September 25, 2026
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Vertical Solutions

New EchoPoint DAS Sensors: Distributed Acoustic Sensors for Advanced Intrusion Detection

Fiber Sensys, part of the OPTEX Group, a leading sensor manufacturers for more than 40 years, has launched EchoPoint Distributed Acoustic Sensors (DAS) for advanced intrusion detection across the highest security sites

By: Marketing Dept., OPTEX Security; E-mail: optex@optex.com.pl

The latest evolution in fiber optic sensing technology, the new EchoPoint series utilizes intelligent detection algorithms to provide point detection of +/- 6m in a range of up to 100km. This highly accurate and reliable detection makes the sensors ideal for large perimeters and high-security sites, such as airports, logistic centers, railways, and critical infrastructure, and to protect data conduits and pipelines, where being able to locate and identify the precise point of intrusion is critical.

Advanced Algorithms

Thanks to its highly advanced pattern-recognition classification algorithm, the sensors are able to distinguish between common causes of false and nuisance alarms, such as wildlife and environmental conditions, and genuine intrusion attempts. The system is also immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI), radio frequency interference (RFI), and lightning providing a reliable and safe solution.

The flexibility and versatility of the EchoPoint series are such that they can be operated across multiple applications – installed on fences, buried, or in a hybrid layout. When mounted on a fence, the sensors can identify someone cutting the fence or attempting to climb it. When buried, the system can differentiate between footsteps, manual and machine digging, and vehicle movements.

To meet the individual needs of every site, the EchoPoint series features intelligent software zoning. This means different detection zones can be configured, with the ability to independently adjust the sensitivity and output within each zone, helping to provide maximum capture rates and minimize nuisance alarms.

Protection of Large Sites

Masaya Kida, Managing Director of OPTEX EMEA, says the new EchoPoint series has been developed to provide extremely advanced intrusion detection: “By utilizing the latest fibre optic sensing technology and highly intelligent classification algorithms, the new EchoPoint series is ideally suited to protect large sites where pinpoint intrusion location and detection is required to protect people, assets and infrastructure, and maintain business operations.”

When installed in a loop configuration, the sensors provide cut tolerance, so even if a sensor is cut or disconnected, the system will continue to operate. It can also feature dual redundancy so that in the unlikely event of a processor failure, the second processor will automatically take over to ensure the wider security system is maintained and remains operational. With an average lifespan of 20 years, EchoPoint DAS provides a cost-effective and future-proof sensing solution.

All EchoPoint DAS series is now available across EMEA. Visit https://www.optex-europe.com/products/intrusion-detection/echopoint-series for more information.

Reliable LPG Gas Monitoring in Modern Food Production

VALAMAR Riviera d.d. is the first and largest hotel chain in Croatia and the leading tourism company. It runs 36 hotels and resorts and 15 camping resorts on the Adriatic coast in Istria, on the islands of Krk and Rab, and in Makarska and Dubrovnik. In order to offer the holiday guests a consistently high standard of culinary quality, Valamar has opened a central purchasing department with modern food production called “Vinez” in Rabac, for supplying its tourist facilities from there according to HACCP standards.

Reliable Products From MSR-Electronic

In addition to the modern technology of the production plant, also called a large-scale catering kitchen, Valamar relies on products from MSR-Electronic: a reliable stationary LPG gas warning system from MSR-Electronic.

The PolyGard2 gas sensors not only reliably monitor LPG gas leaks in the production plant, but above all protect the people in this area from dangerous gas concentrations. LPG as a fossil fuel is often used for heating or cooking purposes.

C2 Exchangeable Sensors of the PolyGard2

The LPG gas sensor with digitized measured value processing, temperature compensation and self-monitoring for continuous monitoring of the ambient air is easily replaceable for recalibration on site.

The Sensor Cartridge SC2 includes a Pellistor sensor element, an amplifier, and a µController for measured values processing. All data and measured values of the sensor element are stored fail-safe in the µController and transmitted digitally via the local bus to the sensor board – in the case of Valamar to the Sensor Board SB2 by MSR.

The calibration management is also integrated into the µController of the Sensor Cartridge. Calibration is done by: simply replacing the Sensor Cartridge and using the comfortable, integrated calibration routine directly at the system.

GC-06 Gas Controller

The gas controller is designed in accordance with the standard EN 50545-1 and can monitor and evaluate up to 100 gas sensors, 96 of them PolyGard2 digital and/or 4 of them analog (4–20 mA) sensors. 4 free adjustable alarm thresholds are provided per sensor. For the alarm messages, the controller offers 4 alarm relays with potential-free change-over contact and two analog outputs with a 4–20 mA signal. A separate relay is integrated for fault message.

With the extension modules EP-06, the Gas Controller can manage up to: 32 analog gas sensors, 32 alarm relays, and 16 analog outputs. For the main and field bus outputs there is an integrated overload and reverse polarity protection.

The free adjustable parameters and set points enable very flexible use in many applications of the gas measuring technique. Simple and comfortable commissioning, however, is granted by the configuration with default parameters.

In the event of an incident, MSR-Electronic gas warning systems alert the production staff, close the gas supply via the solenoid valve, and in parallel send an alarm signal via the fire alarm control panel to the fire brigade.

New data center security tech for integrators to utilize

Data centers are like many mission-critical facilities, overwhelmed by an ever-increasing volume of data generated by many siloed safety and security systems. While all these systems provide valuable information, the sheer volume of unfiltered and uncorrelated inputs results in data “noise” that drowns out what’s essential and overloads operators.

By Prasanth Aby Thomas, asmag.com

“Today, more data centers are implementing situational awareness platforms that allow operators to focus on critical insights and execute the necessary actions to help protect what matters most,” explains Alan Stoddard, President of Cognyte Situational Intelligence Solutions. “These types of technologies identify the data needed to protect an organization’s most significant assets — in this case, network infrastructure — and are also part of the power of the intelligent security operations center.”

Additionally, the data visualization framework empowers security leaders to present historical data from systems into a live dashboard. With this type of centralized, real-time view, security teams can transform the way they track, visualize, analyze, and reach their security goals.

