On the Case

Fitting the ferryman

German installer FUNA GmbH has fitted a network CCTV system from Geutebruck on Brittany Ferries's flagship, the roll-on roll-off ferry Pont-Aven.

The 96 camera system with three MultiScopes and ViCros modular matrix monitors the ship from bridge to engine room.

Cameras on the car deck enable officers to double-check that the ferry doors are properly closed and watertight, and to detect movement of vehicles in rough seas. Cameras around shops deter theft and provide evidence of any incidents.

Integration of smoke, fire and other alarms enables the quick verification of all incidents. Externally mounted cameras have nitrogen-filled stainless steel housings to protect against salt corrosion. Vibration problems have been avoided by simply suspending the system cabinets and carefully positioning the cameras.

Covent Garden protected

G1 has completed a comprehensive CCTV system that helps to protect the public areas of London's Covent Garden Market, including its entrances and exits.

"We have designed a security solution that provides high resolution surveillance and recording without compromising the security or the aesthetics of the building and shopping environment," G1 director Martin Parry said.

The design of the security system has undergone a stringent approval process with Westminster City Council and English heritage regarding the siting of security cameras and equipment, ensuring that the building's appearance is maintained for the future, as well as making Covent Garden market a safer place for shoppers, staff and visitors.

Twenty two Pelco Camclosure static and Spectra III cameras are installed, with each to be painted in heritage colours to fit in with their surroundings. Security images are viewed using four JVC 17-inch LCD monitors, and are digitally recorded in a central control room in the market offices. The system works alongside a manned guarding presence.

Cherry opens doors

Cherry Security has installed FAAC 940SM door operators at Langney Shopping Centre in Eastbourne.

The new openers replace obsolete equipment at the centre's two main entrances, where each double-leaf sliding door opens and closes thousands of times every day. The 940SM operators are specially designed for continuous duty in commercial environments.

The centre attracts around 50,000 shoppers a week. Cherry Security managing director Andy Whisker installed the first of the four units about a year ago. "They have proved to be extremely reliable and look set for long service at Langney," he said.

Centre manager Barry Reece said: "We split the installation across two financial years to try out the FAAC 940SM system. The first unit performed so well that we had no hesitation in ordering the other three."

Cherry Security has specialised in roller shutter doors for the East Sussex market for the past 17 years. Whisker says the company diversified into door automation more recently, after completing a FAAC training course.

Smoking under scrutiny

Tayside-based Scottish Communications has installed a new CCTV and public address system at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

The new system will help ensure the safety of staff and visitors and play a vital role in enforcing the no-smoking law in public places. The new installation will monitor and manage the Ninewells entrance and recently completed Bus Stance area.

A total of 16 cameras were installed, linked back to a high resolution digital recording system in the main reception area. the majority of the cameras are high definition, vandal-resistant domes.

To complement and work in tandem with the CCTV is a Public Address system, enabling announcements to be continually played enforcing the no smoking regulations. Announcements can also be made in response to specific situations when required.

The cameras also monitor approaches to and from the car park and bus stop areas.

Water under lock

Edinburgh-based Caleylock has been involved in the supply and installation of a locking system for Scottish Water, the UK's fourth largest water and wastewater service provider.

Caleylock specified Abloy padlocks with its Protec cylinder mechanism to safeguard multiple sites. The installation is enabling Scottish Water to combine a high degree of flexibility, in terms of individual site arrangements, with a high level of security.

Paul Mitchell, Scottish Water's chief security advisor, said: "We operate a huge number of sites, of varying size and complexity, with different degrees of access, and also have to respond to operational boundary changes, which means that site areas can be expanded or modified.

"Every site has to be effectively secured, and we have therefore standardised on the Abloy master keying system as a proven and reliable method that enables us to control site access for our front line staff, each of whom may have different levels of responsibility and security clearance."

Beacons for arena

BDS Fire and Security (Northern) Ltd has installed Klaxon Signal's Sonos sounder beacons at the National Indoor Arena's two main car parks.

The Sonos sounder beacon uses LEDs as its light source, drawing significantly less current than traditional xenon beacons. A translucent sounder case enables greater light spread for more effective warning. Klaxon says the Timesaver Base, which twists and clicks into place, offers fast and reliable installation.

BDS director Graham Hawkins said: "We chose the Sonos sounder beacon for several reasons, including ease of installation, excellent visibility from wide angles offered by the transparent beacon dome, and competitive pricing."

The NIA is a major venue for national and international sports events, and regularly stages music and entertainment shows. BDS has been involved with the NIA for five years through its Birmingham office.

Senior security

Goldshield Security has installed over 200 door entry systems for a Care and Repair project run by Stirling Council. The project was originally set up to provide homeowners over the age of 85 with security products to make them feel more secure in their own home.

Each home in the scheme is individually assessed, and besides the Videx video security door entry system, homes may also be fitted with smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and external motion sensor lighting.

The video security door entry system consists of a wall-mounted video console with a four-inch colour monitor and handset which is installed in the living room. It is connected to an outside camera with integral lighting.

