Nestled in the quiet serenity of the Cotswolds region is an elaborate security ‘proving ground’ where sophisticated perimeter intrusion detection systems are continually being put through their paces.
The 1200 square metre Test and Demonstration Facility is run by outdoor perimeter security systems manufacturer Southwest Microwave at its Eckington, Pershore base in Worcestershire.
Built in 2002 on what was once a debris-laden plot bordering the firm’s offices, this particular design and development project was overseen by the company’s European general manager Tony Backx. Not surprisingly, it was a challenging task – the local terrain and rural location saw to that.
“Soil had to be brought in by the truckload, and then graded,” explains Backx. “A special PVC membrane was then added to deter weed growth, and covered with vast quantities of imported gravel. The weeds returned almost immediately, though, and the site has required monthly preventative treatment ever since.”
Backx explains how cable ducts were installed end-to-end, concrete for a camera tower was poured and power distribution poles and boxes added. Fences were erected prior to setting down the final layer of gravel, with each post mounted in solid concrete.
Perimeters in The Real World
The Test and Demonstration Facility meets both British and European Standards requirements. Fence construction is in compliance with BS 1722 Parts 10 and 12, and includes chain link, 50 x 50 mm and 358 weld mesh and steel palisade.
Barbed wire, razor coil and catenary wire topping structures line the fences, demonstrating the range of European fencing options, and offering security managers who visit the chance to inspect cable cut/climb attack sensors across varying fence conditions.
Other detection systems are put to work at the site, including bi-static microwave sensors, passive and active infrared barriers, dual technology sensors and a covert buried cable sensor. The site also boasts CCTV cameras and a weather station, complete with wind analysis tools and precipitation collectors.
“One of our key objectives is to offer UK and European end users, specifiers, consultants and security systems integrators the opportunity to observe leading-edge perimeter detection systems installed and operational in a real world environment,” adds Backx. “There’s no other facility in the UK or Europe with such a wide range of equipment that either meets Government standards or demonstrates exactly how perimeter security equipment would operate at an actual site.”
Each detection device is integrated into PC-based monitoring and control systems which then interface to onsite CCTV equipment for instantaneous evaluation of an alarm at the precise location where it occurs. Infrared lighting and video recording devices ensure that alarm activity and climatic data are captured on a 24/7 basis, and subsequently stored for later analysis.
Alarming statistics
“We want to know the cause of every alarm that occurs at this site, day or night,” Backx comments. “With 24-hour event monitoring and audit trailing, our personnel can call up alarm histories and illustrate to visitors how our sensors react during specific weather conditions, which are often a concern.”
The test range was intentionally sited in a North/South alignment to illustrate how effectively fence sensors eliminate weather-related nuisance alarms. South-westerly winds are the region’s strongest, originating in the Atlantic and travelling through the Bristol Channel. “Winds like these will cause a traditional fence sensor to go into alarm,” explains Backx, “but ‘intelligent’ fence sensors can differentiate between a point impact, such as a cut or climb attack, and a distributed disturbance like wind or heavy rain.”
Since it was first commissioned, the UK Test and Demonstration Facility has played host to delegates from both the US and UK Governments as well as military personnel, representatives from various UK police services and officials of the British Airports Authority.
Representatives from other organisations at high risk in the transportation, utilities, corrections, industrial and commercial sectors have also benefited from visiting the site.