Background:
INDUSTRIAL applications demand capable access control solutions that can provide the right balance of security and accountability. And for larger sites the ability to establish who is on the site in the event of an emergency is also important. Another vital feature on big sites with many doors and large numbers of staff is ensuring that lost keys don’t demand huge outlays in re-keying when staff leave, or credentials go astray. The large, state-of-the-art production plant on Viti Levu is a case in point. With well over 100 employees, this is a mid-sized operation that demanded a real-time access control solution with a proven track record and the ability to expand easily – not just with additional access control but with video surveillance, should this be required. According to ECS International’s corporate service manager, Riz Akbar, the Pacific has been traditionally seen as a soft target due to its relaxed life style. However, this company has implemented a culture of security to protect its staff, facilities, logistics and manufacturing process. “As part of this implementation, in 2003 ECS was engaged to train the company’s in-house security team on security operations,” Akbar explains. “Importantly ECS International is the only accredited TECOM installer in Fiji and when the issue of access control came up it was natural that we should be involved. “The access control system was planned after several consultations with ECS International. It was decided that it would be best to wait until their new storage warehouse was completed before commencing the ACS project. The company’s ACS project manager (ACSPM) had clear requirements for the new access control system. “The specification was to install an access control system that would suite the client’s current basic requirement and also be upgradable in the future. “In short, they wanted a modular system that would integrate seamlessly with other sub-systems in the future.” The ACSPM agrees. “We wished to implement a reputable system that was proven, tried and tested,” he says. “It had to meet our current needs and should be easily expanded as required.” The Application: Akbar explains that the purpose of the system ECS International installed is to control access to sensitive administrative and manufacturing areas and keep records of personnel movements in these areas. 
“The system is most easily understood as a centralised, electronic ‘master key issuing and control system’, providing each ‘keyholder’ with a personalised smart ‘key’ and an easy way to ‘re-key’ any or all of the ‘locks’ with a few mouse clicks,” he says. “The system can also provide cardholder location information for building evacuation purposes.” According to Akbar, in terms of scope, the system comprises 13 doors, 26 smart card readers and around 180 cardholders with varying access control privileges. Doors include single and double solid core doors with some being wooden and others aluminium. Access control system functionality is dictated to a significant extent by the features of the management software driving the system. At this site, GE’s Titan Gold platform has been deployed and is being used primarily to provide supervisor control of cardholder access levels and retain records of system operation. “Importantly, the client had an existing photo ID card system and this was reproduced in the new system with personalised IDs incorporating the client’s logo designed by ECS,” Akbar explains. “Cards for the system were printed at our Suva office on the ELVOIS ID Card Printer.” Akbar says the management software supplied by the manufacturer needed no customisation and only a small amount of additional programming was required. “The Titan Gold software supplied by Direct Alarm Supplies provides control of almost every aspect of the operation of the equipment,” he explains. “Since this installation used only a part of the available functionality of the equipment, the supplied software was already able to provide the required functions. The only additions were the database programming specific to the equipment’s configuration.” The equipment also has the potential to integrate with video surveillance using a different software solution. “Titan Gold allows for interfacing with the Challenger using a workstation,” Akbar says. “There is an alternative product available from the supplier which provides much greater functionality, including the ability to control substantially more individual systems and control both DVRs and PTZ cameras. “This could be substituted for the existing system with little difficulty and is part of the client’s access control expansion plan.” The System: The access control system which was installed included GE’s Challenger V8 and Titan Gold software, supplied by Direct Alarm Supplies NSW branch. The power supplies and locking devices (Capture 600-LED Maglocks and FSH FES20M electric strikes) came from Seadan Security & Electronics in NSW. According to Akbar, all readers installed by ECS International are GE-supplied TECOM Smartcard readers. “Both electric door strikes and electromagnetic locks (single and double door types) were used. The controlling hardware consisted of a V8 Challenger Panel and several Intelligent 4-Door Controllers,” Akbar says. “The comms/network infrastructure consisted only of the cabling necessary to connect the various modules together - there were no network access points or patch panels. “The management software is GE’s TITAN Gold (Single User),” says Akbar. “While this does have the ability to alert an operator of any alarm condition, including invalid access attempts, its primary purpose on this site is to provide a GUI for controlling the access level of the issued smartcards and to store and access the logging records.” According to Akbar, the system only controls cardholder access at this point in time but vehicle access is controlled on other sites using similar equipment. “It is envisaged that Stage II of the ACS project will commence later this year and will incorporate vehicle access management and pedestrian access through electronic turnstiles,” he says. Akbar explains that while the system is relatively straightforward in design, the reader and card technology used offers higher levels of security. “The flexibility and added security of smart cards was highlighted by ECS during the planning stages and adapted in the specifications to suit this application,” he says. “The TECOM product exceeded the specifications in this application.” The Installation: Akbar explains the access control system is a fairly small installation, geographically, and that had an impact on the system layout chosen. “The Challenger system utilises an RS-485 bus type LAN for module intercommunication, however, for small systems a partial star configuration is allowed,” he explains. “In this case, the main system LAN was installed as a single bus but the reader connections were configured as a star topology to provide redundant cabling for mutual isolation of the readers and quicker fault finding in the event of a reader failure.” Akbar says that while this is not a huge installation there were still challenges for the installation team in Suva. “Chasing of existing concrete walls to install conduits for hiding cabling inside the walls was a challenge,” he says. “Surface installation was out of the question and, due to the adverse weather conditions such as tropical cyclones, commercial buildings in Fiji are traditionally constructed of high grade materials such as reinforced structural concrete. “It goes without saying that chasing through this concrete required skill and persistence with careful attention to detail in sensitive areas such as rooms which were designated as dust free zones,” Akbar explains. “Conduits had to be laid with sufficient bending radius to cater for future cables and service work. Further, making-good with this installation had to be of an exceptional standard in order to match the existing décor and this was all undertaken prior to cable installation.” There were other challenges, too. Getting clean power was the big one. “Clean and constant power supply is a major issue that faces electronic installations in Fiji,” says Akbar. “Power surges are a constant threat to the success of major installations.
