Green security

Homey, the smart home platform developed by the Dutch company Athom, has integrated Vanderbilt’s SPC security systems. This has been announced by Athom and Vanderbilt. The partnership adds the certified security system of Vanderbilt to the popular Smart Home Platform, Homey. The integration allows users to use their security system for other purposes too. “This is useful in many cases,” explains Stefan Witkamp, Commercial Director of Athom. “Take your motion sensors. The sensors you currently use for intruder detection, can now also be used to switch your lighting when you’re at home.” “The integration between Vanderbilt SPC and Homey offers a unique best-of-both-worlds combination: EN 50131-certified security, combined with the versatility of the Homey Smart Home platform,” explains John O'Donnell, Product Manager at Vanderbilt. As the SPC security system operates stand-alone, none of the certifications or assurances are compromised. At the same time, all sensors and data available in the system are available in Homey too, ready to be used in your Smart Home environment. Since all the sensors of the security system show up in Homey individually, users can easily integrate them into their automation scenarios Enhanced security with alarm-based automation “The best thing about this collaboration is the fact that it allows you to get more out of the sensors you already have,” explains Emile Nijssen, Creative Director of Athom. “Therefore, it’s not necessary to purchase double sensors or have parallel systems for both security and Smart Home.” This allows users to enjoy more comfort and more security, without any duplications in hardware, thus saving resources and money.  Enhanced security can be reached by letting Homey automate based on alarm state. For instance, users can create ‘Presence Simulation’ Flows in Homey, which can be activated upon arming the Vanderbilt SPC alarm. Also, lights, audio, TV, and other connected devices can be leveraged to enhance the alarms built into the Vanderbilt security system. Since all the sensors of the security system show up in Homey individually, users can easily integrate them into their automation scenarios. They can have lights in the hallway turn on temporarily when motion is detected there, get a notification if a door or window is open for too long, and turn their TV and heating off when the system is armed to conserve energy.  Smart home sensoring via upgradation The collaboration between Athom and Vanderbilt SPC confirms the versatility of both systems. “The fact that our security system was easily integrated into Homey shows that our system is ready for the future. At the same time, it displays the power of an open Smart Home platform like Homey,” states O'Donnell. “This offers a lot of new opportunities for both of us, and for our installation partners and, most importantly, the end user. We are now able to upgrade security installations to complete sensoring Smart Homes in minutes through Homey. That’s the real power of collaboration.”

ASSA CLIQ Remote from ASSA ABLOY, producer of door-opening solutions, is a finalist in this year’s UK Housing Awards, for helping to revolutionise Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council’s (RMBC) repairs and maintenance processes for void properties. With approximately 2,000 empty properties to manage every year, RMBC required a key management solution that would simplify its operations, eliminate the need for physical key handovers and cut costs. ASSA CLIQ Remote with wireless technology Shortlisted in the category ‘Outstanding Approach to Repairs and Maintenance’, ASSA CLIQ Remote has allowed RMBC to improve key management and speed up its repair and maintenance practices on void properties. ASSA CLIQ Remote uses wireless technology to give key holders – regardless of location – remote access to a property through a single key. By eliminating the need for physical key handovers, ASSA CLIQ Remote has drastically reduced time spent travelling between jobs, saving maintenance staff and contractors valuable time, resulting in properties being re-let quicker. Improved operational efficiencies As a result, ASSA CLIQ Remote is saving RMBC approximately 40 hours of time every week. The reduction re-let times has allowed RMBC to deliver an additional £60,000 a year in rental income revenue, enabling the council to use its budget and resources elsewhere. The improved operational efficiencies are also helping lower the council’s environmental impact. RMBC staff or contractors performing repair and maintenance do not need to travel to physically handover keys, reducing the council’s carbon footprint and fleet expenses. Low risk of compromised keys Finally, the system is reducing the risk of lost or copied keys being compromised as well. If a key is lost or stolen, access rights can be deactivated straightaway. Simon Wilson, National Sales Manager for ASSA CLIQ Remote, said: “The Chartered Institute of Housing’s awards are one of the most prestigious for the UK’s housing sector. We are delighted that our work with RMBC has been nominated in the category of ‘Outstanding Approach to Repairs and Maintenance.” “In the social housing sector, the pressure to re-let houses as quickly as possible and work to tight budgets should not be underestimated. Nevertheless, properties will inevitably stand empty between tenancies, while staff and contractors carry out the necessary repairs and maintenance to a home.” Efficient solution to key management “ASSA CLIQ Remote has provided a simple solution to the issue of key management and key control for void properties. With physical key handovers no longer necessary, maintenance workers spend less time travelling between jobs, and void properties can be turned around and re-let quicker, whilst improving the council’s sustainability credentials.” “ASSA CLIQ Remote also ensures lost keys are no longer a security risk, and the council’s time and budget can be used more effectively. The system is a fantastic solution for managing void properties, and we are pleased the cost-savings and efficiencies it’s delivering are being recognised.” The 2018 UK Housing Awards will take place on Wednesday 2 May at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel in London.

Door & Hardware Federation’s (DHF) Timber Doorset Group has produced a comprehensive guide to the benefits of ‘factory prepared complete timber doorsets’. The group actively promotes the commercial and legal benefits of specifying complete timber doorsets, as opposed to purchasing individual components from various sources; they are then made up on site. With an all-inclusive list of benefits now available in an easy-to-download publication, it is anticipated that building professionals such as specifiers, architects and contractors will achieve a wider understanding and recognise the advantages to purchasing a complete product, including those involved in the modular build market. The new DHF publication lists the many benefits of choosing a complete timber doorset, primarily that these products derive from one single source of supply, are quality-controlled products and will ultimately, result in cost-savings as all necessary items are included. In addition, using a complete timber doorset is a greener option, as they are engineered for energy efficiency and sustainability.DHF’s latest publication will enable a greater understanding of the benefits of selecting timber doorsets Reduced installation time and cost “In everyone’s minds, recent events have brought to the fore, the premise that a poorly fitted door, or one that has had the integrity compromised, can be a liability,” explains DHF Marketing Manager, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens. “DHF believes that installing a complete doorset that has been tested as a complete unit, manufactured under a third-party certification scheme, installed and maintained by a company certified to do so under third-party certification, provides peace of mind, reduced installation time and ultimately, costs.”  Patricia added, “It is a 'no fuss' solution, with no need to purchase separate components as everything is included. In addition, complete doorsets can be installed later in the building process, reducing the risk of on-site damage whilst works are on-going and are a perfect solution for modular builds." "There are so many advantages to purchasing a complete doorset and we believe that DHF’s latest publication will enable a greater understanding of the benefits of selecting these products.”

Magenta installed solar panels on the roof of the building that generates 40% of the electricity it needs Magenta Security Services has once again been recognised for its environmental initiatives, collecting Best Green Business Award at the recent Hounslow Business Awards. The award was given for Magenta’s green initiatives which have helped the company reduce its impact on the environment. Magenta Security is considered one of the most environmentally friendly companies in the security industry, and wider business community in its local area. It was the first manned guarding company in Europe to be awarded certification to ISO 14001:2004 and was the first security company in the UK to become carbon neutral. Several environmental initiatives The company has launched several environmental initiatives including the installation of environmentally friendly lighting systems, environmentally friendly carpets and the creation of a digital systems for a paperless office. The most significant investment is the installation of solar panels on the roof of the building that allow Magenta to generate 40% of the electricity it needs. At the awards, which were held on Thursday, October 12, at Hilton Syon Park, Magenta was also highly commended for Customer Service whilst Managing Director Abbey Petkar was highly commended in the Entrepreneur of the Year category. Abbey Petkar commented: “Winning this award is recognition that our commitment to best environmental practices goes beyond the levels expected businesses. Sustainability and environmental issues are increasingly important to our clients, and much of our success in winning new business can be attributed to our commitment to meeting environmentally friendly standards. We’ve always taken leading steps to improve our own green policies and we will continue to take further steps to reduce our impact on the environment.” Hounslow Business Awards "Winning this award is recognition that our commitment to best environmental practices goes beyond the levels expected businesses" The Hounslow Business Awards has been developed and organised by Hounslow Chamber of Commerce to reward and celebrate dynamic and innovative businesses in the London Borough of Hounslow. Magenta is also a finalist in the up and coming Security and Fire Excellence Awards for Corporate Social Responsibility, Customer Care and Security Consultancy of the Year. Magenta is one of the fastest growing security companies in the country, providing a wide range of bespoke security solutions. As well as security officers, mobile patrols, and electronic surveillance, partnerships with external suppliers means Magenta can provide a variety of additional services to clients including luxury car hire and housekeeping.

