Illustra CCTV Mounts

  Ergonomics are a critical, but often misunderstood aspect of designing control rooms for security. Ergonomics have a deep impact on the integrity of an operation, and the issue goes beyond the control room furniture. Matko Papic, Chief Technology Officer of Evans Consoles, divides ergonomics into three areas: physical (reach zones, touch points, monitors); cognitive (the individual’s ability to process information without overlooking a critical element) and organisational (how the facility operates in various situations; e.g., is it adequately designed for an emergency event?). He says the Evans approach is to determine the precise placement required for each element an operator needs, and then to design and build console furniture to position it there. Basically, the idea is to tailor the control room to the operation. What tasks must an operator perform? Are they manageable or should they be divided up among several operators? Control room design should accommodate the need to collaborate, and be flexible enough to adapt to various situations. It all begins with understanding the information that needs to be processed, says Papic. Increased productivity in the workplace Because personnel are often stationed at a specific console, desk or workstation for long hours, physical problems and productivity issues can result, says Jim Coleman, National Sales Manager, AFC Industries. Ergonomically designed furniture and related products have been proven to increase productivity and alleviate physical stress in the workplace. Ergonomic furniture solutions are crafted for the ultimate in safety, adaptability, comfort and functionality. Coleman says AFC Industries can tailor furniture to specific needs and environment. For example, a height-adjustable workstation can be combined with adjustable monitor arm mounts to create a relaxed, comfortable environment. Furniture offers modern designs, comfortable ergonomics, and comprehensive features. Rugged materials withstand the 24/7 use of command control centres. Health benefits of ergonomic workstations A sedentary office environment is often an unhealthy one. “For people who sit most of the day, their risk of heart attack is about the same as smoking,” says Martha Grogan, Cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic. Ongoing research and studies have shown that a change in posture (i.e., using ergonomic sit-to-stand workstations) is an effective means to combat these negative health issues. Using sit-to-stand workstations helps to eliminate musculoskeletal disorders caused by long-term sitting. They can also improve productivity and focus from the increased blood flow. Energy levels can rise and employees burn more calories. Control room design should accommodate the need to collaborate and be flexible enough to adapt to various situations “The ergonomic environment we create for control rooms involves considering every need of the staff at each workstation and their equipment, as well as workflow within the entire room,” says Coleman. “From the proper setting of screen focal lengths to sound absorption and glare reduction, each requirement and phase of a control room design is a necessary process to ensure the protection and safety of people and property.” Emergency operations centre “The military has figured out that you are more alert when you are standing,” says Randy Smith, President of Winsted, and the realisation is guiding emergency operations centre (EOC) design toward sit-stand. “As soon as there is an emergency, everybody stands up,” Smith adds. Designing EOC environments also requires systems be integrated with annunciating signal lights to facilitate communication among operators. Winsted’s sit-stand consoles can be combined with a motorised M-View monitor wall mount, enabling a 60-inch wall monitor to be raised and lowered to match the positioning of the sit-stand console. Larger, wall-mounted screens are easier to use for operators, since a larger monitor size can make it easier to read text on a screen, for example. Combining the larger monitor with sit-stand capabilities provides the best of both options. Many operators today stand for 50 percent of their day, says Smith. Ergonomic standards guide the design of Winsted’s control room consoles, including ISO 11064 standards for the design of control centres. The furniture also is designed to accommodate industrial wire management (larger wire bundles), unlike furniture that might be bought in an office supply store. Read part 3 of our Control Rooms series here {##Poll37 - How well do you incorporate ergonomics into your control rooms?##}

