Security Features - May 2008

Eye in the sky
What facilities managers need to know when choosing CCTV systems
Peter Rose, Operations Manager for the North East at Powerminster Gleeson Services, a company that specialises in facilities management, refurbishment and maintenance for a variety of organisations across the commercial and public sectors, looks at how contractors can overcome the problem of security in public and private buildings.
“In this day and age, CCTV cameras are in operation in all of the major cities and many organisations are recognising the part they play in protecting their buildings and their assets.
There are many factors we take into consideration when asked by clients to advise on the installation of CCTV systems and with around 4.2 million surveillance cameras in action throughout Britain, we are officially the most monitored country in the world.
The best place to start is to identify what the client is actually looking to achieve from this from of televised security. An effective CCTV system should deter crime, make staff and the public feel safer and allow for the monitoring of incidents in real time, which could provide evidence in prosecuting criminals later on.
As FM contractors, we can advise on this area, but the police also offer assistance, if required. First of all, we carry out a full assessment of the building and its ‘hot spots’ these are areas which are most vulnerable to attack by criminals or vandals. Doors or windows that are unlit or are in secluded areas, for example or large expanses of wall that have the potential to be ‘tagged’ by graffiti artists, make prime targets.
There are many CCTV systems available on the market, but it is important to look out for one that provides accessible footage at a reasonable price. As with many electronic devices, the apparent lowest cost option could end up costing you more to repair or replace in the long run.
Installing a CCTV system is not quite as straightforward as you would think. Any organisation that is considering installing CCTV needs to adhere to the Government’s CCTV Code of Practice, which also complies with the 1998 Data Protection Act. CCTV legislation was first introduced in October 2001 due to concerns over breaches of privacy and later updated in January 2008 to include a number of legally enforceable CCTV standards.
When we install CCTV cameras in and around buildings, we therefore need to ensure they do not view areas that are not of interest and are not intended to be the subject of surveillance, such as an individual’s private property. It is also important to make sure the camera is suitable for the location, bearing in mind the light levels and size of the area to be monitored. Seasonal factors also need to taken into account in the positioning of the camera, for example, many people have found a well-located camera installed in the winter becomes obscured by the growth of spring and summer foliage. It is also important to make sure the camera is very adequately secured and protected from vandalism, as they can be expensive to repair.
It is also worth remembering that signs should be visible to make members of the public aware they are under surveillance. Recorded images from the CCTV system must be stored securely and only a limited number of authorised persons should have access to them. We always make sure our operators of CCTV systems are fully trained to ensure they comply with the CCTV Code of Practice. All personnel also need to be made aware that they would be committing a criminal offence if they misuse the CCTV images and recordings should only be made available to law enforcement agencies involved in the prevention and detection of crime and to no other third parties. Despite what may seem like complicated legislation, CCTV is still a vital part of law enforcement and public protection for many organisations and has been proven to have a dramatic effect on crime reduction and damage to buildings.”
Powerminster Gleeson Services specialises in facilities management, PFI projects, housing refurbishment and planned and reactive gas, electrical and mechanical maintenance contracts, working with a variety of organisations across the commercial and public sectors.
The company has its head office in Sheffield with regional offices in Cumbria, West and North Yorkshire, North West, Midlands, London and Kent.
For more information on Powerminster Gleeson Services call 0114 282 0220 or visit the website www.gleesonservices.co.uk.

NSI to Be Apprentice Skills Challenge Main Sponsor
The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) is delighted to announce that it is to be the main sponsor for this year’s Apprentice Skills Challenge, which takes place at IFSEC. NSI, which has supported the event for nine years, will present each of the two winners of this year’s competition with Red Letter Day vouchers worth £500 each.
The Apprentice Skills Challenge is open to apprentices currently employed by electronic security systems installation companies and is designed to motivate and encourage excellence. This year’s entrants, working in teams of two, will pit their skills against one another by identifying faults in an intruder alarm system, add additional protection and re-commission the system to PD6662 and EN Standards. All this must be conducted in-line with industry Standards and Codes of Practice, within a 90-minute time limit.
NSI’s Chief Executive, Andrew White commented, “We are pleased to take on the mantle of main sponsor for this worthy event. One of the major problems in the security industry is the lack of skilled technicians joining the industry. Without investment in our future then all the Standards in the world will count for little if there are insufficient people to install security systems.”
The Challenge takes place over the four days of IFSEC. The top three teams will then be invited to the Security Excellence Awards dinner later in the year where the overall winners will receive their prize.
Passport Route Now Open to NSI Cash Services Gold Companies
The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) is pleased to announce that it can now offer NSI Cash Services Gold approved companies access to the Security Industry Authority (SIA) Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) via the Passport route.
NSI was recently announced as the first SIA Assessing Body able to offer ACS Passport route access to its Guarding Gold approved companies, which came into effect on 1 April 2008. The Passport route offers NSI Guarding Gold and now Cash Services Gold approved companies an additional access option when applying for SIA approved contractor status. NSI approved companies choosing this route must meet a new NSI passport specification but will not be required to go through a separate ACS assessment, thus benefiting from potential cost savings.