Focus beyond the data in data centers

 Data centers should consider deploying the same types of countermeasures that you would in any mission-critical facility, such as multi-factor authentication, anomaly detection, identity management, access control, and video surveillance.

But John Rezzonico, CEO of Edge360, points out that often the focus is still on the data security side. If the same protocols in establishing cybersecurity measures were used across physical security, these facilities would be better prepared to protect physical assets from threats.

“It’s also crucial for data centers to closely evaluate their video management platforms to ensure they can scale as risks and needs evolve,” Rezzonico said. “New VMS solutions today are built on modern IT infrastructure and containerization. A containerized system leads to better security because full-application isolation makes it possible to set each application’s primary process in separate containers. This also provides ease of maintenance and sustainment across an enterprise, which is more important when maintaining critical systems remotely.”

Physical security without compromising cybersecurity

While physical security integrators do need to look beyond data to get their work done, this should come at the cost of cybersecurity. In fact, ensuring both physical and cyber security with equal importance should become a prerogative for integrators because of the interconnected nature of modern devices.

“Security integrators need to ensure the vendors they are working with follow a security-first strategy when developing physical security systems,” Stoddard said. “Manufacturers should be providing physical security products that are cyber secure and tested regularly to ensure optimal compliance. This is non-negotiable in today’s evolving risk environment.”

Cyber security and physical security go together, and integrators need to know how to consider the impact of both physical and cyber breaches as part of their deployments. They must invest in understanding both sides of the security equation to deliver comprehensive service to mission-critical businesses like data centers. If not, they are opening the door to risk.

What integrators should know

Worldwide IT spending is projected to total $4.5 trillion in 2022, an increase of 3 percent from 2021, according to the latest forecast by Gartner. Spending on data center systems is forecast to experience the strongest growth of all segments in 2022 at 11.1 percent. This suggests the potential growth for physical security in this segment.

But while data centers offer a great business opportunity for security systems integrators, they need to make the customer realize its relevance. It’s essential for security integrators to work closely with the customer to make sure they know the considerations that need to be completed and the requirements for physical security within these complex environments.

“If integrators cannot teach the customer why they need to deploy the protections necessary, they shouldn’t be working within the data center market,” Rezzonico said. “To be truly successful in this market, integrators must understand the needs of the market and facilities as it relates to physical security and the customer’s complete business strategy.”

In short, to take advantage of the demand in this sector, integrators must have a clear understanding of the market and should be able to impart this knowledge to the customer. There are a number of solutions at their disposal for data center projects, but working with the unique requirements of each customer would prove to be the key.

Data centers often receive more attention for cybersecurity because of the nature of the assets they hold. While this is important, it leaves the physical side of things vulnerable to theft, robbery, and vandalism. Post the pandemic, this has become an even more critical issue because of the increased amount of data entrusted to these places.

The seriousness of the situation is not lost on most major data center managers. A quick search on Google for data center physical security would throw up specific pages on how AWS and Microsoft Azure protect their sites. That these companies feel the need to explain the measures they take indicates the severity of the matter.

But the biggest challenge in protecting data centers is the rapid pace at which they grow and evolve. Integrating physical and logical systems in such a dynamic environment requires careful consideration of various factors and optimized strategy. Asmag.com spoke to some of the top industry professionals to understand the biggest threats to data centers and how integrators can go about protecting them.

Major threats to data centers

Most data centers focus on software and implement data security tools such as firewalls to identify and mitigate cyber threats. But the need for the physical security of these facilities is paramount. A breach in physical security can lead to data theft and cause breaches that compromise data security.

“With the increasing threat of cyberattacks and natural disasters, we must work to ensure the security of data centers to protect intellectual property, ensure compliance and maintain security and resiliency standards to keep these facilities safe,” said Alan Stoddard President at Cognyte Situational Intelligence Solutions. “Additionally, we must be cognizant that data centers are evolving. The increased deployment of cloud-based and edge data center facilities will increase the demand for physical security solutions in the coming year.”

But perhaps the real problem now is not the lack of technology to protect data centers but the lack of its appropriate use. John Rezzonico, CEO of Edge360, pointed out that the lack of timely upgrades and maintenance is a major cause of concern.

“Data centers typically have many physical security devices in a small space or area, which can be challenging to manage,” Rezzonico said. “On top of that, many data centers establish security systems and then allow physical security software, like video management platforms, to become outdated. But this fact must change: As more businesses shift to remote work and the storage of critical data via the cloud and within these data centers expands, the need for solid security in these facilities is growing, and protecting them becomes more critical.”

It’s also important to note that the focus for these facilities has primarily been on protecting the network, which means physical security programs have taken a back seat. But the protection of the brick-and-mortar facility is just as, if not more, important as ensuring captured data is protected.

Checklist for data center physical security

Data center security should follow a specific formula for protecting assets, with the idea of concentric circles. The outer layer represents perimeter security; the next is the hardening of the facility itself and preventing unauthorized access.

Next, security leaders should focus on securing the racks where the data and servers are stored. Finally, there must be another added layer of security around the controls for those server rooms to prevent any bad actors from accessing them.

“At each level, there needs to be a standard amount of physical and cyber security protection, which should be common practice across data centers, whether public, private, co-located, or on-site,” Rezzonico said. “The same policies and methodologies should be applied no matter the size, type of data center, or location. Still, they are often not, creating a facility that lacks the proper security measures for protecting critical data.”

Stoddard agrees that the best way to secure a data center is to manage it in layers. A multi-layered approach best supports proactive planning and makes identifying and mitigating a failure or breach easy. Here are some best practices that he suggests to consider:

1.Conduct regular audits: Internal audits ensure that systems and processes are working as intended. Audits should check for vulnerabilities in the data center facilities as well as across systems and devices.

“Access control systems, video surveillance cameras, and electronic locks must be checked to ensure proper function,” Stoddard said. “Security leaders should also continually assess whether a change in personnel calls for an update in the procedures and systems.”

2. Strengthen situational awareness: Any facility requiring extra protection, like a data center, should adopt an intelligent security approach. Funneling all data and systems into one centralized platform provides a higher level of oversight over security and operations.

