Chris Lewis Security Services scooped the top accolade at this year’s Security Excellence Awards. Tracy Edwards takes a look at the firm’s winning projects.

Oxford-based Chris Lewis Security Services, which also has branches in Southampton and Bournemouth, has been presented with the award for best large security installer at this year’s Security Excellence Awards for projects involving integrated IP installations. The fire and security installation company was selected as a finalist in all four of the categories it entered.

The annual security industry awards recognise the achievements of individuals and companies from across the security industry. The judges said: “The willingness to integrate systems and the display of IT expertise sets an example for all other UK security installers.”

ECA and Fire and Security Association member firm Chris Lewis Security Services submitted two very different projects for the judge’s consideration: an integrated security, fire and building control system for Windrush Frozen Foods based in Witney, near Oxford, and an IP security system for a Buckinghamshire County Council application.

The integrated system for Windrush made the building fully controllable, linking the access, fire and intruder alarms with the lighting, heating and ventilation and window shutters. The client said: “It was unusual to find a company that will go the extra mile to integrate the systems and not shy away from the challenge.”

The Buckingham Centre

The project

Chris Lewis installed a new access control system for Buckinghamshire County Council in this award-winning project.

The council required an access control system to secure and monitor movement throughout the Buckingham Centre.

Having been made aware of the benefits of the AEOS Access Control system from Nedap, the council asked Nedap to select an installation specialist to install an AEOS system in the expanded building.

Daryn Flynn, sales manager at Nedap, says: “Chris Lewis Security had recently become a Nedap AEOS business partner and had demonstrated its skills and understanding of both the IT networks and security that were required to install the AEOS system at the Knowledge Centre.

“Project management and customer service were going to be equally important, and these are strengths of the Chris Lewis organisation.”

The new AEOS system was to be made compatible with the council’s existing access control system at its central offices in County Hall, Aylesbury. This would ensure staff members authorised to enter both properties only need one access card.

To provide greater control over its security systems, the council also required the new access control system to be integrated with its information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure so that it could be managed centrally from County Hall.

It also asked Chris Lewis to upgrade the existing CCTV system in the Buckingham Centre and connect it to its network so images could be remotely monitored from County Hall.

The solution

AEOS is a powerful, user-friendly access control and security management system based on open systems technology. Because the system is web-based, the council did not have to install any client software packages.

The management software can be accessed by authorised users from any networked PC via a standard internet browser.

Chris Lewis installed readers on seven doors in the Buckingham Centre. However, the system is capable of supporting hundreds of doors and thousands of users across multiple sites, so the system can be expanded at a later date.

Authorised users have been provided with dual-technology access cards, which include proximity readers as well as a magnetic stripe. In the Buckingham Centre proximity cards are used, but for those members of staff that have authorised access for the County Hall in Aylesbury, the magnetic stripe on the card is encoded so that the card can be used in County Hall’s existing swipe card system.

Chris Lewis was able to integrate the Buckingham Centre’s new access control system and upgraded CCTV system with the council’s ICT infrastructure. This enables the council to monitor and control both security systems centrally.

Built on open systems architecture, AEOS also gives the council greater ability to monitor and control movement across its buildings. Selected personnel can access the web-based system to amend access rights, run reports on users, track use of lost or stolen cards, control times when doors are locked and issue new or temporary cards.

Scope of works
Access control
Upgrade CCTV system
Intruder alarm maintenance contract
Fire alarm maintenance contract

Windrush Frozen Foods

The project

When Windrush Frozen Foods decided on a smart solution for its flagship head office, Chris Lewis’ integrated IP fire and security solution came to the rescue.

Having experienced two break-ins and a number of incidents where vans had been tampered with, Windrush wanted a smart security and fire solution for his new flagship head office.
“We were looking to implement an integrated fire and security system that had incredible functionality, but we didn’t have an unlimited budget. Of all the companies we considered, Chris Lewis offered the greatest flexibility and the willingness and capability to deliver what we wanted.”

Windrush Frozen Foods has recently snapped up 6500 sq ft of space at the new £7.5 million Witney Office Village, 12 miles from Oxford. The catering firm’s turnover has grown from £500,000 in 1995 to more than £27 million in 2006/7.

The solution

The major benefit of digital security systems is the ability to automate and integrate. This was key to Windrush’s requirements. The entire building is now integrated and controllable. Shutters on the windows, lighting, heating and ventilation, intruder alarm, access and fire are all interlinked.

Monitoring and reporting is vital in any organisation. IP alarm monitoring services are now a proven technology. The ability to monitor building services and fire and security with one device has opened up opportunities. Windrush’s alarm and fire system is monitored using IP signalling. This links both applications without the client having to pay extra monitoring costs.

Windrush’s head office can only be opened if a proximity card is accepted by a hidden card reader. Further identification is required by a biometric fingerprint reader. Once the fingerprint is verified, the building is opened and the heating, lighting and ventilation is activated.

The ground floor of the building contains meeting rooms and demonstration kitchens. To limit access to visitors, a networked access control system has been fitted to all internal doors. As a welcoming feature, and for Disability Discrimination Act compliance purposes, there is an automatic door on the main entrance.

Visitors’ movements are restricted to the main foyer until they are granted access to the reception area. The internal access control system also enables Windrush to restrict staff access from certain areas, such as the server room.
The firm is also keen to monitor time and attendance for health and safety purposes. This is done using the data logged by staff proximity cards when they enter and exit the building.

The access control proximity cards serve a dual purpose. They also act as identity cards for Windrush staff. The firm is also keen for the cards to be integrated into the vehicle satellite tracking system at a later date. Drivers’ identity cards will be recognised when they enter their truck.

Scope of works
Intruder alarm grade 3
Fire protection system
Networked access control system
Biometric fingerprint reader system
Input/output system (for interfacing with lighting, heating, shutters)
CCTV

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor