Following a series of thefts from the zoo last year, including the disappearance of groups of endangered Geoffroy’s marmosets and silvery marmosets, systems specialists Haven Security recommended the installation of a series of Optex external detectors.
The zoo uses the VX402 and Redwave detectors which employ multiple detection pattern technology that creates two discrete detection areas so that only when an intruder is detected in both areas is an alarm output provided.
The manufacturer says that the detection patterns can be easily adjusted to increase/decrease the detection range, and effectively ‘personalise’ the installation around the customer’s requirements.
Both types of detectors are wire-free and utilise double conductive shielding of the pyroelectric element, to ensure that only infrared energy reaches the pyroelectric elements.
Explaining the system Peter Moon, Estate Manager for Drusillas Park, said:
“The system we now have installed is concentrated in specific areas where the animals are kept and includes low level detectors to protect the pathways, entrances and exits of the enclosures and high-level detectors to monitor the wider perimeter.
“The system is proving to be very reliable and we haven’t experienced any false alarms. Indeed the only time an alarm has been triggered so far was for an early morning food delivery to one of the cafes! Despite being unwanted, it did at least prove that the system is working efficiently. We are very pleased with the system and have plans to extend it to cover more areas,” he added.
The VX 402 is available in three models including hardwire models with integrated voice warning, each with an adjustable detection pattern of 12 metres x 12 metres. The detection pattern of 90 degrees with 12 metre range can be rotated through 180 degrees allowing flexible mounting of the unit.