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Skills for installers
SKILLS
Training for the future
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David Scott, Managing Director of Skills for Security looks at technical training courses for the security industry
Having worked with fire and security companies across the UK, I see firsthand the difficulties in attracting and retaining engineers. Due to the skills shortage/crisis, we see the quality of work decrease, availability of labour decrease, and staff wages increase. Skills shortages can be cancerous, and although we are doing good work in developing new talent across the sector - where numbers have quadruple in less than two years - we must now look at how we can develop our existing workforce, which should in turn help you attract and retain engineers.
During the first lockdown, which seems like a lifetime ago, Skills for Security released free technical training webinars that were specific for those operating in the sector. The courses covered advanced signalling, which included grading, compliance with standards and the digital switch off, plus Intruder Alarm, CCTV and Fire Surveying and Design courses which included carrying out risk assessments, creating operational requirements, and again compliance with the standards. Since then, in partnership with IFSEC and FIREX, we have developed a range of bespoke online CPD accredited technical courses that are available 24/7. Engineers can self-enrol onto the courses. The courses themselves are automatically marked and certificated, a process that is both is effective and efficient.
The reasoning behind this was to make training accessible. Skills for Security fully appreciate the busy lifestyles that everyone lives these days, so training needs to be accessible at a time that suits the learner. Since this initial release, we have also created a cybersecurity course, which focuses on the key aspects that engineers need to consider when installing, maintaining security systems when the systems are integrated on end-users networks. In addition, we have produced an Access Control Survey and Design course, which looks at risk assessments, grading/levelling and compliance. Since last year over 8,000 people have completed these online technical courses.
Skills for Security are not the only organisation offering technical competence training. Tavcom, who are BSIA members, also have a vast range of courses specifically designed to upskill engineers. Tavcom Training – the provider of accredited security systems training courses and part of the Linx International Group – is celebrating its 25-year anniversary with the opening of a training centre of excellence in Shipley, West Yorkshire. The new centre is ideally located to meet all the training needs of the many security professionals in the North of England and beyond.
With two teaching facilities firmly established in the UK (Hampshire and West Yorkshire) and a growing portfolio of bitesize, virtual, and online interactive courses, Tavcom Training is making it easier for security professionals at all levels, to access its award-winning and internationally recognised security systems training courses. For
YOUR SKILLS QUESTIONS ANSWERED
As part of this column you can ask David questions directly about training and apprenticeships. We will aim, to publish the question and answer in the next column. If you want to participate in this, then email info@skillsforsecurity.org.uk
How does the Zitko Talent Programme work?
In short, Zitko talent sources talent from a number of different sectors. Some are even graduates. They then put them through an intense training programme with some of the industries leading manufacturers, training providers and apprenticeship providers. At the end of the 12 month period, you have a ready made engineer that is trained with your organisations cultures and expectations in mind.
I have an apprentice, but don't know where to start..
Drop us an email at info@skillsforsecurity.org.uk we will talk you through the process.
SKILLS
Tavcom Training, who are BSIA members, have a vast range of courses specifically designed to upskill engineers
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those who prefer traditional face-to face classroom training, the new training centre boasts excellent road and public transport links to and from Liverpool, Manchester, Warrington, Huddersfield, Bradford, Leeds, Harrogate, Doncaster, Darlington and Middlesbrough. Managing Director of the Linx International Group, David Gill, states: “This significant investment and expansion of Tavcom is in response to unprecedented demand for our accredited courses, by installers the length and breadth of England.”
David Gill adds: “As part of Linx’s commitment to professionalism and the raising of standards across the industry, we need to make the right training available, accessible and affordable to all.” He continues: “This important new centre replicates the class-leading facilities at our facility in Hampshire that has established Tavcom as the premier provider of technical security training in the UK, for more than 25 years.”
Both future-proofed centres are fully equipped with all the technical infrastructure and equipment required to deliver Tavcom’s portfolio of more than 100 training courses, including its hugely popular BTEC Level 3 courses Practical CCTV installation and Practical Intruder Alarms.
Implementing professional development plans within your workforce, specifically focused on your engineers, can make them feel rewarded, boost morale, and improve engagement and attrition.
