Many individuals, communities and businesses now have the choice to opt for advanced remotely monitored video surveillance or cctv systems to protect their homes and assets at a fraction of the cost of the traditional manned guarding solutions.The decision therefore to go along with video surveillance systems or to stick with the manned services now depends on how effective one will be over the other in securing and pro-actively preventing crimes or intrusions before they happen.

Many contractors within the construction industry in the recent years have also opted for the much cheaper video surveillance systems in a bid to reduce overheads and still have some security measures in place to protect their sites out of normal working hours.These cctv systems however proved to be unreliable at the beginning of the revolution due to their inability to accurately detect and prevent genuine site intrusions. The systems also faced an uphill battle to eliminate false alarms from moving objects like leaves and animals.

As a result, a number of contractors began to lose their confidence in the systems as most reverted back to traditional manned services alongside the cctv systems while others eliminated the idea of cctv completely especially where the stakes were high. A mainstream shift in the video surveillance technology from analogue to IP has since seen a remarkable improvement in the functionality of most cameras where a variety of high-end intrusion detection and crime prevention features have been bolted on to them.

These cameras also have deep learning mechanisms which allow them to identify humans and vehicles as genuine alarms while discarding other movements like wind-driven leaves and foxes as false alarms to help improve the productivity of monitoring centres.

Even after all of that, the question still remains as to whether cctv or video surveillance technology systems are a worthwhile alternative to manned guarding services, and the answer will probably be around what you intend to secure and how long for.

In our experience over the last few years as remotely monitored cctv or video surveillance solutions providers, we have seen that a typical construction project may require one or both of these services at any one point in time during an entire project’s lifecycle.

Video surveillance systems that have been installed to industry standard will not only tick the insurance requirement box but will also proactively protect your site from the stray public, petty thieves and trespassing children who could potentially be injured while on site. It is highly likely that the cctv system will detect and identify an intruder up to 50 metres away even in the night as they cross a virtually marked perimeter along the hoarding into the site at which point an audio challenge is issued from the monitoring platform to warn the trespassers off.

The virtual guards also have the ability to pretty much engage the local authorities or alarm response units to attend to persistent intruders within minutes if the warnings fall on hard ground which makes the system more interactive and proactive in preventing potential crimes.

At Optiwatch, we tend to also install at least one PTZ camera where necessary to not only track and trace intruders within the site but to also monitor vulnerable areas or targeted assets like toolbox containers, cranes, diesel tanks and site offices for added peace of mind. We place as many cameras as possible in and around the site especially along the perimeter in a sequential order to eliminate any blind spots that an intruder can use to get into site undetected, which gives us a broader coverage of the whole site at any point in time than a single security guard.

We have a fully manned control room or remote monitoring centre which works on a shift basis and supports all our video surveillance and intrusion detection services 24 hours a day 7 days a week, so no alarms go unattended at any point in time of the day or night. We do advise however to place a temporary guard on site during critical periods in a project’s lifecycle like snowy winter shutdown periods where the visibility of cameras and response times of local authorities could be delayed or hampered by adverse weather conditions.

Otherwise a well designed and deployed video surveillance system is not only cheaper to run but a much better security system overall to implement given the risks that may be involved in challenging aggressive or heavy-handed intruders that could cause bodily harm to the security guard. For more information or advice regarding our remotely monitored video surveillance services, please do not hesitate to contact us on +44 (0) 20 8 443 0077 or email us at marketing@optiwatchgroup.com. In the meantime, you can visit us at www.optiwatchgroup.com for more information about us and our other services.

Several aspects of physical security like perimeter fencing, lockable gates, security lighting, static guarding, mobile patrols, access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection and fire, gas or flood prevention can be considered depending on the nature of the project.

Project managers have previously sought the help of internally or externally sourced static guards along with fencing, gates, lighting and mobile patrols to protect their developments as and when needed after starting out on site.

However, recent technology advances within the security and safety industry have paved the way for the deployment of more dynamic alternatives like video surveillance or cctv, access control, intrusion detection and fire prevention systems which have proved to be more dynamic, efficient and cost effective for many contractors.

These systems which can also be remotely monitored from anywhere in the world can also be easily deployed on site even before any vital project utilities, equipment or materials like hoarding, lighting and electricity are put in place.

It has therefore become easier for project planners, contractors and managers to factor these electronic security solutions into their budgetary considerations even as early as the tendering stage for that added peace of mind that the progress of their development will not be hindered by any preventable security or safety concerns.

