Cameras Connect School, Police

A video-surveillance system at a Michigan school allows the local police department to remotely monitor activity and be better prepared to respond to emergencies.

All Saints Catholic School visitors are monitored by this camera, located just inside the entrance.

Any activity outside of the building is monitored by this camera and the signal fed to the Canton police department.

When All Saints Catholic School in Canton, MI, fi rst opened its doors in 1997, it was a model of then-current practices regarding school design and teaching. The administrative offi ce was located in the center of the school and teaching followed the “cells and bells” format. Fire drills and supervised playgrounds and hallways were standard school-safety measures.

Over the years, as school-safety designs and practices have evolved, so too has the environment at All Saints, a pre-kindergarten through 8th grade elementary school. Exterior entrance/exit doors are locked during and after school hours; access-control systems have been installed to help manage school security; and badging systems identify school visitors. The central location of the administrative office, however, was not something that could be changed, making it difficult to keep the school’s safety and security measures updated. Visitors had to be physically granted access and escorted through the halls to their destination. In the event of an incident or emergency situation, it took long minutes to alert the office and additional time to notify staff through the PA system.

To remedy the situation, school administrators met with representatives from the local community, service providers, and law enforcement. The outcome was a plan that involved all parties and applied security technology in an innovative way to make the school safer and more secure while maintaining a welcoming environment.

QUICK RESPONSE The system, installed by local integrator Camtronics Communication Co., Detroit, features 16 Samsung (Samsung Techwin America, Ridgefi eld Park, NJ) video-surveillance cameras and a number of emergency pull stations and duress buttons, all of which are directly connected to the Canton police station. If an alarm is activated at the school, police can immediately view the scene from the Samsung video-surveillance cameras. Based on the visual information, authorities can quickly determine a course of action, including sounding audible alerts with different tones and patterns to indicate specifi c circumstances and associated responses. For example, a certain tone will indicate that police are on site while another tone may be the signal for occupants to go to a pre-arranged safe spot. The system also enables police to remotely unlock/lock school doors, further aiding school staff and the fi rst responders in the event of a lockdown situation. Regardless of the type of incident, the immediate visual information provided by the cameras is critical in determining a course of action and providing a more immediate response.

According to deputy chief Scott Hilden, the police department was on board with the plan from the beginning. “We absolutely said we’d be willing. Anything that will increase the safety of a school or children we are willing to participate in.”

The Samsung IP video-surveillance cameras deployed at the school include a mix of pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) dome cameras, standard PTZ cameras, and outdoor fixed cameras. Video from the cameras is recorded on site with a 16-channel Samsung NVR and is transmitted through a dedicated Verizon 4G connection to the police station. Having as much information as possible ahead of time makes law enforcement and first responders better prepared when they arrive on site. The capability for on-site monitoring by school administrators also helps prevent vandalism and theft.

Based on the success of the system at All Saints Catholic School, Camtronics president Mark Wellman has received several inquiries from other schools looking to improve the security of their facilities. “Schools always have to keep reviewing. There’s no finish line when it comes to keeping schools safe,” said Wellman. CBP

DATA CACHE

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Learn more about Samsung cameras at their website: Learn more about Samsung cameras at their website: https://www.samsung-security.com/en/products/ https://www.samsung-security.com/en/products/ security-cameras.aspx

The Samsung education solutions web page includes a The Samsung education solutions web page includes a camera-selection tool: camera-selection tool: https://www.samsung-security.com/solutions/education.aspx

Participate in Samsung training courses: https://www.samsung-security.com/Training.aspx https://www.samsung-security.com/Training.aspx

To learn more about services offered by Camtronics, visit their website: http://camsecure.com/ visit their website: http://camsecure.com/

EDITORS’ CHOICE

Control system

RMC3 system:

Provides control and monitoring IP-based platform Built-in connectivity

RMC3 ultra-compact 3-Series control system provides control and monitoring for a single-display device, AV system, lighting and shading, climate control, security, energy management, and other specialized applications. The IP-based platform provides a network-grade appliance reportedly capable of managing all systems in a building. Built-in Cresnet and Ethernet connectivity provides support for Crestron touch screens, keypads, dimmers, shades, thermostats, and other peripherals. Approximately the size of a deck of playing cards, the RMC3 fits just about anywhere with the option to attach it to a flat surface or DIN rail using the mounting bracket. The device includes a variety of control ports for connecting third-party equipment.

Crestron Electronics Inc., Rockleigh, NJ Circle 89

Corner camera Flexidome IP corner 9000 MP camera provides clear images in completely dark surroundings. The camera’s rugged, non-grip design is said to make it extremely resistant to tampering. It uses content-based imaging technology that lowers bandwidth consumption and thus storage costs by as much as 50%.

