Reliance delivers integrated security solution to West Lothian Civic Centre

(07/12/2009)

The West Lothian Civic Centre is a £53 million purpose-built hub for all public service provision in and around Livingston, Scotland, an area serving 170,000 people. Reliance High-Tech have installed an integrated security and fire solution at the West Lothian Civic Centre.

Reliance won the bid in 2007, to design a highly robust security solution to meet the diverse needs of these partners and their 1000 employees. Working together under one roof for the first time whilst also supporting seven different civic services; Divisional Police Headquarters for Lothian & Borders Police, Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Courts complex, West Lothian Council HQ, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal service, Scottish Children’s reporter administration service, Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service and West Lothian Community Health and Care Partnership.

Vincent Guz, Civic Centre Project Officer, West Lothian Council said, “Co-locating the seven different partners into a single building would have been impossible without the ability to safeguard so many highly sensitive operations. With the public, employees and Police/Court detainees in one complex, we need to ensure both security and flexibility for all of the partners’ operations. Reliance High-Tech exceeded our expectations with an innovative, expertly implemented solution that is enabling us to deliver new ways of working, control costs and improve performance while adding value to the citizens of West Lothian.”

A powerful alarm and event management system, 170 cameras, 240 remote access points, video intercom, intruder alarm and fire alarm systems are installed throughout the site. A major feature of the new solution is the 54-cell custody suite. A comprehensive suite of integrated security solutions including life signs monitoring affray and cell call to maximise the safety and welfare of detainees at all times while maximising efficiencies; enabling the smooth operation of all detention and investigative services; and ensuring compliance with the highest statutory standards.

John Keenan, Civic Centre Buildings Manager said; “As the first project of its type, from design in 2007 to delivery in 2009, our requirements were continually reviewed to maximise efficiencies and Reliance High-Tech continually impressed with the excellent project management and ability to accommodate our evolving needs, always finding pragmatic solutions without compromising standards”.

With the cost of the solution expected to pay for itself within three years, through streamlining court processes in the dual-purpose custody areas and the co-location of the Police and the new Courts Service which will save an estimated 28 police officers, the success of this project means the security solution at West Lothian Civic Centre will be a best-practice template for roll-out across Scotland.

Dan Thomas, Sales & Marketing Director, Reliance High-Tech said, “This high profile project demonstrates our capability to deliver a complex and highly integrated solution that not only provides a flexible and secure environment but provides West Lothian with operational efficiencies. This project is another example of our expertise in major critical infrastructure projects working within tight timeframes and budgets.”

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

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