Fuelling an upgrade

Over the next 18 months all of the 400 forecourt sites in the UK will be up-graded by AGE, which has been responsible for installation and maintenance at the BP forecourts for the past 14 years.

AGE constantly evaluate products to ensure that BP is provided with the best security system. Honeywell's HRHD, 16-way multiplexing DVR was trialed for four months, from Jan to April this year, at one of BP's largest sites, on the M8 motorway in Scotland.

Said AGE's Director Jason Gargiulo: "Value for money and picture quality are equally important factors when choosing the right system, as are operations – it is vital that the equipment is easy to use for forecourt staff. This is why we have specified Honeywell throughout."

Products supplied to BP by Honeywell include DVRs, speed domes, internal static cameras and flat screen monitors.

Footfall at shoe store

Customer footfall is being monitored at Wynsors World of Shoes retail outlets in Lancashire, Yorkshire and the North East.

Developed in partnership with Intrepid Security Solutions, the latest retail technology is helping the retailer to understand sales trends, attract more customers and transform in-store security.

A point-to-point beam provided by Intrepid has been installed at the entrance to a number of the 25 stores in the chain. The beam logs everyone entering or leaving and sends that information to an IT server at head office, where it is analysed.Footfall data helps Wynsors identify customer behaviour patterns and takes the guesswork out of staffing, allowing the retailer to work out what times of the day stores are busy.

Intrepid has been a long-time supplier to Wynsors and has just completed its 25th installation of EAS tagging at the retailer's stores.

"If we didn't have the tagging systems, our shrinkage would be huge," says Wynsors' Dave Wilson.

"We sell approximately 100,000 pairs of shoes a week, including designer brands such as Nike, Adidas and Reebok and so security tagging is absolutely essential."

Intrepid supplies security antennae for store entrances, along with security pins and tags.

Smart ideas

Cologne installers West Alarm GmbH installed a CCTV integrated solution from Videor Technical to protect the largest centre in Europe for the Smart fourtwo car.

West Alarm chose an eneo DXR-16N/750CDRW recorder and VKC cameras to protect the imposing building and its 22 metre high Smart tower.

The 16 channel recorder offers a number of connection options at recording speeds up to 100 fields/sec, even in multi-channel mode. Motion Search and Museum Search features also make it easier to find images.

A total of 16 eneo VKC-1327IR surveillance cameras also protect the 12,000 sq metre premises.

Executive decisions

Long established installer, Executive Security has installed high resolution varifocal dome cameras from Rainbow CCTV at a major retail complex in Ireland.

Located on the outskirts of Dublin, the Dundrum shopping and entertainment centre covers 850,000 sq ft and received 75,000 visitors on its opening day in March 2005. Work is now being completed on satellite buildings including a multiplex cinema, apartment blocks and a community theatre. The Rainbow internal domes along with high impact external models have been installed in these areas.

Executive Security have been operating for 25 years, working predominantly in the commercial and retail sectors. The installer has used CAT 5 wiring with an NVT transmission system and is employing Columbus DVRs from Norbain.

The Rainbow high resolution domes are 1/3inch colour models with a Sony Super HAD CCD. They provide 470-line images and operate to minimum illumination of 0.4 lux. The varifocal lens is 3.3~12mm F1.5 and operation can be 12VDC or 24VAC. The domes have a DC-type auto iris and operate with a signal to noise ratio of more than 48dB including backlight compensation.

Commanding wall

Installer Advanced Vision Systems has carried out an upgrade and refurbishment to the video monitor stack at Sedgemoor District Council. The upgrade, inside a refurbished council building includes twenty one JVC colour video monitors (21-inch), model TM-2100PN, and a command wall monitoring system that includes a high resolution JVC DLA-SX21E projector and an 80-inch CinePro rear projection screen.

E-mediavision supplied the equipment and a dual mirror X-View projector rig to Advanced Vision Systems. The Allen Group project managed the design and installation of the complete refurbishment.

Barry Donbavand, Control Room Manager said they needed a more flexible system. "Because the previous system was only monitors, it was not possible to display cameras in different sizes and picture configurations and there was no option to switch with a fixed background and display. Since the installation, there has been a significant increase in the detection of crime"

Intruders shadowed

Shadow Security has installed 45 dome cameras at the new premier automotive group (PAG) centre in Peterborough. Shadow, which has had a long history with Marshall Motor Group and extensive knowledge of the automotive and aerospace security has installed the JVC TK-C676E dome cameras at the new £15m centre in Boongate.

