On the case

Security consultant, Mike Tolley, recommended the multiplexers because they have automatic set-up and a user-friendly interface that minimises installation times and operator training.

Cameras are located at all exit and entrance points, covering the car parks and A&E wards. They are supported by 24 hour manned guarding on both sites, while images from both sites are reviewed at a 24/7 CCTV control centre in Heartlands.

The system is also to be networked with both the town centre management and West Midlands Police via a fibre optic link. A fibre optic link between Solihull Hospital and the local authority control room in Solihull town centre is also to be fitted.

CCTV at the academy
Scottish Communication Systems has installed 31 cameras at Perth Academy to improve the security and safety of pupils in the school. The newly launched CCTV system uses both fixed cameras and the latest ptz 'speed dome' cameras, covering playgrounds, corridors and stairways.

A control room that is operated by staff members allows the capability to zoom into specific areas around the perimeter of the school and playgrounds as required.

Inside the school, the corridors are monitored by vandal-resistant cameras, with a radio communication system that has been established to allow the control room to communicate with teachers, alerting them to any problems that have been spotted.

The system operates on a 24/7 basis, deterring intruders to the school, helping staff prevent inappropriate behaviour and protect pupils from bullying. The school is also monitoring use of the system, so that Perth and Kinross Council can learn to use CCTV so that it benefits pupils and staff.

High performance cameras
Blick UK Ltd has installed 15 of Baxall's high performance CDX cameras on the Humber Suspension Bridge for safety and security purposes, monitoring the dual carriageway and footpaths, tollbooths, car park and contractors compound.

The CDX9714 colour cameras, which are on pan, tilt and zoom units for maneuverability, have been installed across the full 180,000 square metres of the site, along with a Baxall ZKX keyboard and ZR4 telemetry receivers that gives control of the cameras. Four of the CDX cameras have been mounted on the bridge's towers at a height of 155.5m looking each way.

The cameras are high performance models capable of adapting to radically changing lighting conditions. They incorporate digital signal processing and the EXview imaging chip for increased infrared sensitivity for use in low light conditions. They perform down to 0.4 lux and give 480 TVL. Other features include variable peak white inversion, which allows night-time recognition of number plates without the car headlamps blinding the camera.

Sports village made secure
King's Lynn-based Optimum Risk Management has installed a CCTV system at a campus that is being used as part of the Commonwealth Games sports village in Manchester.

The Owens Park Village sits on a University campus that was used by some of the world's top athletes during the Commonwealth Games. Upgrading the existing system brought its own special requirements and problems, since the 75 acre, self-contained village was open to the public and had become a target for criminals.

Optimum Risk Management installed 28 cameras positioned at specific locations to gain maximum coverage of the area. They are monitored 24 hours a day by staff in the existing campus control room. Additional fencing and increased lighting levels were also put in.

Combined access system
Face recognition expert, Aurora Computer Services Ltd, access specialists, IET, and construction firm Costain, have collaborated in installing a combined system for time and attendance and access control at the huge St Pancras construction site.

The three companies came up with the idea of making the prox cards, provided by IET, even more secure. They programmed the system so that the prox cards would not work unless they had been 'woken up' by recognising the facial biometric of the user. Once the face had been verified, the card worked on site in the normal way.

Aurora's technical director, Patrick Usher, said: "Proximity cards are good, but could still be used if lost or stolen. Now they can only be used by the person whose facial biometric wakes up the card. It also gives a much more accurate view of who is on site at any one time."

The system also adds to the security and personal safety of those on site and is a solution to guard against lost or stolen access control cards, without requiring expensive biometric readers at every access point.

Linked car park cameras
Systems integrator, Plexnet Ltd, has installed new CCTV systems at the Trenchard Street car park and outlying Cottage Inn and Maritime car parks at Bristol.

The new installations consist of CCTV cameras supplied by Norbain SD, linked to a city centre control room via microwave and fibre optic links, supported by newly installed public safety telephones. The cameras used include Ultrak dome and Sanyo fixed units.

Plexnet already maintains three other City Council multi storey car parks around Bristol and worked closely with the Parking Services Project team throughout the installation. At the Tollgate car park, they monitor all the stairwells during off peak hours to ensure they are used solely by drivers accessing their vehicles. The access doors are also remotely opened and closed.

Lighting considered
Essex-based Ace Security and Electrical Ltd has installed a CCTV system incorporating JVC's TK-C1480 Super Lo Lux cameras at the Economist's Plaza office block in London's exclusive St James' district.

The cameras were specially chosen for the glass fronted reception area because of the daily changes in lighting conditions.

Farsight Ltd took a team of consultants into the Economist to calculate their security needs. Senior consultant, Paul Bean, said: "We looked at several cameras and the JVC 1480 was the only camera able to cope with the differing light ranges.

The camera incorporates JVC's EXDR feature, which allows crisp colour pictures down to 0.5lux.

Tyran Jones, security chief at the Economist, also said the tower system may soon be linked to a second CCTV system installed at the Regent Street offices over an IP network.

