Page 18 - Campus Security & Life Safety, November 2017

VIDEO SURVEILLANCE
INCREASING SECURITY
Exploring the benefits of video and audio intercoms By Bruce Czerwinski
KEEPING STUDENTS SECURE IS A TOP PRIORITY AT CONGREGATION BETH JACOB’S PRESCHOOL AND RELIGIOUS SCHOOL IN REDWOOD CITY, CALIF. RECENTLY, THE FACILITY INCREASED ITS ABILITY TO HANDLE EMERGENCIES RANGING FROM A STUDENT MEDICAL PROBLEM TO AN ACTIVE SHOOTER.
HighCom Security Services, an Oakland, Calif.-based integrator, oversaw the security upgrades, beginning with a complete risk assessment. The first addition was a facility- wide security camera system.
The 12 Digital Watchdog surveillance cam- eras (four PTZ and eight fixed) monitor the parking lot, school entries and views of the street in front of the facility. Monitors in the congregation’s main and school offices let staff members view live video.
Soon after the cameras were installed, the congregation’s board of directors asked High- Com for suggestions on better securing the perimeter, as well as improving emergency communications and procedures.
Rody Rosenbaum, director of HighCom’s security systems division, created a solution letting the congregation keep exterior doors locked at all times, manage visitors and improve communications. The plan was largely based on video and audio intercoms from Aiphone Corp.
With the project now completed, fences and gates guide visitors to a rear parking lot and a double-door entry to the main facility. An Aiphone IS Series video intercom is mounted just outside the door.
“Congregation staff members access the building by entering codes into a keypad near the door,” Rosenbaum said. “Visitors, vendors and parents push a button on the video inter- com to get the attention of office staff.”
There are four intercom master stations in the facility; one on the congregation’s execu- tive director desk and another on the recep- tionist’s, as well as two more in the common areas of the main and school offices. Each sta- tion includes a 3.5-inch color LCD monitor and handset allowing office personnel to see and speak with visitors. The stations remotely unlock the door once a visitor has been
approved for entry.
Audio intercoms were also installed to link
classrooms to congregation and school offices. “Before we finished the project teachers needing assistance had to leave the classroom
and walk to the office,” Rosenbaum said. Wall-mount handsets were installed in all 12 classrooms. Teachers can use the unit hands-free. Cat-5e cable links the handsets to
the master station, which also powers the audio intercom system. Each classroom—and the social hall and kitchen—also have panic buttons. Pushing the button generates a pre- recorded message heard throughout the facil- ity. It contains a code phrase generating an immediate lockdown without overly frighten- ing students. Rosenbaum said the buttons were placed under a clear plastic cover similar
CS18 WWW.CAMPUSLIFESECURITY.COM | NOVEMBER 2017
A SPECIAL SECTION TO SECURITY TODAY AND THE JOURNAL
CAMPUS SECURITY & LIFE SAFETY