A new IFTER EQU software, designed to support Local Monitoring Centers (LMC), will very soon replace InPro BMS, a software which has been known on the market for 15 years. Many years of experience and hundreds of projects are the foundation of this new software. Our main goal remains the same: increasing an object's security, as well as creating the possibility to manage both building automation systems and measuring systems data.
IFTER EQU integrates devices which form security systems, automation and measuring systems located on site. Software is designed to be easily operated, which helps to significantly increase the efficiency of an object's whole security system. IFTER EQU offers great visualization as well. It is very difficult to build an efficient security system without IFTER EQU. The efficiency of all security systems (Intruder and Hold Up Alarm Systems – I&HAS, Fire Alarm Control Panel – FACP, Access Control System – AC, and Closed-circuit Television – CCTV) is significantly higher, if we add visualization to the mix and also, when those systems are integrated correctly. This solution allows, among other things, to verify the fire alarm through I&HAS (PIR detector also detects when the temperature increases), as well as CCTV.
An active usage of large commercial objects and warehouses is a big challenge for all kind of services dedicated to ensure safety and protect the property of the company. The main goal of an architect working on that kind of building, is not only to facilitate the flow of people and material goods, but also to effectively use a warehouse space. Day-to-day security of an object is lower on the list of priorities and sometimes this factor is even forgotten. Very often it is reminded only after a dangerous situation occurs, under life-threating circumstances or when there is a big risk of property damage / robbery. As a result, the owner faces great material losses. It's important to remember that in this situation the costs of a security system modernization are greatly higher, especially, when some loss coverage has to be taken into account as well.
Large objects danger situations. Most common danger situations occurring on large objects are:
Fire risk. Giving the size of large objects, fire extinguishing actions are more complicated and there is a possibility of suffering serious and very costly damage. After detecting a fire it is essential to locate it as quickly as possible and, furthermore, to conduct safe and efficient evacuation and fire extinguishing. In case of FACPs, which often contain over a thousand elements, it is not that simple to locate the threat correctly and counteract it immediately. It's important to keep in mind that the particular object creates a specific risk. Even if the stored goods are not made of flammable materials, they are often placed on wooden pallets and secured with a plastic sheet or a cardboard.
The risk of material losses. This kind of risk can be either internal (the source of which are people working at the object) or external (people other than employees). The security system related to that type of risk is multi-level. It consists of ACS and access zones available for a specific group of people and it also includes securing particular zones and commodities with the use of I&HAS. The other element which completes the system is CCTV. A proper type of equipment and its location allows to easily verify the danger.
As we can see, in order to secure a large object sufficiently, we need to include numerous detectors, readers and cameras - and different kinds of it. Contrary to what one might expect, it is not about the number of elements that constitutes the best system, but it's more about a proper location and integration. Integration should not be completely automatic as – giving a great number of control devices included in the system – it could create a chaos. A managing system has to – most of all – suggest a solution, and only after that, its role is to ensure automation of some of the processes. This way the LMC operator is provided with ready and clearly presented information, which allows him to quickly initiate a proper counteraction in a situation of a threat.
All these goals were the foundation for creating a new IFTER EQU software. Its main functions are:
Integration – IFTER EQU supports a great number of security system devices that are most popular in Poland. It is a multi-directional system: IFTER EQU monitors a current state of the system and controls the work of the devices. The possibility to connect particular systems is also very important. For instance, fire detector alarm can cause the lights to turn on and the cameras to show the location of a potential threat. This function allows – among other things – to save the energy. In other words, the light will turn on only at the location where the threat was detected.
Visualization – IFTER EQU allows to present, on a graphic panels, the state of the elements included in the security system, such as: sensors, alarm zones, doors, cameras. Visualization consists of many icons which change accordingly, indicating the current state of any device, for example it supports the devices responsible for activity surveillance, alarm or damage. By clicking on an icon we can control the device, for example by sending a command to block or activate an element. Moreover, the user is provided with an immediate preview of the latest event and the latest alarm regarding the particular element.
Alarms – one of the most interesting options is the possibility to define different alarms for one detector, therefore, assigning different procedures, reactions or steering, depending on the state. You can create different alarms for a particular detector, in the case of a threat, sabotage or even blocking.
In order to quickly identify the location of a threat, IFTER EQU is equipped with many interesting mechanisms, including an option of localizing a threat on architectural plans which are displayed automatically and contain icons of active detectors. Operator can easily verify, in which part of the object he's currently staying. This way he can coordinate a patrol checking the situation. To make their job even easier, an operator can provide the patrol with a print of the danger zone, with active detectors being under an alarm state, as well as the evacuation routes available. Naturally, during the operation, an operator can personally monitor the danger zone via cameras located in this area. To see the image from a camera, user has to click on an icon placed on the same plans as alarm elements (sensors). In the case of large commercial objects and warehouses, an important security issue is to fully verify every opening or closing of the door / blinds leading to the restricted area and to keep a proper record of this events. Generally this function is realized through I&HAS installed on the doors and blinds. Therefore, an alarm is triggered when the blinds are opened. IFTER EQU automatically reads out an audio message, for example: „Blind no. 10 is opened”, it displays the location of an alarm on architectural plans and an image from the camera pointed at the blind. It allows to immediately verify who opened it and to perform a visual surveillance until the blind is closed.
Additionally, you can create schedules which will make handling the system and arming / disarming the alarm zones even easier. You can set different time range for every day of a week, deciding when a particular alarm zone shall be active. You can also make exceptions, special days, which is useful during holidays or in the case of construction workers present on site, etc.
Open protocols used in automation and measuring systems, allow for a complex system management, with the use of a LUA scripting language interpreter included in IFTER EQU software. It ensures a complete management of all devices installed at the object.
