On the Case

Eye on the sky

The University of Reading's Department of Meteorology has deployed an Axis 232D dome network camera from Axis Communications to support students as they learn to predict weather patterns through studies of atmospheric sciences.

The Axis camera has been adapted and fixed in an inverted position pointing towards the sky, and is set to collect a sequence of images from a number of preset coordinates, several times per day, in order to gather a picture of the changing cloud and weather conditions.

Image snapshots are stored on a university-owned file server. Milestone's XProtect software is also employed for video streaming and live analysis. The video stream can be sent directly into lecture rooms via the university's LAN and then viewed on interactive white boards, as well as being shared by other educational establishments around the world via secure internet connections.

Safer gaming

Camlock Systems has installed locking systems for German casino operator Saarland Speilbank GmbH. The casino operates 11 gaming tables and 630 gaming machines. To protect the gaming machines against theft, locks that were previously fitted were replaced with ones from Camlock.

The casino's Chef de Tresorerie, Herr Sieglin, said: "The new locks were easy to retrofit and have proved highly versatile for us with the added advantage that we now have both left and right turn key movements available.

"Also, it is now very easy to change the key combinations if a key should be stolen or go missing. By not having to replace all the locks when security is compromised, the savings in time and money have been enormous."

OK computer control

Six fast dome cameras and controllers from Merit Li-Lin have been used by Radiohead to video its European tour.

The domes, selected by the group's touring creative director Andi Watson, are controlled during the performance by three operators, each controlling two cameras. Presets are used to set camera 'target' combinations for specific songs. The position, iris, zoom and other settings are adjusted live by the camera operators.

The six video signals are fed into computers running specialist software to extract and manipulate the images according to control data sent live from the lighting control desk. The computers then output 18 individual video feeds that go to projectors and video screens.

Stately leisure domes

High impact dome cameras from Rainbow have been installed by ADI at a flagship leisure venue in Cardiff. Technology at the Liquid Nightclub allows managers to transmit aromas onto the dance floor and create computer graphics which "transform the building into a swimming pool or the Albert Hall".

The site is using 60 of the dome cameras on dance floors and in bar areas. The nightclub made unusual demands in terms of light levels which are often low, but can change dramatically, such as in the case of the bright illumination of a bar on the upper floor.

Each of the dome heads has a receiver using Cat5, as the installation was retrospective at a time when the venue was already trading and this option minimised disruption. Staff are able to review footage and search for incidents at will using a DVR.

CCTV for ambulances

Chris Lewis Security has installed a CCTV system for the Norwich control centre of the East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust. A Solaris system from Bewator was chosen, linked to an Eventys DVR. The centre now has a 16-channel DVR, five integrated Solaris dome cameras and three fixed mini-dome cameras.

The perimeter, access to the control centre and the Ambulance Trust's reception are all monitored. The Trust now plans further CCTV installations using Bewator equipment. The aim is to install IP cameras to expand the system to monitor the Trust's 34 ambulance stations and other remote sites over the next few months, with eight initially monitored.

Fence around a castle

Jacksons Fencing has been awarded a contract by Newport County Council to secure a castle.

The council faced a growing problem of social disorder, violent crime and drug use at Newport Castle, and due to its intricate maze of paths and hiding places had become home to drug users and muggers.

Jacksons Fencing designed a series of fences and gates using its Barbican range of fencing with finials. The fencing system had a 3m wide gate, fan panel and quadrant panel, galvanised and polyester coated in a green finish to blend in with the environment. The company claims that the fence has been so successful that serious and violent crime in the castle has been totally eliminated.

Monitors for patients

Romers Electronics – recently acquired by TG Baker (Sound) Ltd – has installed Sanyo CCTV cameras to monitor hospital patients in the intensive care and high dependency units at the newly expanded Royal Blackburn Hospital in East Lancashire.

The cameras allow nurses to keep a close watch on patients without having to leave their central staff base on each ward, freeing up their time for other important duties. Blackburn-based Romers won a tendered contract to install additional cameras as a part of a multi-million pound Private Finance Initiative extension designed to bring together all of the services at the hospital, as well as the nearby Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

A new security control room was commissioned, and Romers was also commissioned to install an additional 30 cameras to monitor the site perimeter boundary and car parks.

Residential detection

Manchester-based specialist installer SSS Systems has installed Redwave detectors from Optex Europe to protect a customer's residential premises from high levels of false alarms – thought to be the first time such device shave been used outside the commercial arena.

SSS said it chose Redwave because of its ability to distinguish between genuine alarms and those caused by small animals and moving trees. The residence is home to a business and entrepreneur in the North West who has a had a house built which is surrounded by farmland and countryside.

Six detectors have been installed on the perimeter of the land to provide a security cordon. The detectors are linked to an audio device that plays pre-recorded messages to warn trespassers away and/or inform them that they have been seen and are being monitored.

Abbey days

ADT has installed an adaptable security solution, using products from FM Electronics, for part of the Torre Abbey two-year restoration programme in Devon.

The system was required to protect the Torquay Museum site while it undergoes a £6.5m restoration. It was specified that all detection devices which needed to be added to the Abbey's new master security system were wire-free, as problems with the existing wired system had occurred in the past and some cabling could now be removed as part of the renovation.

ADT chose to use the FM electronics FM4040 wireless interface, which is designed to work alongside existing wired alarm systems, allowing the main alarm's wired receiver to continue to be the main controller, with the FM4040 acting as an invisible 'slave' device.

School vandals thwarted

Denbigh High School in north Wales expects to save more than £5,000 a year through the use of eight Axis network cameras in a new IP surveillance system designed to cut vandalism and theft by intruders.

The system was installed by MCW Group and has already enabled the school to catch some would-be thieves on camera and pass relevant high quality images to the police. The school's new system uses three Axis 225 fixed dome network cameras, three Axis 216 fixed dome network cameras, and two Axis 214 PTZ network cameras. These help secure key areas inside the school, the perimeter of the site, the playing fields and the flat roofs of the buildings.

MCW Group installed the two PTZ cameras in positions so they could scan not only the expansive grounds but also cover the school's roofs to discourage pupils or intruders from climbing up onto them.

Rose Bowl upgrade

The Rose Bowl, home to Hampshire County Cricket Club, has updated its analogue security cameras with the installation of a new digital system from Genie CCTV.

Phase one of the project required cameras capable of providing high quality images of all the main seating areas, as well as a software solution capable of recording all motion events from each camera.

At the heart of the solution is the i-Catcher digital CCTV system, which incorporates features such as people counting, loiter detection, and other advanced analytical functions. Also fitted were around a dozen Genie GS5330 hi-res day/night bullet cameras, connected to IP video servers and the network infrastructure.

Access to Devonshire

MR Security fitted BPT Security Systems’ System 200 door entry and Impro64+ access control system at Devonshire Court, a luxury residential development overlooking the sea at Eastbourne.

The system was fitted across the four blocks that make up the development, using BPT vandal resistant door entry panels on the entrances and white video Nova monitors in the apartments.

The Impro64+ access system was integrated, with entry panels on internal lobby doors and those leading from three of the blocks to the courtyard, as an added security measure and for resident convenience.