CCTV as a loss prevention tool

ALWAYS WATCHING

SECURITY • USING DIGITAL TECHNIQUES TO ENHANCE LOSS PREVENTION CREATES PROBLEMS WHEN THE RISK IS LOCATED IN A POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERE BUT SOLUTIONS ARE AVAILABLE

THE LOSS OF goods is expensive, time consuming and frustrating, but thefts can also become dangerous when the target is a liquid fuel tanker. However, ensuring security in explosive atmospheres is a difficult problem to solve. Being able to provide safety, protect vulnerable tankers, deter criminals and document evidence of crimes is essential, even in difficult environments, which is why 21st Century Ltd has developed a unique CCTV solution in collaboration with Rix Petroleum.

The system developed by 21st Century is, the company says, the only one of its kind that is ATEX-certified, allowing continuous recording in potentially explosive atmospheres. The system greatly expands its range of uses when compared to other CCTV solutions as many environments simply are not suitable for noncompliant electrical devices.

ATEX VERSATILITY A recurring problem with existing security solutions is that they cannot be installed in explosive atmospheres or that they have to be turned off during specific processes for reasons of safety, meaning their use as a security solution is rendered obsolete.

ATEX-CERTIFIED CCTV ALLOWS THE UNIT TO CONTINUE

TO MONITOR SECURITY AT THE VERY POINT WHERE THE

“The existing CCTV systems on the market had to be switched off during the fuelling process, which is potentially the most dangerous moment in the supply chain,” says Duncan Lambert, managing director of Rix Petroleum. “We wanted the best possible protection for our staff and customers, and we chose 21st Century because they understood our all-round requirement and the ADR restrictions.”

Owain Bridges, fleet sales manager at 21st Century, says: “We’ve been delivering innovative solutions for mobile CCTV for over 25 years with great success in the bus and rail industries, where we have excelled through development focused solely on our customers’ needs, demanding reliable equipment for safeguarding passenger lives. When approached by Rix, we saw it as an exciting challenge to use this experience to provide a solution that no one else had been able to – to safeguard the entire fuelling operation.

“Taking a global-scale and industry-proven product and making the necessary adaptations to ensure it achieved ATEX accreditation was not an easy process. There were a lot of obstacles and a huge learning curve, but to be able to work with Rix and their stalwart belief that a CCTV system that could still operate in potentially explosive atmospheres would deliver them real benefits gave us the confidence to invest substantial R&D time to make it happen,” Bridges adds.

The 21st Century solution includes eight analogue high definition cameras, a driver’s monitor and integration with OEM displays where possible. Footage can be securely downloaded remotely to a cloud-based portal and the status of the entire system is monitored automatically in real time for continuous operation. The CCTV unit will remain safe even with continuous use in potentially explosive atmospheres, including in fuelling stations. It has also been designed as a training tool and to provide evidence in the case of any insurance claims.

Looking to expand upon the benefits provided by the new CCTV system, 21st Century is now working with Rix Petroleum to develop an approved body cam to provide further protection and create a total CCTV solution for clients. HCB www.21stplc.com