AISG will be showcasing its security solutions designed specifically for the solar market American Integrated Security Group (AISG), North American full service security systems integrator, has announced that the company will be exhibiting at Solar Power International, September 12th-15th, at Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. The AISG Critical Infrastructure Group will be on-hand to meet with the more than 15,000 solar pros from more than 75 countries expected to be in attendance. Lucrative opportunity "We are proud to be an exhibitor and look forward to a great show," said AISG President, Levy Acs. "With all the potential customers and contacts there, we expect it to be very lucrative both near and long-term for us." Solar security solutions AISG will be showcasing its highly regarded security solutions designed specifically for the solar market. Featuring large integrated perimeter intrusion detection with best of breed technologies, AISG’s self sufficient systems reduce total cost of ownership and offer the highest level of security. “This is the industry's biggest and most dynamic event, and with solar growing by 20% or more in some parts of the U.S. right now, a big opportunity. We plan on seeing lots of existing customers and making many new contacts,” said AISG Director of Sales, Critical Infrastructure, Michael Bennett.

Environmentalism is a universal consideration in most business sectors in 2016. Whether seeking to provide greener products, or looking for new ways to minimise waste of manufacturing processes, most companies are involved to some degree with environmental concerns. Green has not traditionally been a big driver in the security industry, but there are indications the profile of environmentalism is increasing. We asked this week's Expert Panel: How green (environmentally friendly) is the security industry? How should the industry as a whole (integrators and manufacturers) work to improve the industry’s environmental record?

An £8.7m visitor centre to open up access to one of the East End’s ‘open-air lungs’ has been completed at a strategic 500-acre Thames Water site. The Walthamstow Wetlands project allows visitors to enjoy and learn about the Walthamstow Reservoirs’ distinctive built and natural heritage, which is unique in London. Because the area includes water treatment stations and other operational sites, it needed protection to separate public areas from CNI zones, for which Thames Water has ordered security fencing through Binns Fencing. Binns have installed ArmaWeave, HiSec and Axiom steel mesh from parent company Zaun around strategic Thames Water assets, while Duo fencing, sliding gates and railings have been included at all main entrances. Oak Habitat gates and post and wire fencing provide a more natural boundary to non-secure areas. The principal contractor of the project was London-based construction company Rooff, a family-run business with a track record stretching back 100 years. The area’s distinctive nature stems from the site’s importance as a historic operational landscape that supplies drinking water to London, and its rich biodiversity, which is of international importance for water birds.The concept is to create a ‘green core’ of naturalised landscape at the heart of the reservoir complex Safe naturalised landscape                      The concept is to create a ‘green core’ of naturalised landscape at the heart of the reservoir complex with a generous pathway through the centre of the site and connecting to the strategic pedestrian and cycle route through the middle of the Lee Valley. The project was designed by architect Witherford Watson Mann and landscape architects KLA, with engineers P3r and TALL, consultants Studio Dekka and collaborating organisation Counterculture also involved. The reservoirs’ importance as a potential nature reserve was recognised as early as 1945 by Professor Patrick Abercrombie, who said, “A series of great reservoirs [is] acquiring a charm of [its] own as trees grow round them and on their little islands – they are becoming nature reserves for large numbers of birds and the resort of privileged fisherman.” “These areas are a great open-air lung to the crowded East End – their preservation is essential...Every piece of open land should be welded into a great regional reservation.”

Hikvision cameras and a specially designed SKOV VMS allows handlers to monitor the pigs Hikvision worked with farm management solutions provider SKOV to bring the art of weighing pigs into the 21st Century, with the help of mini-dome cameras and a bespoke VMS system. The pig is one of the most populous large mammals in the world, with an estimated 986.6 million pigs at any one time. This also means, of course, that piggeries are big business, as pork is the most commonly meat consumed worldwide. Part of managing a piggery is to ensure that each pig is able to grow to its full potential. The average weight of a pig at market is 275 lbs, but keeping an eye on the weight of individual animals can be tricky. If a pig is smaller than it pen-mates, it is likely to be pushed away when it comes to feeding time. This means it will not grow to its full size. In this situation, pig farmers may move the smaller pigs into a separate pen, so they can get to the food and ‘catch up’ with their larger brothers and sisters. Methods and challenges But how do you weigh a pig? Traditional methods involved a tape measure and many hands and were, of course, very time consuming to complete. And that was without the math part at the end! Later methods saw farmers installing weighing apparatus, which was costly, and also time consuming with handlers needing to ‘persuade’ individual pigs onto the scales. Another issue with this system was that accuracy could be affected, as it was hard to tell if the scales had just one pig on them. “The pig handlers need to drag the pigs physically to the scales, which is not only very hard, time-consuming work, but also stresses the pig out”, said Kasper Ronn Christensen, Strategic Purchaser at SKOV. “Stressed pigs don’t eat, which also affects