3. Establish redundancy: Avoid the opportunity for downtime or system failure that results in a shutdown by creating redundancy across your data center operations. Data center failures can be prevented with proactive planning, testing, and awareness.

4. Enhance video surveillance: Video systems should be comprehensive and cover indoor and outdoor areas. Additionally, 24/7 video monitoring is critical to helping identify potential anomalies before they become more significant issues. Security guards can also be an essential component in augmenting technology.

5. SOP updates: Standard operating procedures need to be evaluated and tested regularly. This process also includes refresher training on the emerging or new security measures that need to be followed. Because risks are changing and evolving rapidly, regular checks of existing processes and procedures are recommended.

Conclusion

The technology needed for physical security at data centers is not complex. But what is often not up to the mark is the maintenance and operation. Steps like regular audits and SOP updates that Stoddard suggested highlight this concern.

In the coming years, we will likely see the number of data centers increase worldwide as more customers become aware of the importance and convenience of cloud-based solutions. This means more opportunities for physical security systems integrators. While challenges are a concern, it presents new growth areas with the right approach.

Improve footfall flow with Checkpoint’s new One Way Surveillance Sensor

Helping retailers to improve store planning and the flow of footfall, Checkpoint Systems – a global leader in source-to-shopper solutions – has launched an innovative solution: the One Way Surveillance Sensor.

Store layouts are critical, designed to influence customer behaviour and improve store flow while highlighting key promotions and merchandise. Developed to monitor directional changes of customer movements in-store, Checkpoint’s One Way Surveillance Sensor enables retailers to monitor the effectiveness of their store planning and ensure that shoppers are navigating the shop floor as intended.

Often the measures put in place by retailers, such as gates or one-way doors, can be circumvented by shoppers or shoplifters. And, with shrinkage in Europe costing €49 billion every single year, retailers are increasingly investing in measures to help manage and improve loss prevention.

Mounted at store entrances, the One Way Surveillance radar sensor can be used not only to track customer flow, but to detect suspicious behaviour. For example, when a customer moves through the entrance in the wrong direction, it identifies the direction of traffic, signaling an alarm that alerts store personnel to investigate. This can be a standalone alarm or integrated within a wider EAS system.

Xxxx at Checkpoint Systems, commented: “Maintaining the flow of traffic should enhance the experience and not negatively impact the retail environment – its an essential part of store planning. By monitoring the flow of traffic, our new One Way Surveillance Sensor can also identify conspicuous changes that may indicate a possible theft.”

One Way Surveillance Sensor is available immediately. It is available as wired as standard, while wireless installation is also available on request.

About Checkpoint Systems

A division of CCL Industries, Checkpoint Systems is the only vertically integrated RF/RFID solution provider for retail. With consumer demands accelerating at an extraordinary rate driven by technology, Checkpoint delivers intelligent solutions – bringing clarity and efficiency into the retail environment anytime, anywhere. Through a unique offering of software, hardware, labels, tags, and connected cloud-based solutions, Checkpoint optimizes retail operations and efficiencies with real-time intuitive data delivered throughout the supply chain and in-store resulting in improved profitability and an enriched consumer experience. Checkpoint’s intelligent retail solutions are built upon 50 years of radio frequency technology expertise, innovative high-theft and loss prevention solutions, market-leading software, RFID hardware, and comprehensive labeling capabilities to brand, secure and track merchandise from source to shelf.

www.checkpointsystems.com

About CCL Industries

CCL Industries, a world leader in specialty label and packaging solutions for global corporations, small businesses, and consumers, employs approximately 19,000 people and operates 150 facilities in 25 countries on six continents with corporate offices in Toronto, Canada, and Framingham, Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.cclind.com.

Monitoring of pentane gas (EX) in foam production, Zagreb

Who doesn’t know it – the much-used polystyrene, popularly known as Styrofoam – it serves: for insulating buildings, to save a lot of CO2, and for protecting people, goods and food, e.g. crash helmets, packaging for televisions and fresh products. The special advantage of polystyrene: it is extremely light, it insulates excellently against heat and cold, and it is very resistant to mechanical and chemical influences.

Production of polystyrene

Petroleum is needed for the production of polystyrene. In classic suspension polymerisation, water and styrene are mixed. With the addition of the blowing agent pentane, the mixture forms a bead-shaped granulate, the expandable polystyrene (EPS). As soon as the EPS beads are heated with steam, they inflate to about fifty times their original size. After intermediate storage, the foam beads are filled into block moulds and welded together by heating them again with steam. The resulting polystyrene blocks are cut into sheets after a certain storage time.

Plastform d.o.o. in Croatia specialises in the production of polystyrene for use as thermal insulation in the construction industry and for the production of polystyrene packaging for use in industry and agriculture.

Production plant of company Plastform d.o.o. of polystyrene with stationary gas warning system of MSR-Electronic for monitoring of concentration of pentane gas

Monitoring the concentration of pentane gas with gas sensors from MSR-Electronic

Gas sensors from MSR-Electronic monitor the concentration of pentane gases in the individual production steps to prevent the formation of explosive mixtures. Plastform’s production plant relies on the reliable gas measurement of the PolyXeta2 product series from MSR. As a result, gas monitoring takes place in Ex Zone 1 when protecting polystyrene (EPS) in the vapour-permeable silos. Furthermore, explosive pentane gas is detected in Ex zone 2 during the storage of raw materials and in the ingot casting process. The fixed gas warning system switches on the ventilation at a measured concentration of 10 % LEL. If this is not sufficient and the concentration has reached 20 % LEL, the gas detection system interrupts the pentane supply and stops the production process.

Solutions from MSR-Electronic for gas measurement in ATEX Zone 1 and 2

The PolyXeta2 sensor is used in: industrial areas such as the oil/gas industry, biogas plants, petrochemical plants, power stations etc. in Ex zones 1 and 2. It is also suitable for commercial areas such as gas transfer stations.

