Managing access control permissions using FRANK
Networked safety and control for modern industry with amGardpro in combination with the FRANK system
The amGardpro range by Fortress Safety is a modular system of safety interlocks and control devices designed for heavy-duty industrial applications. With a robust metal housing and a wide selection of modules, amGardpro can be applied from straightforward guard locking to complex networked safety solutions.
One of its distinguishing features is the ability to integrate safety functions and access rights directly into industrial networks. Using protocols such as Profinet or EtherNet/IP, permissions and status information can be managed across an entire facility. This makes amGardpro a flexible platform for solutions that combine robustness, scalability, and data availability.
To extend the capabilities of amGardpro, Fortress developed FRANK, an RFID-based system that links personnel authentication with access control. Instead of requiring additional identification tools, FRANK uses employees’ existing RFID site cards, whether 13.56 MHz or 125 kHz. By linking these cards to permission levels, FRANK ensures that only authorised personnel can enter safeguarded areas or operate defined functions. Each interaction is logged. Who presented their card, when, and whether access was granted, which creates a clear and auditable record. Permissions can also be configured to expire automatically, for example after a maintenance shift. For industries with strict training requirements, FRANK can integrate training status directly into access rights, closing a critical gap that manual protocols often leave open.
Relevance of FRANK across industries
The application of FRANK extends well beyond one sector. In metals production it helps enforce training requirements for access to furnaces and galvanising lines. In food processing, it ensures that only authorised cleaning teams can enter production areas during changeovers. For pharmaceuticals it supports compliance in sterile environments, while in the automotive industry it allows temporary permissions for contractors to be tightly controlled. In all of these cases, the principle remains the same: only trained and authorised personnel can carry out specific tasks, while managers gain valuable insight into how safeguarded spaces are used.
Case Study: Tata Steel Llanwern (UK)
Fortress Safety has implemented FRANK and amGardpro interlocks at Tata Steel’s ZODIAC line in the United Kingdom. This production line, dedicated to cold rolling and galvanising steel strips, involves hazards such as high-temperature furnaces, gas exposure and robotic systems. Traditional access management methods, such as mechanical keys or manual whiteboard sign-ins, did not reliably verify training status or provide real-time visibility.
With FRANK, Tata Steel introduced RFID-based permissions linked to training records. Access to gas hazard areas is now conditional on valid training, with expired records automatically blocking entry. In the drossing robot zone, real-time RFID logging replaced manual sign-in. By using Power over Ethernet, cabling was reduced and installation simplified, which proved particularly valuable in the demanding environment of the galvanising pit.
The results included improved personnel safety, immediate insight into who was present in safeguarded zones, and a reliable record of all access attempts. In addition, data from FRANK has been used to analyse downtime, identify irregularities, and optimise processes.
This case study illustrates how FRANK and amGardpro can provide measurable improvements in both safety and operational efficiency. By linking training records directly to access permissions, organisations reduce reliance on manual checks and strengthen compliance. Engineers gain certainty that machinery is only accessed by the right personnel, HSE managers can work with detailed and auditable records, and purchasers benefit from a solution that integrates with existing site cards and scales to meet future requirements.