their growth rate.” Hikvision cameras and SKOV VMS solution Enter a whole new innovative solution, using Hikvision cameras and a specially designed SKOV VMS. After testing various cameras, SKOV approached Hikvision because of the competitive price and clear, reliable pictures even at only 2MP resolution. That, combined with the ability to build a firmware specifically for their needs, persuaded SKOV to work with Hikvision. Between four and eight 2-line mini-dome cameras (DS-2CD2142FWD-I (4mm)) are placed in the pigpens, to allow handlers to see what’s going on and to monitor the growth progress of the pigs. These specific cameras were chosen because of the low amount of spare space in a pigpen and the importance of an affordable solution. Weight calculation and monitoring “We were looking for a solution that could be used by piggeries all over the world”, says Kasper Ronn Christensen. “That meant we needed to make it simple, practical and affordable. The fact that, even at a relatively low resolution of 2MP, clear actionable pictures were consistently available made these cameras a smart choice.” Connection to the SKOV VMS means that the pigs’ weights can be calculated and so monitored. The VMS also gives alarms if a pig doesn’t follow the required growth rate, so steps can be taken. The success of the project in Denmark means it can be replicated all over the world to help piggeries to manage their pigs and make sure they maximise their potential. SKOV is offering the solution to all regions with piggeries, including in Thailand, where they have a subsidiary. Digitalised smart farming systems “The cameras are integrated and working as expected, so we can look to the future”, says Kasper Ronn Christensen. “We are really impressed with the way Hikvision adapted their firmware to our needs. I also love the innovative approach - who would have thought that a technology that was designed to help spot intruders could be used to ensure pigs grew to the correct weight!” Peter Guan, Channel and Marketing Director at Hikvision Europe, said: “We are heading to a future where traditional farming is digitalised into smart farming, where surveillance cameras are not only used for crime prevention at the farms, but also as useful tools for farmers. Hikvision’s ecosystem partner program allows easy software and hardware integration so that end users can benefit from an innovative and more powerful complete solution.”

ISD-Tech has installed 600 channels of surveillance video at over 30 solar farms across the UK For many years Network Video Technologies (NVT), has supplied an unparalleled choice of high-performance and cost-effective solutions for Solar Plant surveillance applications across Europe and America. With the recent introduction of Solar Plants to the UK, British power producers are now reaping the benefits of NVT transmission technology when securing these high-value sites. To date, Integrated Security Design Ltd (ISD-Tech), has installed 600 channels of surveillance video at over 30 solar farms across the UK; gaining an industry-wide reputation for providing high-quality, high-performance CCTV systems in these harsh RFI environments. Based on a common specification, the installations have all featured NVT UTP CCTV Hybrid Video™ technology to provide interference immune high-quality CCTV image transmission, over distances of up to 1.6km (1 mile). Nicky Stokes, MD of ISD-Tech takes up the story: “We first became involved with solar plants when we expanded one of our existing customer’s sites using NVT technology. Since then, we have become known as an industry authority on the subject of solar plant CCTV design and installation. Our in-house design team pride themselves on guiding our customers through the entire installation, from conception, through CAD design, to installation and remote maintenance.” The NVT advantage Specified by ISD-Tech as an alternative cable medium versus the use of coax, Cat5 UTP is used to provide the cornerstone of their high-performance CCTV video transmission solution. The use of flexible UTP cable permits simple and quick installations, and has helped to minimise engineering time on-site and disruption to site operations - with the associated cost saving and project management benefits this brings. “This is a critical factor at these solar sites,” explains Nicky. “The use of NVT transmission technology has been so successful that it has been included at each site, as part of the authorised technical specification. The NVT product is of such a high-quality that we are happy to include this in all future installations." Economical performance Providing an economical deployment of NVT technology, the ISD-Tech installations employ NVT NV-214A-M single NVT technology has been integrated at the sites to provide the best of both analogue CCTV and digital video transmission solutions channel video transceivers at each static camera, and transmit video via Cat5 UTP to  NVT NV-1642 16-Channel StubEQ™ Active Receiver Hubs, connected locally to a digital video recorder (DVR). From the DVR, images are encoded onto a WAN for distribution to a remote control room, which centrally monitors all the solar plant sites 24/7. “This design template is also readily expandable,” continues Nicky. “It’s simple and cost-effective to cater for theaddition of new cameras to cover newly expanded areas of the solar fields, as and when they are required. “Unlike some of the cheaper UTP baluns that many of our installation competitors use, thanks to NVT’s unique ‘built-in’ interference immunity, we are able to install NVT UTP cables in ducting alongside the sites’ main power transmission infrastructure. It’s very reassuring to know that we can rely on NVT products to be totally unaffected by the proximity of huge RFI power sources, and deliver perfect camera images to the control room." Another benefit is that the end-user doesn’t have to pay for expensive separate cable ducting to be installed. “The current flow of each solar field changes throughout the day, posing quite a challenge to video transmission - as high-power outputs