Perimeter security is the first and some would say the most important layer of security for residential estates. There have been many technologies developed to supplement the traditional wall or fence, from electric fencing to thermal and visible light cameras and more.
To supplement the physical perimeter defences of estates, Solution House Holdings, a local company based in the Western Cape from where it serves customers in Africa and the UK, has launched a Perimeter Intrusion Detection System (PIDS) designed and manufactured by UK-based Detection Technologies. The solution, VibraTek, has been operationally installed for more than 15 years throughout Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East at national key points such as airports, prisons and power stations, and high-security estates.
Solution House’s Tiaan Janse van Rensburg explains that the system consists of a sensor cable which detects acoustic vibrations and an analyser which determines if the signal constitutes an actual breach of the perimeter. The microphonic acoustic cable is surrounded with a UV-protected polyethylene coating which ensures the sensor cables are able to operate in any weather condition.
The cable is fitted to the inside of a fence (new or existing) where it picks up vibrations from the immediate environment, which is sent to an IP-68 rated, lightning and surge protected analyser for identification. While many similar solutions rely on standard ‘dumb’ coaxial cable, the VibraSensor cable is specifically designed and manufactured as a PIDS sensor cable, which allows for unparalleled sensitivity and accuracy.
The analyser has numerous adjustable settings such as impact level, frequency and duration to isolate a breach from noise on the fence such as wind, tree branches or bushes, or even a person checking if an electric fence is active. This gives the system immense accuracy in detecting actual breach attempts.
There are two options to choose from. VibraTek is a solution designed for large perimeter installations and has a range of 1000 m that can be covered by one analyser. The analyser can accommodate up to 98 unique zones per 1000 m. VibraTek comes standard with 10 relays and is IP network enabled. The addition of more analysers will naturally extend the length of perimeter that can be covered. Each zone can be configured according to its own set of unique detection parameters to accommodate variations in fence quality and type within a single system, without incurring false alarms or creating blind spots.
The MikroTek solution operates on the same principle, but for smaller perimeters with a maximum range of 300 m, and only accommodates one zone. MikroTek is not networkable and comes with relays and is designed to link with traditional alarm panels as a separate zone.
Janse van Rensburg adds that the solution can be integrated into existing security management systems and other security technology – like surveillance cameras, etc. Depending on the analyser model used, the system can communicate back to the control room and security systems via IP network or relays and numerous integration options are available for security and video management systems.
VibraTek and MikroTek can alert on a number of alarm types, including:
• Cutting of the fence.
• Climbing the fence.
• Placing a ladder against a fence.
• Bumping against the fence.
• Sawing of fence poles.
• Digging against fence.
• Cutting the cable.
The VibraTek PIDS solution can be supplied to any reputable security installer and Solution House will assist the company with training, solution design and any system integration.
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