If you would like any advice on attracting new talent, retaining staff, or upskilling your workforce, please feel to reach out to Skills for Security at info@skillsforsecurity.org.uk.
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QED
New Direction for QED Quality Essential Distribution (QED) believe in today’s market, – Strategy for Success companies that change, survive, but companies that transform, thrive. QED decided to change its business strategy due to changing market conditions and advances in technology – all with the end goal of improving efficiencies, service quality and most importantly, making the customer’s life easier.
Having a strong team of dedicated individuals that truly care about the service we offer automatically produces major benefits for our customers when dealing with us. When we work alongside our customers, we generate a real understanding of what makes their job hard and what the headaches are; then, we marry up the most suitable bespoke offering to make sure the whole process flows and becomes pain free.
Matt Philp, QED’s Managing Director said, “We continue to be an agile business and the new strategy will help us quickly adapt to market changes, improve efficiencies and simplify processes. We are on a journey, with a fantastic team, and ambitious plans to grow. We’ll introduce security products, strengthen our supply chain and offer new services to meet the needs of our loyal customers.”
Quality Essential Distribution has seen massive change with the likes of new management in place, a total rebrand, the introduction of the “Good People” concept, and in more recent news, the launch of the new website and dedicated customer portal. Why launch a new website now? Matt Philp, QED’s Managing Director said, “Today, more and more people shop online and we want our customers to have a good online experience. We lead busy lives and when visiting any website, it’s important to be able to quickly find what we want, add it to our basket and simply check-out.
Many employers are also introducing flexible working hours, especially over the last 18 months, and as a business introducing a 24/7 customer portal, customers can contact us whenever they want.
Finally, the new website reflects our “Good People” brand and I want to say thank you to the team for all their hard work over the past 12 months.”
Catherine Seddon, QED’s Marketing Manager said, “The new business strategy gives us focus and a clear vision. It’s important to listen to customers and suppliers to strengthen the relations and understand what their issues are so we can support them. The rebrand was the beginning and right from the start of the website project we viewed it from a customer’s perspective, speaking to customers to find out what would really help improve their online experience and make the buying process as easy as possible.
We also undertook research on best practice, not only by the security sector, but from websites across the world! We view this website as a shop window into our business and a portal where customers can manage their own activity 24/7. We can’t wait to hear what customers think.”
qedgroup.co.uk
ADPRO Swansway Group Perimeter Protection
With 24 branches located throughout the north of England and Wales, Swansway Group is one of the region’s leading motor companies. The company is a main dealer for a range of premium automotive brands including Audi, Volkswagen, Land Rover and Jaguar, and also operates two state-of-the-art accident repair centres. High-value stock inventories across all sites require 24/7 protection, and security is a vital priority. The client was looking for a cost-effective solution for its new vehicle storage facility in Crewe that would combine all surveillance data into a single system giving immediate action upon activation Following consultation with the client, the decision was taken to install the ADPRO FastTrace 2E Remotely Managed Multiservice Gateway (RMG), a Perimeter, Multi-site and Enterprise Security Solution by Honeywell/ADPRO. Installed by NU Fire & Security Ltd, the system delivers state-of-the-art remote monitoring, enabling security threats to be detected and assessed instantly and efficiently. When an intruder is identified, a high quality Quad image is transmitted within seconds in a time stamped data packet, displaying to a remote monitoring centre or mobile handset, allowing operators to see exactly what is happening and take appropriate action. The system uses infrared (IR) IP network High Definition low-light cameras which allows lowlight working and is backed by an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) backup. The ADPRO solution can also operate via 3G connection, which will allow for redundancy should the ADSL lines fail. Use the QR code for the full case study
Confirmation of H.265 licenses used in advanced IDIS video solutions
As video users globally pay closer attention to the manufacturing origins and standards-compliance of their systems, IDIS is highlighting the value of its fully licensed network cameras and recorders that feature H.265 video compression. IDIS was among the first manufacturers to deliver the benefits of H.265 compression to the market as part of its end-to-end DirectIP® solution. The company has confirmed that it has HVEC Advance and H.265 MPEG patent licenses for all its hardware, with licenses dating back to cover all installed systems. IDIS has made extensive use of the H.265 standard since 2016, leveraging it to underpin flexible monitoring solutions using dual codec (H.264/265) and hybrid codec to ensure backward compatibility with older monitoring hardware. Combined with IDIS’s own advanced compression technology, IDIS Intelligent Codec, this typically saves up to 70% on storage capacity and lowers bandwidth requirements compared to older high-definition systems that relied on H.264.