Bosch Security Systems Inc., Fairport, NY Circle 90

Portable generators A line of portable generators includes nine models, ranging from a 2.0 kW inverter to a 12.3 kW gasoline generator. PRO5.4DES uses the company’s Command Pro diesel engine to provide professional-grade performance within a sound-dampening enclosure for quiet operation. The 5.2-kW and larger models have Accu-Fill to make filling the fuel tank easy and minimize spillage and to indicate when filters need to be changed.

Kohler Co., Kohler, WI Circle 91

Uninterruptible power The 9PX SP uninterruptible power system is a split-phase system for 120- and 208-V outputs. The system allows users to connect to more devices by providing approximately 28% more power than traditional UPS units and is said to be particularly suitable for the protection of medium-to-high-density IT equipment in computer rooms and small data centers. The system provides extended battery runtime options, hot-swappable batteries, internal bypass, and optional maintenance bypass, and integrates with the company’s Intelligent Power Software Suite.

Eaton, Raleigh, NC Circle 92

Healthcare power monitoring StruxureWare power monitoring expert healthcare edition software is said to decrease the number of unplanned power outages, reduce the duration of those that do occur, improve the effectiveness of maintenance activities, optimize power loading of key equipment, improve energy efficiency, and reinforce patient safety through a centralized operating ward alarm system. The software provides dashboards and reports to identify energy-savings opportunities.

Schneider Electric, Des Plaines, IL Circle 93

Mass-notification solutions Alerity line of integrated, IP network-based mass-notification solutions uses Waves over IP for emergency communications. The products provide full-featured, bi-directional interoperability, integrating with other systems, software, and devices for enhanced situational awareness. Examples include fire-alarm control panels, chemical sensors, detection systems, and paging systems.

Eaton’s Cooper Notification, Long Branch, NJ Circle 94

Microprocessor controller ASCO Group G microprocessor controller is standard in the series 300 automatic transfer switches. The self-contained unit accommodates open or delayed transition transfer operation in automatic and non-automatic configurations. Multiple-Source sensing capabilities include voltage; frequency, including under-frequency sensing on normal and emergency sources; optional current card; and single and three-phase sending, which does not require an external metering device.

Emerson Network Power, Florham Park, NJ Circle 95

Thermal imaging FLIR One personal thermal-imaging device is compatible with the iPhone 5 and 5s and fits on the phone like a protective case.

Once mounted, the device displays a live thermal image on the screen, including in complete darkness.

FLIR Systems Inc.,

Wilsonville, OR

Circle 96

Access-control package BioGard Pro combines LA Gard ComboGard Pro safe lock with the AX.S embedded access-control system and I.AM biometric fingerprint key to create a system that protects while tracking and capturing data. The solution can be stand alone or part of a single- or multi-branch AX.S system. The system provides a way to ensure that only authorized users have access to a safe or cash recycler, while recording every event.

Kaba Access and Data Systems Americas, Winston-Salem, NC Circle 97

Wireless access control M100 Aperio eCylinder is a wireless, retrofi t mortise access-control solution that uses Aperio technology to communicate directly to a new or existing EAC electronic access-control system. The hub is a compact antenna that receives communication data, including iClass card serial number, tamper notifi cations, lock jam, and low battery signals, from the Aperio cylinder and relays it to the EAC system. The hub can be mounted within 50 ft. of the cylinder and paired with as many as eight M100 cylinders.

Medeco, Salem, VA Circle 98

HWSSHK 304 and 316L stainless-steel wallmount enclosures are available in 30 sizes ranging from 24 x 20 x 6 in. to 60 x 36 x 16 in. They provide corrosion resistance that is said not to degrade after scratching or other surface damage. Sealed to NEMA 4X, the units are UV and vandal resistant and can be installed in harsh environments.

Hammond Mfg Co., Cheektowaga, NY Circle 99

Fire-sprinkler fi ttings ProPex engineered polymer fi ttings, lead-free brass sweat and threaded adapters, and larger-diameter AquaPex tubing to 2 in. is listed to UL 1821 and ULC/ORD-C199P for use in AquaSafe multipurpose fi re-sprinkler systems.

Uponor Inc., Apple Valley, MN

Locking enclosures

Circle 100

DORMA ACCESS SOLUTIONS — Enabling better buildings

DORMA is a market leader of innovative and inspiring designs and technologies for access solutions. DORMA features a design oriented portfolio of architectural door hardware, specialty hardware for glass door and wall applications, door automation systems, operable wall systems, and electronic access control systems. For a 360° experience in access technology, visit the DORMA Design Center in NYC. | www.dorma.com

Opening & Closing

Securing Dividing