It is also important to note which solutions will be the preferred choice at any stage during the lifecycle of any construction site project in order to maximise value at the least possible cost and this is where an experienced security solutions provider with the ability to provide any of these solutions directly or through any of their trusted partners will need to be carefully selected and sought as a one-stop-shop option to quickly deploy, administratively manage and effectively maintain most if not all the security and safety aspects of the project on the contractor’s behalf.

Battery operated, mobile enabled and wireless transmission intrusion detection systems with remote monitoring capabilities are usually deployed very early on in the development stages of a project before any power or hard fencing has been deployed.

These systems are usually very easy to deploy and have a simplified alarm notification and verification mechanism that allows any remote management station to quickly receive arc, email or app based alarms in either text, image or video formats. Mobile patrol units may also be deployed at this stage for added peace of mind.

More permanent video surveillance systems and access control are usually deployed when fixed hoarding is placed around the site for effective perimeter protection and site access control. These systems are usually more sophisticated in nature and usually have advanced intelligent analytic features like that allow any site to save valuable time detecting, assessing and mitigating risk.

The latest systems do not usually require any lighting to be on site for them to be as effective as they should be and they can also be integrated with most construction site based remotely monitored fire and medical safety alert systems which are usually deployed as staff begin to permanently occupy the site.

Alarm response services are usually offered as part of a package that goes with any remotely monitored systems which may need a physical response on site to help local enforcement authorities with any investigations following a verified intrusion.

Key holding services are also usually offered by providers with a remote monitoring centre that may be able to remotely operate a gate or provide a temporary key for a visitor to access the site out of normal working hours.

Traditional key holding services that require a physical presence to unlock and access a site on behalf of their client for any other reasons other than responding to an alarm may also be provided.

Static guards and gatemen may be deployed in the event of a remotely monitored system failure that occurs out of hours and cannot be fixed in time enough to secure the site appropriately.

They may also be deployed alongside any electronic systems for that added peace of mind if the site has high value materials that could easily be targeted by theft or vandalism, or even during holiday seasons where there may be extended periods of in occupancy that could attract unwanted attention.

A typical construction site usually has a perimeter fence along its outer boundary with integrated vehicle or pedestrian access gates to control and restrict entry to authorised personnel only.

Many construction sites in the past always relied on manually operated gates or doors fitted with locks that would typically need a physical presence to manage site entry and exit in and out of working hours.

The dawn of automated access control systems made it easier for authorised personnel to gain access using personalised code, card, or biometric authentication systems during normal working hours.

In many cases a staff member or an outsourced gateman usually from a security guarding company would still be required to manually enrol users and manage any access related concerns or queries.

However, latest internet technology advancements have enabled contractors and remote monitoring companies alike to manage site access from virtually anywhere in the world with an internet connection.

Automated access control has begun to slowly replace manual entry as more detailed accounts of site access provided by these new systems are now sought by contractors, clients and local governing authorities.

Security solutions providers who can provide these access control systems now deploy automated gates or doors that can be managed from an off-site office, station or control room for ease of administration.

Sites with these systems that also utilise remotely monitored video surveillance or CCTV for out of hours protection can also use them to provide access to alarm response units in the event of an incident.

The whole process is made so much easier when a single security solutions provider can deploy any security or safety services that would require out of hours site access in an emergency.

In the event of an incident for example, a remote monitoring centre will quickly pick up an intrusion via a triggered alarm notification from any of the cctv or video surveillance cameras strategically placed on site.

Remote virtual guards will then quickly analyse the incident via a recorded video live stream to identify and possibly warn any intruders off the premises via an audio speaker system once the threat is verified.

If the intruders persist, the local police will then be engaged and deployed to mitigate the threat before any damage can be caused and in many cases will need some sort of site access to investigate further.

And where a remotely operated gate or door exists, the police can quickly access the site via an intercom system on the door or gate that has a direct internet based voice connection to the remote monitoring centre.

A lot of time can therefore be saved in accessing a site to mitigate an emergency that could potentially cause substantial damage to the progress of any project when access can be instantly granted.

This same system can even be utilised through 24/7 remote monitoring service providers to grant necessary site access to prescheduled work that may need to be done out of hours on behalf of contractors.

The nature and composition of construction sites makes them more susceptible to various forms of crime like unauthorised trespassing, theft, vandalism, arson and sabotage especially out of normal working hours.

And any time taken to develop an effective site security and safety strategy to mitigate or completely eliminate risk will go a long way in contributing to the development and success of any construction project.

We are therefore going to look at some tried and tested security and safety principles that can be implemented to help protect and sustain any robust project plan from its conception right through to the end of the its cycle.

