Optex technology deployed at South Lanarkshire schools

Story link: Optex technology deployed at South Lanarkshire schools by Jan Harris

Optex Europe has enhanced existing CCTV systems at Lanarkshire primary schools, with innovative external detection technology designed to prevent vandalism occurring.

Vandalism at the two schools, including graffiti and outbreaks of fire, had caused around £500,000 worth of damage.

Mr Ian Porteous, CCTV Development Manager at South Lanarkshire Council, looked to Optex for a system which would stop the damage happening. The Council already used Optex products and felt confident that the company could provide a solution.

Optex provided REDWAVE detectors to provide out-of-hours perimeter monitoring and used video over IP to link the system to control centre in Hamilton. The images are monitored only when the detectors trigger an alarm.

The detectors, which are part of the Redwall range, feature advanced technology to reduce the number of false alarms.

They utilise both passive infrared (PIR), microwave technology and Adjustable Microwave Range Limiter (AMRL) technology which allows users to adjust the detection distance.

The system also features a Dual Quad Zone Logic (DQZL) PIR which uses two PIR detectors to increase detection density and eliminate undetectable areas.

In addition, two, vertically configured PIR detectors create two different, highly dense detection areas, one near and one far. This dual coverage eliminates blind spots and allows the sensitivity of each area to be adjusted separately.

Each PIR uses Quad Zone Logic, which provides multi-segmented detection zones throughout the detection area and an alarm signal base on the cumulative energy of each zone.

This reduces false alarms from small temperature changes, light reflections or small animals.

The system also features a tannoy system which allows operators to issue verbal warnings.