The microprocessor-based gas sensor with 4–20 mA / RS-485 Modbus output signal, alarm and fault relay (all SIL2 certified) is used to monitor the ambient air to detect combustible gases and vapours by means of a catalytic sensor element (Pellistor) in accordance with Directive 2014/34/EU. For sensors without LC display, calibration is done via a handy calibration device or the PC software. Sensors with LC display have an integrated calibration routine that is started from the outside with a permanent magnet without opening the housing. In addition, the background lighting changes from green to red in the event of an alarm or error.

MSR-Electronic’s PolyXeta2 gas sensor

Benefits

  • MSR-Electronic has ATEX and IECEx certificates for electrical explosion protection and metrological testing as well as SIL2 for the safety functions 4-20 mA, RS-485 and relay (pellistors only).
  • 2 versions: with flameproof enclosure or ignition protection type
  • Enclosure: additional FM and CSA certificate for Class I, Div. 1
  • Continuous monitoring
  • Microprocessor with 12-bit converter resolution
  • Self-monitoring
  • Easy calibration / calibration service by replacing the sensor head
  • Proportional 4–20 mA output
  • Serial interface to the control centre
  • Reverse polarity and overload protected

Further information on MSR products can be found here in the current MSR-Electronic online catalog or in the webshop www.msr-24.com.

The installation of the system was carried out by MSR’s partner Aurel.

HEP Group once again relies on cooperation with MSR-Electronic

Using energy once, profiting twice – that is the principle of combined heat and power (CHP). Whereas electricity and usable heat were usually generated separately so far, cogeneration combines these processes. The result is that less fuel is required overall. Its application offers enormous potential for climate protection and conservation of resources. The increased use contributes to reducing CO2 emissions and lowering the demand for primary energy.

The Croatian energy company HEP-TE-TO Sisak

HEP TE-TO Sisak (HEP Group) is a Croatian energy company in the Sisak Moslavina district, south of Zagreb. It has been engaged in the generation, distribution and supply of electricity for more than a century. For the last decades it also deals with the distribution and supply of thermal energy and natural gas.

The entire thermal power plant consists of various production units. The highly efficient combined heat and power unit EL-TO, Unit C. This is powered by natural gas, generates electricity of 235 MW and a thermal output of 50 MWt. Natural gas is an ideal fuel for CHP plants and at the same time a naturally occurring gas consisting largely of methane gas. In the gas-processing industry, gas warning systems from MSR-Electronic can reduce fire and explosion risks immensely, as they provide very early warning of dangerous situations.

Copyright HEP Group

Stationary gas detectors for safe methane gas monitoring

MSR-Electronic develops and produces reliable fixed gas detectors. The permanent monitoring and storage of the measured values serve the primary explosion protection and thus the safety of human life and equipment. Once again, after a carbon monoxide gas detection system in 2016, the HEP Group relies on MSR-Electronic and this time on a methane gas monitoring application.

PolyXeta PX2 gas detector

The PolyXeta2 PX2 gas detector by MSR for the ATEX zone is used for detecting methane gas leakage. The microprocessor-based gas sensor with output signal as well as alarm and fault relays (all SIL2 certified) monitors the ambient air for combustible gases and vapours using: an infrared sensor element and a catalytic sensor element (pellistor). Analog signal values (4–20 mA), such as measured values and alarm activation, are sent to the DCS (Distributed Control System). The digital signal of the detector is sent to the ventilation cabinet to activate additional fans and to shut down the air chambers.

The 4–20 mA / RS-485 Modbus output signal makes the sensor suitable for connection to: PolyGard2 gas controller series from MSR-Electronic, other controllers from MSR-Electronic, and automation devices from MSR. As an option, the PolyXeta2 sensor is also available with LCD and relay output.

Sensors with LCD have an integrated calibration routine that is started from the outside by means of a permanent magnet without opening the housing. In the event of an alarm or error, the backlight changes from green to red. The calibration of sensors without LCD display is carried out via the handy MSR calibration device STL06-PGX2 or the PC software PCE06-PGX2.

The methane gas detectors were installed near the gas turbines and in the final gas filtration area at unit C, in zone 2, by the Croatian MSR partner Aurel d.o.o.

Further information on MSR products can be found in the current online catalog or in the webshop.

MSR-Electronic’s methane gas detector PX2

MSR-Electronic’s methane gas detector PX2

 

Gas Detection in Commercial and Institutional Buildings

 Why it’s critical and how to make the right choice

By Renato Torres, EN-54 Life Safety Systems Portfolio Director, Honeywell

In most European countries, commercial and institutional buildings are not governed by strict regulations for gas detection. Gas detection is often not well understood or applied in these applications.

There are several challenges to implementing gas detection solutions in commercial and institutional buildings. Many gas detection systems operate independently of building management systems (BMS) or fire and smoke detection systems. This makes them cumbersome to manage and maintain. Building managers and fire engineers need flexible and scalable solutions that are easy to use and maintain.

Gas hazards in commercial and institutional buildings

Gas monitoring is critical in facilities like hospitals where oxygen is stored and used as part of normal daily operations. Storage facilities are another area of concern where oxygen leaks can increase the risk of fire or explosion.

Besides hospitals, light industrial plants use gases for production systems, welding or inert blankets. Industrial environments have the added complication of dust, water and other gases that might be present in the environment, which can be damaging to sensitive detectors and electronics.

Underground car parks also can pose a risk. Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, which is particularly dangerous because it is invisible and has no odor. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-powered vehicles may use underground parking areas, which adds the risk of an explosive atmosphere caused by an LPG leak.

What are the challenges?

Detection systems are critical for keeping workers and the public safe from toxic and flammable gases. Yet, regulations governing gas detection are not always in place, nor are they consistent from one area to another. In the absence of clear regulations, the onus is on facility managers and fire engineers to implement robust systems that will provide adequate warning of gas leaks. As such, it is critical to select the right technology partner that can advise on the best approach for their application.

Many facilities have smoke and fire detection systems, but gas detection systems are less widespread. If they are installed, they tend to be independent of other building systems making them more cumbersome to manage, thus potentially increasing the risk that a gas leak may go unnoticed. An integrated approach covering fire and smoke detection, gas detection, and building management could help facilities manage their risks comprehensively.

