<B>Turnkey project for prison</b>
Dowding & Mills has completed a turnkey security systems project for the Scottish Prison Service at Shotts Prison, replacing two old and unreliable inner compound gates that provided the only access in and out of the prison.
Having carried out a survey prior to designing and manufacturing two bespoke gates together with the associated running gear, the gates were installed over two consecutive weekends in order to minimise disruption.
Steven Starritt, maintenance manager at Shotts Prison, said the company had been chosen partly because of the support from its local branch in Falkirk, which ensured a speedy response in meeting the requirements of the contract.
<B>Collecting images</b>
Christie Intruder Alarms (CIA) Ltd has designed and installed CCTV dome cameras and Kollector digital security stations from Vicon Industries at Bournemouth University campuses in central Bournemouth and Fern Barrow near Poole.
Two Kollector 4000 units have been installed at the Fern Barrow Campus, storing video on a 60Gb hard drive and allowing easy export of scenes to a network drive or in standard JPEG format to removable media. The Kollector can record from 16 cameras simultaneously with connections to alarm sensors and alarm relays.
Security and facilities managers at the university also benefit from a 32-channel matrix from Vicon’s Nova range. This microprocessor-controlled unit accommodates pre-configured systems and offers extensive tour sequence support.
A graphical PC configurater enables comprehensive titling and a built-in interface for control by a host computer.
<B>Swiftly does it</b>
Petard’s Vision has contributed its Swift mobile CCTV camera to Cheltenham’s Crime and Disorder Partnership for its three-year crime reduction strategy.
The rapid deployment Swift mobile camera will initially focus on the Leckhampton/Charlton Kings area, moving to other locations and crime hotspots, including out of town shopping areas, to increase flexibility and level of security throughout the Cheltenham borough.
The new equipment is aimed at deterring criminals in the area before they strike. A new control room at the divisional police headquarters in Lansdown Road will also be used, coupled with the use of nine new CCTV cameras.
<B>Under cover</b>
Northumbria Police are using a powerful lens from Pentax to keep an eye on suspects up to a kilometre away. Undercover police in the Technical Support Unit are using the 12-660mm Pentax 55 times zoom lens to gain sharp, clear and high cotrast images throughout the focal length range.
Seargeant John Cowan of the TSU says the lens can be mounted unseen in any van or other location, maintaining observation while being unobtrusive. The lens features a 2x converter which is only 36 centimetres long and has a focal length of 1320mm.
Ken Tremain, general manager of Pentax UK’s CCTV division said the lens gives an extra dimension to police or military installations.
<B>Resisting vandals</b>
TM Security, based in Fareham, has installed telemetry equipment from Vicon Industries at a housing estate in Landport, Portsmouth.
Vicon’s V1466 video matrix microprocessor-controlled unit accommodates pre-configured systems with minimum 32 inputs and 16 outputs to maximum 256 inputs and 32 outputs. The matrix offers extensive tour sequence support and there is also provision for comprehensive titling and a built-in interface for control by a host computer via a graphical PC configurator.
The system at Landport Courts employs 50 cameras including vandal-resistant assemblies within the individual buildings and on stairwells. The installation features bi-directional fibre-optic links to the main Portsmouth City Council control room with RS422/RS485 protocol, and will soon be extended to cover car parking areas and recreational spaces.
<b>Management benefits</b>
Stena Line Ferries’ IT department has installed 12 IP cameras on its Superferry class ship on the Fish-guard – Rosslare run, and gained excellent management benefits through visual monitoring as a result.
After internal consultations between Onboard Services and IT departments, Stena approached JVC Professional to help configure a pilot CCTV system.
The entire installation of cameras, including the full Cat 5 cabling run, was completed in under three days.
In the past, Stenna personnel had found their jobs difficult to manage. With four vehicle decks and three passenger decks to manage, monitoring and passenger care proved ‘labour intensive’ for the crew.
The new IP cameras are connected to the ship’s intranet, making the staff’s job more effective. By watching images on the intranet, staffing levels in the shop, creche and entertainment areas can also be correctly managed.
<B>Flexible access</b>
James Gibbons Format has supplied and installed Dom-Nemef-Corbin’s Classic security system at Aberystwyth University of Wales. Students occupying 56 refurbished study bedrooms have gained personal door access security, and the system is to be extended to all campus student rooms.
Door access is based on a programmable key card, which opens the door by magnetic swiping or being held up to a proximity door reader. Management retains total control of the system, replacing or reprogramming cards as necessary and facilitating access for special purposes such as emergencies or maintenance. The reader records the last 400 times of access providing a useful audit trail that can be read via a hand-held terminal, or be recorded and printed via a pc.
The Classic system also has other useful management features. For example, inserting or withdrawing the card in a special energy box activates or switches off lights and air-conditioning, reducing running costs for the college.
<B>Crowd controller</b>
Quadrant Video Systems has installed a GB pound 50,000 CCTV surveillance system at Sheffield United’s 31,000 capacity Bramall Lane football stadium. The hi-resolution colour camera surveillance system was designed to enable the effective monitoring of crowds inside and outside the stadium.
Complying with the Green Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds, Quadrant’s system provides comprehensive evidential quality recording and safety monitoring of the turnstiles, main stand, food and refreshment bars, concourses, emergency exits and external approach ways, including car and coach parks.
The control room has also been completely upgraded, with security personnel using a Synectics ‘Tesseract’ ST32x8 video matrix and three X250 system controller keyboards to watch relevant images and co-ordinate safety and security with ground stewards.
<B>Library under surveillance</b>
Evolution Electronic Security systems has supplied and installed a complex security and surveillance system at the Chancery Lane Library, which is King’s College London’s latest library and information services centre.
Evolution followed a specification that included predicted volume of traffic flows through access points. After researching the market Evolution specified Silent Witness domes and Vicon fully functional domes for installation.
Kings College also chose four 32 channel digital recorders from Geutebruck’s Multiscope II range to record and control the 115 colour and colour/mono cameras. By using a private TCP/IP network any of the system operators can view live and recorded images from any of the cameras positioned internally and externally around the building.
Using Geutebruck’s video motion detection software module for internal cameras and Redwall detectors for external cameras, all activity is recorded directly on to 600 Gb internal disk space.
<B>Integration in Africa</b>
ScandSa Integrated Security Systems in South Africa has installed one of the largest integrated access, alarm and CCTV systems in the southern hemisphere using Remsdaq’s StarWatch integrated security management system at the multi-storey Carlton Centre in Johannesburg.
The StarWatch access control system has been installed throughout the complex with some 400 readers, complemented by over 250 cameras equipped with activity detection features, and linked to digital recording and storage.
The system is controlled via dual PC servers linked to four operating positions. The installation offers seamless integration with the CCTV and fire detection systems.
<B>Entry phased in</b>
A1 Security Systems has specified and installed door entry equipment from Farfisa as part of a four-phase security installation at Portsmouth’s Gunwharf Quays development.
Phase one was completed 12 months ago, with Farfisa’s analogue audio entry equipment being installed in the town houses. Additionally, the company’s analogue black and white video door entry system was installed in 15 apartment blocks comprising 6-17 flats. The stainless steel door stations and panels were supplied by BC Access Control and also include proximity access control for residents.
In phase two, AI Security Systems will install TD4100 digital entry systems across two large blocks of 129 luxury apartments and penthouse suites. 16 entrances to the building as well as eight from underground car parks are to be covered.
The TD4100digital audio entry system has also been fitted with integral proximity and keypad access control in a flush stainless steel panel, with the video camera being supplied separately.
Farfisa’s digital monitor handsets will complete the package.
