|
IndigoVision's integrated IP-CCTV protects new flagship hotel in Qatar
IndigoVision’s complete IP video technology is providing a fully integrated CCTV surveillance solution for the new Mövenpick Tower & Suites Hotel in Doha, Qatar. The 5-star, 350 room, 26-floor hotel is housed in a futuristic building located at the entrance to the prestigious West Bay Area, a booming trade district, only 15 minutes drive from Doha International Airport.
The 116-camera system, which was installed by IndigoVision’s local approved partner Capital Technology WLL, is seamlessly integrated with the GE Secure Perfect access control system using ‘Control Center’, IndigoVision’s enterprise IP video and alarm management software.
Four workstations running ‘Control Center’ are used by the security team to monitor live and recorded video from the cameras and manage alarms from the CCTV and access control systems, both of which are integrated over the IP network. IndigoVision’s compression technology means that high-quality; full-frame-rate video can be delivered over the IP network with minimal bandwidth overhead, allowing the IP video and access control system to share the network with other services such as IP-TV, IPTelephony, guest internet and IT.
The tight integration of CCTV and world. access control brings many benefits to the hotel, helping to improve the
overall efficiency of the monitoring operation and to speed up incident response. Through the use of a ‘ Control Center’ integration module, the access control system can drive the CCTV system using events and alarms. For example, if the access control system detects an attempted intrusion an alarm is sent to ‘ Control Center’ which in turn automatically displays the relevant camera for that area, bookmarks the recorded video and initiates a full alarm management procedure. Similarly, it is possible to lock a door remotely from a click of a mouse on a ‘ Control Center’ map screen.
Indigo Vision says that its ‘ Control Center’ is the obvious place to consolidate alarms from various systems as the CCTV operator interface is the most often used. It has developed integration modules for the most widely used access control, intruder detection and building management systems around the world. This makes the company’s IP video system an open-architecture solution that can provide true integration. In addition ‘ Control Center’ software is licensed on a per seat basis free of charge, allowing workstations to be deployed anywhere on the network for no more than the cost of an entry-level PC.
DVD quality video from all cameras is recorded continuously on three IndigoVision Network Video Recorders (NVRs) for 30 days. Advanced features in ‘ Control Center’ allow recorded video to be quickly searched and incidents identified. Evidential quality video clips of the incident can then be exported for use by the police if required.
ndigoVision and Capital Technology say that they have been very successful with deploying integrated solutions in the region, including the 1050 camera, 300 access control point system at Doha International Airport, completed in 2006 as preparation for the 15th Asian Games.
AMG teams up with G4S Security on major retail complex in Bahrain capital
AMG Systems recently won the contract to provide the CCTV transmission solution for a section of the newest and largest shopping mall in Bahrain – Bahrain City Centre. The solution has been implemented by G4S Security Services ( Bahrain) WLL.
Alshaya is one of the leading retail chains in the Middle East and has been operating in Bahrain for a number of years. Strategically located in the heart of Manama, Bahrain City Centre comprises a massive 140,000 square metres. It has more than 300 stores and will also offer two multi-level international department stores, the largest indoor water park in the region, a 5,000 square metre Magic Planet and the largest cinema in the Middle East.
A true multi-use development, Bahrain City Centre will also incorporate two international hotels with a total of 700 rooms offering 5- star amenities. Minutes away from the King Fahad Causeway and with 6,000 covered car spaces Bahrain City Centre is described as an ideal and convenient ‘get-away’ destination for both residents as well as the Saudi families who frequently visit the Kingdom.
Divisional manager, Sumit Arora from G4S says: “Key to delivering a top level customer experience in the mall, and ensuring a high degree of relaxation and feeling of security, is a comprehensive security and surveillance system. We are responsible for the Alshaya showrooms of the project that encompass 24 major brand outlets – including a huge Debenhams department store – located in different sections of the mall. Initially, this part of the surveillance solution encompasses 152 cameras of which 84 are PTZ.”
The control room is located on site, and one of the objectives was to make sure that the operators could view real-time uncompressed images from the camera network. There was however a further challenge related to the project, as the requirements called for transmission of multiple camera signals, with associated data, to the central control room over a single fibre. This had to be achieved without compromising on the speed of data and the picture quality. The requirements therefore called for a sophisticated fibre optic-based transmission solution.
“We have to transmit CCTV images from various showrooms to the central control room and we were faced with a serious issue with regards to the number of fibre cores available. AMG’s Guardian-Lite technology allows for the transmission of multiple real-time images with associated data for PTZ camera manipulation and we have successfully achieved the objective, as the implemented solution transmits eight channels of video with associated date per single fibre,” Arora adds.
MG’s International sales manager in the Middle East, Simon O’Neill, comments, “It is testament to our growing activities in the Middle East that AMG has enjoyed significant success with a number of projects in Bahrain this year. Bahrain is a very interesting market and we are absolutely delighted to work on this prestigious mall together with market-leading Group 4 Securicor. Operating from our new regional Office for the Middle East in Muscat, Oman – AMG is deeply committed to supporting the Middle East market which represents a significant growth potential for our transmission solutions”.
