Issue link: https://securitytechnologyexecutive.epubxp.com/i/917121
22 SECURIT Y TECHNOLOGY E XECUTIVE • November/December 2017 • www. SecurityInfoWatch.com In addition to an antiquated electronic security system, the project also involved a complete renovation of the existing master control, construction of new security electronics equipment rooms, and implementation of a centralized UPS system. Photo Courtesy of Mead & Hunt PLC controllers are built with industrial-grade elec- tronic components that are incredibly reliable. With a shelf-life of anywhere between 25-30 years; their failure rate is extremely limited. PLCs have been used successfully in detention markets for decades. They are also widely used in manufacturing , mining and water resources. The benefit of using a PLC controller for a secu- rity system backbone is that they can integrate a greater variety of low voltage security systems under a single GUI. Card access systems are typi- cally able to integrate simple contact closures such as electronic locking hardware, duress alarms and video surveillance systems. PLC controllers can further expand system integration to also include facility-wide paging systems, door control inter- coms, and emergency mass notification systems. Most importantly, they can do so in an open-archi- tecture, non-proprietary, non-restrictive manner. Upgrades to security electronics system also included a complete replacement of the existing door control system while making effective re-use of the existing cable infrastructure. System imple- mentation also included upgrades from analog to new digital video surveillance and door control intercom systems. "A lot of up-front planning is needed. We had numerous meetings with the county and correc- tional officials before the project started, continu- ous meetings on- site and just as many meetings at Stanley to get our heads around how to create the best and safest project plan for this retrofit. If Stanley, the facility owner and the security consult all agree on a collaborative game plan, it certainly makes the rest of the project go a lot smoother. Plan- ning is key to a successful project," Wydick says. "For instance, any time you have a nasty retrofit project like this, if there are cabling structure and technology that can be reused and modified, we will do that. If we can reuse door control cabling and intercom cabling that helps the retrofit go smoother and is less expensive for the client." Pronschinske stresses that the single most important step is designing a detention-grade elec- tronic security system is specifying components that are non-restrictive and non-proprietary. The goal was that when the system was replaced, the county would have technology they could either maintain themselves or competitively bid for future maintenance and expansion. All hardware and software components were specified to be "off-the- shelf " and non-proprietary. These include industrial-grade non-proprietary PLCs, standard DIN-mounted industrial grade mechanical relays and standard 24VDC or 120VAC power supplies. This allowed the county, at the end of the project, the ability to be able to pur- chase their own parts from an electronics distribu- tor of their choice. Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter knew that when he took office in 2012 that a complete over- haul of the facility was certainly a necessity and, in fact, was in already in the planning stages. "I didn't understand some of the needs of the project when I got there since I was new, but as time went on it was evident that we needed not just the cameras, but an entire retrofit of the mas- ter control rooms with a complete overhaul of cabinets to carpentry," says Sheriff Easter. " We are very happy with every aspect of the project and are just now getting ready to do some modifications down in our work-release facility, setting up the electronics just like we have in the main facility. It has saved us a lot of time, headaches, not to men- tion lawsuits, by having the new (digital) camera system and the deputies love the new master con- trol system since it is so much easier to use than before. It has made the facility a lot more safe and efficient. We can see everything and we can react a lot quicker." COVER STORY