are produced by the solar fields at mid day, falling with the onset of evening. This is where the automatic adjustment of camera video signal by NVT DigitalEQ™ technology comes into its own, providing a solution by continuously adjusting signal levels to ensure that the same great image quality is transmitted back to the equipment room - no matter what the available light or electrical conditions.” Best of both worlds Solar fields across the UK are monitored by the combined digital and analogue technology from NVT NVT technology has been integrated at the sites to provide the best of both analogue CCTV and digital video transmission solutions. High-quality NVT analogue camera signals are distributed to an on-site DVR, to afford the best possible quality of recorded images for investigative/evidential purposes. In addition, both live and recorded camera images are encoded for browser-based monitoring. “This means the power provider can secure and protect the solar fields, whilst also meeting their duty of care responsibilities – ensuring any trespassers can be identified and stopped quickly,” explains Nicky. “Due to the large electrical currents they produce, solar fields can be hazardous places. Our CCTV systems have proven to provide a very effective security and management tool, ensuring only authorised personnel gain site access.” Thanks to the installation expertise of ISD-Tech engineers, NVT UTP CCTV video transmission products are yielding significant savings, superior image quality and consistency of interference free camera video in Solar Plant surveillance systems across the UK. The NVT based CCTV installations have a track-record of providing a flexible, future-proof security and management aid, that can protect infrastructure and capital investment at these cutting-edge power generation facilities. In the future, many more sites will benefit from ISD-Tech’s technical know-how, as the company plans to install the same CCTV system specification at 40 more solar farms across the UK.

Johnson Controls provided guidance and support for the project team, using Green Compass, a software application tool and services Parrish Medical Center (PMC), a state of Florida tax district entity, operates as a not-for-profit hospital serving North Brevard County, Florida, since 1958. PMC, based in Titusville, has continuously expanded its services and facilities to meet the needs of a growing community. Building for sustainability is a natural extension of Parrish Medical Center’s commitment to the creation of patient-centered healing experiences. PMC leadership and staff believe that the physical environment can play a significant role in patient care. This belief is evidenced by the center’s collaboration with Johnson Controls to use green design and a lifecycle approach in the construction of its new outpatient facility, Parrish Healthcare Center at Port St. John. The facility earned the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) silver certification for a healthcare outpatient building in the state of Florida. The certification recognises high-performance buildings that benefit the occupants as well as the environment. The new outpatient healthcare campus is meeting the needs of the growing population in Port St. John, a community located just 20 miles south of the main hospital. The 33-acre site includes nature trails and a wildlife preserve land allocation, which is a LEED credit. Approximately 60 healthcare professionals and support staff work at the 72,500-squarefoot center, which houses diagnostic imaging, physical therapy and rehabilitation, a sleep-disorder lab and physician’s offices. “We’re proud to have built a facility that is what the community asked for. Too often a facility is created with little or no community input, which was not the case here,” says Chris Fox, director of the Parrish Healthcare Center at Port St. John. “The fact that the new Port St. John health care center is also ‘green’ is a tremendous benefit for the community and a reason for them to be proud of what they created with Parrish, “adds Christopher Male, FACHE, medical center developer, responsible for select facility development projects at PMC. Collaborative approach to building for sustainability PMC’s vision of creating the best healing experience for patients on a continuous basis helped shape the design of the new outpatient center. Hospital leadership understands that building for sustainability requires a long-term, lifecycle approach and smart decisions throughout the construction process. By taking a collaborative approach with the design and construction team and Johnson Controls, PMC was successful in bringing together different professional perspectives and then deciding what is best, based on healthy, patient-centered outcomes. To assist with this process Johnson Controls conducted an Innovation Services workshop with key stakeholders and the design team to help explore approaches for cost-effectively integrating systems, infrastructure and technology. The workshop provided a forum for defining and communicating PMC’s vision and objectives, and aligning the building design and technology with those goals. Innovation Services’ collaborative process allowed internal and external stakeholders to be involved early in the planning and helped meet one of the primary goals uncovered in the workshop – that all stakeholders in the new project succeed together to win. In addition, Innovation Services improved the upfront planning process, which helped meet the goal of remaining on budget and meeting individual expectations. Serving as the LEED accredited professional for the project, Johnson Controls provided guidance and support for the project team, using Green Compass, a software application tool and services which allowed the priorities defined in the workshop to be aligned with the LEED rating system. By aligning with the LEED objectives defined in this process, PMC was able to impact mission-critical goals. As the green building advocate with Male, Johnson Controls assessed the design with the project team as well as evaluated