With their often sophisticated IT infrastructures they are ready made for IP CCTV but the need to protect pupils also makes access control an essential tool. Because of their frequent closed times, intruder alarms are also a valuable weapon in the security fight. Here we look at other recent school and college installations…
DoorWare Ltd and its partner One Card Solutions has installed a campus access control system from Salto Systems for Limerick-based Mary Immaculate College.
The college, founded in 1898, is a university-level College of Education and Liberal Arts, academically linked with the University of Limerick.
Kieran Gorey of DoorWare said: “The previous access control system at the college used simple mechanical keys and the decision was taken to upgrade this to a more capable electronic access control system for the benefit of students and staff. “
The college has installed a security system that can also be implemented across additional areas and departments as time and budgets allow. To do this with fully on line doors as part of a fully hard wired solution would have been prohibitively expensive.
Gorey said the Salto product delivered 90 per cent of the benefits of a fully on line access control system at the cost of a stand alone system.
“Initially we’ve replaced the mechanical locks in three buildings, installing XS4 electronic smart locks in a brushed stainless steel finish in their place in the library and two student accommodation buildings”.
To gain access to their accommodation, students use their own personal ID card, a multi-application combination card that serves as a photo ID and a proximity smart card and is presented to wall readers on main entrance doors.
Paul Murphy, Computer Services Manager at Mary Immaculate College, said in future it was likely the system would be integrated with student printing and photocopying needs as well as cashless vending and car park barrier control.
Large comp gets CCTV
IC2 CCTV has installed a complete 96 camera CCTV with digital recording solution together with PAC access control and a Bosch digital public address system at Kingsford Community School in the London borough of Newham.
The contract was undertaken on behalf of Johnson’s Workplace Management.
The school is one of the largest mixed comprehensives in London with 1700 pupils and is situated in Beckton.
IC2 has installed a control centre which monitors 96 cameras covering all of the schools corridors, washrooms communal areas and playgrounds.
High spec Panasonic day/night cameras have been programmed to use auto focus when switching from colour to black and white. There are also five MIC -1 fully functional pan, tilt and zoom cameras with twin IR (infra red) lamps fitted with Redwall motion detection system. All cameras can be accessed remotely via broadband.
The access control system can be programmed to restrict access, lockdown designated areas and track and time the movements of visitors and staff.
IC2 also installed a high quality public address system which is used to signal breaks and lesson changes and can broadcast a range of musical themes.
Commenting for Johnson’s Workplace Management, Paul Dewberry said:”IC2 are an excellent strategic partner. They have once again delivered a quality solution on time and on budget. In two years I have yet to highlight any issues. System, performance and response are second to none. IC2 continues to deliver.”
40 strategic cameras
Manor High School in Leicestershire turned to local CCTV specialists Tranter Fire & Security for their security needs, resulting in the installer specifing a solution based around sophisticated technology from Bosch Security Systems.
The system comprises more than 40 cameras – a mixture of Bosch Dinion and Flexidomes – installed at strategic points around the school including entry/exit points, corridors and cloakrooms.
Images from each camera are transmitted over the school’s own local network and stored digitally on one of three Bosch Divar digital recorders.
All ancillaries including Bosch LCD monitors and keyboards are provided, as well as operational software and storage management software. Authorised staff are able to monitor and review images from a local monitoring suite within the school’s office.
Tranter chose the technology because of its reliability and performance. Said Leigh Tranter: “Although slightly more expensive than other products on the market, we were certain of its benefits, and managed to convince the school management that quality counts.”
Flexidome cameras use 15-bit imaging technology – the same technology as in Dinion cameras – to exploit the full potential of imaging chips.
Tranter said the Bilinx feature that enables cameras to be set-up remotely “without having to keep going up and down a ladder saved us considerable time on site, which translates into a more efficient service.”
MAT makes it safe
The central feature of Bristol’s Redland Green School, which opened in September 2007, is a ‘street’ – a naturally lit indoor corridor that links all the main areas.
Locally-based MAT Fire Systems installed a new fire detection system which has intelligent fire panels from Advanced Electronics.
Seven Advanced Mx-400’s were installed together with more than 400 detectors and 300 base sounders from Hochiki and eight Airsense Aspirating Smoke Detection systems.
The fire alarm system is fully integrated with the building management and access control systems.
Access to merged school
Consultants Advanced Security Partners Ltd and installer Em-B Solutions won the contract to provide advanced security at The Grammar School at Leeds.
Salto Systems campus access control system was chosen for the advanced security management at the school – a merger between two schools, Leeds Grammar and Leeds Girls’ High School.
The merger involves one school moving to the other school’s site, where capacity will increase from 1400 to more than 2000. Set for completion in September 2008, the school is not only becoming co-educational, it is also constructing several new buildings at its north Leeds site.
ASP, which specialises in working with schools, conducted an intense two month security review to ensure optimum security for both pupils and staff. ASP mapped out a range of integrated solutions with architects and developers.
Having evaluated the access control offerings from two other manufacturers, Salto’s XS4 campus access solution was chosen.
Said Richard Sumner, Director of ASP: “We looked at how existing security measures could be improved and new ones added. The existing buildings used a combination of mechanical locks, digi-pads and master keys. The problem with this arrangement was key control.
“If key security was breached due to the loss or theft of a key, the school was faced with the expense of having to change both the lock and key to ensure security was not compromised. To eliminate this we recommended moving to an electronic system and improving perimeter and access security, designing a highly secure and flexible access control system to meet all of their requirements.”
The XS4 can programme keys to allow access to specific rooms or areas for selected periods only with the doors locking at pre-specified times. This timed locking allows for automatic locking between lessons and the locks can also be linked to the Schools Information Management System database if required.
If key security is breached due to loss or theft, it can be instantly deleted from the system without the need to change locks.
Over 500 doors at the school are controlled by XS4, including five connected on-line doors at main entrance points as well as off-line smart card access control to each classroom.
Future expansion plans include integrating access control with cashless vending machines and time and attendance management.
Chinese school gets analytics
Video surveillance has been installed at a High School in China that has 170 teachers, covers 45 acres and has 13 buildings serving 2,500 students.
System integrator He Bei Hua Zhan Information Ltd installed “intelligent” video from ioimage at Shi Jia Zhuang High School.
Advanced analytics were added to existing cameras and perimeters were strengthened with tripwire detection.
Since the installation was completed the number of security personnel has been reduced and no incidents of unauthorised access or exits have been reported.
Said the school’s security officer: “Some of the students tried to cross the fence to go out. Once any accident happens outside, the school has to bear responsibility and it ruins the school’s reputation. Also the school has to manage the risk of theft of computers and expensive laboratory equipment.”
Comprehensive system at college!
IP surveillance equipment and management software from JVC has been provided to Treloar College in Hampshire to enable it to install a comprehensive IP security system. Treloar provides education, care, therapy, medical support and independence training to young people aged 16 and over with physical disabilities from all over the UK and overseas.
At present, the system is comprised of 17 security cameras which are located around the college and are operated over a local area network connected to a PC server. JVC supplied Milestone XProtect Basis Plus software which is installed on a PC server and manages the security system. The existing four analogue cameras are encoded using the JVC VN-A1U 1 channel IP encoders to enable the signal to be viewed on the IP system.
In outdoor locations the JVC VN-C20U fixed IP cameras are housed in secure, weatherproof casings, and positioned above access points and doors to monitor people coming in and out of the main college buildings.