Hospitals and light industrial plants are not static. Wards get changed from one service to another, and new wings are added. Light industrial facilities also expand and can increase the volume and type of gases they use over time. Many legacy detection systems are not flexible or scalable, lacking the adaptability to meet the changing needs of an organization. Newer systems from leading technology suppliers can overcome these shortfalls.

Selecting the right gas detection solutions

Honeywell supplies gas detection solutions for commercial and light industrial applications, including parking garages and hospitals. There are three main solutions applicable to these environments:

PARK

The PARK system provides CO monitoring for parking garages. This gas detection system can sound audible alarms to warn people of danger. It can activate common ventilation systems when the CO level exceeds safe limits. A PARK2000 panel can manage up to 32 CO detectors, divided into up to two zones, and the PARK5000 model can manage up to 80 CO detectors, divided into up to five zones.

NFG-8

The Notifier NFG-8 system meets Safety Integrity Level (SIL) 1 using 4-20mA gas detectors and is ideally suited to the light industrial environment. This solution allows for three different threshold limits and several output options. For example, NFG-8 can control ventilation, activate warning signs, and communicate with third-party BMS devices.

AM4000G

The AM4000G is an addressable system that can cover the needs of an entire building, including its parking garage. Up to 396 sensors can be connected to the AM4000G on four loops using the reliable two-wire Fieldbus communication. This solution allows various hazardous conditions to be managed independently using complex cause-and-effect scenarios.

Key benefits

Benefit Description
Flexibility Honeywell gas detection solutions can scale from small systems for specific applications to large addressable solutions that cover all the needs of an entire building. They can operate as standalone systems for gas detection or integrate with other systems like building management or fire and smoke detection.
Reliability Honeywell is a global supplier of gas detection technology to buildings and parking garages. Experience with multiple customers across multiple industries and locations gives Honeywell unique insight into how products are used and enables solution designs that meet the needs of customers. Honeywell offers reliable gas detection systems that deliver consistent performance using the best available technology.
Rated casings Honeywell supplies both IP55 and ATEX-rated casings. IP55 casings are certified against dust or moisture ingress while ATEX versions can be used in dangerous environments, depending on the specific needs of the area. These solutions cover the full spectrum of needs for light industrial applications where some areas require rated casings and others do not.
Mobile application for calibration and maintenance A mobile application from Honeywell enables users to perform calibration, programming changes, and maintenance on detectors. This tool is easy to use and saves technicians time, especially when performing regular tasks like bump tests or limit changes.

Working with a technology partner

Many management teams for commercial and institutional buildings like hospitals and light industrial plants lack detailed knowledge of gas detection systems. It is advisable to work with a technology partner who understands their solutions and the environment in which these solutions are applied.

Gas detectors must be installed correctly to provide the desired protection. For example, CO detectors should be installed at an equivalent height to the average human. This is because CO has a similar density to air. It does not accumulate at floor or ceiling level; therefore, detection must occur at the height of most significant risk, where humans can breathe in the toxic gas.

All gas detectors experience drift over time. Their readings will become less accurate unless they are regularly checked and calibrated. Regulations do not always cover these critical aspects of the long-term effectiveness of gas detection systems. Trusted technology suppliers have the technical expertise to advise users on their system’s appropriate maintenance and calibration schedules.

Conclusion

Commercial and institutional buildings are not well regulated regarding gas leak detection, but this does not mean the risks are low. Gas leaks can cause serious incidents, like fires and injuries, including the loss of life.

Honeywell offers gas detection solutions for commercial and institutional buildings, including hospitals, parking garages, and light industrial plants. Its team of experts and channel partners can help advise on the best solutions to solve difficult problems.

Click here to find out more about Honeywell products.

 

Keeping US schools safe from guns requires more than stricter laws

Source: William Pao, asmag.com

From time to time, we hear about school shooting incidents in the United States. While stricter gun control laws are being considered and debated, schools themselves should also invest in security technologies to help prevent further tragedies.

Ever since Columbine, school shootings have emerged as a major societal problem in the United States. According to Sandy Hook Promise (a non-profit named after another infamous school shooting incident), the U.S. has had 2,032 school shootings since 1970. The recent event in Uvalde, Texas, where a gunman fatally shot 19 students and two teachers at an elementary school, further triggered debates on whether stricter gun control laws should be legislated – a question that, somehow for Americans, is not so simple to answer due to the country’s unique history, culture and heritage.

“A unique mix of tradition, politics and business interests makes tougher regulations unlikely, even where there is popular support for such measures,” said Jason Goodrich, Customer Success Director of CriticalArc. “The level of support varies widely depending on which state you are in, and concerns about the reliability of police response mean than even some citizens who were previously averse to gun-ownership now feel motivated to arm themselves.”

“In the aftermath of this (Uvalde) tragic school shooting, school leaders, teachers, parents, and administrators are debating, yet again, how the next incident might be prevented. At the same time, there is a national debate around policy decisions: Should gun sales be restricted? Should teachers be armed? Those questions will not be answered overnight,” said Alan Stoddard, President of Cognyte North America.

While new legislation is currently being considered in the US Senate, it’s indeed not feasible at the moment to expect the passage of any far-reaching gun control laws given the Second Amendment of the US Constitution, which says “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed” (even though there’s a prerequisite: A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state). A conservative supermajority in the US Supreme Court certainly won’t help much either.

For the time being, then, schools need to invest in technologies to effectively protect students, teachers and staff. “The assumption should be that any current laws around gun ownership will be circumvented by a determined assailant. This means that schools and colleges should focus on preparing for, deterring, and stopping active threats,” Goodrich said. “Given this reality, they have no choice but to invest in technologies and to look for the best available options to strengthen their defenses.”

Technologies available

Luckily, we now have technology advances to make campuses safe. “We have a new generation of tech that is now helping with this mission – deter and response – in many education settings. New technologies also include highly accurate 3D indoor positioning capabilities and heat mapping tools that can be used to improve incident rehearsals, revealing areas for improvement by individual responders and entire teams, and allowing better training and performance review,” Goodrich said.

