On the Case

Railway management

Honeywell Building Solutions has installed security, building management and life safety systems at Locomotion: the National Railway Museum at Shildon.

"The integrated system in place at Locomotion allows staff to concentrate on core activities rather than controlling and monitoring the different building management functions on site," says Honeywell account manager Jamie Watt. "The Enterprise Buildings Integrator effectively centralises all the relevant information from each system. Overall, this increases safety and improves efficiencies by reducing unnecessary waste and lowering costs over time."

Online hospital

Telindus has provided the Royal Hospitals in Belfast – Royal Victoria Hospital, Royal Jubilee Maternity Service, Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and the School of Dentistry – with a new network to manage its material management.

Telindus supplied its Telindus Secure Mobility Solution based on Trapeze Networks equipment. This secure wireless network covers a third of the hospital and is expected to cover the whole complex within the next two years.

The solution includes three Trapeze MX-400 Mobility Exchange Switches, one Trapeze MX-8 Mobility Switch, 221 MP352 Mobility Points, a Ringmaster Planning Tool and Ringmaster Management software.

Biometric bank

Swiss Interflex AG, part of the Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies sector, is implementing a biometrics project in Geneva for renowned Swiss bank Pictet & Cie Banquiers.

Swiss Interflex installed an access control system that operates completely without ID cards, keys or PIN technology to enable secure access for about 1,500 employees the bank's new building. Sub-contractors have installed 3D face and iris recognition systems as well as so-called speed gates, which provide higher flow rates and more user-friendly access.

In addition, an ANPR system is installed at the entrance and exit points of the parking facility.

Interflex has integrated all of these components into a comprehensive security system operating on the IF-6020-Security software solution, meaning that biometrics controls not only access to the building, but also employee time and attendance records.

Big Brother at night

Raytec's Raymax series of infrared illuminators have been chosen to provide night-time footage of the Big Brother house in Santiago, Chile.

A Chilean television crew used Raymax 50 illuminators to provide continuous footage of the housemates during the hours of darkness. The footage is screened 24 hours a day on Chilean TV so high quality images are essential to deliver the highest television audiences. The Raymax 50 was chosen for its high performance, aesthetic design, and Raytec's technical support package, the company says.

Networked books

Network cameras from Axis Communications have been installed in 10 Hughes and Hughes bookstores in Ireland.

OmniSys has installed 21 network cameras at Hughes and Hughes Dublin airport operation, including 18 Axis 216FD fixed dome network cameras across three stores, an Axis 207W wireless camera monitoring a remote warehouse, and Axis 210 and 211 cameras protecting the cash and administration offices.

Images are fed onto the airport authority IT network and are monitored and recorded via a high specification PC using Axis Camera Station software, which is capable of handling images from up to 25 network cameras.

Hughes and Hughes MD Mark Gould said: "I typically watch trading across our stores for about an hour or two a day. I can get a feel for customer numbers on different days or times of day. The information I get from what I see around the business helps me make more informed management decisions."

Game for access

To help improve the safety and security of its premises and computer systems, leading software systems creator Microgaming has chosen Isle of Man-based Eye Spy to install a Bewator access and CCTV system.

The system was installed at Microgaming's new offices in Douglas, Isle of Man. Eye Spy installed a Bewator proximity card access control system, where each access point is linked to an intruder alarm, backed up by 15 CCTV cameras covering the outside of the building and key interior locations.

Alarms can be activated by any of 12 doors being opened illegally and, should the need ever arise, video recordings are made. Microgaming finance director John Coleman said: "It's discrete but effective, as well as simple to monitor and administrate. We can issue new cards as and when they are needed and immediately revoke any that have been mislaid."

Securi-T

T-Center, the headquarters of T-Mobile Austria in Vienna, has had a smart access control system installed by EVVA.

A total of 1200 doors were fitted with self-contained escutcheons from Salto Systems' security lock range, providing electronic control of mortice dead bolt operation. Of these, 500 doors were configured for online operation and synchronised with CCTV camera with digital recording, while off-line escutcheons were fitted to the remaining 700 doors. Contactless wall readers working with RFID products from Legic and HID completed the installation.

Paging easyJet

Communications systems company ADC was recently contracted by easyJet airlines to provide a localised paging system for its check-in facilities at London Luton Airport.

ADC's brief was to supply and install a powerful but localised paging facility, situated within the specific area of the airport's main check-in hall. The airport's own PA and voice alarm had to maintain priority over the paging system.

ADC chose the Community R.25-94TX loudspeakers. Four units were installed at a high level, set for 100v usage and driven by a TOA amplifier with a TOA paging panel. The TOA amplifier is also interfaced to the airport's main paging system, allowing it to mute local paging if the airport's system is being used for paging or voice alarm calls.

Navy cams

Forward Vision's MIC1 PTZ camera is delivering critical surveillance video aboard the Tamar, the newest of lifeboats in the Royal Navy Lifeboat Institute.

Featuring a metal Powerdome designed for reliable performance in the extremely harsh conditions of the marine application, the MIC1 cameras help the officers of the RNLU perform their mandate to provide 24-hour lifesaving service around the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Ambassadoor security

Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies has supplied two important security components for the refurbished Ambassador Hotel in central London.

