8" x 8" Outdoor Access Control Reader Cover

A Guide to Access Control Pedestals & Vehicle Terminals

This outdoor access-control reader cover provides a protective enclosure over card readers, keypads, intercoms, push buttons and other access-control devices installed at exposed pedestrian or vehicle entrances. The hood helps shield equipment from rain, snow and direct sun exposure, making it suitable for parking facilities, gated entrances, building entrances and other exterior access points.

The cover is constructed from 16-gauge carbon steel for a durable installation and finished with an exterior-grade polyester powder coating with UV protection. The standard finish is black wrinkle, providing a professional appearance suitable for exterior security and access-control installations.

Equipment Protection

The hood provides approximately a 3.5-inch top overhang above the access-control device. This overhang helps direct precipitation away from the equipment while also providing protection from direct sunlight. The design can be used with card readers, proximity readers, keypads, intercoms, entry/exit buttons and similar devices.

The hood is a non-proprietary protective cover, allowing it to be used with access-control equipment from different manufacturers rather than being limited to one specific reader or controller.

Installation

The cover is designed for surface mounting. Knockout holes are provided to accommodate drilling and mounting to the supporting surface. The installation drawing identifies 0.30-inch knockout holes and provides the mounting-hole layout and dimensional information for field installation.

When the reader cover is installed on a concrete wall, pedestal, terminal or other structural support, the mounting method should be coordinated with the substrate and the equipment being protected. Appropriate anchors and fasteners should be selected for the actual mounting surface.

For installations where the reader or other access-control device requires new electrical or communications wiring, trenching and conduit pathways should be coordinated before the supporting concrete, pedestal or terminal is installed. The trenching is associated with the electrical/data installation rather than the hood itself.

Where the cover is mounted as part of a freestanding access-control pedestal or terminal, baseplates, anchors and foundation requirements are determined by the supporting pedestal or terminal, not by the reader cover. This allows the hood to be incorporated into new construction or an existing access-control installation.

Mounting and Configuration Options

The standard cover is supplied in black wrinkle powder coat. Custom configurations can be produced with alternate powder-coat colors and modified height, width or depth when the installed access-control equipment requires a different enclosure size. Custom dimensions may affect cost and lead time.

The 8 × 8 configuration has an approximately 8-inch nominal hood size, with the manufacturer's installation drawing providing the exact mounting and dimensional information. The drawing specifies dimensions in inches and identifies the knockout locations for installation.

Typical Applications

This protective reader cover is appropriate for:

• Parking access-control entrances
• Vehicle gates and barrier gates
• Pedestrian entrances
• Gated communities
• Commercial and industrial facilities
• Residential access-control systems
• Intercom and call-station installations
• Exterior card-reader and keypad installations

Technical Specifications

• Product type: Outdoor access-control protective hood
• Nominal size: 8 × 8 in
• Material: 16-gauge carbon steel
• Finish: Exterior polyester powder coat with UV inhibitor
• Standard color: Black wrinkle
• Shape: Square
• Top overhang: 3.5 in
• Mounting: Surface mounted
• Mounting provisions: Knockout holes for field drilling/mounting
• Compatible equipment: Card readers, proximity readers, keypads, intercoms, push buttons and similar devices
• Custom options: Powder-coat colors and modified height, width or depth
• Typical installation: Wall, pedestal, terminal or other suitable structural support
• Installation planning: Coordinate anchors, conduit, trenching and supporting structure as required by the overall access-control installation