This approach means IDIS users were among the first to benefit from ultra-high-definition surveillance using 8MP and 12MP cameras, while ensuring fast incident response, smoother searches and minimized distortion when reviewing complex scenes, even from mobile devices.
For example, the new IDIS Mobile Plus app – which integrates with the enterprise-level IDIS Solution Suite VMS to allow for more flexible and remote surveillance operations – enables 4K live streaming on remote mobile devices, with high image quality in H.264/MJPEG and H.265 formats. With Mobile Plus, users can remotely access cameras and NVRs, monitor live video streams, and search recorded footage via their iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet – all enabled by advanced compression technologies. For more information on IDIS solution go to www.idisglobal.com
Open Door is an online service from PSI that provides in-depth information from a selection of market leading companies. Here are some of the highlights from the pages of Open Door.....
Not all detectors are the same...
Unmanned train depots secured by Video Analytics
An intruder alarm system is only as good as the sum of all of its parts, which is why the choice you make when specifying PIRs and sensors for an installation makes all the difference The performance of detectors, the reliability of wireless functionality and the development of smartphone apps have helped improve the performance of intruder systems and also made installing the technology even easier. For example, commissioning the original panel, PIRs, sounders etc is much easier with a wireless system but when the panel needs a few extra detectors or peripherals added at a later date is when wireless wins hands down in terms of speed of install and simplicity. In terms of detectors it is vital for the efficiency of the whole system that the best products are used.
Recently reviewed in PSI magazine with an impressive 9/10 rating, the Capture range from Texecom comes with EN Grade 2 wired or wireless connectivity, wall or ceiling mounting, and a choice of detection technologies including dual element, quad element or dual technology sensing for a variety of security environments. Use the QR code for more information
Southeastern Rail Network operates train services between London, Kent and parts of East Sussex. It is one of the busiest networks in the country, transporting 640,000 passengers each weekday on its 392 trains, which are temporarily housed in 12 depots situated around South-East England. Some of these depots are unmanned, and therefore require intelligent security solutions. Bosch Security System’s Integration Partner, Taylor Technology Systems, were tasked with upgrading the entire video surveillance system across the 12 depots.
The camera portfolio installed across the 12 depots included FLEXIDOME IP starlight 7000 VR, DINION IP starlight 7000 HD and AUTODOME IP starlight 7000 HD cameras. These cameras are all equipped with Bosch’s Intelligent Video Analytics solutions ensuring that the most relevant video data can be precisely applied to the requirements of the train depots. Visit: www.boschsecurity.com/gb/en/
Integriti update includes biometrics and real time location tracking
Access control and security system designer and manufacturer Inner Range has released the Version 21 update for its Enterprise-level system Integriti, which includes integrations with Suprema biometrics and Quuppa real time location tracking. The new integration with Suprema allows users to add thumb and face scans as access credentials, which can be used in addition to smartcards and PIN for high security with trouble-free access.
The integration with Quuppa means tagged information from the Quuppa system can be associated with Integriti entities, allowing direct control of the asset from either system. The asset could be an object, or a user associated with it.
The location of tagged assets can be made visible on Integriti’s schematic of the site, alongside all other access and security devices. Operators can access all cameras with the asset in their field of view, if fields of view are configured. Alert protocols can be set up with bespoke criteria and operators can track and view the asset instantly if an alert is triggered. Visit: www.innerrange.co.uk
AJAX SYSTEMS
Two external detectors in one
The recent Ajax Special Event announced a number of new technologies being released to the professional security sector in 2021. Here we take a closer look at one of the new systems
Outdoor detectors can often be a pain for professionals. Natural disruptions, heat, rain, and snow trigger a lot of false alarms. The new Ajax product range includes the DualCurtain Outdoor detector which boasts a 30m range with two PIRs on each side covering 15m. The Grade 2 unit uses two PIRs and threestep signal analysis to detect intruders, eliminate blindspots and combat false triggers such as from pets, plants etc.