Video surveillance and access control solutions can also play a part. “Access control guards the perimeter of the school’s property, including each route and entry. Robust access control processes will ensure that students, teachers, and visitors know where to enter the campus, what to do once they get inside, and how to exit the property. Exhaustive access control can keep potential criminals out of your establishment and often sets the tone for the rest of your safety efforts,” said Scot Sturges, Director of Business Development for North America at ACRE.

It’s also important to note that deploying better security measures in schools is a collaborative effort between all stakeholders, from government/law enforcement to manufacturers to educators.

“To say the recent tragedy in Uvalde could not have been prevented is of no service to the issue at hand. What I can say is we as an industry need to do better. As the providers of the technology that helps mitigate such issues, it is imperative we take a stand. Together, we can help protect our schools but we have to do it collaboratively and in conjunction with local authorities and government,” said John Rezzonico, CEO of Edge360.

“School leaders and their communities have a long list of considerations today when it comes to safety – ranging from mental health to ADA compliance to COVID-19 and from legislation and policies to training, procedures and assessments as well as products and technologies, among other things. Just like there’s no one-size-fits-all safety plan for individual schools, there’s no single solution for making schools safer. Ultimately, this means a holistic and collaborative approach to school safety is necessary – and experts of all kinds must work together,” said Ken Cook, Director of National School Safety at Allegion US.

“The recent shooting in Uvalde is heartbreaking and tragic. As a parent, the fact that schools have become a battleground is disheartening. Over the following months, we’ll see a debate over gun control and whether or not teachers should be armed. These questions are not simple to answer, but we can work collaboratively within our communities and the industry to find a solution,” said Tom Reilly, President of Commend. “Overall, we need to get down to basics. Schools and educational leaders must communicate about the risks, the technology infrastructure, and standard operating procedures. Even the relationships students develop with teachers, counselors, and other personnel are critical to identifying risks or irregular behavior.”

There are technologies that keep schools safe from guns

School shooting has become a severe problem in the United States. In the absence of far-reaching gun control laws, US schools are turning to technology to protect students, teachers and staff from guns. This article discusses some of the school safety technologies available.

Prevention

The best security measure is prevention. In many instances, damage could have been minimized if threats were detected and identified early. In this regard, various technologies can play a role.

First, analytics can be helpful. “Threat detection software that is tied into a validation system is very helpful in the early detection of a threat. For example, a video analytic would register a gun, then alert a human to verify the potential threat. This occurs prior to a shot being fired and is geared to aid in prevention,” said Jason Goodrich, Customer Success Director of CriticalArc. “Facial recognition has improved and could be used to alert facilities about a known threat attempting to make entry. LPR could also be useful if a known threat is attempting to enter.”

Door security also figures heavily in preventing the gunman from entering school premises in the first place. “We have long-standing physical security solutions for school buildings and other public spaces … and those include door locks (electronic and mechanical), as well as emergency exit devices, access control products, keys and credentials, door closers, security glass and the doors themselves. These solutions have really always been a part of the building design process and security ecosystem,” said Ken Cook, Director of National School Safety at Allegion US.

“While it is not the only step in preventing threatening or violent individuals from accessing a building, door security is often the first step. Schools can implement a two-way intercom system at the entrance which is an important first layer of protection. Intercom systems can enable front desk personnel to not only talk to an individual, but also clearly identify the person when the system includes an integrated IP video camera,” said Brad Kamcheff, Marketing Manager at Aiphone.

It is important to point out that, for the different school security systems to work seamlessly, integration is important.

“An open platform approach combined with the ability to integrate with other third-party systems allows schools to benefit from other best-in-class technologies to promote a more robust security posture and permit a coordinated emergency response when necessary,” said John Rezzonico, CEO of Edge360.

Finally, data sharing is critical. In the recent Uvalde incident, for example, authorities could have acted earlier had the gunman’s troubled social media messages been intercepted in time.

“Often, individuals on a troubled path will make remarks or act in a way that gives a clear indication that all is not well, and sometimes people will notice this. Making it easy for them to share their concerns with the right authorities at the right time should be a benchmark of prevention,” said Goodrich. “Our new-generation solutions can allow anonymous reports, to encourage people to share their concerns. This effort can also be supplemented by social media monitoring, and by closer engagement between police or security personnel with the communities they serve.”

Response

Once the outer perimeters have been breached, security measures must be in place inside the school premises to minimize casualty. A combination of access control, video surveillance and other technologies can help.

“Time is of the essence in an emergency, and just a few seconds can mean the distinction between security and catastrophe. Therefore, it’s crucial to support systems that initiate a lockdown and alert security to the whereabouts of students, instructors, and other staff in the facility,” said Scot Sturges, Director of Business Development for North America at ACRE. “Emergency exits are also required when the need for emergency evacuation arises. Schools can operate cameras, warnings, or corrective action to ensure entryways stay shut, except during a crisis.”

“A combination of video surveillance and two-way intercom systems can prove to be valuable. Video surveillance is key in providing the school’s security with the ability to monitor multiple places at once, especially in the event of an armed person attempting to enter the premises. In the classroom, it is equally important to ensure that teaching staff have access to security tools and can easily communicate with the front office in the event of an emergency. An intercom system installed in each classroom enables a teacher to reach the front office quickly,” Kamcheff said.

Communications with the outside world is also critical so law enforcement and rescue workers can get to the scene at the shortest time.

“I believe emergency notification and support systems used across agencies and public sector organizations can be very beneficial to streamlining communication,” said Alan Stoddard, President of Cognyte North America. “By leveraging intelligent devices, including mobile phones, modern emergency response solutions enable schools to dispatch the optimal responder during an incident based on proximity, availability, and experience. Because you can see the whereabouts of every potential responder, as well as all relevant geographical information and the location of life-saving equipment and other resources, response efforts are rapid and intelligent.”

“It goes back to communication. Ensuring law enforcement and first responders are at the scene immediately is all about streamlining how we share information. Having a clear line of connection with law enforcement and a plan laid out in advance is crucial. Unified communication can streamline this process, allowing various agencies to collaborate and share information to ensure the most effective and quick response,” said Tom Reilly, President of Commend.