credits for cost, payback and mission alignment to establish the certification scope. Johnson Controls further reviewed all design documents, offering design assistance and bringing lifecycle considerations to the table that would provide savings in both first costs and operational costs while assuring project goals were met. A model of the building’s energy consumption created by the design team was reviewed by Johnson Controls, which allowed a performance guarantee to be tied to the project. Another way that the team managed project costs, was to leverage Novation, a contracting services company that helps manage and reduce supply costs for VHA, University Healthsystem Consortium and Provista. Johnson Controls also serves as the facility lifecycle performance partner, helping ensure that long-term energy consumption for HVAC equipment and lighting will remain within a specific range required for LEED certification. A Johnson Controls Metasys® building management system allows for the measurement and verification of energy use, which contributes to LEED project goals. Johnson Controls is responsible for maintaining the building controls, security system and HVAC equipment Specifically, Johnson Controls served as the design assist and construction manager for the critical building systems including mechanical, plumbing, electrical, building controls, information technology and security systems. This included management of subcontractors and installation of the Metasys system and a Johnson Controls P2000 security management system. Additionally, Johnson Controls recommended and installed a YORK® air-cooled chiller instead of the packaged rooftop unit specified in earlier project designs. The air-cooled chiller resulted in lower installation and operating costs. Johnson Controls is responsible for maintaining the building controls, security system and HVAC equipment under a service agreement. LEED supports hospital’s design approach PMC leadership chose to pursue the LEED approach to new construction after learning about it from leaders in the field of sustainable design, including Johnson Controls. “LEED supports our evidence-based design approach by incorporating elements we’ve found to be important to healing while providing additional benefits to our operations.” says Male. “Interesting similarities exist between evidence-based design and LEED. By combining the two we can maximise benefits to patients, the environment, clinical performance and administrative efficiency,” adds Fox. Evidence-based design seeks to identify the effect of the environment on patients and staff, and guide decisions. Research indicates that environments play an integral role in healing the body, mind and spirit. Pursuing LEED helped to achieve a “healthy building,” one of seven elements of a healing environment that PMC wanted to provide the community. Other elements include nature, colour, healthy lighting, physical security, wayfinding and cultural responsiveness. As the LEED certification consultant, Johnson Controls collaborated with PMC staff and the design team from concept to completion to achieve a design based on patient-centered outcomes that meet LEED requirements. To receive certification, criteria must be met in six broad categories including sustainable site development, water conservation, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design. Johnson Controls assisted PMC in the LEED submittal process. “The LEED certification process served as a guide for creating something that is much more than just a building,” says Male. “We feel we have created a destination that will positively affect everyone who comes into contact with it.” Design incorporates seven elements of a healing environment: Nature The greenfield site development and design emphasises the natural beauty. The existing ecology was respected by incorporating the vegetation into the design. The natural, healing elements transition into the interior by placing plants and a fountain in the atrium. Colour and healthy lighting “We feel we have created a destination that will positively affect everyone who comes into contact with it” These two elements are complementary and are considered together. The choice of interior finishes respect the colour and texture of the site’s vegetation. Bright finishes and sophisicated lighting contribute to the healing environment. Healthy building The interior building materials use recycled content, emit low VOCs and are easily maintained, which enhance the building’s sustainability. Incorporating quiet patient areas and designing for patient flow creates a therapeutic environment. Physical security A state-of-the-art Johnson Controls security system protects patients, visitors and employees. The center is built to withstand 130 mph winds and is above the 100-year flood plain. Wayfinding  Good wayfinding such as clear and visible graphics and signage, which denote different areas of the building, create a sense of place. Cultural responsiveness The center contains colours, fabric textures and artwork that are specific to the local habitat. Parrish Healthcare Center at Port St. John incorporated the following features in order to qualify for LEED certification: Sustainable site development Building footprint is equal to or less than the surrounding space Storm water is managed and treated Reflective roofing material reduces heat gain Preferred parking available to high efficiency, alternative fuel vehicles and carpoolers Bicycle racks and showers available Light retained on-site at PMC and at minimal levels to reduce light pollution to surrounding areas Water conservation Use of native vegetation requires 50% less watering Holding ponds trap rain water for use in irrigation Low-flow plumbing fixtures reduce water usage by 20% Dual flush toilets, waterless urinals reduce water usage by 30% Johnson Controls Metasys building management system allows for the measurement and verification of energy use Energy and atmosphere High-efficiency lighting incorporates occupancy and daylighting sensors High-efficiency YORK HVAC equipment uses the least