Trade FIDES, a. s. | Security of Commercial and Industrial Objects
Security of Commercial and Industrial Objects
Security of commercial and industrial objects represents a broad issue. The objects can include enclosed objects similar to administration buildings, big shopping centers or, large areas including a number of objects, fields and entrance gates.
They are usually objects with relatively free movement of a great amount of persons and a wide range of different environments. Security systems of these objects are always customized according to the requirements of the customer, statement of an insurance company, technical specifications and acceptable costs.
The following chapters describe some systems that can be installed in the commercial and industrial objects to provide security of persons, buildings and goods. The systems can be typically complemented with additional technologies (for example, structured cabling, switchboard, etc.).
Mechanical Barriers
In terms of individual objects, mechanical barriers are represented by safety doors into some storerooms, installation of safety furniture and bars or safety foil for selected glass areas.
More complex barriers can be installed at the main entrances and entries into areas inaccessible by unauthorized personnel.
Movement of a greater number of persons is usually controlled by turnstiles in combination with an electronic Access Control System (ACS). Vehicles usually pass through automated entrance gates in connection with the ACS system. The turnstiles can be designed for a particular indoors as well as outdoors.
Potential fencing of a particular area and the main motor gates represents a kind of mechanical barrier too.
Adjustment of existing mechanical constructions in the industrial areas can be included in the mechanical barriers too.
Security Alarm System (SAS)
Security of Indoor Environment
Shopping centers and commercial objects will use a classic version of the SAS equipped with standard detectors designed for indoors.
Before the actual security system is designed, it is necessary to define which of the following elements will be installed in the object/objects with the user.
- wall protection system
- area protection system
- object protection system
- personal distress call box
Security of Outdoor Environment
Apart from an indoor security system, complex objects might also need an installation of an outdoor security system. If so, different detectors are used. These detectors are classified as "outdoor detectors" or "perimeter protection".
Area motion detectors are used to monitor a small-size outdoor area. Large-size outdoor areas should be installed with a security system designed according to the particular area specification and its boundaries. It is possible to use individual infra-red gates or infra-red barriers consisting of a set of infra-red gates. Areas that are fenced in can be installed with fence mounted sensors detecting any fence trespassing. It is also possible to design a buried cable detection system with active emissions.
These systems require significant digging work.
A separate chapter on a security system of explosive risk areas describes special technology required in these hazardous areas.
Evaluation
All elements of indoor and outdoor security systems are connected to the SAS switching center either directly or via concentrators of the bus system.
SAS switching centers form the core of security. The switching centers process information coming from the detectors and system elements and, communicate with the transmission systems and by means of them, with the centralized protection panels.
Commercial and industrial objects usually require the bus central unit with a great number of potential sub-groups and flexible structure. The concentrators communicate with the switching centre by means of a data line. Thus, the cable routes in the object are reduced and simultaneously, the system module can be extended with additional concentrators. At the same time, there is a backup power source for the concentrators and detectors installed in the switching center. In the case of large applications, it is necessary to divide the power supply into more feed lines and thus, more separate backup power sources.
As a rule, bus systems are designed for the needs of commercial and industrial objects having demanding requirements on the sub-groups, password levels, compatibility between SAS elements and other systems. Detectors are connected with the concentrators placed around the object.
Elements of an external power feed, also often require concentrators and sources to be installed in outdoor tempered metal boxes.
Alarm information is transmitted to the object lodges where a keyboard with display is usually kept. Such information is insufficient in bigger objects and large-size areas and thus, installation of a local upgrade in a separate computer is usually required.
A number of commercial objects are connected to the centralized protection panels of the security service provider.
Transmission systems and centralized protection panels (CPP) are the last component of the security system. They support the transmission of alarm events from the secured object to the security service centre. The subsequent physical intervention is conducted on the basis of such transmitted information.
In the object there is so called, an object part of the transmission device sending information from the switching centre to the centralized protection panel. Directly in the plans of the particular object, the CPP operator can observe detectors in their alarm state, the time sequence of events and, coordinate the activity of an emergency squad.
Czech technical norms "ČSN EN 50 131" are the basic documents used for SAS technology and design.
The documents give directions and recommendation on the technology used and installation process. SAS components are classified according to different risks in the technical documentation. Components having security level 2 are usually installed in the commercial and industrial objects.
Goods Protection
It is an independent security system commonly used in shopping centers. It is used to eliminate petty thefts. The goods are protected with anti-theft labels that are detected by the security towers (in the case the labels were not deactivated or removed by the cashiers) placed at the exit and they trigger an alarm to call the security guard.
Security Camera Systems (CCTV)
Security cameras are installed in shopping centers in order to prevent thefts. Additional overview and information functions can be used in other commercial and industrial objects because the number of security guards is not usually high and it is necessary to respond to, for example, arrival of vehicles and other standard operations. Sometimes, such objects also utilize a monitoring function to monitor for example, a production process, or a function, recording expediting of boxes, etc.
A camera system consists of security cameras, recording devices, monitors and additional elements.
The security cameras monitoring a particular area are usually fixed. Thus, they provide a continuous recording or activation of motion detection in the area.
Movable cameras can complete the security cameras. On the basis of the zoom camera lens, the cameras enable the operator to view large areas and display necessary details. However, the movable camera cannot guarantee monitoring a particular area where something is happening at a particular time.
These cameras representing so called dome security cameras (compact cameras with integrated operation and controlled objective camera in a suitable cover) are of great help.
If there is night video recording with infra-red illumination, we recommend using video cameras and objectives adjusted to this illumination type.