Significant technological advancements have created endless possibilities in how security is not only deployed, but also leveraged by the end user – the customer. For example, customers can now view surveillance at eight different offices in eight different states from a single, central location. A security director can manage an enterprise-wide access control system, including revoking or granting access control privileges, for 10,000 global employees from a company’s headquarters. However, with that increased level of system sophistication comes an added level of complexity. After successfully completing the installation of a security system, integrators are now expected to formally and contractually prove that the system works as outlined in the project specification document. Tom Feilen, Director of National Accounts for Koorsen Security Technology explains that this formal checks and balance process is gaining momentum in the security industry. The step-by-step process of Acceptance Testing is more commonly being written into bid specifications, especially for projects that require the expertise of an engineer and/or architect. Simply put, it is a way for the end user to make sure the system they paid for works properly and is delivered by the integrator as outlined in the project’s request for proposal. While Acceptance Testing can be a time consuming process, it is a valuable industry tool. It is estimated that at least 95 per cent of integrated security systems today have been brought through the Acceptance Testing process. Security systems have become more complicated in recent years. The introduction of IP-based, enterprise-wide and integrated solutions have all opened the door to more sophisticated access control and surveillance systems than ever thought possible. This process can vary depending upon the size of the project, but for a larger scale project, it is not uncommon for Acceptance Testing to take several weeks from start to finish. This timeline can be especially lengthy when the project involves hundreds of devices, such as access control readers, surveillance cameras, video recorders, intrusion sensors, and intercom systems. Most integrated security systems today have been brought through the Acceptance Testing process What is involved in the Acceptance Testing process? While the specific process can vary from integrator to integrator, many follow a similar process with their customer to ensure the system works accurately and that the customer has the proper certification documentation. The initial part of the process typically involves generating a report of each device installed as part of the system. This list enables the systems integrator to systematically test each device ensuring that individual devices are not specific points of failure for the overall system. For example, in a building equipped with a system that automatically releases the egress doors upon the fire alarm activation, it is important to make sure each door’s electro-magnetic locking system is operating properly. The systems integrator would not only test that a door releases when the fire alarm sounds, but also to make sure the access control system is notified if the door is propped open or held open longer than in normal usage parameters. For a door that is also monitored by a surveillance camera, part of the testing would also involve making sure that an image being transmitted to a video monitor is coming from the correct surveillance camera and that the actual angle of the image is what the customer has requested and is correctly labelled as such. If a device does not function as it should, it is then added to a punch list that would require the systems integrator to repair that device within a certain period of time. Once repairs are made, the system integrator would then submit a letter to the client stating that every device has been tested and works properly. It is also important for the integrator that once the testing process is complete to obtain a customer sign off (Certificate of Acceptance) on all systems tested and documentation provided. This limits liability once the system is turned over. From a safety perspective, Acceptance Testing is also used to verify that T-bars and safety chains are installed on cameras that are mounted in drop ceilings. It can confirm that panels are mounted in a room that is properly heated and cooled to avoid major temperature swings. Also, as part of the Acceptance Testing checklist, it can insure that power supplies that drive all the security systems are properly rated with the recommended batteries for back-up. And, that emergency exist devices or card readers are not mounted more than 48-inches above ground. An Acceptance Testing process serves to protect the end user's investment After the project is complete, Acceptance Testing protects both parties involved against liability issues. One example is if the building has a fire and the functionality of the life safety system comes into question. Acceptance Testing can be used to prove that the system was able to function as specified and dispel any concerns about its performance. At that time, all close out sheets are turned in, along with as-built drawings and a manual providing a complete listing of each device and system installed. Today, these manuals not only come in paper form as part of a large binder, but also digital files saved to a disc. The benefit of providing the customer with a binder or documentation of the system is that should the end user/customer replace the person who manages security at the company, valuable information will not leave with that former employee. While this checklist to close out a project may appear trivial at first, it is an important part of the security project process. By implementing an Acceptance Testing program, it serves to protect the end user’s investment, ensuring that the systems integrators hired for the project is knowledgeable and provides quality work. For the integrator, it helps towards the end goal of a satisfied customer.