Two detectors in one body
Each DualCurtain Outdoor utilises a SmartBracket mounting panel allowing installers to securely attach the detector to a surface while closing the setup panel. The sides of the detector are adjusted independently. With the controls on the back panel, the detection distance for each side, detection activation in the area near a detector, and the vertical shift of the viewing sector by 3° so that sections protruding from the facade do not obstruct the view of the detector can all be determined.
In the Ajax app, each side of the detector can be controlled separately: enable/disable IR or masking sensors, make them permanently active regardless of the armed mode, and adjust the sensitivity. The app allows interaction with the detector to set entry/exit delays, link the sirens activation to a certain side, or create an automation scenario for a detector alarm.
DualCurtain Outdoor protects the most remote areas thanks to a connection range of up to 1,700 meters from the hub. And at complex sites, ReX signal range extenders can help build robust perimeter protection regardless of scale.
Double filtering
Two IR sensors on each side make the unit effective against false alarms. The detector does not react if only one sensor has detected movement. When both sensors are triggered, the detector activates the digital algorithm ELSA. In a fraction of a second, ELSA performs a three-step signal analysis, filtering out natural disturbances and animals, and concludes whether or not to raise an alarm.
Curtain detector evolution
To extend the protected area, when the Near Area Detection is turned on, the upper IR sensor of the detector receives an additional narrow sector of view, directed at the angle of 40 degrees down. This helps to detect the motion when there is an attempted intrusion closely to the unit itself, solving the problem of the blind spot (a typical problem of such detectors). This patented technology is ideal for the protection of facades and complex architectural structures.
The system is protected against sabotage as any problems, such as attempts to disable the detector or a low battery, will be immediately reported by the system to the users and the security company. The detector is also equipped with a tamper button that reacts to removal from the mount and detachment of DualCurtain Outdoor from the surface. And thanks to the configurable hub detector polling interval, the system is able to identify a connection loss with DualCurtain Outdoor in less than a minute. The detector meets Grade 2 in accordance with the EN 50131 standard and is equipped with an anti-masking system that detects attempts to block the view or paint over the lenses.
REVIEWS
CCTV – TRIED & TESTED
An overview of some of the products we have featured in PSI independent test reports. This month we highlight recent CCTV reviews; products are listed in no particular order. As always, manufacturers and distributors have no input in the test reports or results
Bosch – Flexidome NDE-3503-AL
Part of the Bosch Flexidome IP 3000i IR range, this fixed dome camera is impact resistant to IK10 with IP66 protection rating and has a 1/2.9” 5MP CMOS sensor, 3.2 to 10mm motorised lens and a range of “Essential” video analytic functions.
It has a diameter of 137mm and height of 122.5mm. It has an operating temperature of -30°C to +50°C. Review: A very capable dome camera with a wide range of configuration options.
IDIS – DC-S6283HRXL
The DC-S6283HRXL dome is an external IP66, IK10 rated, 1/2” CMOS 2MP Lightmaster PTZ ONVIF compliant dome with 36 times zoom lens and long range IR capability. Review: A well featured PTZ dome with simple setup, excellent optical performance and enhanced IR illumination.
Concept Pro – CP-HSD20-AHD
This Concept Pro IP66 IK10 rated speed-dome is based on the Starvis 1/2.8” CMOS sensor, giving a 2MP (1920 x 1080p) image with a 20x zoom lens and in-built infrared illuminators with a stated range of up to 150 metres. A 30x zoom version is also available. The camera provides outputs for all the main analogue HD formats such as
AHD, CVI, TVI along with the digital over coax SDI standard.
Review: An interesting highly sensitive HD speed dome that gives a potentially easy route to changing from analogue HD to IP based viewing and control, compatible with all key analogue HD systems. Some of the camera’s core configuration options are not currently accessible via the browser but possibly may be included in a future firmware version.
Luxrite – SPR0DHIPD80
The SPRO DHIPD80 “Turret” style camera is an IP67 externally rated 8MP (4k) camera with a 2.8mm fixed lens, “ColourNight” operation and Active Deterrence capability. It has a built-in speaker and microphone along with external audio connection and alarm input and output. Review: A very sensitive “Turret” style camera with high definition and some excellent features for deterring intruders.