Each of the hotel's 98 bedrooms is fitted with Martin Roberts acoustic steel doors. These offer increased durability and reduced maintenance coupled with superior fire, acoustic and security performance, the company says.

The steel doors and frames are all fitted with CISA SmartCard access locks. In addition to security and convenience, these provide the ability to monitor staff, programme the cards, establish audit trails, authorise guest services and keep accounts.

Hungary eyes

Erando Ltd has installed IndigoVision's end-to-end IP video solution in Budapest, to provide city-wide CCTV surveillance. The new system is helping Budapest authorities to increase public safety with remote monitoring of public places, tourist spots and car parks.

It consists of 68 dome cameras monitoring the 14th District around central Budapest. At the heart of the system is IndigoVision's Control Center software. Five operators each use a PC workstation, four monitoring live video feeds and one analysing recorded video.

Recording is achieved using IndigoVision's NVR software, and operators are able to view live or recorded video from any camera or NVR, anywhere on the IP network.

Erando installed a wireless network around the central district that accommodates the current system and has additional capacity and range for expansion in future.

No smoke for hangar

D-Tec has completed an installation to protect the world's largest privately-owned aircraft hanger, the massive new Royal Airwing Hangar complex at the Dubai International Airport in the UAE, home the to the Dubai ruling family's private aircraft.

The hangar is 600 metres wide and 110 metres deep, and holds up to eight aircraft. D-Tec's Video Smoke detection system was installed by BK Gulf's BCL Fire Systems division. The system comprised a combination of infrared flame detection and the VSD system. The flam detectors are fitted below wing height, while the VSD CCTV cameras are installed around the perimeter of the hangar, 15m above floor level, just above the planes' wing height. This ensures the system will detect smoke escaping from any aircraft door or appearing above wing level from a fire lower down.

The systems are linked together so that, should one or both detect smoke or flame, the alarm is automatically triggered and the hangar's Tyco Suppression Systems' foam extinguishing system is activated.

ANPR on the air

Derwent's REG number plate capture cameras have been used to ensure the safety of exhibitors and trade show and public visitors at the Farnborough Air Show in Hampshire.

Special Events communications commissioned two of Derwent's REG Dual systems to help secure the site. The system used the REG cameras and an ANPR recording system, with one ANPR and three overview cameras.

The system was required to monitor the entry of vehicles at the site's one main entrance, where high profile commercial, diplomatic and military visitors, as well as heads of state and other VIPs, were attending. High security and terrorism prevention were a priority.

Highway protection

Stoke on Trent-based Paramount Security Group has completed a prestigious new project for the Highways Agency's new UK headquarters.

Paramount said the project called for "an experienced systems integrator that could offer a complete package including electronic, physical and perimeter security measures".

The project included protecting the three-storey main building, along with the annex building and four on-site car parks. CCTV, audio, intruder detection, traffic barriers and turnstiles are all being controlled through proximity and PIN-based access control, and the chosen solution is based on the Europlex 3GS system.

The perimeter of the site has been fitted with motion detection linked to the Paramount traffic barriers, and also to the proximity card system. Help points have also been installed around the site, providing two-way audio and visual verification for security staff.

Training update

IndigoVision has won a contract for TransLink in Vancouver, Canada, to upgrade the 880 camera CCTV system on SkyTrain, the world's largest automated light rapid transit system. SkyTrain transports 200,000 passengers a day along 49km of elevated track through 33 stations located in and around Toronto.

IndigoVision's IP video technology will be used to upgrade the existing analogue matrix/VCR CCTV system and provide a scalable solution that will meet SkyTrain's video recording and future surveillance needs. The system has been designed by Intercon Security Limited, who will coordinate installation with SkyTrain's technical team.

Express security

Maple Fleet Services has equipped Mercedes Sprinter vehicles for Express Logistics of Heathrow with a wide range of security enhancements.

These include a fully integrated camera system, to record the vehicle during deliveries and to provide driver assistance via the monitor screen. The locks that secure the load area are RFID controlled and have full access control technology designed into them. This restricts access to only designated users.

If required, the vehicle can be sealed secure at the point of despatch, with only the end customer or customs authority being given the means to access the load area en-route. The locking system also records all door events for auditing purposes.

Safer flying machines

Paxton Access has supplied its Net2 networked access control system to the RAF Museum in Hendon.

The system is used with swipe card readers. Initially, eight doors were put on the system, with another five subsequently added. Eighty users are on the system, and different 'time zones' set up for the staff.

Operations manager David Rowe said: "The majority of staff only need access in working hours, but security need access 24 hours a day. We also have temporary staff in at times. Net2 gives us the ability to issue cards which just give access for the time they are working with us."

No trouble at Mill

A digital surveillance system called VisionIP from RedHand has been installed at Bond's Mill Estate, formerly a major woollen mill in the Stroud Valley in Gloucestershire, and now home to a wide range of serviced office accommodation and workspaces.

The new IP system is an upgrade from the previous analogue CCTV in place. Standard external infrared cameras were connected through existing coaxial cable or through new network cable into video servers. All cameras feature motion detection, and an intelligent viewer application makes it easy to locate and manage the pictures.