EES Africa working on UWC Safe Campus Project

As part of the UWC Safe Campus Project, EES Africa will provide project management services for the installation and commissioning of UWC building CCTV systems. Shown here is the Administration building.

“Security system integration, a control room revamp and CCTV upgrades will vastly improve the available technology. New highly trained control room operators and revised operating procedures will result in a more proactive approach to campus security,” says Martin Peterson, project manager for EES Africa.

EES Africa is an ISO 9001:2008 certified company providing management, engineering and auditing services to a range of industries throughout Africa. It specialises in the integration of multiple system infrastructure including ICT, data centres, audio visual, life safety, security and building automation systems.

Integral to the UWC Safe Campus Project is the implementation of progressive security upgrades which are being managed in separate phases. EES Africa are the project managers and are working closely with UWC role players and the appointed service provider, Xone Integrated Security, to ensure correct implementation of designs.

Xone Integrated Security are the contractors who will subsequently provide manpower for the control room. The control room operators will follow strict procedures detailed in the training they will receive.

Security triangle

Vital to this project and essential to effective security is the ‘security triangle’. This concept dictates that to have effective security, there must be systems, manpower and procedures working in unison. The basis of effective security relies on a combination of electronic, physical and procedural elements. If one part of the triangle is missing the security is ineffective.

Software management and control room revamp

“The first phase, currently being implemented, involves the integration of the existing CCTV, access control, fire and intruder detection systems onto a common software management platform,” explains Peterson. “This involves a complete revamp of the security IT infrastructure (CPS Data Centre) which has not been upgraded over many years and is now in need of urgent attention.”

The existing security control room, the hub of the various systems, has been reactive after an event rather than proactive, because of limited integration and outdated equipment. “Furthermore the current video surveillance setup is too over-whelming for one operator, and the plan is to set up two operator stations and a supervisor/reviewing station. The infrastructure will be completely upgraded.”

CCTV camera installation

In phase two, EES Africa will provide project management services for the planning, design, procurement, installation, commissioning and handover of UWC building CCTV systems, in particular for the Chemical Science Building (CSB), the stadium and the east wing of the university. This involves new camera installations as well as upgrades.

“Approximately 80 new fixed and pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) cameras will be installed giving a high level of coverage on campus and in the stadium. The installation includes VMS licensing, recording servers, viewing station and commissioning of the system,” Peterson says. “We will monitor all the CCTV installation works for conformance with contract documents and best-practice installation procedures.”