News from Unique Integrated Systems

UIS Wins Achilles Accreditation

In May 2008, Unique Integrated Systems was registered as a supplier on the Utilities Vendor Database having achieved accreditation from Achilles, the international supplier certification body.

UIS is now registered with a host of major utility suppliers and related organisations under two categories:

• 'Fire Protection and Maintenance Services' and
• 'Security Equipment Installation and Maintenance'.

Achilles works to identify, qualify, evaluate, and monitor suppliers on behalf of major organisations worldwide. In the UK, the Utilities Vendor Database is used by such organisations as British Gas, the British Nuclear Group, Centrica, the National Grid, nPower, Powergen and United Utilities, amongst others.

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Wigan Council uses CCTV as tool in fight against crime

(Press release produced by Norbain, March 2008.)

Wigan Council has had 33 Pelco Esprit cameras, supplied by Norbain, added to their already extensive CCTV system to ensure that they are using the most up to date technology to monitor activity in the city centre. The new cameras have proved very simple to operate and form an important tool in the fight against crime.

Wigan is currently undergoing a multi-million pound refurbishment and an essential part of this new scheme is ensuring that people feel safe in the area. One part of the solution comes in the form of CCTV. There are currently 550 cameras in operation across the borough, with continual additions and improvements being made.

In the town centre itself, Terry Bolton, principal officer for Wigan Council, wanted to update the existing kit which was rather complex to operate and had become expensive to maintain. "We were especially keen to make zooming and focusing easier so that operators could more effectively track suspects," he explains.

Installers Unique Integrated Systems Ltd (UIS) were called in to advise on the project. "UIS have been the Council Approved Supplier for almost seven years now and the relationship we’ve built up over the years means that we know they’ll give us excellent advice and service," says Mr Bolton.

The Council has a policy of trialling their CCTV equipment before it’s purchased. "Dome cameras were initially trialled for the job, but it was found that blind spots prevented them from getting the best view of the surrounding area. The Esprit cameras offer us an overt solution to CCTV," says Mr Bolton. "People don’t know where the dome cameras are looking, but this is obvious with the Esprit cameras and we’ve found this to be more of a deterrent."

The control room has an impressive wall of rear screen projection units along with individual Samsung and Bosch flat screen monitors. "As with the cameras, we trialled a number of flat screen units before making a decision," explains Mr Bolton. "Interestingly, the morning shift favoured the Samsung screens, while the later shift thought the Bosch screens gave a better image quality in reduced light conditions. It made sense to get both so that the best pictures could be viewed whatever the time of day or night."

The Pelco cameras have all been positioned on poles that afford operators a 360 degree view of the area. Each of the columns is within view of another giving overlapping footage. This means that no key area is overlooked and, should a column develop a problem, one of the adjoining columns can cover the area.

Equipment suppliers Norbain played an important part in the project. "We’ve got an excellent relationship with them," says Mark Ashall, operations director for UIS. "They’ve really bent over backwards for us over the years and have always come through, even against very tight time scales. It’s not just about price with them, it’s the service, technical support and returns policy that really makes the difference."

Looking at the effectiveness of CCTV in the fight against crime, Mr Bolton believes that it certainly plays its part. "CCTV acts both as a deterrent and as an investigative tool for our partners," he says. "All the relevant partners need to work together and communicate regularly to most effectively tackle the problem."

About Unique Integrated Systems Ltd
UIS specialises in the design, installation and maintenance of high quality electronic security systems from intruder alarms, CCTV systems and access control systems to fully integrated security and communications packages. An NSI gold medal installer, they can handle projects of all sizes, from a simple installation to long term, multi-site maintenance contracts.

ENDS

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Comprehensive Security for Wigan School

Unique Integrated Systems recently completed a large scale security upgrade at Hindley Community High School in Wigan. The contract entailed the installation of CCTV, security lighting, video transmission equipment and external passive infra-red (PIR) detection systems.

The work was commissioned to provide comprehensive coverage of the site perimeter and internal areas such as corridors and stairwells. Given the school’s large scale and the need to encompass a variety of buildings, an extensive and high-specification security system was therefore required.

The upgrade of this system was designed by Tony Hollinrake of Wigan Council’s Security Section working together with UIS and the client. UIS engineers installed a range of different cameras including Bosch vandal-resistant fixed domes, Bosch G3 fully functional domes and dedicated micros. In all, the site was equipped with 57 cameras, supported by DM digital video recorders and Vista SmartTel video transmission equipment, which enabled all footage to be observed and recorded at the Council’s CCTV control room.

An important feature of the system was that it enabled the site to be watched by both school staff and by operatives at the Council’s remote monitoring centre. This meant that the project would achieve two key outcomes; maximising security and providing an invaluable tool for maintaining the highest possible standards of health and safety. The monitoring systems can be used by staff during the day to observe activity in and around the school, thereby helping to protect the safety and well being of pupils and to help prevent unauthorised entry to the grounds.

“This was a major upgrade of our CCTV system,” said head teacher, Mrs J Lees. “I want to pass on my thanks to the engineers from UIS, who were all highly efficient and accommodating. They quickly and unobtrusively did and excellent job.”

Tony Hollinrake commented: “Wigan Council’s Security Section worked very closely with Unique Integrated Systems and Hindley Community High School on the upgrade of the system. As Design and Project Manager for the Council, I can say that the service provided by UIS was excellent from start to finish. Various sections of the Council are speaking about the system in glowing terms and it is a credit to the company for the high standards of service they provided for this scheme.

“Wigan Council’s remote monitoring centre monitors the system via video transmission and provides a 24/7 service for alarm-triggered CCTV systems, which adds to the security of the school when it is closed.”

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