The CCTV manufacturer was commissioned by primary electrical contractor, Veale Nixon, and worked alongside electrical design consultants Cundal to build a fully integrated IP-based access control and surveillance system.
2020 Vision specified and integrated 192 network cameras and 13 analogue-based CCTV cameras across both sites. The installation included fitting of a camera is every classroom throughout the secondary school site at Bede North, near Newcastle upon Tyne.
According to 2020, cameras were installed in each classroom “mainly for the protection of teachers who, in some schools in recent years, have been subject to allegations by pupils that, if proved, might easily have led to teacher suspensions and low staff morale”.
Newly created Bede Academy replaces two secondary schools and one primary in the area.
A total of 138 AXIS 216 fixed dome network cameras and six AXIS 225 fixed domes were installed in classrooms, corridors and common areas of both sites. Where network cameras cover corridors and stairwells over a distance of more than 10 metres but less than 20 metres, Arecont Vision AV1300 1.3 megapixel IP cameras were selected. Where reach needed to be 20 metres or more, Arecont Vision AV3100 3 megapixel IP cameras were deployed.
Also, Vision Dome PTZ CCTV dome cameras as well as static analogue cameras were located externally in external housings. The Vision Domes were mostly mounted up high masts.
Central recording and control systems from Instek Digital
All network and analogue-based CCTV camera images have been connected to a total of seven Instek Digital MatriVideo NVRs and MatriVideo DVRs, distributed in secure locations around the building and controlled from a high security IT control room.
The Instek Command Centers are effectively the central control point for each site. As such they are permanently manned by a facilities manager during the day and a security guard throughout the night. The Instek Command Center also offers a three screen display located at the main reception desk.
Cardax IP-based door controllers
There is software -level integration between Instek’s solution and one Cardax Command Centre at each site, together with a total of 41 Cardax FT Controller 3000 door controllers, deployed alongside Mifare smart card machines.
THe IP access control system has been designed to deliver messages from the Cardax FT door controllers at network speeds, with no relays or analogue to IP messaging delays, directly to Instek’s Command Center.
A spokesman said: “This integration means that Bede Academy has been able to realise its vision of creating an open, yet highly secure school.
“Cameras monitor doors, stairwells and corridors at up to three frames per second during periods when pupils are in classes and there is likely to be little movement in common areas. But if doors are forced open or smart card readers generate a read error this automatically triggers relevant cameras either side of the door into collecting images at 12 frames per second. “
“The facilities manager or security guard will simultaneously get the alert and be able to locate the door concerned via the interactive map at the Command Center, whereupon he/she will be able to click on and view the high resolution, high frame rate live views, alongside images from several minutes leading up to the time of the alert. The integration also extends to fire doors which send alerts and relevant images if these are breached.
“So far only teachers have been issued with smart cards, whilst during break times doors are released to allow free flow of pupils in and out and around the academy. Smart cards have been issued toall pupils as their key form of identification. The Instek Digital system potentially offers the option of integrating with intruder detection, fire detection and alarm systems, as well as building management systems as these systems move onto the network.”