Householders can speak to visitors at the door and at the press of a button also allow them access from the comfort of their armchair. An additional colour monitor can also be installed in upstairs colour bedrooms.

CCTV on ITV

Dedicated Micros, working together with Gardiner Security, has delivered an advanced CCTV solution to provide security for ITV Granada in Manchester.

The project called for four of the latest NetVu Connected Digital Sprite 2 network capable DVRs, four Dennard 2060 outdoor domes, featuring vandal-resistant, environmentally protected enclosures, and a KBS3A digital keyboard.

DM field sales executive Scott Jones said: "Our no-nonsense approach to usability was one of the critical factors which won the day for us with the ITV Granada project. The new MultiMode-capable DS2 units combined with the multi-viewer software - NetVu ObserVer - were perfect for this application. In addition, the one common keyboard switching between all machines and cameras was well received by the guards."

The KBS3A remote keyboard is situated in the Gate House at ITV Granada, and is able to communicate with the rack-mounted DVRs over a 485-bus connection.

Security and transport manager at ITV Granada, Stuart Wynne, said: "When it comes to CCTV it is important that we have the equipment in place which allows our staff to identify and deal with incidents as effectively as possible. We are extremely pleased with the new CCTV systems supplied by DM and Gardiner Security."

Winter Olympics covered

Elsag, one of Italy's largest system integrators, designed and installed the CCTV system for the entire 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. The system was based on IndigoVision's IP video technology.

The system consisted of 500 cameras managed by Control Center, IndigoVision's enterprise video and alarm management software. Each camera was connected to an IndigoVision 8000 transmitter/receiver module which encoded the analogue signal into MPEG-4 digital video, which was then transmitted to several security command centres via the IP network.

Site-wide video recording was achieved using IndigoVision's Windows-based networked video recorders. The NVRs were installed independent of camera positions, in various locations around the network.The Control Center software and the network combined to create a 'virtual matrix' that ensured the correct camera feeds were available at the appropriate command centres.

Protecting the beer

Kent & Sussex Security has provided Shepherd Neame, Britain's oldest brewer, with comprehensive CCTV systems at its site in Faversham, Kent. The site is old, split by public roads and is large. In addition, Shepherd Neame has also opened a separate distribution site outside the town, further fragmenting the security task.

KSS installed a comprehensive system at the distribution centre in 2004 and this was expanded as the site grew.

Shepherd Neame decided it needed a comprehensive CCTV approach for both sites which could be monitored and managed from its new security office on the main brewery site.

New CCTV systems were installed on both sites, using Honeywell high speed domes and Neurodynamics digital recorders, linked by the company LAN to enable all cameras to be monitored from one purpose-made viewing console in Faversham.

Cabling on both sites used UTP highways, and NVT transmitters and receivers. This allowed the cameras to be cabled at long distances without picture degradation. KSS has also allowed spare cabling capacity for the economical adding of subsequent cameras in future.

Quality for hospital

Baydale Control Systems has installed CCTV and access control systems at Dublin's Beaumont Hospital. The company worked with Atkins Telecoms, which provided contract administration and technical consultancy.

Baydale's Andy Ward said: "It often happens that installers who support the use of components that save costs instead of doing the best job possible aren't thinking of whole life costs. Fortunately, together with Atkins, it was possible to ensure the highest quality.

Baydale is also responsible for the maintenance of the system and the use of quality components such as lenses means that firstly the client has less downtime, if any, and we have fewer callouts."

The installation included eight 12~240mm and four 10-140mm Pentax zoom lenses as part of the CCTV system.

Safety on the airwaves

Northwest Radio has installed an innovative radio system at Gladstone House, a secure children's home based in Liverpool.

The radio system assists the Gladstone House team in the management of violent behaviour, patrolling, and approaching visitors on campus.

The portable had units are supplied pre-programmed with status messages so staff can easily keep the office informed of routine operations.

RMS-NET integrates 12 Icom IC-F41GT UHF Guard Tour handportables, one UHF IC-F2610 base-station, and a PC. All radio traffic including voice and status messaging is communicated to the UHF base station, which is then logged and stored on a central database.

With holiday speed

Fitzpatrick Contractors Ltd has been contracted to develop a new rail depot for the high speed train which is to operate between England's main cities.In December last year, the site was in the early stages of development, and with the Christmas holidays fast approaching, there was concern that the perimeter was not secure, and that the site was vulnerable to the theft of valuable equipment.

Kent & Sussex Security was contacted and requested to undertake a survey and to quote for a camera to be installed urgently. The site was to be unmanned for the holiday period with the exception of a security guard, and he required back up in the form of surveillance equipment.

KSS carried out a survey to install a PTZ camera on site. A colour/monochrome weatherproof fully functional dome camera mounted onto an eight metre tilt down pole was installed and 400m of twisted pair cable connected back to the security building where the control equipment would be installed.

The entire project, from survey to finished installation, took just six days.