A dedicated management team responsible for the overall planning, implementation and maintenance of construction site security and safety is usually appointed ahead of time to determine the best possible solution for the project.

Basic government based compliance guidelines and procedures are also usually taken into consideration and implemented by site managers to ensure a minimum security standard or safety requirement.

A practical design of the environment in and around which a site is located can be designed in a way that can help deter, detect, delay, mitigate or respond to any potential threats before they can cause any substantial damage.

Clear lines of territorial demarcation preferably with some form of perimeter fencing or hoarding around the site can be very effective in deterring and delaying any unauthorised advances to valuable assets.

A firmly grounded and well maintained fence of approximately 3 meters high with clear unoccupied space on either side of its boundary to help deter, delay, detect or mitigate any attempts to breach it is usually recommended.

Well distributed security lighting can also be deployed to illuminate possible hiding spots in and around the site especially where valuable assets like machinery, tools and building materials are stored.

Controlled entry and exit points with clear well-lit path demarcations and signs leading to them are usually placed at specific points along the outer boundary to safely guide traffic in, within and out of the site.

Manually operated gates or doors with traditional locks and keys previously been deployed to manage site access usually with the help of a security guard, door supervisor or gateman to enforce compliance.

Advances in technology have now paved the way for more efficient forms of authorisation with mechanically or electronically operated gates, doors or locks to automatically grant or deny site access.

The inner boundary of a site is also usually kept clear and free of any items, equipment or structures that can obscure clear lines of vision or even provide suitable hiding spots for intruders along the inner perimeter.

Various forms of natural landscaping are also usually implemented with the help of movable barriers or fences to create clear path demarcations to dedicated staff landing or visitor reception areas.

Construction site managers responsible for overall site security and safety usually have their offices situated in or around these areas with an eagle eye view of all traffic in and out of the site.

Remotely monitored cctv cameras and audio challenge speakers strategically deployed along the site perimeter to deter, detect, delay and mitigate intrusions at night can now also be used by the same managers to monitor these areas in the day from a desktop, tablet or mobile app.

Tighter entry and exit restrictions using fences and gates are usually placed around the more high risk areas of a site where construction and movement of machinery may be taking place to limit access to authorised personnel only.

Traffic marshals or banksmen are usually deployed to enforce some of these inner restrictions and in some cases with the help of automated access control systems on behalf of the site manager where possible.

Site offices, welfare buildings and tool stations usually converted from steel containers that are hard to break into are also secured with various forms of lock and key combinations that only authorised personnel can access.

Expensive office and site equipment like laptops and power tools can also further be secured in lockable safes or enclosures built with coded entry access mechanisms that can be periodically changed for that added peace of mind.

Plant machinery like forklifts, graders, cranes, generators and diggers are also kept as far away from the site perimeter as possible usually in a fenced enclosure with some form of remotely monitored video based tracking device to monitor and track any persistent intrusions.

Expensive building materials like timber frames and copper wiring are also usually stored in open areas on a construction site and in most cases may need a local security presence on site to keep a watchful eye on these items.

Construction site managers usually also tend to deploy static guards or mobile patrol units alongside video surveillance systems during the longer holiday seasons or shutdown periods in order to deter any potential intruders.

Automatic number plate recognition features built into modern video surveillance systems can now be used to track and log any vehicle entry and exit activity especially in the case of staff or subcontractor attendance and site deliveries or pick-ups.

Dynamic battery operated wireless fire and medical alert points with instant mobile based notification systems are also increasingly being used especially on large construction to quickly respond to any unforeseen fire or medical emergencies.

With so many security service providers in the industry to choose from, a lot more time and effort is now required more than ever before to choose the best possible fit for your overall long term business operational model.

And in order to acquire a share of the market, most security solutions providers today have made an effort to specialise in value added services that inevitably make them unique to their clients, location and immediate competition.

It is therefore important that a security provider is able to offer the services required to meet your most important security and safety concerns even before costs are considered so that essential site protection is assured at the very least.

There are however some generic attributes one can look out for in a security provider who is most likely to give you that added peace of mind when choosing the right partner for your business or project.

A very important aspect of any security service is the ability to quickly respond to incidents or emergencies and a security company that is in close proximity to your premises is more likely to prevent potential risk, loss or damage to your property.

A provider whose speciality is only security and safety will probably have better quality products and services than one with differentiated services as it is more likely to spend most of its time, effort and resources in developing, delivering and maintaining them.

Many businesses today require a solution that will integrate a varied range of manned, physical, mechanical or electronic services and a service provider that is able to offer all of these in one go is most likely to save you a lot of valuable time, money and resources.

