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Integrated system for petrochemical company

In a recent project, Johannesburg-based company AFS Systems was awarded the contract to design, supply and install a fully integrated security system for a major, international petrochemical company that has sites in both Chad and Cameroon.

The requirements of the projects included all security aspects from access control, alarm monitoring, security fencing monitoring and an extensive CCTV system with full digital management and recording functions. There are five project locations in total and each has an identical CCTV configuration and equipment but some with varying matrix capacity and varying quantities and placement of cameras.

For the largest site, AFS Systems decided to use the Allegiant Matrix LTC 8600 from Bosch Security Systems, which has the capacity to control and monitor up to 256 cameras. This unit has been located in a dedicated equipment room specifically designed to house the security equipment. There are three Intui-Keyboards intelligent digital keyboards strategically located in the security and process control centres to control the entire system. In addition, the Allegiant Matrix system including the AutoDomes 'PTZs', can be controlled from within the Lenel OnGuard system by means of a simple serial interface.

Fixed LTC 0450 high resolution cameras are provided to survey internal locations while G3 AutoDomes are deployed externally to monitor the fence and the production and accommodation areas. The domes are positioned at a height of 12 m and are utilised by both security and process control personnel. A total of nine 21" high-performance colour monitors have been provided at the three control locations.

Each operator console is programmed to prioritise viewing of the most critical operation or activity without interference from other operators. Any camera input can be displayed on any monitor by a simple selection process, in addition the AutoDome/PTZ cameras are configured to pan, tilt and zoom to a specific location upon receipt of an alarm input from the security system.

Each camera input is recorded digitally by the integrated digital management system. Any camera input can be recorded continuously or recording is triggered by event or motion detection through the lens. The entire configuration is user-definable and is simply modified to incorporate changes to the site layout. All external cameras utilise fibre-optic cable to eliminate external interference from external electrical sources.

AFS Systems carried out the system design process in South Africa and all components underwent extensive factory acceptance testing in Johannesburg. The detailed documentation and installation procedures had to be mapped out in fine detail to ensure that any potential installation problems could be ironed out before they were installed. The contractors had to be sure that the technologically advanced systems would work even in remote sites that have poor infrastructure.

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