03 Feb Protecting pupils and staff round the clock at super-school
Chad Varah School where remotely controlled CCTV is keeping the school secure from intruders (Pic: Lincolnshire Echo)
A super-school in Lincoln is being protected from vandalism and burglary by round the clock remotely monitored cctv cameras designed and installed by Lincolnshire-based GB Security Group.
The Chad Varah Primary School was formed from the merger of the former Myle Cross Junior School and St Giles Infant School.
And before the cctv system had even been commissioned, there was a break in, but operators spotted the intruders and responded to the event through the tannoy system that was in place ready for commissioning. The system has continued to prove its worth, with no problems with vandalism or break ins at the school.
Major extensions were added to the former St Giles site to create the new school and all the pupils and staff moved to Myle Cross as a temporary home for 12 months whilst the £2m facelift was carried out.
And with the schools being in an area that has experienced problems with vandalism in the past, project staff were concerned about how best to protect the site whilst it was under development.
The team at Mouchel – the outsourcing company which provides the building maintenance consultancy services to Lincolnshire County Council – undertook a feasibility study into security options.
And the most effective solution they identified was a remotely monitored cctv system, operating to the exacting BS8418 standard, which was specially configured, designed and installed by Lincolnshire-based GB Security Group.
“We had a rather unique situation with the development of Chad Varah Primary School because we had to protect two sites but intended to be able to re-use security equipment from the temporary site once work was complete,” explained Rob Martin, lead consultant at Mouchel.
“Remote monitoring was the most effective solution to the problem of site security at this school, which is located in what can be a rather challenging area. As well as protecting the building, it also provided security for the contractors’ compound during building works. It helped to stop crime before it took place, unlike stand-alone cctv which simply records an event and leaves little likelihood of prosecution.”
When the cctv system was installed at Myle Cross, but before it had been commissioned, there was a break in. But operators spotted the intruders and responded to the event through the tannoy system that was in place ready for commissioning. “It stopped them in their tracks, and has continued to do so. We have had no problems at all with vandalism or break ins,” added Rob.
Tannoy plays a key role in remotely monitored cctv, with the remote operators using it to alert intruders to the fact that they are under surveillance and that the police will be called.
Following the completion of the building redevelopment work , a BS8418 remotely monitored system with wrap around package was installed to protect the newly completed site from intrusion out of hours.
The new school facilities, described by headmistress Julie Harrison as the perfect space in which pupils can learn, provide the 440 pupils with a new sports hall, an IT suite and state-of-the-art classrooms.
BS 8418 is a Code of Practice for the installation and remote monitoring of detector activated CCTV systems. It set outs recommendations on best practice for the design, installation, commissioning and operation of detector activated CCTV systems. Official Police policy is to only issue Unique Reference Numbers to CCTV systems which comply with BS 8418, to overcome the problems with false alarms.
ENDS
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Editor’s Note:
About remotely monitored CCTV:
Remotely monitored CCTV is a cost-effective method of providing live on-the-ground site protection around the clock, without the huge costs associated with providing 24 hour manned cover. It works by connecting motion detectors to cameras, linked to a 24 hour remote monitoring control centre, and is increasingly used on commercial, public sector and even domestic sites. Using high speed broadband and wireless 3G connections, the integrated cameras and motion sensors detect any movement on site. If an alarm/detector is triggered, images from an associated camera are transmitted to a specialised Remote Video Response Centre (RVRC), 24 hours a day.
About GB Security Group:
GB Security Group has a 30 year track record in security and fire protection, with customers ranging from multi-site food processing plants, commercial businesses, professional firms and schools through to retailers and housebuilders. Their portfolio delivers a complete range of security products and services, backed up with leading edge technical expertise, including:
- CCTV
- Fire Alarms
- Guarding Services
- Intruder Alarms
- Access Control
- Gates & Barriers
- CCTV Monitoring
- Integrated Systems
GB Security Group also operates its own specialist 24 hour remote monitoring centre. working to the highest achievable accreditation levels with NSI and SIA, and with a proven track record since 1993. All monitoring centre staff are SIA licensed for monitoring both private and public space and the company operates under the Approved Contractors Scheme (ACS), the independently assessed quality standard for suppliers of private security services.