Category Archives: CCTV

CCTV footage as Petrol tanker bursts into flames

Posted on by

Dramatic footage was captured on CCTV as  a petrol tanker bursts into flames

During a routine delivery to a petrol station in Melbourne this huge explosion occurred.  Australians were amazed at the scenes captured on CCTV that enveloped the fuel station and surrounding area.
The flames described as  up to 150m long also leaped into the air and  engulfed the forecourt. As the flames spread it reached as far as the outside of  the Stamford Inn hotel in the south east of the city.
The driver encountered amazing fortune as he was able to climb out of the fuel tanker, loaded with over 20,000 litres of fuel. He suffered burns injuries to his arms and legs as he was able to get clear before the explosion. Reports stated that at least 500 people had to be  evacuated as parked cars were also engulfed and exploded. The cause of the inferno was caused by a lightening strike that hit the area during an electrical storm.

Thermal security cameras

Posted on by

Thermal security cameras are slowly but surely becoming a very powerful tool in the security specifiers armory. FLIR, long time leaders in thermal camera technology have now been able to produce thermal security cameras that have not only become cost effective but seriously enhance security solutions especially when combined with analytics. So what are the advantages of specifying Thermal security cameras over CCTV with traditional lighting.

thermal security camera images

Well firstly Thermal security cameras offer what can only be described as FULL AWARENESS they are able to see beyond what would be expected of  a normal CCTV camera paired with white led floodlighting or IR floods. The beauty of  being able to use the camera with equal effect in broad daylight or absolute darkness in practically any weather conditions means that any site with a security requirement that demands a  100% detection rate will always demand thermal security cameras be used.

Now any camera needs tools to help the end user identify an intrusion, Using Thermal security cameras with analytics is very close to the ultimate solution. Technology though has really started to move on with thermal being introduced into robust ruggedized PTZ cameras. We see the 4 makes below as the leaders in the market place right now.

FLIR thermal security camera…………..FLIR

FLIR PT-series thermal security camera

Predator thermal security camera…… 360 Vision Technology

Predator thermal security camera

 

 

 

Mic thermal security camera……………Bosch

MIC thermal security camera

 

C-AllView thermal security camera……Ganz

C-AllView Ganz thermal security camera

 

Of course Thermal security cameras are proportionally far more expensive than a traditional PTZ IR solution but the advantages of thermal  and the relative reduction in price is making this solution affordable to many security managers. The number one application for thermal security cameras is perimeter protection. However harbour masters, airports, oil refineries and quarries have all found that thermal is the way forward.

March networks acquisition by Infinova

Posted on by

March Networks acquisition.

March networks a global provider of intelligent IP video solutions, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement  with Infinova (Canada) Ltd.Infinova is a company listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and will integrate well with March. Infinova will acquire, through a statutory plan of arrangement, all of the issued and outstanding common shares of March Networks Corporation for C$5.00 per share in cash. In total the value of the transaction is approximately C$90.1 million. The takeover is subject to approval by the shareholders of both companies.March Networks and Infinova between them create one of the 10 largest global players in the video surveillance industry a powerful force will emerge and there is much to be gained by both parties from this merger. Infinova offers March Networks a broader geographic footprint, access to the world’s fastest growing market and a complementary fit with respective product lines. The merger is consistent with a strategy to accelerate growth and expand in the Asian market from March networks perspective.March Networks is established as one of the leading players in the video industry and Infinova will help to take the new company forward when they combine forces. This acquisition provides scale in all critical markets, as well as giving Infinova access to March Network’s IP technology. It is thought March will continue to operate independently from its Ottawa headquarters and maintain its name and brands. March will benefit from Infinova’s manufacturing expertise.

March Networks NVR

Has the NSI lost its way ?

Posted on by

For those that don’t know, the NSI is the regulatory body that oversees the security industry, in the old days they were only interested in Intruder alarms and to be fair the regulation they imposed and enforced rigorously with member companies was very helpful to the industry. It meant standards were good amongst members and insurance companies would only insure those clients who had their intruder alarm installed to a “NACOSS standard”. In a way this was jobs for the boys.  If you were in the club then it would exclude electricians from poaching your business just because they could do it cheaper and were not burdened with the paperwork that goes with a properly installed intruder alarm system.

NSI GOLD installer

The NSI went further though, if you were a company that wanted to embrace other disciplines within your portfolio such as CCTV and access control,  the NSI insisted that if you wanted to display the NSI logo on your company paperwork or vans,  then you also had to install CCTV and access control to their standards and pay for and issue certificates accordingly. OK this was just about bearable and the additional costs could be absorbed. However insurance companies did not drive end users to use NSI approved installers for CCTV and access control in the same way they did for Intruder alarms therefore the commercial advantage was not so great to be a member of the NSI club.

Further standards were introduced though such BS8418 for monitored CCTV in order to involve insurance companies and the Police and it was hoped they would then insist all monitored CCTV could only be done by the NSI members. All in all though this initiative failed, the insurers either did not care or found it was of no advantage to them to insist on BS8418 systems to be installed, the Police were overcome with apathy.

Now though we have a whole new ball game. IP CCTV is changing everything. Security companies are competing with IT integrators and the IT boys are totally unburdened with regulation.The playing field is not fair anymore and security companies are being weighed down by the NSI.

We need changes and we need them fast. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. So NSI, either the IT integrators must be forced to issue certificates and install to the same high standards that is expected of security companies or CCTV must be deregulated to mean a company that installs both intruder alarms and CCTV does not have  suffer the overheads that the NSI brings with it.