SMOKE DETECTION
Hikvision – DS-2CD4A26FWD
This camera is a high-end outdoor bullet camera identified as part of Hikvision’s DarkFighter range. The camera offers very high sensitivity and 1920 x 1080p HD performance with pre-installed firmware to provide video analytic functions. These can be selected from options including Audio Exception, Defocus, Scene Change, Face, Line Crossing, Intrusion, Region Entrance, Region Exiting, Unattended Baggage and Object Removal Detection. Review: The wide range of detection methods mean that this camera can fulfil the majority of current security video tasks. Its built-in Infrared illuminator range and high sensitivity provide very good image quality even in challenging conditions.
Tyco – Illustra Flex IFS02P6INWIT
This Indoor HD PTZ dome is from the Illustra Flex range and has a 30 times optical and 12 times digital zoom range with IR illumination up to 25 metres. An external variant has IR support to 150 metres. Review: A very well constructed PTZ camera unit with straightforward connection and configuration. Some minor issues encountered with setup functions and lens performance but overall, good image quality and extended zoom range.
Hanwha Techwin – Wisenet XNV-8081RE
The XNV-8081RE is from the Wisenet X range and incorporates a PoE extender capability to simplify cabling infrastructure when installing a second camera within 80 metres of an existing position. The dome is based on a 1/2.8” 5MP CMOS sensor with a stated 0.07 Lux colour sensitivity and IR LED monochrome illumination.
Review: A very installer friendly ONVIF compliant external dome camera with ease of set-up and an ability to simplify network cabling when retrofitting for additional cameras, installing two cameras to a single location or when needing to install an adjacent PoE device such as lighting or PIR detection.
Dahua – DH-SDT-5X225-2F-WA-0600
The DH-SDT-5X225-2F-WA-0600 is promoted as a 2MP Starlight IR Dual PTZ external network camera. It is from the Dahua WizMind range and is based on 2 x 1/2.8” CMOS sensors, one with a wide angle view and one with a 25x optical zoom lens. “Deep Learning algorithms” are used to support detection functions such as smart tracking of vehicles or humans with automatic filtering of false alarms. . Review: An interesting ONVIF compliant dome with high sensitivity and capable of tracking subjects while still maintaining an overview of the scene of interest. Good differentiation of targets to track humans and/or vehicles while preventing false alarms.
Uniview – IPC2325EBR5-DUPZ
Promoted as a 5MP WDR Starlight Varifocal IP67 network bullet camera, the unit is based on a 1/ 2.7” sensor with a 2.7 to 13.5mm auto-focus motorized zoom lens giving a horizontal angle of view from 93.28° to 28.56°. Review: A versatile solidly built external bullet camera with a wide range of configuration settings. The security settings allow the camera to be suitably locked-down but the lack of a forced “strong” password is a concern; perhaps a future firmware update will remedy this.
APPLICATION
Luxury resort updates its fire detection technology
Global Fire Equipment (GFE) designed, supplied and commissioned a new fire alarm system for the Radisson Blu Fujairah, a 5-star resort nestled along 500 metres of private beach in Dibba, Fujairah in the northeast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The 257-room Radisson Blu Fujairah luxury resort has five outdoor swimming pools, a spa, a health club, meeting rooms, a diving centre, restaurants, bars and a kids’ club.
When the engineering team at Radisson Blu was looking to replace the resort’s existing fire alarm system because of mounting maintenance costs, GFE was appointed to design a system for the hotel’s main building and three further connected buildings, along with a health club, a diving centre, a bar and four villas.
Once GFE, which trades under the name of Eurotech in the Middle East, had designed the new system, GFE’s agents in the UAE, Najd Electronics & Safety Equipment, undertook the installation, testing and commissioning as they already had the maintenance contract for Radisson Blu Fujairah and two other hotels in the Radisson Hotel Group.
The chosen 9-loop system for Radisson Blu Fujairah comprises two panels. The first panel has four loops, each of which connects to 110 devices which cover the main four-storey hotel building and two other connected four-storey buildings.
The second panel has five loops, each of which connects to over 100 devices which cover the third connected four-storey building, the external areas of the three-storey health club, the two-storey diving centre, a bar and the four three-storey villas. In total, the system comprises 780 smoke detectors, ten heat detectors, 40 manual call points (MCPs), 100 input output modules, 50 sounders, two network cards and ten amplifier modules.
