Axis Communications, PROTECT and Milestone Systems collaborate on fog security system

The three partners demonstrate the advantages of combining fog cannons and security cameras

Fog is an effective form of security which ensures intruders are unable to locate valuables or find their way around inside the protected company, shopping centre or school. However, the fog makes it difficult for police to find the burglar – unless they use police dogs, which can work unhampered in an area with fog security.

In traditional fog security systems, fog cannons are activated by the electronic intruder alarm, but an increasing number of companies and retailers are using fog proactively, activating the fog cannon manually in connection with a break-in or assault. In these situations there is a particular need for the guard to be able to 'see' through the fog. Thermal cameras make this possible. Axis and PROTECT therefore tested the idea and worked out the ideal solution in cooperation with Milestone Systems.

Cameras for detection or recognition

Traditional surveillance cameras detect light, which is reproduced in fine detail and generally in colour, while thermal surveillance cameras detect heat, which is displayed as black-and-white images on the screen. The two types of camera are therefore often used in combination, with the traditional camera providing 'recognition' and the thermal camera providing 'detection'.

The new combination may be used, for example, by a guard monitoring the screens in a control centre. The moment he becomes aware of a break-in, he activates the fog cannon in the affected area of the company, school or shopping centre. The intruders will become disoriented, while the guard can still see where they are in the building, how many there are, and whether or not they are armed.

Axis supplies a series of thermal cameras developed for indoor or outdoor use. All types can be used together with all types of PROTECT fog cannons. The Axis and PROTECT systems are linked and can be controlled using software from Milestone Systems.

Important strategic cooperation

“Our strategic cooperation with Milestone Systems and Axis Communications has fulfilled our strong desire to be able to locate and monitor intruders in rooms filled with fog. It has also resulted in a synergy effect, whereby all three parties can offer new and exciting solutions to the industry and end users,” notes PROTECT CEO Poul Dalsgaard.

The complete system has been installed at PROTECT's head office in Viby J., Denmark, where the three strategic partners have remote access and can demonstrate the advantages of combining fog cannons and security cameras to their customers.

Danish quality

PROTECT fog cannons are manufactured in Denmark. The company is wholly owned by Poul Dalsgaard and Claus Damgaard.

Recently, PROTECT A/S exports more than 80 per cent of its production to more than 40 countries worldwide. In Denmark, PROTECT is the undisputed market leader, selling its fog cannons through a nationwide network of professional alarm installation contractors.

Since Protect was established in 2001, the company has manufactured and installed more than 40,000 security fog protection systems worldwide. The systems have been installed at customers as diverse as goldsmiths, opticians, radio/TV and IT retailers, service stations, food shops, local authorities and state institutions as well as in private homes.

For example, Jyske Bank has protected its 120 branches with fog cannons to prevent the bank’s valuable furniture and AV and IT equipment from theft. Moreover, the jeweller Georg Jensen’s designer store in central Copenhagen is protected with fog cannons, as well as the Danish retailers JYSK, STARK and REMA 1000.

Local customer contact is handled by a nationwide network of certified alarm installation contractors and dealers who possess considerable expertise and experience in relation to installing and operating PROTECT ’s products.