Afterthoughts

Despite these technology advances, certain challenges still persist. One is the fact these solutions are not widely adopted in schools yet, due to budget constraints or limited resources.

“Many schools have legacy access control systems that need updating. If surveillance is in use, most schools are not employing the full capabilities of data analytics and many legacy CCTV systems cannot take advantage of advances in data analysis tech,” said Goodrich. “The new generation of unified emergency alert, location pinpointing, team coordination and communications solutions are being deployed to great effect in higher education settings, on university and college campuses. These solutions are not being used widely in schools yet, but there is huge potential benefit to adopting them.”

Further, training and education on these solutions are also required. “School systems often focus on what to purchase for proactive security measures and how to manage staffing to prevent unwanted intruders. They make significant investments in access control, video surveillance, artificial intelligence, and in some areas, metal detectors. But the simple fact is that all these investments are useless if no one is trained to use them and no one is trained in the correct standard operating procedures to follow when an incident happens,” Stoddard said. “We have to ensure schools are well-versed in how to use their investments and how they can leverage their functionality to adopt a more proactive stance.”

Ten “deadly sins” when installing a video surveillance system

We are all humans, so we all make mistakes. However, there are such common cases that you should be aware of and avoid. Specialists of Partizan company have collected, systematized and listed them to say once and for all – it should not be like that!

 1. DHCP remains enabled after adding to NVR

Most CCTV cameras have DHCP enabled by default. What does it mean? A static IP address does not work, but a dynamic IP address, on the contrary, is active. That is, the CCTV camera, after entering your local network, will find its own IP address. The plus is that you don’t need to input this address manually each time. And the minus is that these addresses can change every time the router is rebooted. The result is that after the reboot, the CCTV camera will get a completely different IP, the client will get a terrible black screen instead of an image, and you will receive urgent calls: “Hey, where did my CCTV camera go?”. Do you really need it?

2. Outdated firmware and password

There are also simple, trivial, but surprisingly widespread reasons for incorrect device operation. The thing is, even if you bought your device yesterday, it doesn’t mean that a new firmware didn’t appear while it was in stock. Always check its relevance and install the latest version. Ideally, you should check the firmware once every few months. Regarding the password — often users and even installers are too lazy to change passwords and sometimes leave it at the default: admin, 1111, etc. A good chance for a hacker!

3. Time synchronization is disabled. Incorrect playback time

A non-obvious mistake, but it can also cause pain and suffering. If we have a desynchronization in time, then even knowing when the alarming event occurred, it will be very difficult to find it in the archive. By the way, there is an easy way to synchronize the recorder (and therefore the CCTV camera) with real-time. Just add the NVR to Partizan Cloud and our service will do everything instantly and clearly.

4. Settings, connection and recording

It may seem obvious to some, but there is one simple thing. If you want the recording to be turned on only by alarms, motion detection or at certain intervals – no one will do it except you. Enter the settings yourself. Now about the connection. There are CCTV cameras that can be connected using the “native protocol”, and there are all others. With the native protocol, everything is finally clear: company’s cloud CCTV camera can be easily connected to its cloud recorder, the SH camera to the SH recorder. But if the connection takes place, for example, according to the Cloud-camera scheme to the SH-recorder (or vice versa), or in general a third-party CCTV camera is used, the Onvif protocol should be used.

5. Incorrect installation of your CCTV camera

The topic, of course, is very broad, moreover, there are many different opinions. So, at this point, we will try to derive a common “denominator” that is understandable even for a new installer. A good, professional installation of video equipment is when:

a) The correct branded accessories are used, including cable junction boxes.

b) The cables are not visible next to the CCTV camera and they do not stick out in all directions. They should be brought inside the building, or at least hidden in PVC pipes or corrugations.

Of course, budgets can be “cut”, but this does not mean that you have to compromise on quality.

6. Incorrect viewing angle or CCTV camera installation location

It is also a rather versatile field for discussion, so let’s highlight the most important points.

  • There is a large object close to the CCTV camera – tree, wall, lamp post, etc.). Such proximity can lead to “reflection” of IR illumination, and at the same time to CCTV camera blindness.
  • The CCTV camera is aimed at a glowing lantern or at a sunrise/sunset. This also results in CCTV camera blindness or image illumination.
  • IR diodes in the dome CCTV camera are under its body. In this case, the backlight is reflected from the housing into the lens. The result is that the CCTV camera stops “seeing” at night.
  • Dirty lens glass or dome CCTV camera sphere. A very simple, but surprisingly common cause of poor image quality.
  • The CCTV camera is installed on a metal or conductive surface without grounding. This is trivially dangerous, because it causes the risk of short circuits and even the CCTV camera catching fire.
  • The CCTV camera is at a low altitude. A real find for criminals and vandals!
  • The dome CCTV camera is installed without proper protection from above. If the model does not have a high degree of resistance to dust and moisture (at least IP66), moisture form of rain or snow can get inside the equipment.
  • The CCTV camera is installed in close proximity to high-voltage power lines. This causes not only a high risk of electric shock, but also provokes interference in image transmission.

7. Bad Internet

Probably everyone knows about such a problem, but not everyone is aware of its depth. By the expression “bad Internet” we primarily mean two points: low connection speed and changes in flow transmission. And if everything is clear with the first parameter, then in the second case, even at high speeds, sags and entire seconds of video may drop out. So make sure that the speed of your Internet is adequate for both input and output, and the connection is stable, without losing data packets.

8. Incorrect cable connection

It is not good if the cable of the installed CCTV camera is less than 30 cm from the power cable. It is a very bad idea to put the wires of the video surveillance system and the home electrical network in one box. This is especially true for analog CCTV cameras. Therefore, it is always worth laying the CCTV camera switching separately. So there will be no obstacles or unnecessary picture jumps in the image.

The second point is the considerable distance between the CCTV camera and the recorder. For a coaxial cable, problems with image transmission can begin as early as 500 meters. And the optimal distance is the “hundred meter” familiar to many. It is always better to work with the correct lengths of cable than to be faced with the fact that the video signal does not arrive normally, or the CCTV camera does not have enough power. If we are talking about IP CCTV cameras with a POE system, then the distance to the recorder should be 50-80 meters.

