments.  Here, an ideal and convenient solution was found by installing the electronic OMEGA LEGIC cylinders supplied by CES.

OMEGA LEGIC cylinders are also used on the administrative and directors' floor of the Kirchberg Rehazenter as well as in the archives.  Also for these areas, the client specified controlled locking events and extra convenience.

The LEGIC transponder offers many options for a wide range of applications apart from access control. One example is the possibility of cashless payments in the cafeteria.  With a minimum of effort, the locking medium can be programmed to permit a number of additional applications.  With the Time variant (VdS class B) used in Kirchberg, it is also possible to limit access authorizations to certain periods, and in addition, each locking event is saved together with its date and time.  This way, you can always determine who entered the premises at which time.

Triple security for the firefighters' key safe

Also issues related to the construction and general use of the building had to be considered for the locking plan.  For example, the pass key for the firefighters had to be deposited at the entrance to the premises in a way that was both safe and readily accessible.  For this purpose, the safe containing the firefighters' key was sunk in a wall at the entrance.  When a fire alarm is signaled, a flap opens automatically.  This then gives access to a cylinder lock for which only the fire department has a key. And only after this cylinder has been properly unlocked can the pass key be removed.

Project data:

Centre National de Rééducation Fonctionelle et de Réadaption
Rehazenter Luxembourg
1, rue André Vésale
L-2674 Luxembourg/Kirchberg
www.rehazenter.lu

Architects:
m3 architectes s.a.
Dell, Linster, Lucas
15, rue Wurth-Paquet
L-2737 Luxembourg
Phone: 00352-264474-1
www.m3architectes.lu

Project manager: Jürgen Simon, architect

Start of planning: January 2002
Groundbreaking: April 2004
Opening: February 2007
Costs of the project: 90 million euros
Primary floor space: 12,900 square metres
Building volume: 180,000 cubic metres

Locking system:
1,000 mechanical CES KM 6 cylinders with trademark protection
complemented by electronic OMEGA LEGIC cylinders

Planning and installation:
Gilbert S.à.R.L., Zare-Est, L-4385 Ehlerange, phone: 00352-401701-1m www.gilbert.lu

Gilbert was founded in 1826 and is today a highly advanced service centre in the steel trade, located in Ehlerange at the periphery of Luxembourg.  From structural steel to locking systems, the company offers the full range of products for the metal processing building trades, complemented by competent service covering a wide spectrum of applications. 

Project photos:
Christof Weber Photographie
24, rue Tidick Ulveling,
L-2619 Luxembourg
Phone: 00352-292288
Fax: 00352-292202
email: weberchr@pt.lu