Integrated border security solution provides Abu Dhabi customs with a unique vehicle inspection capability
Perceptics LLC’s Under Vehicle Inspection System and Arabic License Plate Reader imaging technology is to be used with the aid of cargo X-ray inspection systems at key border checkpoints to help Abu Dhabi Customs protect the emirate’s borders.
Perceptics, will integrate its Under Vehicle Inspection Solutions and License Plate Reader imaging technology into AS&E’s OmniView Gantry cargo & vehicle inspection system and AS&E’s multi-view Z Portal cargo & vehicle screening system.
Perceptics partnered with Dubaibased Simtix, its exclusive master distributor for the Middle East and North African region, to implement Perceptics’ solution with AS&E.
“We are very excited to partner with Simtix and AS&E on the implementation of this high profile border security solution for Abu Dhabi Customs,” said Larry Smith, Perceptics’ vice president, field operations.
The project is the first under a strategic partnership between the two companies to offer border security systems in the Middle East and Northern Africa.
The vehicle inspection technology from Perceptics uses a very high-resolution 4K true-colour line digital camera image of the undercarriage of a vehicle to be compared side-by-side either with a previous image taken of the same vehicle or of a like vehicle.
The all-weather system utilises a high-velocity air blade to keep the unit free of sand and moisture. The seamless digital image allows the operator to view the undercarriage as a whole with 12X zoom capabilities.
An integrated scene camera provides a snapshot of the vehicle, which creates a consolidated image of the scanned vehicle.
Perceptics’ patented License Plate Reader (LPR) imaging system features an Arabic optical character recognition engine that recognises all types of license plates: retro-reflective, nonretro- reflective, embossed and flat. Real-time vehicle risk assessment provides customs officials with an accurate full plate and state of origin and country of origin identification. The LPR system features front license plate image recognition.
Perceptics’ Vehicle Inspection Software (VIS) System is said to provide an intuitive, dependable and rapid method of consolidating the high-resolution images produced by Perceptics’ LPR and UVIS systems.
Designed with scalable, Ethernet-based architecture, VIS maintains a ‘Hit List’ of suspect vehicles with operator alarms and supports the ability to send e-mail alarm notifications to off-site officials.
The VIS database is fully searchable based on criteria such as vehicle type, driver’s name, license plate or time/date range. The seamless digital image allows the operator to view the vehicle’s undercarriage as a whole with 12X zoom capabilities.
Halon replacement technology to roll-out across all new Dubai fire stations in 2009
3M has announced that its 3M Novec 1230 fire protection fluid is now available in the UAE and will roll out across all five of Dubai Civil Defence’s new fire stations this year.
Novec 1230 fluid, a fire suppression fluid based on sustainable technology, is designed to balance the need for human safety with low environmental impact. Its introduction in the UAE follows from the successful adoption of Novec 1230 around the region, where its benefits are said to be numerous.
Novec 1230 fluid is described as a next-generation halon replacement and has a zero ozone-depletion potential – making the fluid a safe, advantageous and efficient firesuppressing liquid. The liquid has an atmospheric lifetime of just five days and a global warming potential of one, making it uniquely positioned to meet current halon replacement regulations in the country.
“The UAE has recognised the need to commit to safe industry practices, while considering the ramifications that these practices have on the environment. The reduction of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions have resulted in strict regulations, meaning industries need fire suppression agents that safely fit within these criteria,” said Shome Bag, 3M, Energy and Environmentdivision.
Lt. Colonel Rashid K. Bin Massam Al Buflaseh of Dubai Civil Defence said: “ Dubai Civil Defence have implemented programmes with regards to the detrimental effects of halons. Novec Fluid was identified and investigated thoroughly in terms of extinguishing-ability and environmental friendliness, and thereby approved by us as a replacement for halon. We will be rolling Novec out across all of our five new fire stations being established during 2009.”
The non-conductive, noncorrosive and fast-evaporating fluid is commercially available globally and is suitable for use in occupied spaces. The fluid can be applied in streaming, flooding, inerting and explosion suppression applications in the following areas: data processing and control rooms, telecommunications, marine applications, oil and gas applications, and archives and museums. Novec 1230 fluid leaves no residue to clean up so systems can remain operational. Additionally, the fluid can be used with existing materials of construction. The fluid, which is stored as a liquid, becomes a gas upon discharge and is therefore easier to handle and store. system containers offsite.
3M™ has developed a Blue Sky SM warranty for the product. Therefore, if it is restricted in use or targeted for emission reduction as a fire protection agent due to ODP, or GWP, 3M will refund the purchase price. The warranty will last for 20 years. To qualify, the system must be registered with 3M within 30 days of system installation.
|