Most security companies today are able to demonstrate their ability to meet all the minimum quality assurance standards by signing up to, and becoming approved members of, all the respective governing bodies placed within the industry.

A security company with a considerable wealth of combined experience by its employees within their respective areas of operation or craftsmanship is more likely to offer highly developed, well built and error-free solutions in a short amount of time.

As the security industry is predominantly risk based, service providers are usually required to have some form of indemnity or liability insurance to safeguard them and their clients from high risk losses or damages that could potentially take them out of business.

A security company that relies on one or more of its partners to deliver a service can be rated by the quality, reputation or performance of their input to the service provider when faced with a decision to go with one provider over another.

A service provider that utilises creativity and innovation when developing its product is more likely to save their client a lot of time, money and valuable resources in providing a bespoke or tailored solution to a specific problem their client may be faced with.

A security provider with a detailed, well-documented and logical plan of action in deploying, managing and maintaining any proposed service is more likely to demonstrate their ability to adhere to any necessary client policies, procedures or contractual obligations.

Most successful business partnerships are built on initial transactions that gradually develop into long term relationships and a service provider with a few of these is more likely to be trusted in building and maintaining another.

A security provider with a wealth of information about their services be it through a website, brochures, a blog, white papers, knowledge base, training manuals or forums will always make it easier for a potential client to make an educated buying decision.

One thing that will go a long way in giving any potential client that added peace of mind is a service provider’s ability to support them with any queries or concerns they may have and most security companies today have 24/7 manned control rooms that cater for this.

Although not as appealing to most, a well presented brand will not only go a long way in catching the eye of a potential client but may also help get a potential provider to the interview stage where the more important qualities mentioned above can be addressed.

A control room or remote monitoring centre is a technology-led command and control centre where live or recorded video streams as well as electronic alarm notifications are managed by a team of round-the-clock virtual security guards or officers.

The dawn of the Internet has paved the way for many legacy or traditional security services, which initially required a local site presence for effective protection, to be replaced by modern remotely managed services like video surveillance or cctv.

This shift in the way services are provided has also led to a huge reduction in security overheads as fewer guards are now required to monitor multiple sites at the same time with the aid of advanced monitoring hardware and software systems.

And as the technology continues evolve, more security providers are now able to manage a wider range of security services from a control room like remote gate keeping, remote key holding and remote alarm response at any time of the day or night, without deploying a local presence.

Traditional control rooms were predominantly filled with multiple tv screens that would be visually monitored for any anomalies before any radio or telephone calls would be made to local enforcement authorities to attend site and mitigate identified risks.

More recent control rooms now have advanced video and alarm management software along with modernised video or alarm signal generation devices that are able to automatically detect and relay video or data signals within seconds of a breach.

Virtual security guards or control officers also now have the ability to proactively monitor a number of services deployed on one site or replicated on several others at the same time without the need to constantly stare at the screens for any potential breaches.

Video surveillance, also commonly known as cctv or virtual guarding, is a key service that probably influenced the overall structure and set-up of a control room. Strategically placed security cameras are configured to detect and immediately send alarm signals back to a control room for visual verification.

Remote concierges or remote gate keepers can now also be found in a control room working in tandem with key, card or biometric readers and electronically operated turnstiles, gates, doors or barriers to grant or deny access to a restricted area at any time of the day or night.

Intrusion detection, which primarily uses motion or heat sensors to detect a potential intrusion, is another common service that can now be successfully remotely managed from a control room especially for less complex site deployments.

Heat, gas, smoke and temperature detection services can now also be remotely managed from a control room. These services will typically detect fire and health hazards before they can cause any significant damage to people or premises.

Mask and hard-hat detection services are also available with more recent analytic software and hardware systems which usually work in tandem with intelligent cameras or readers to detect and identify anyone without a hard hat or face mask.

Fall detection, pulse detection and location tracking services can now also be easily managed from a control room especially for people who may be vulnerable to attack, abuse, abduction or health scares like VIPs, infants, lone workers, patients and the elderly.

Sound detection services, which detect abnormal audio or sound levels can also be managed from a control room. Specialised sound detection devices or cameras can be placed in and around a vulnerable area to detect unusual sound levels at any time of the day or night.

Call or query handling services can also be provided via emergency numbers placed on contact boards or via video intercom devices or readers with calling capabilities on sites that anticipate queries or enquiries about their site especially out of normal working hours.

Any alarms raised in connection with any of these services are usually analysed in a matter of seconds before further action to respond to them is taken. A remotely administered verbal response may resolve the issue for minor cases while the persistent ones may require a local reinforcement by designated authorities.