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Safe & secure

Posted on: Thursday, 2 October 2003, 06:00 CDT

Whether it's people, property or information, every business has something to protect. According to Statistics Canada, there were approximately 12.2 million property crimes across the country in 2001, (the last year for which statistics are available.) There were also approximately 264,600 robberies.

These types of crimes have a strong situational component, meaning there's an opportunity to commit a crime with a perceived low risk of being caught, like leaving a bike unlocked in a dark laneway. Reducing the opportunity and increasing the risk makes your business a harder target.

Access control, whether an alarm, a lock or sophisticated scanning or perimeter systems, plays a large part in security; it lets the right people in and keeps the wrong people out. Monitoring and surveillance equipment can catch all kinds of criminal behaviour, from theft, to vandalism and assault.

But there's a difference between making your business secure and turning it into a fortress. You avoid the latter circumstance by knowing what you need. If you have concerns about the level of security in your property, you may want to speak to your security provider, or get a risk assessment. In the meantime, here's a sampling of some new products on the market that look out for the well-being of both employees and property. They might be just what you were looking for.

Under control

A new special hazards fire suppression releasing control panel from SimplexGrinnell is specially designed to suppress fires in high- risk environments, like computer rooms, power plants, and petrochemical facilities. Special hazards fires will spread quickly and are likely to cause catastrophic business interruptions or extraordinarily expensive equipment losses. The Simplex 4004R controls the release of extinguishing agents, like Inergen, FM-200, carbon dioxide and water, to fully extinguish the fire source while blocking the flame front. It can handle up to two hazard areas and detects fire through heat or smoke detectors, or pull station activation. The Simplex 4004R then sounds the alarm and releases the extinguishing agents in the right amounts and at the right time.

Snake-bitten

IR Security & Safety's Schlage and Locknetics brands have teamed up to create the Schlage COBRA programmable locking system. Capable of storing up to 100 codes, it takes only 10 seconds or less to add or delete users and the COBRA operates on four, AA alkaline batteries, with an approximate lifespan of three years. It fits a standard ANSI/BHMA cylindrical preparation with only minor changes, works with 1.5 to 2-inch door widths without spacers or shims, and is available in five finishes.

All about the optics

If the Model 382 Optical Portal doesn't want to let you in, you'll know. The optical scanner reads the card, and if it gets the right information, the retractable, glass security panels will open, allowing access. Twenty to 36 people can pass through a lane every minute. Model 382 also comes with blocking, tracking and safety sensors, controlled by a Programmable Logic Controller, to prevent injuries and "tailgating," where an unauthorized user enters on the heels of an authorized one. It also has both audio and visual alarms.

Authorized personnel only

The CyberKey Authorizer, new for the CyberLock Access Control System from Videx, lets management keep track of who is going where and when. Both the locks and the keys store a record of activity. When the user inserts his or her key into the Authorizer keyport, which can be located even outside the facility, the key downloads the report to a central host computer. The key's access information is also updated here, too. The hub, which communicates with the host computer, controls access by verifying the code contained in the key. In addition to access codes, the keys can be programmed to expire automatically at specific times or dates, or to open locks only at specific times and dates. One key can be programmed to open doorways, cabinets, padlocks and safes throughout the entire facility.

Make metal a Priora-ty

The Priera Univers, Controlled Access Systems' latest advanced security revolving door, blends ease of access with the control of a built-in metal detection system. Users can pass through the revolving door in two directions, but if the metal detector picks up a metal object, concealed sliding doors will close automatically, preventing entry. The person in the affected sector has no choice but to exit the building. Once the sector is clear of the building, and providing that another metal object hasn't been detected, the sliding door re-opens. The Priora Univers can also be upgraded for chemical and explosive detection.

Get more fiber

Fibre optic cable is a good solution to monitor the security of a perimeter fence. Microcomputer-based signal processors analyze signals from the fibre optic cable, identifying attempts to climb, cut or lift the fence, and sound an alarm.

Normally, the cable must be installed onto the fence using conduit, which means more money spent on labour. But Senstar- Stellar has developed IntelliFIBER, a jacketed fibre optic that can be mounted directly to the fence with ultraviolet-resistant ties, without using conduit. It's available in three configurations: the basic cable, with two fibre optic cores; the four-core, with two cores for sensing and two for data communication with a monitoring system; and the all-in-one, 4 + 2 style, with the four-core fibre optic set-up and two copper wires for power distribution.

A great view

The new PrimaView C16 large dome camera from Silent Witness lets you see farther than ever before, thanks to its 5 - 50 mm vari- focal auto-iris lens. It features 360-degree camera position, plug and play board technology for easy upgrades and changes, and is available with the Silent Witness true day/night and wide dynamic options. The C16 can be flush mounted, or used pendant-style and the weather-sealed polycarbonate dome protects the camera from assaults, both physical and weather-related.

For contact information on any of these products, refer to our website at www.building.ca

Copyright Crailer Communications Aug/Sep 2003

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