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Aesthetics and functionality

At an upmarket townhouse complex in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, security originally comprised a control room, guards and a closed circuit television (CCTV) surveillance system. The developer decided to further enhance residents’ security with the addition of an intrusion detection system.

Owing to the particular dynamics of a complex where residents typically spend little time at home, units are often vacant. Stylishly and expensively furnished, these empty homes are desirable targets for robbers, hence the need for an aesthetically-pleasing, state-of-the-art intrusion detection system. Most units have patios, gardens and/or balconies, which required outdoor as well as indoor protection.

The system had to link to the complex’s control room, so that security personnel could be immediately dispatched in the event of an alarm being triggered.

In addition, the system not only had to be easy to use but also able to notify owners of the security status of their properties at any time. Since most residents use their cellphones and 3G cards for communication, units invariably don’t have fixed telephone lines. This demanded alternative methods of communication between control room and owners.

Considering the wide use of water and reflective material used in the complex, the outdoor trigger had to be able to differentiate between real threats and reflections.

The Elvey team recommended the DSC intruder detection system, which fulfilled the developer’s requirements perfectly. The DSC wireless alarm system took less than an hour to install eight zones in a unit. Not only does this save on installation time and costs, but its slick design blends in with any architecture.

Elvey then suggested that the Bentel GSM/GPRS wireless alarm communicator be incorporated into the system, to inform both residents and security guards of alarm triggers via SMS over the GSM/GPRS network. In the event of an alarm, the communicator operates as a SMS dialler, capable of automatically dialling up to eight pre-programmed telephone numbers to deliver an alarm message.

Specifically designed to be centrally wall-mounted, the wireless battery-operated BX-80NR from Optex, with its long, narrow detection capabilities, covers the perimeter with a multi-layered, horizontal barrier that detects intruders before they break in.

Best practice

“Keeping the undesirable elements out of the estate whilst still keeping the estate friendly enough for visitors, could be considered the primary goal of estate security systems. Access control plays a vital role here and choosing a feature-packed product that can handle all the different risks estates pose, but that’s also robust enough to handle the traffic, is a challenge,” said Sean McCarthy, regional sales manager at Elvey.

“I believe that one should use the experts, as in an external company. The selection process and consequent service level agreement is key to how your security is handled. External companies have the necessary skills set.

“Better education on products will see these systems being optimally used by residents and security staff. In addition, new technology that is available can manage guards on patrol as well as help the guards patrolling to be more effective whilst on patrol.”

McCarthy added that a strong database, containing name, ID and fingerprint of every visitor to the estate and outsourced contractors who perform permanent, temporary or domestic work is essential. “The flow of traffic has to be managed using biometrics. However, access control without video is going to offer only half the picture and management capability. The concurrent use of both technologies offers a great deterrent for an estate.”

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