Analogue replacement
Classic Security Solutions has upgraded the analogue CCTV control system at the Lord Mayor of London's official residence with three Digital Sprite multiplex recorders from Dedicated Micros.

The Corporation of London, which acts as the managing authority for Mansion House, specified three digital multiplex recorders along with 12 cameras.

The system was specified and installed because of its simplicity in use. Operators are able to email security images or store them on a local PC. The system is networked to a separate viewing suite where images can be viewed in private.

Tried and tested range
ADT (Portsmouth) has installed a CCTV system at Portman House, the purpose-built head office of the Portman Building Society in Bournemouth.

The system comprises Vicon's tried and tested Surveyor 2000 dome cameras together with a 48-way matrix. The dome camera's design features a drive mechanism that can be operated independently from the housing, and installers were able to test functionality easily prior to permanent mounting.

The units also have menu-based programming which allows each unit to be configured to individual requirements. In addition, self-learn tours allow for in-sequence editing and reverse touring.

The CCTV installation is also complemented by ADT's Minerva analogue addressable fire system. And the control room in Portman House has been fitted with Vicon's Nova series V1344 high-density programmable control and matrix switching system, which has been set up to control 48 camera inputs and 8 monitor outputs.

One-stop service
Siemens has applied its TIP (totally integrated power) service, which integrates design, installation and commissioning of electrical power, fire security, communications and buildings management systems, at a 203 bed mental health unit for Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust.

The Prospect Park Hospital, which is due to be handed over in March 2003, has also benefitted from a cordless nurse-call/staff communications system comprising receivers in every patient accessed area and portable transmitters for each member of staff.

All the fittings, including lights, smoke detectors and air extractors, are 'anti-ligature' fittings, ensuring that no rope or cord could be used by a patient for self-harm. Smoke detectors all incorporate anti-tamper lockable bases that cannot be removed, with stainless steel plates that cannot be smashed or cracked.

Swiftly to the rescue
Jewers Doors of Biggleswade has installed a pair of Swift bi-parting insulated folding doors automated with FAAC 560 electro-hydraulic operators to replace old manual timber doors at Lancashire Fire and Rescue service's Preston fire station.

The fire station has seven appliance bays, and the Swift doors, which open in just seven seconds and close automatically, have been fitted to each bay.

The 560's compact size was an important factor in the specification since space is always at a premium in fire stations. The FAAC 560 is also designed for bi-folding doors. Mounted internally on the door, it opens and closes the leaves smoothly and quietly.

Anti-crushing bypass valves ensure safe operation should the door encounter an obstacle, and there is also a built-in low-level release mechanism enabling the door to be operated manually in the event of a power failure. An exclusive hydraulic device also ensures doors are locked when closed, ensuring total security.

Gone fishing
The Environment Agency has installed a Sony Netstation and Sony digital recording equipment at the Rivers Itchen and Test in Hampshire, to monitor the timing and numbers of migrating salmon and sea trout in the rivers.

The CCTV equipment is assisting in the accurate provision of essential verification information. The Agency uses an NSHEB MkX fish counter, a logging personal computer fitted with custom software and an image grabber card to collect data in real time. Using sensors located in the river, photographic images and measurements of each individual fish are collected during the migratory season and stored on PCs located on the riverbank.

At the same time, each site has its own Sony HSR digital recorder, which runs continuously and, at any stage, operators can review the stored images against the sensor images collected by the PC.

Mounting order book Baydale Control Systems has specified and installed 30 WEC cabinet based columns for CCTV cameras at Wirral Borough Council. The contract also called for multi-location installation of high security doors.

Baydale says it has ordered in excess of 50 WEC columns in the last few months alone for a variety of town centre applications across the country. Neil Pentland, managing director of the company said: "WEC provided an excellent service, delivering on time with good products and extremely knowledgeable support staff."

Baydale has also specified seven WEC columns for a contract with Birmingham City Council.

Docklands contract Interphone Security Group has carried out a major contract to equip a 150 apartment complex in the Isle of Dogs in Docklands.

The Ocean Wharf site is covered by five TelGuard telephone door entry systems, with separate vehicle and pedestrian gate entrances.

TelGuard's Junior models plus video entry systems have been fitted in the main buildings, with a further junior model at the pedestrian gate that is equipped with a camera, proximity reader and fireman's drop switch. At the vehicle entrance there is a TelGuard 'Senior' with a video entry link, proximity reader and fireman's switch.

Parental guidance
West Country Security has installed a fingerprint recognition system at the Mannamead branch of nursery chain, Pixieland, in Plymouth, which cares for over 70 children aged between three months and five years.

The system requires parents and staff to be registered on a database, which holds a representation of their fingerprint along with an individual PIN number for each record. The code and fingerprint are checked against the database to grant access.

All of Pixieland's nursery sites also benefit from CCTV and deadlocks.

More than 400 parents and 21 staff have been registered on the system, with two 'super users' who can access the system to add or remove people from the database.