Eng. Yaser Ahmed Ouda El Deheny, Director of the engineering department at Radisson Blu Fujairah, comments: “When the maintenance costs associated with our previous fire alarm system kept increasing, we wanted to invest in a cost-effective and modern solution that would meet our requirements.”
Kamal A. Hadi, Regional Director Middle East & North Africa (MENA) at GFE, adds: “This was an exciting project to work on and it’s the first time we’ve supplied our equipment to the Radisson Blu hotel group. One of the biggest challenges we faced during this project was undertaking the installation work in a ‘live’ environment where the hotel remained open to guests throughout the installation and commissioning.”
New door entry system for social housing development
A new large scale social housing complex, developed by Metroman has joined forces with Videx UK to install a door entry system for its residents.
The London based development is split into 11 apartment blocks - Anika House and Jasleen Court - and fitted with Videx’s VX2200 door entry system along with Videx MiAccess access control and hands-free video monitors.
Installer Dave Abrams, who owns DA & Son, recommended the entry system that met residents’ needs and also met specific regulations including Secured by Design (SBD), the police initiative for designing out crime.
The VX2200 panel is also fitted with Videx’s standalone offline proximity system, MiAccess which enables the use of remote management of the access control system including adding and removing access key fobs, for example if a fob stops working, needs replaced or a new user needs to be added, a visit to the development isn’t needed.
Mabs Alam, Regional Sales Manager for London and South East at Videx UK, said: “Because of the integrated MiAccess, residents simply need a programmed fob to gain access to their home and if they lose or misplace a fob, it can be reprogrammed remotely with another one easily and quickly by a management team.
“This means the system requires minimum maintenance and there’s no routine software upgrades needed either.”
Entertainment hub improves fire safety in India
Combining a multiplex indoor and outdoor cinema, gaming facilities including a Go-Karting track, restaurants, a hotel and a shopping complex under one roof, the Firestone Entertainment Hub in Jamnagar, India, recently looked to improve its fire safety provision and brought in Cavitak Marketing to lead on the installation and specification of a new system.
Parth Shah, Manager of Emerging Lead Technologies at Cavitak, said: “After meeting with the Hochiki Europe India Branch Office team and discussing the site’s unique requirements, they recommended the L@titude system.”
There are many difficulties that come with specifying life safety systems in large applications, the most prominent being networking, as it is essential that all areas are sufficiently protected and connected. However, the Entertainment Hub encountered more challenges than most as the facility has multiple tenants within one space, all with different requirements and life safety concerns.
Overseeing the project, Sujeet Singh, Senior Sales Manager at Hochiki, said: “Due to the sheer scale of this project, we met with the representatives from each tenant including the hotel, cinema and various restaurants, to better understand their life safety needs. From these conversations we were able to specify individual solutions to help protect each area of the hub.
“For instance, the PVR Cinema required the use of beam smoke detection, whereas the Fern Hotel was better suited to point detection in each bedroom. The entire system was then connected, controlled and monitored through the L@titude system.”
Applying a holistic approach, Hochiki was able to install various life safety systems, totalling over 700 devices throughout the entire space, all connected through the L@titude control and indication system.
The modular nature of L@titude is especially suited for larger settings as it can network up to 32 panels with over 4,000 sub address point per panel. It’s also possible to customise each panel with addressable loop detection circuits, conventional detection circuits, relay cards, additional sounder outputs or programmable I/O modules as needed; a big advantage in the installation, allowing the individual circuits from each tenant to be connected and controlled through one overarching platform.
If an incident should occur, having the power to add up to 64 individual users, all with different profiles and access permissions, widens the pool of people who can correctly analyse and react to a potential life safety event, ensuring a quick response.
Art studios upgrade detection systems after assessment
Comelit’s fire alarm and detection systems, including beam detectors, have been installed by Ozzas Security Systems at Art Hub Studios CIC.
Welcoming a high volume of members, clients and visitors to the studios, fire safety and security is an integral component of the building maintenance.
Ozzas Security was called to the site following a risk assessment on the fire alarm and detection system. With recommendations made for a new system, Comelit’s Atena Easy single loop system was fitted with point detection and beam detectors to offer quick installation without impacting on site aesthetics.