harmful refrigerants Integrated Johnson Controls Metasys building management system used for measurement and verification Materials and resources Implemented policies and procedures for recycling 50% of construction waste was diverted from landfills 10% of construction materials contain recycled content 60% of manufactured materials were obtained within 500 miles of the site Indoor environmental quality No smoking policy established Indoor air quality management plan implemented for subcontractors Low VOC adhesives, sealants, paints, carpeting and composite woods were used Metasys system monitors and controls HVAC equipment for maximised efficiency and thermal comfort within ASHRAE standards Metasys system maintains indoor air quality by monitoring CO2 levels and introducing outside air when necessary Building flushed out prior to occupancy Innovation and design Implemented Johnson Controls Sustainable Energy & Education Communications program for Parrish Heathcare Center staff Educational kiosk informs visitors and patients of sustainable features Implemented high-performance green housekeeping program Johnson Controls provided multiple, LEED-accredited professionals from concept through completion Land dedicated to nature preserve provides healthy healing environment and provides habitat for endangered Scrub-Jay

Employees access the key control system by scanning their employee ID badge / access card The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati uses a KeyWatcher® key control and management system by Morse Watchmans to safeguard the keys to the District's vans, bulldozers, cranes, service trucks and cars, and make the keys available to authorised employees whenever they are needed. Six 48-key KeyWatcher cabinets store about 180 keys used by the district's 150 employees to serve wastewater collection needs.  Some keys are restricted to individual employees or to small groups, and the keys are stored in the various KeyWatcher cabinets according to the department that uses them. Employees access the key control system by scanning their employee ID badge/access card, which has an embedded RFID chip.  “Before the key control system was adopted, keys were stored on a pegboard in the Sewer District with spare keys kept in a box, which was not a good system,” said Rahn A. Wuest, Wastewater Collections (WWC) Supervisor of Cincinnati's Metropolitan Sewer District. “KeyWatcher now makes it easy to access and control keys, providing more convenience for employees and keeping our vehicles and equipment safe and secure.”  Each key is attached by a stainless steel locking ring to a SmartKey with an identification chip. SmartKeys fit into key slots in KeyWatcher key control cabinets, which keep track of who removed any key, when it was taken and when it was returned. KeyPro III software tracks the keys and sends emails automatically when a key has not been returned. The software can also limit access to certain keys only to authorised employees. The system can help identify who was driving a vehicle at a certain time, for example, if there is a report of a District vehicle speeding or running a traffic light. With fewer lost keys, there is less need to put spare keys into service.  “The installation at Cincinnati's Sewer District demonstrates the value of the KeyWatcher system to improve management and accountability of employees accessing a fleet of vehicles and equipment,” said Fernando Pires, VP Sales and Marketing, Morse Watchmans. “Keeping keys safe and knowing who accesses keys boosts overall efficiency and security at an affordable cost.” 

The first LEED certified green building in Malta, SCMO1 covers 12,000m2 of office space over The SituationSituated at the heart of SmartCity Malta, ‘SCM01’ is a commercial building covering 12,000m² of office space spread over seven storeys, providing a series of flexible office suites together with shared facilities and ample parking for knowledge workers and visitors.SmartCity Malta is continuously striving towards excellence andcommitting to green policies. Consecutively, SmartCity Malta’sdevelopment is planned in studied phases with technologicallyadvanced green buildings that enable its tenants to operate in a secure, comfortable and safe environment.In line with its commitment, SCM01 is the first LEED certified green building in Malta. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an internationally recognised green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building has been designed and built in a way intended to improve performance in metrics such as energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emission reduction and improved indoor environmental quality. To underline this efficiency commitment, it was important that the technology within building SCM01 would contribute towards it achieving LEED certification.A key element in optimising SCM01’s efficiency was enabling the Honeywell Pro-Watch® security management system to share signals with the Tridium Building Management System (BMS). As a result, SmartCity Malta required a mechanism that would aid in seamlessly integrating the two systems.SmartCity Malta invited Building Services consultants from ‘Scicluna & Associates’ to determine the most appropriate solution, who in turn selected systems integrator ‘Engineering for Science and Industry (ESI) Malta Ltd’ to manage the design and installation. OmniASSURE MIFARE card readers wereinstalled to monitor access control cards presented at door entry The SolutionA Honeywell Pro-Watch® Corporate Edition security system was installed to control the access of SCM01’s 30 doors and ESI Malta Ltd also provided detailed expertise integrating the Pro-Watch system with the Tridium BMS by producing a specific adapter using the Honeywell Software Development Kit (HSDK). This adapter enables Pro-Watch and the BMS to efficiently share each other’s input and output signals. Also as part of the security system, intruder detection and video surveillance products were installed. OmniAssure™ MIFARE card readers from Honeywell are also installed to monitor when an access