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Large-scale, multi-user remote panic and evacuation alarm systems

When it comes to installing large-scale remote panic alarm systems in developments such as shopping malls, the sheer geographical scale of the installation and number of users of the system can prove daunting. Optimal remote frequency transmission and reception are essential in order to ensure the tenant's security. This is not always easy to obtain due to structural barriers and long distances between the tenant locations throughout the centre and the Security Control Room. In addition, in order to ensure swift response by security in a time of crises, clear and easy interpretation of the signals and signal locations is vital.

Most older remote panic and evacuation alarm systems were divided into six channel receivers, hardwired to a central system that reported alarm conditions to the centre's security. This meant having numerous units of hardware equipment situated around the premise and still did not always solve the problem of transmission and reception range.

A combination of Bartonics remote frequency hardware and Sitronix software to create large-scale remote panic and evacuation alarm systems has proved successful in various installations.

Installations of full integrated systems have successfully been completed at the following well-known locations in Gauteng:

Northgate Shopping Centre in Randburg, Kolonnade Shopping Centre in Pretoria and Woodlands Boulevard, also in Pretoria.

For the most effective control, the client in each case decided to have an integrated panic alarm system so that the entire shopping centre's tenants could be monitored from a central control room. In other words, the security manager can access, view, control and respond to the entire system from his desktop PC.

At the Woodlands Boulevard an External Bartronics 242 channel printer receiver was installed in the central control room. Bartronics Dyno remote control transmitters were issued to all tenants for panic alarm situations. Door monitoring of fire escapes was achieved through the installation of Bartronics standalone alarm transmitters with fixed panic buttons in the parking lots wired to Bartronics standalone high-power alarm transmitters, mounted on light posts.

All alarm signals from the standalone remote locations are repeated using 403 MHz Bartronics External 242 channel repeaters installed at the extremes of the shopping centres. This ensures that all signals will be received by the printer receiver installed in the security control room.

The Sitronix software developed and customised to suit each location's requirement allows the client to have a graphic user interface for reporting of all alarms. The software has been developed in order to do away with duplication of tasks and to reduce costs. A comprehensive database incorporated in the software further allows the security management to scan the history for all events.

For more information contact Joe Hundermark, Sitronix, 011 760 5311, sales@sitronix.co.za, www.sitronix.co.za, Harry Bartlink, Bartronic Security Systems, 011 624 2637, sales@bartronics.co.za, www.bartronics.co.za

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