They were fitted externally for security monitoring during business hours alongside the PA and access control systems. Designed with future expansion in mind, the project took seven months to design and three months to install.

Each of three franchises – Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo – benefit from a dedicated showroom but share one 26-bay workshop and a large used car display area. The main security threats to the centre are theft and vandalism.

At the new centre, the dome cameras are configured using the latest version of the Dedicated Micros Digital Sprite 2 DVR.

The system delivers live video images, playback and updated images, alarm monitoring, and an audio link. Any alarm activations and video images during the secure period are sent to the remote monitoring station supplier via an ADSL line.

The operator can then take remote control of the cameras and give an audio warning to the site if required.

Says Brian Hodges, Director at Shadow Security: "The system has been designed to look in rather than out. The domes are installed on six metre Altron poles with flood lighting lamps which help the images after dark.

“Redwave provide the microwave alarms and PIR detectors alongside the cameras. They are situated on adjustable poles for the engineers to wind down for maintenance. The wiring of the cameras was a challenge as several underground cable runs in ducting are used which are over 200 metres each. The provision for expansion has been incorporated in the design of the cabling".

Contract takes the cake

Oxford based Chris Lewis Security has installed a security system to monitor operations at the UK's largest cream cake manufacturer.

Laurens Patisseries Limited, based in Newark, Nottinghamshire, produces chilled cream cakes for many of the country's leading supermarkets. With a 100,000 square foot site, Laurens required a sophisticated IP CCTV solution that would help them monitor and control movement across a large area.

The company also wanted to be able to use the recorded footage to assist with staff training and improve operational efficiencies.

The installation company's MD, Chris Lewis said: "Because of the size of the site and the complexity of the job, we needed to install 45 analogue CCTV cameras across the perimeter fence, loading bays, car parks, production lines and offices to give us the total coverage our client wanted.

"While such a comprehensive system will provide a highly detailed picture of movements into and out of the premises, it also poses its own problem – monitoring."

To handle this side of the job, Chris Lewis Security specified an Eventys Digital Video Monitoring System and an Eventys RMC (Remote Monitoring Centre) both manufactured by Bewator.

The Eventys Digital Video Monitoring System (DVMS) – an advanced digital and audio recorder/server – was connected to support the cameras, capturing images from each of the 45 installed for future reference.

With a 900Gb storage capacity, it has graphical search facilities and it is possible to synchronise all the cameras to the time of an incident and view the relevant footage.

The Eventys RMC (Remote Monitoring Centre) enables Laurens to view real time and recorded footage simultaneously.

Because the Eventys DVMS supports traditional analogue as well as IP cameras, Laurens could create a hybrid system that used analogue cameras, but still provided an intuitive system with motion detection and advanced search facilities.

Tracking system IK Systems Inc has delivered a networked video solution for AirTrain JFK, the eight mile light rail system that connects JFK Airport to New York City's mass transport system.

A Verint networked video solution enables the Port Authority police to enhance security of the rail system by centrally monitoring elevators, platforms and parts of the track.

The Nextiva solution from Verint uses advanced content analytics and enables users to network video across multiple locations

Just the ticket

Track Safe Telecom, an installer with wide experience of CCTV for rail installations, has carried out a successful remote video monitoring project for Arriva Trains Wales.

The solution needed to deal with a range of issues including car park theft, vandalism and graffiti, staff and passenger assaults, and ticket avoidance.

"One of the problems we encounter is that no stations are identical yet many aspects look similar," says Catherine Casey-Thomas, IT project manager at Arriva Trains Wales. It was important to find a solution which could easily be understood and operated by those manning a control room who are not necessarily familiar with the layout of all the stations they are viewing, particularly as it was important to have a single central control room monitoring all 77 remote train stations."

The solution had to ensure the smooth running of the service even during the installation phase.

Using an ADPRO remote site surveillance management system from Vision Systems, Track Safe Telecom's solution initially addressed the most urgent needs and was subsequently developed to encompass all of ATW requirements. Philip Owen, MD, said the monitoring software and video transmission system allows the flexibility to connect to a wide range of equipment including dome cameras, PA systems, intercoms and other vital ancillaries.

