Bewator upgrades security at soft drinks company headquarters

(11/09/2007)

When one of the world’s largest manufacturers of soft drinks wanted to upgrade the security installation at its London headquarters, it selected security system integration company Raysil Security Systems Ltd to develop a solution that would be reliable, flexible and convenient to use. Raysil decided that a Granta security management system from Bewator would be a suited basis for the project.

Before the upgrade, the soft drink company’s headquarters had existing systems for Fire Protection, Access Control and CCTV monitoring. However, not only were some of these systems starting to show their age, there was no integration whatsoever between them.

This arrangement was far from convenient. Instead of security staff needing just one display screen to oversee the building, they needed multiple screens. In addition, it was impossible to implement many features that enhance overall building security that required interaction between the various systems.

With these factors in mind, the soft drinks manufacturer invited a number of leading security installers to tender for an integrated solution. The invitation included two special requirements: it had to be possible to implement the project in phases, and it was also essential that disruption to the normal work carried out in the building be kept to a minimum. Raysil was successful in winning the contract for the project.

The first phase, which is now complete, involved the installation of a Bewator Granta security management system to provide integrated monitoring for Access Control, CCTV and ultimately Fire Warning. The central feature is a single monitoring screen in the building’s security control room that is continuously staffed around the clock.

Making use of the programmability offered by the Bewator Granta system, Raysil has arranged for many of the views presented on the monitoring screen to be superimposed on a floor plan of the building. This means that, in the event of an alarm, the security staff can immediately identify its location and, if necessary, call up images from adjacent CCTV cameras.

As part of the Granta Access Control System, Raysil has also installed equipment covering 55 doors spread over five floors, including two speed lanes in the reception area, as well as the lifts. Designed to eliminate the possibility of tailgating, where an unauthorised person tries to enter the building by following closely behind a pass holder, the speed lanes allow rapid entry and exit of staff at peak times while maintaining the highest levels of security.

The existing fire alarm and CCTV equipment was retained but, calling on its expertise in integration and making use of the flexibility of the Granta system, Raysil has made provision to link the fire alarm system to the new installation, and has already successfully linked the CCTV system.

Later phases of the project will involve the replacement of the CCTV cameras, the provision of new digital recording facilities, and the full implementation of the link to the fire alarm system.

The new access control installation, which uses Bewator equipment throughout, has more than 750 cardholders. Among its facilities is a roll call function that, in the event of an emergency, makes it easy to check who was in the building and to ensure that they have all been accounted for. This important feature had not been available with the older installation.

The new access control system also makes it easy to issue temporary access cards. Visitors are provided with photocards that clearly identify them to the people they meet within the building. Should they fail to return the cards at the end of their visit, the cards are automatically cancelled and cannot be reused. It is also possible to issue cards that are valid for fixed periods of days or weeks, a feature that is useful to provide access for contractors and temporary employees.

The cards used by the system have been specially designed to meet the end user’s requirements, and carry no obvious information to link them with the building. Nevertheless, should a card be lost or stolen it can be quickly deleted from the system.

If any attempt is made to use a deleted or expired card an alarm is shown on the central monitoring screen and the access control system also automatically instructs the CCTV installation to capture and record images of the person attempting to use the card. This is a good example of the additional functionality that integration has made possible.

Raysil completed work on the first phase of the new system in just six weeks. By allowing the old systems to continue to operate alongside the new, and integrating the systems on step-by-step basis Raysil was able to minimise downtime and allow the building to remain fully operational and secure throughout the project.

“Our client is delighted with the performance and versatility of the new system, as well as the minimal level of disruption caused by its installation,” said Pete Stewart, Managing Director of Raysil. “And we’re equally delighted with the equipment and support we’ve received from Bewator.”

Installation Manager, George Nuqui, also added: “We have a great relationship with everyone at Bewator, from the directors to the technical and sales support engineers,” he continued. “I can’t praise them highly enough and we certainly couldn’t have wished for a better partner for this prestigious project. Our installation team has also proved that the complex and challenging task of installing a system like this can be achieved with a quick turnaround thanks to great teamwork and dedication.”

Related topics:  Building access control system   CCTV system and accessories   Detection systems   Fire detection and alarm   Intrusion detection   Monitoring systems   Security guarding 

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