A whole range of special cameras can be designed for special purposes such as technical process recording, recording of registration number of arriving and departing vehicles, night and day monitoring of ground corridors, operating in an environment with high temperature and humidity, etc.
The analog signal transmission system represents a special category. The system consists of classic video camera systems with coaxial. The analog transmission is mentioned here because video cameras process signals digitally as well as TV recorders today and, the recordings can be watched on computers in the LAN system by means of system program equipment.
Another system used in commercial and industrial objects is represented by the IP camera system. The transmission is conducted in data form compatible with LAN systems. An actual camera has an actual address and is connected to the LAN system along with a recording device. Similarly as the classic camera systems, there are many methods of processing and storing video signals.
Advantages of the IP systems include utilization of existing LAN systems when using several required standard IP cameras and, thus, saving formation of new distribution lines. In addition, the cameras can be switched between different sockets (if the power feed is provided). In larger systems, however, it is necessary to consider data flows from individual cameras; the probability of the requirement to build your own camera system network increases and, the servers processing and recording shots will have to be thoroughly designed.
It is common practice to connect SAS and CCTV and according to the nature of the alarm detected by the SAS, precisely defined security cameras of high quality monitoring, start recording.
The CCTV systems are designed in compliance with the Czech technical norms "ČSN EN 50 132".
Access Control Systems (ACS)
The access control system completes the previous three major security systems. On the basis of its design, most of all this system is related to the mechanical blocking devices. Actually, it is a system enabling to control the access of particular groups of individuals into designated areas at given times.
Smaller objects can be installed with "off line" card readers that store all data in their memories. They exchange the data with the controlling computer only sometimes or on manual command. Large applications are installed with "on line" card readers that continuously communicate with the controlling computer and in the case of emergency or failure they turn themselves on the autonomous mode using their own data backup.
The feed is distributed from its own power supply equipped with a backup accumulator that runs the system in the case of power failure.
In larger systems designed for large areas and premises, the areas can be controlled by several control computers and the data is synchronized through the LAN systems.
Apart from the standard door card readers, the ACS systems are usually complemented with turnstile and barrier card readers. The systems can also be added with components and program modules for monitoring technical processes and movement of products. These are intelligent touch terminals, bar code (or other code) readers, etc.
General properties of such systems are given by the control unit parameters and software equipment for ACS servers.
The attendance control system represents a significant component of ACS systems. It replaces a typical clock card attendance machine. The outputs of employee work sheets can be automated for the purposes of the payroll department.
In order to activate the attendance function, it is necessary to add attendance card readers with attendance buttons in the access control system key positions and necessary attendance program in the server. It is necessary to customize the software to connect the attendance database with the user's economic and wage system.
Access control systems are design in compliance with the Czech technical norms "ČSN EN 50 133".
Fire Alarm System (FAS)
FAS is a standard system in commercial and industrial objects representing premises with a high concentration of people (shopping centers) or industrial premises and facilities with a higher risk of a fire.
FAS installation in these objects is conducted according to the fire building regulations. However, the installation can be performed in the object according to the customer's requirements despite being not required according to FAS expertise. It is usually performed in order to prevent any damage to the manufacturing equipment.
Fire detectors must be designed according to the area specification. Apart from standard fire detectors installed on the ceiling, there is a whole number of other detectors by means of which the FAS designs can be technically and financially optimized.
Such detectors include, for example, warning devices in an air pipe line, linear smoke detectors suitable for installation in big halls, linear temperature detectors in technical collectors and demanding environments containing combustibles, underground car park; flame detectors, all types of detectors designed for explosion hazard environments and other warning devices.
A set of automatic sensors is complemented with a glass-breaking push-button switch in order to manually raise a fire alarm. All the system sensors are connected with the FAS switching centre.
On the market there are a number of certified FAS systems of a different technical and price level. We recommend considering pros and cons when choosing a particular system for large areas or objects. The more complex (topology and environment) object we secure, the more convenient (from the safety, reliability and cost-effective service point of view) it is to use high-technology systems.
A conventional system with a single line having no sensor addressing will not provide the same safety and information during operation as an analog modular system with sensor auto-diagnostic and spiral line with an isolator in every socket. (Furthermore, the system automatically warns about any faulty or dirty detector with a particular address, in which the system had automatically configured the parameters at the allowed extent and thus, saved a couple of maintenance service procedures).
Large systems also require a network including small switching centers and one main switching centre connected to, for example, the centralized protection panel of the Fire Brigade and security guard workstation with a local upgrade of the security systems. The systems should be also connected with evacuation loud-speakers and tens of items of controlled fire safety equipment. Such requirements are met by some FAS switching centers available on the market.
Installation and equipment of FAS must be designed in compliance with the Czech technical norms "ČSN EN 54" and regulation no. 23/2008 Codex. The specifications of individual object types are defined by the norms of building fire safety of the norm "ČSN 73 08xx".
Upgrade Systems
At a local level, upgrade systems include several security systems.
Larger objects are difficult to be monitored from individual system keyboards. Therefore, there are systems integrated in the upgrading computer workstation with special programming equipment. The upgrade receives data from individual switching centers and controlling components, processes them and displays detectors, system components and their states in the graphic plans of the object or area. It enables a general and detailed display while utilizing user map "zooming". In the upgrades, it is also possible to insert conditional connections into other systems (for example, CCTV) supporting the operator's work and enhancing the events awareness. Individual events can be assigned with operator's action instructions and thus, eliminate mistake occurrence.
Upgrading systems are relatively open systems designed for integration of maximum assortment of safety and automation systems.
Monitoring and communication in commercial and industrial objects require a number of additional light-current technologies (sound distribution, measurement and regulation, structured cabling, telephone center exchanges, etc.).