Canary Wharf brings in Siemens to maintain its security systems
Siemens Building Technologies, Security Systems, has been awarded a contract to maintain all the electronic security equipment across London landmark, the Canary Wharf estate.
The deal follows a tough competitive tender and will see Siemens take responsibility for the security equipment of all Canary Wharf-managed buildings and infrastructure within the 97 acre site.
Siemens is to put in a team of on-the-ground engineers who will manage a multi-faceted security system that includes CCTV, vehicle scanning, road blockers, barriers, vehicle plate recognition (ANPR), explosive particle detection and a range of other associated devices.
Canary Wharf and its landmark office buildings are a symbol of London’s success, with over 30 buildings occupied predominantly by financial service organisations and more than 200 shops, bars and restaurants. There are ambitious plans for continued development of the area.
Siemens Building Technologies, Security Systems managing director Peter Hawksworth says: “This is a prestigious contract to have won against intense competition. Canary Wharf continues to develop and expand and we will provide both immediate on-the-ground technical support as well as a continuous upgrade path that will bring in the latest technological developments. All our work will ensure that the area continues to have at its disposal some of the most sophisticated hi tech security capabilities in the UK.”
Canary Wharf Management security technical manager Mike Walker says: “For such a high profile business base as Canary Wharf we need the very best security systems in place. We spent considerable time talking to suppliers and were won over by Siemens’ professionalism and commitment to what is an extremely demanding list of requirements.”
Further information: Katy Tong, Siemens Building Technologies Security Systems,
T 01932 898500, E sales.uk.sbt@siemens.com W. www.sbt.siemens.com

Regional round of BSIA Security Officer Awards 2008 recognises exceptional officers
The regional winners of the British Security Industry Association’s Annual Security Officer Awards 2008 have been announced.
The awards recognise excellence within the security guarding sector of the industry in the following categories: Service to the Customer, Outstanding Act, Best Newcomer, Best Use of Technology and Best Team.
David Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Security Industry Association, comments: “Once again the remarkably high standard of entrants for our Security Officer Awards has made it hard to select the winners. Each nomination was outstanding and demonstrated the high levels of commitment and professionalism which exist within the private security industry.”
“Security officers perform across a variety of diverse and challenging environments. This year’s winners have excelled in outstanding acts, shown a high level of customer service and demonstrated an innovative use of technology indicative of the significant capabilities security officers bring to the private security industry.”
The BSIA’s Security Officer Awards are presented regionally throughout the UK, with the winners going forward to the national judging phase. The national winners will be presented with their awards by Home Office Minister, Vernon Coaker MP, at the Association’s annual luncheon on 16th July at the London Hilton, Park Lane.
The BSIA would like to thank Camberford Law plc – specialist insurance brokers to the security industry – for sponsoring the awards for the tenth successive year.

Skills for Security play a key role at IFSEC
Skills for Security, the industry’s skills and standards setting body, is pleased to have a prominent role at IFSEC again this year. IFSEC is a useful platform for exchanging information and keeping people informed about the latest developments within the industry, so this is exactly what Skills for Security will be doing.
This year sees the exciting launch of the first conference programme at IFSEC and Skills for Security is playing a significant role in lining up some impressive experts for this three day event. The programme will cover the most cutting-edge issues for the security industry enabling you to learn, share and develop your outlook in security in a receptive environment.
In addition to this, Skills for Security will be delivering free informative presentations at their own meeting room, stand 686, just inside the main entrance of Hall 7. Topics will cover the future of apprenticeships, funded training programmes and how to use National Occupational Standards, to name a few. Skills for Security will also be explaining the work that they have been doing on behalf of employers within the industry in the free seminars in the Security Guarding & Support Services area, Hall 7.
The skills body will be present at IFSEC throughout the week, with the team available to discuss any queries you have, if you would like to make a specific appointment with one of the team or would like to learn more about the presentations taking place, please visit our website www.skillsforsecurity.org.uk and click on the IFSEC banner.

Eurotunnel Reports 5 years uninterrupted Service from EX82
At 50km long: with 37.8 km running underneath the English Channel, the Channel Tunnel is the longest underwater tunnel in the world. It is hailed by international civil engineering experts in the US and Europe as "the greatest infrastructure success of the 20th century." Eurotunnel owns the concession to operate it until 2086. 212 million passengers and 196 million tonnes of merchandise have passed through the Tunnel since the commercial opening in spring 1994
So it was not without a certain flush of pride that Extreme CCTV learned from Eurotunnel officials that their EX82 Integrated Day Night(tm) (IDN(tm)) cameras had delivered over 5 years uninterrupted video surveillance in the Eurotunnel.
By any standards, the tunnel is an extreme environment due to high pressure air flows, humidity and ambient salinity, but Extreme CCTV's EX82 camera took all that in its stride.
"Extreme CCTV cameras have provided Eurotunnel with uninterrupted underground images for over five years now. Due to the location of the cameras, it is important to us that this equipment is relatively low maintenance and is both 'rugged and reliable'" says Richard Howkins, Team Leader, Maintenance & Signalling Department, Eurotunnel.
Extreme CCTV's Ian Crosby says, "The camera has done a fantastic job to last 5 years without incident in such a difficult environment and is a testament to our build quality and design.
The EX82 combines camera, lens and infrared into a single all-weather housing for a true Plug & Play installation friendly solution. The camera was recently upgraded to incorporate Black Diamond(tm) infrared technology, now known as an EX82 Infrared Imager(tm) it delivers High-Fidelity(tm) illumination for even crisper, high resolution night-time images.
The cameras which are field proven in high-profile security applications worldwide are playing a critical role in a system that has safely delivered more than 212 million people and 196 million tonnes of goods through the Eurotunnel since its opening in May 1994. That's an average of more than 26,000 customers and 50,000 tonnes of goods transported by 300 trains every day.
Extreme CCTV will be demonstrating its full IR Imager(tm) camera range at IFSEC 2008, including new IP versions on Stand 16045, Hall 20 at IFSEC 2008.