control card is presented at door entry and exit points. Using Honeywell PW6000 intelligent controllers, Pro-Watch sends signals to the BMS whenever an access control card is presented to one of the readers. The access control cards can be programmed with cardholder’s credentials including their personalised preferences for temperature and lighting settings. Due to the integration with the BMS, these settings are then applied based upon the person’s location within the building.The BMS also receives inputs from other security and safety related systems which are now displayed and recorded via Pro-Watch too. Such systems include; fire alarm (where the individual ‘fire zone’ is identified), emergency lighting, Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), back-up power generator, water leakage alarm, IT infrastructure and voice alarm system. For example, when an emergency event such as a fire alarm is triggered, the system automatically records and displays video images of the specific zone. Equally, in the event of a failure with the UPS, an alarm is shown via the Pro-Watch interface. Honeywell IP OTZ mini dome and boxcameras survey the public areas in theSCM01 building Video surveillance of the public areas is carried out with Honeywell IP PTZ mini dome and box cameras. The high definition images are captured and managed by the Honeywell MAXPRO® VMS video management system which also integrates with Pro-Watch. MAXPRO VMS gives the security team at SmartCity Malta complete control over all video sources. This includes control of live video from the cameras and enabling them to view video captured before, during and after every alarm/event received from Pro-Watch. Intruder detection is also integrated via the Pro-Watch system. Sturdy and reliable DUAL TEC® motion sensors and door contacts from Honeywell are installed throughout the building. Alarm outputs triggered from these are managed by MAXPRO VMS and live video instantly shows the area in question on the video wall. At the same time, the BMS sounds a siren and increases the brightness of the lights in the area where the intruder is located.The BenefitsAn Efficient BuildingIn line with SmartCity Malta’s green commitment, SCM01 is one of the first buildings in Malta that has achieved such a high standard for a technologically-advanced green building, enabling its tenants to operate in an efficient, comfortable and productive environment. The system can continuously check the occupation status of each room / zone by monitoring the presence of access control cardholders and adjusting the lighting and flow of fresh air accordingly. Lights are turned on automatically when rooms become occupied and turned off when they become vacant. In addition, CO2 sensors installed within the premises send signals to the BMS which combine with inputs from Pro-Watch to regulate the amount of fresh air delivered to each room depending on occupancy. Similarly, air flow and lighting is adjusted within meeting rooms when a visitor’s access card is presented. High definition images werecaptured by Honeywell IP PTZmini dome and box cameraswere managed by HoneywellMAXPRO VMS Since the BMS is integrated to other infrastructure systems and equipment within the building which are not directly related to security, critical alarm statuses and conditions from these systems are sent and recorded as events in Pro-Watch. This innovative feature gives the operators visibility of the status of other building infrastructure services which in turn enhances the safety and business continuity of the building occupants and owners.The data from the BMS, which includes inputs from Pro-Watch, also provides new energy-analytic reporting tools and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The SmartCity Malta management team use these statistics to monitor and measure the performance of the building as part of a continual process of measurement and verification of installed building systems. These readings ensure that the building operates as intended and maintains operational efficiencies. Competitive edgeProviding a state-of-the-art Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure with a converged BMS and security system within a technologically-advanced green building not only underpins SmartCity Malta’s corporate responsibility towards the environment, but it allows it to differentiate itself from other commercial buildings and developments to help attract worldwide ICT brands as tenants. SCM01 allows tenants to operatein an efficient, comfortable andproductive environment Optimum security and convenienceVia Pro-Watch, the BMS assesses the occupation levels of the building 24/7. At night time, to optimise security, additional footpath and car park lighting can be turned on when any cardholders working late leave the building. One easy-to-use systemThe security team manages and controls the system via a dynamic, graphical user interface- the ‘Alarm and Event Monitor’, which displays clearly all alarm statuses and conditions from the BMS and Pro-Watch. For added convenience the interface is integrated with computer tablets and smart phones for access away from the control room.The MAXPRO VMS system enables the IP video cameras to be controlled with ease and any images to be displayed clearly on the bank of monitors. Operators are quickly and clearly alerted to alarm events and incidents, and video pursuit is possible via motion detection using a set of surrounding cameras.Partner of choiceEngineering for Science and Industry (Malta) Ltd.Engineering for Science and Industry (Malta) Ltd. is an ISO9001-2000 certified registered company who are specialists in the design, installation and commissioning of automation and specialist solutions within the following generic fields:• Building Energy Management Systems• Industrial and Process Automation and controls• Security and Safety Systems• Home Automation With many years of experience and specialised knowledge, ESI is able to provide a wide range of services encompassing all aspects of the Automated Controls, security and Safety Engineering Industry.