A representative of Art Hub Studios said: “With many people present at any one time, we need to ensure their safety and security, and we have regular checks and assessments planned. When issues were raised with our fire alarm and detection systems, we contacted Ozzas as our local fire specialist, who fitted the Atena system quickly and efficiently and it is end-user friendly, which is a welcome bonus.”
Comelit’s Atena Easy single loop solution is a compact, entry level fully addressable system. The system can accommodate up to 500 devices over 2 loops, with a networked opportunity to expand with a facility or building requirement.
Ozzas Security also installed eight beam detectors at the studios, equipped with an integral laser and set of passive reflectors to allow for simple auto-alignment.
Rytis Ozolas of Ozzas Security added: “Any artist studio is a specialist consideration when it comes to fire safety, especially with the use of different materials and substances in every day works by the artists on site. The Art Hub Studios demonstrates good practice in having regular fire alarm system risk assessments and maintenance checks, calling on specialists to update equipment if issues are raised.” There are many difficulties that come with specifying life safety systems in large applications, the most prominent being networking
APPLICATION
New traffic safety monitoring in the Limehouse Link Tunnel
When Cubic Transportation Systems and Transport for London identified that the Limehouse Link Tunnel in London’s East End would benefit from an upgraded traffic safety monitoring system, they opted for Predator Ultra HD cameras from 360 Vision Technology.
The Limehouse Link Tunnel opened for use in 1993 stretching for a little over a mile under London’s East End. Travelling along the A1203 from The Highway to Canary Wharf, it takes vehicles under the Limehouse Basin, Limekiln Dock and Dundee Wharf, then curves north-east under Westferry Road to emerge near the West India Quay DLR station.
For a massively busy tunnel like the Limehouse Link, safety is paramount. Speed limits are set at 30mph, and Transport for London traffic management teams constantly monitor the live video feeds from cameras sited strategically along its course to ensure traffic flows smoothly and any incidents can be acted upon swiftly and safely.
The camera system in the Limehouse Link Tunnel is maintained by Cubic Transportation Systems. Recently, it was decided that the existing cameras in the Limehouse Link Tunnel were in need of an upgrade. Cubic Senior Field Services Manager Neil Ashford explains.
“The older cameras that were being used in the tunnel had become obsolete,” he says. “This was due to camera part obsolescence fault levels increasing, and critical areas of tunnel coverage becoming more challenging to maintain with adequate CCTV coverage. Roadside cameras need to be tough and reliable, so we needed a ruggedised model that could withstand the rigours of constant use in that environment.”
Cubic had used Predator Ultra HD cameras from 360 Vision Technology on an earlier tunnel project and this experience convinced Neil Ashford, and Cubic, that they’d be up to the task.
One challenge the Limehouse Link Tunnel upgrade project faced was transmission: how best to ensure the 1080p HD images captured by the cameras could be sent to the TfL control centres. Fortunately, in addition to its direct IP connection options, the Predator cameras feature a 12-pin connection in the base of each unit, allowing the new replacement cameras to be connected directly to the existing cable infrastructure of the old camera system.
“Being able to install the new Predator cameras without making any changes to the local camera infrastructure was a great advantage in reducing installation time and cost of the project,”,” Neil Ashford says.
A total of 56 Predator Ultra 30:1 HD cameras are now in active use in the Limehouse Link Tunnel. The cameras are monitored at a variety of locations, including the primary Transport for London Network Management Control Centre (NMCC).
The complex, 24-hour NMCC operation integrates previously separate control departments into one central hub, providing a more efficient and linked-up approach to roads management. It’s part of the ‘Vision Zero’ approach to traffic and transport strategy, with a long-term aim of eliminating all deaths and serious injuries from London’s streets.
Operators look out not just for active incidents such as accidents and collisions, but for anything that has the potential to cause one, including loose manhole covers or potholes. When one of these situations is spotted, the Predator camera is zoomed in to confirm its cause and help to diagnose a swift solution, which could include closing the tunnel for rapid repairs.
“TfL has received the new cameras very well,” Neil Ashford says. “Image quality allows the operations team to get the pictures that they need to assess and respond to incidents as they occur.”