When dealing with an analog system, it is worth remembering that problems may also arise when connecting several CCTV cameras to one power supply unit. Imagine that we have two CCTV cameras. One is at a distance of 10 meters from the power supply unit, the other is at a distance of 50 meters. So, after six months, you can unexpectedly encounter, for example, the failure of the IR illumination of the remote CCTV camera. And the issue here is not the quality of the equipment. It is all about incorrect switching. Therefore, we advise using a separate power supply for each CCTV camera. Why? The CCTV camera must receive its “legal” 12 volts and the correct amperage. And a considerable distance can cause a drop in power supply.

And, of course, always and everywhere you should use the right cables. Trying to save money, some installers “throw away” aluminum or steel wires. But what may be OK for budget Internet in the entrance, will not work for the video surveillance system. Such cables simply will not transmit a normal video stream. Our minimum is copper twisted pair of category 5e. We will not emphasize the correct crimping of the twisted pair. This is an axiom!

9. Low-quality or inappropriate third-party equipment

Use quality routers! We usually recommend the following brands: MikroTik, Zyxel, Cisco, HP, Linksys. Everything will be fine with them. The same can be said about POE equipment. All the above mentioned brands make decent switches.

Hard drives! This is generally the key to success for a video surveillance system. Partizan is an authorized European dealer of Toshiba and we use HDDs of this brand for our recorders. We consider its products to be ideal in view of:

  • Possibility of long-term stable work in 24/7 mode
  • Simultaneous recording support from 32 CCTV cameras
  • Ability to withstand multiple write/overwrite cycles
  • Spindle rotation speed optimal for NVR
  • Resistance to vibrations, high temperature, voltage drops
  • Correct interface (Sata 3)
  • High data transfer rate

10. Incorrect calculation of power and quality of components

You should not save money on third-party components of the video system! Let’s say, the cost of a high-quality power supply unit and a low-quality one will not differ that much. This is a matter of tens of dollars, not, say, hundreds or thousands. But you should always remember that a low-quality product can damage the equipment or cause the quality of the image to deteriorate (bands and waves in the picture, etc.).

We recommend using power supplies with an additional power reserve of at least 30% compared to the expected power consumption of the video surveillance system. It will definitely not be superfluous, and it will protect you and the client from unpleasant surprises.

Of course, these are far from all the mistakes that happen in our field. However, by keeping at least these simple points in mind, you can make life much easier for yourself and your customers. As they say, go and install quality, professional CCTV and do not make more mistakes.

 

Siemens’ new natural extinguishing agents protect business continuity in critical areas

Siemens Smart Infrastructure introduces its new natural agent extinguishing portfolio, Sinorix NXN. Focusing on the protection of lives, assets and business continuity, the new fire extinguishing portfolio combines simplicity with advanced technology to modernize traditional fire safety. The agents consist of the natural gases argon, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. They are ideal for specific application areas such as storage rooms for chemicals (argon), critical electrical infrastructure (nitrogen) or unmanned areas (carbon dioxide). The new Sinorix NXN portfolio uses only agents and compounds that are naturally found in our atmosphere and do not harm the environment. It also has a reduced ecological footprint, thanks to its compact and versatile product design.

Environmentally-friendly and sustainable portfolio

The new Sinorix NXN extinguishing agents are chemically inert and do not create harmful reactions or byproducts on contact with fire. Even in case of an incident, the activated extinguishing agents do not leave any residue behind for clean up or disposal and therefore ensure a rapid resumption of business operations. Inert agents have poor electrical conductivity properties making them ideal in any application where protection of mission critical infrastructure is important. Argon, nitrogen or carbon dioxide offer excellent extinguishing properties for fire Classes A (solids), B (flammable liquids) and C (flammable gases), whereas argon is optimally suited for fire Class D (metal fires) and nitrogen for Class E (electrical fires). The new Sinorix NXN natural extinguishing agents feature zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and they are not subject to regulatory restrictions or phaseout.

In pure form or mixed compounds, natural extinguishing agents provide outstanding properties to combat a wide variety of fire hazards. Their respective traits give Sinorix NXN great flexibility when designing the appropriate fire safety concept. To be specific, nitrogen is most suitable when protecting critical electrical infrastructure, such as that typically found in switching rooms, energy storage systems or data centers. Argon is the perfect fit for areas at risk of metal fires and for chemical storage rooms. Whereas, carbon dioxide is used in local, unmanned applications, such as oil baths and transformer stations.

In addition, the extinguishing products follow EN standards and guidelines, and are backed by appropriate certifications, including VdS and CNPP to ensure sustainability of the extinguishing solution.

New design concept

The new ADVtechnology (Advanced Double Actuation Valve) by Siemens saves costs and increases efficiency through all lifecycle phases of a fire extinguishing system. The product portfolio has been simplified by introducing multi-use components that are the same for all agent types. This makes the design process more flexible and efficient (for example, calculations for new configurations or new agents are made more quickly). With the help of the ADVtechnology, cylinder exchange as well as time needed for installation (up to 25 % faster) has been drastically improved. Now users can now install and maintain an extinguishing system more easily and much faster.

Building lifecycle support

Siemens operates a Competence Center in Vienna and a testing facility in Switzerland, where new and special extinguishing solutions are tested and improved. These facilities provide specialized expertise for new and highly challenging applications. Additionally, Siemens supports the full building lifecycle with the latest digital tools including specification texts, BIM data, as well as online product selection, configuration, ordering and online calculation tools. Access to Siemens expertise, design know-how and experience avoids over-engineering and minimizes project costs while increasing fire safety.

The new Sinorix NXN extinguishing systems are developed for easy integration in complete fire safety solutions, including fire detection and evacuation to increase safety and reduce risks. This integration also optimizes facility management by enabling cloud-based, digital services that substantially reduce operational and maintenance costs.

 

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ISSN 1986-5

a&s Adria – professional security magazine for providing total security solutions is a monthly circulating publication and a licenced representative of Messe Frankfurt New Era Business Media for Adriatic region, which consists of following countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, FYR Macedonia, Slovenia and Serbia.