For gated communities, access control devices are important parts of the overall community's safety and security. Not every product marketed for vehicle identification or gate access has been independently evaluated as an access-control system. When a product is being used to authorize entry to a controlled area, it is worth asking whether the specific equipment carries an applicable third-party listing.

The most important certification is UL 294, Standard for Access Control System Units. UL Standard 294 establishes requirements for the construction, performance, and operation of physical access-control equipment and systems used to regulate entry into or exit from controlled, protected, or restricted areas.

Some jurisdictions impose UL 294 listing requirements on access-control equipment as part of their permitting or plan-review process. For example, the City of Winston-Salem requires all electrified access-control components submitted for commercial access-control permits to show a UL 294 listing. City of Winston-Salem Commercial Permits currently states that cut sheets for all electrified access-control components must show a UL 294 listing:

Winston-Salem, NC — Access Control Permit Requirements

An electrical low-voltage permit alone is not sufficient for access control systems. Access controls must be submitted in one of two ways:

Option 1 – Revision to Original Plans

Submit all access control-related documents as a revision to the original plans. This revision should include only the documents related to the access control portion of the project. Coordination with original applicant to be added to the project.

Option 2 – Standalone Construction Permit

Submit access controls as a separate construction permit.

Required Documents for Either Option:

  • Complete Floor Plan – Preferably the Life Safety Plan, showing the location of all access control equipment.
  • Cut Sheets for Electrified Components – All electrified access control components must show a UL 294 listing.

When evaluating an access-control product, ask for the listing—not simply a claim that the product is “UL compliant.” BAi Readers are independently and verifiably built to meet UL 294 standard for access control devices in outside applications.

BAi Readers have two additional points of distinction in our ETL listing:

  • the BA-440's certification documentation covers outside use. This is particularly relevant for vehicle gates, where access-control equipment is installed outside and exposed to the environment.
  • Our Intertek listing shows us at the highest endurance level. This means properties can feel confident a BAi Reader can handle thousands of reads daily.

Verify the BA-440 in the Intertek Directory

How Do I Know If Access-Control Equipment Is Certified?

When evaluating an access-control product, ask the manufacturer for the specific listing rather than relying on general statements such as “UL compliant” or “UL components.” Look for:

  • The specific product or model number
  • The applicable standard, such as UL 294
  • The certification body or NRTL
  • The certification mark
  • The applicable installation conditions, such as inside or outside use
  • The actual listing or certification documentation

For BAi products, the BA-440 carries the Intertek ETL Listing Number: 3073061 and can be Verified in the Intertek Directory. You'll also find this marking on the BA-440 enclosure.

The easiest way to verify a product is to check the manufacturer's documentation and then verify the specific product or model in the certifying laboratory's directory when one is available.

A Certified Access-Control Solution for Vehicle Gates

For master-planned communities, resort HOAs, and other high-volume residential properties, vehicle access control is more than simply identifying a vehicle. The system becomes part of the property's physical access-control infrastructure. BAi ensures your community meets or exceeds local ordinances for reliable automatic vehicle identification.