Johnson Controls announces that its flagship access control and event management system Tyco Software House C•CURE 9000 is supported on Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), enabling customers to take advantage of the many benefits of cloud computing with the choice of best-suited service providers. With C•CURE 9000 deployable in the cloud, integrators and end users can leverage cloud service providers such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud Platform, to reduce server infrastructure and maintenance costs with greater business continuity options. Physical security operations Beyond IT modernisation and cost management, organisations are approaching cloud adoption strategies through the lens of broader enterprise business efficiency and growth objectives. Companies are aggressively moving to the cloud to maximise their IT spend" As organisations identify and migrate critical application workloads to the cloud, physical security operations are able to increase C•CURE 9000 application availability by leveraging redundancy and disaster recovery infrastructure that geographically extends well beyond their on-premise constraints. “Companies are aggressively moving to the cloud to maximise their IT spend while improving their agility to respond to business needs and market changes,” said Jason Ouellette, general manager of Enterprise Access & Video Solutions, Building Technologies & Solutions, Johnson Controls. Artificial intelligence “When moving infrastructure to the cloud, learning how to provision the right type and size of resources required for customer specific environments is critical to optimise performance and cost. Customers who take this approach in their C•CURE 9000 cloud migration planning can easily avoid overspending while maintaining flexibility to quickly scale resources based on actual need.” To assist customers seeking C•CURE 9000 cloud deployment support, the Software House Professional Services organisation provides a broad range of consulting and implementation services, including technical guidance on best practices and system architecture considerations regarding customer specific cloud strategies. Cloud solutions are an integral part of the strategic focus of the Tyco Access Control and Video Solutions unit of Johnson Controls, along with artificial intelligence, unification and cybersecurity, comprising of four key technology pillars.

Johnson Controls announces that PowerG technology with all the benefits of wired security, but without the wires, achieves the top levels of Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) certification, making it one of the most reliable security solutions in Canada. PowerG wireless devices are the first to be certified with ULC levels 1, 2 and 3 Commercial Burglary Approval (ULC-S304-16) when installed with PowerSeries Neo or PowerSeries Pro security systems. Simple installations From their long battery life, superior range, and modern product designs to the full suite of solutions they offer, the ULC Commercial Burglary stamp of approval means PowerG products have met the highest standards. This ensures customers are provided with safer, smarter and more secure products with end-to-end encryption. PowerG’s proven robust anti-RF jamming design and 128-bit AES encryption offers an exceptionally high level of protection against digital attacks. “PowerG technology provides customers with the security of wired technology but the convenience of wireless,” said Jennifer Doctor, senior director of Product Management, Tyco Security Solutions. “In the long run, it saves users money and time with simple installations, scalability, and reliability. This industry first ULC certification in Canada is a testament to the potential of unwired systems, and we are thrilled to be leading that charge.” All existing inventory with PowerG transceivers and devices are automatically covered by this certification.

Johnson Controls announces that its PowerSeries Pro is the first ever commercial grade security system to harness the long-range communication technology of PowerG and is designed to handle large-scale installations. The system offers the highest level of cyber protection features and encryption technology without the need for a wired communication path. PowerSeries Pro is developed for commercial use and can support up to 248 zones, making it an ideal solution for warehouses, office buildings, factories, and healthcare facilities. Intrusion security panel “In the past, we have had systems that support commercial applications, but PowerSeries Pro is our first commercial intrusion security panel that can handle large commercial installations while eliminating the need for wires on sensors or keypads,” said Jennifer Doctor, senior director of Product Management, Tyco Security Solutions. “We are excited to provide this new product to the commercial sector, and hope the increase in zones, coupled with secure encryption, will provide end users with the flexibility and reliability they need.” Tyco security solutions’ PowerSeries Pro includes built-in 128-bit AES encryption technology, supports multiple third-party integrations, including Building Management Software (BMS), as well as video and access control solutions to offer a versatile platform for holistic commercial security. Commercial installations In addition, Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum technology repeatedly switches frequencies to minimize interference of radio signals and prevent interception and obstruction during transmission. This is especially useful in commercial integrations, where transmissions take place over longer distances, and in turn require more planning to combat potential interferences security threats. Requiring no drills, wires or repeaters, both residential and commercial installations are hassle-free and provide all the power and security of a wired connection, without the wires.