The system can be tailored for economy whilst still leaving the opportunity to upgrade or expand at a later date.

Coverage of solitary areas, such as car parks, sloping open and underground walkways, bridges and platforms for individual stations needed careful consideration so that the appropriate camera/lens combinations are chosen.

Said IT project manager at Arriva Trains Wales, Catherine Casey-Thomas: "Thanks to Track Safe Telecom's experienced support and design we have a first class ADPRO security solution which was completed on time, within budget and to a very high standard."

The system allows the storage of images which can be remotely viewed from the central control room and a detailed log of site activations and action. It provides instant retrieval of up to 12 months worth of alarm information. Image quality allows face and number plate recognition and all images are water marked. The system also acts as a useful management tool.

IP teaches a lesson

In one of the most extensive academic IP security systems to date, hundreds of Sony Ipela SNC-DF70N network video cameras have been deployed in the Pasadena, Texas Independent School District.

A total of 782 cameras were installed across 32 campuses in the suburban Houston school district. The full implementation of the IP security system was accomplished in just two months during the district's summer break.

Sony said the cameras were chosen for their day and night imaging quality, their high-impact resistant polycarbonate clear dome and aluminum die cast casing and bandwidth-efficient MPEG4 codec.

The plan included building new campuses and renovating existing facilities, with an overall objective of providing safe schools for students.

The specifications called for an "open" system that could evolve with future developments and technologies while working alongside an existing system of analogue cameras and a digital video recorder. The IP-based system and remote operation make it less expensive to manage and maintain compared to earlier cameras, while its MPEG4 codec reduces bandwidth costs.

Open door policy

Sussex University has installed Dorgards to overcome the practice of illegally holding open fire doors located in busy corridors of academic buildings on the campus.

This latest order follows the successful use of Fireco Dorgards in accommodation areas at the University's Institute of Development Studies where they have proven to be the easiest and most cost-effective way of legally holding open fire doors.

Dorgard can be fitted in minutes, with no wiring required, says the company. Complying with all relevant British Standards, EC Directives and UK Workplace Fire Regulations, they legally hold open fire doors in busy environments in any position and automatically release them when the fire alarm sounds.

Vine example

Unwins Wine Group selected IP-based digital video surveillance solutions from March Networks as the replacement for its existing security systems.

The digital video platform was selected for features such as reliability over traditional analogue systems, high quality video, and its ability to eliminate the need for in-store staff to manage videotape.

Other key selection criteria included point-of-sale transaction monitoring and investigation capabilities, as well as efficient remote access to video and audio via the networked DVRs.

"From a security perspective, not only does the March Networks DVR system deter robbery and theft, it also provides us with the evidence needed to help capture culprits and prosecute them successfully." said Mike Anderson, head of corporate risk management, Unwins Wine Group Ltd.

"By combining the video evidence with actual sales transaction information March Networks has created a powerful tool for reducing losses as well as enhancing the effectiveness of in-store procedures, store and display presentations, and other point-of-sale operations,” he said.

Driving force

Consultancy RJ Security worked closely with supplier CBC (Europe) to improve security for one of the largest Ford car dealerships in north-east England. Five sites, owned by the Patterson Motor Group, have benefited from this additional protection following problems such as break-ins, thefts of vehicles at storage compounds and vulnerable items such as valuable alloy wheels and stereo systems.

This project has included an ambitious £1.4 million redevelopment of the company's Shiremoor Road dealership site in North Tyneside, completed in summer 2005. Elsewhere other Patterson Ford sites are benefiting from improved security.

CBC (Europe)'s Sales Manager, John Downie, said the company worked closely with RJ Security: "We liaised closely on this project to identify the client's most vulnerable locations and develop a system to meet the needs of Ford Patterson both now and into the future".

Provided to protect the various locations are Ganz ZC-D3000 colour and day/night dome cameras. Also supplied were Ganz high-resolution static colour cameras, fitted with Computar aspherical varifocal lenses. Images from these units are now stored on CBC (Europe) DVRs monitored both locally and at Patterson Ford's security control centre via a secure broadband LAN backed up by ISDN.

Loudspeakers will shortly to be installed at the sites, allowing operators to warn off intruders. RJ Security's Proprietor, Rob Johnston, said break-ins have already been reduced by 95 per cent and that he expects these savings will allow Patterson Motor Group to recoup its investment in the surveillance system and other measures within a year.