Akbar explains that to counter this issue, the client had already installed essential power redundancy for all its mission critical equipment which ensured that components last their expected lifecycle. For the ACS, all remote equipment is powered from its associated controllers in the usual way. “Locking devices have individual power supplies and battery backups,” he explains. “All controllers and power supplies are located in areas with power already available. “The ever present threat of lightning strikes from tropical thunder storms dictates that ample spares must be kept in stock locally – lightning is another big issue for the client so that made it a big issue for us, too.” According to Akbar, the hardware installation covered 3 weeks and final commissioning another week. “Three employees participated in this installation, one labourer, one technician, and the assistant project manager who also conducted fit out, programming and ground training,” he says. “The installation was carried out by local ECS technicians Anthony Titifanua (IRCFT) and Peter Savukiono. Titifanua, who has received formal integration training in Sydney, and Savukiono were responsible for all the fitout and programming.” Akbar says no support was required by ECS from the manufacturer or the distributor. “Design, installation and integration was completed using ECS staff,” he explains. “Head-end equipment was supplied by DAS Alexandria and to our knowledge this was the first TECOM installation in Fiji. “DAS’s Alexandria branch manager Ken Ruello shared our excitement and passion in winning a major client such as this. This support was important because a key issue for ECS is the fact there are no DAS branches in Fiji,” Akbar explains. “This means there’s nowhere to run if spares or new stock are required so supplier support and parts availability back in Sydney really are vital to our success with such critical projects.” According to Akbar, another key part of the installation process involved training of the client’s staff. “Operational and technical training was provided by ECS’ local technical manager who had attended a certified training program in Sydney,” he says. “The technical training was successfully conducted for their system administrator. “This training included system configuration, user access management, basic troubleshooting and administrator level controls over the system,” he explains. Akbar says that initially cardholders were not familiar with the anti-passback system which required users to register their cards at the door exit readers so that the system was aware they had left the controlled area and this caused a few hiccups. “Once the users became familiar with the new anti-passback protocol, no further general usage problems arose. All in all, the training was a success,” he says. The Results: Now the system has been installed and commissioned, Akbar says that security onsite is demonstrably improved. “The security officers can now authenticate who is allowed onsite and the system ensures that only authorised persons are permitted to access sensitive areas,” he says. “Any complacency about the system was quickly arrested by that anti-passback feature – the ACS is now taken seriously. “The system fully meets the design criteria by providing controlled access to various sensitive areas and logging records of all cardholder’s access and current location.” Akbar says he is extremely proud of the young local team that carried out the installation and commissioning in Suva. “This is a reflection of our local expertise and it’s a plus for Fiji’s economy, which has been suffering from a lack of skilled labour due to migration,” Akbar explains. “While other companies have refrained from investing in an uncertain overseas environment, ECS took this challenge head-on and believed in giving opportunities to local young technicians, allowing them to develop their electronic security skills.” “From the perspective of ECS International it’s been a very pleasing result,” he says. *Company details relating to this installation withheld for security reasons
The Company ECS:
ECS was established in 1990 at North Parramatta Sydney. The company initially undertook alarm, access control, CCTV and intercom installation work. Due to the fragmented nature of the security industry, the directors decided to embark upon a business model that provided a range of other value added services to their clientele. In 1994 ECS commenced operations in the Fiji Islands.
Further expansions in 1998 saw the opening of the special operations unit office in Sydney. During 2008, our commitment to the Fijian market was further cemented by the purchase a new operations centre in the heart of Suva. In 2006 Canberra operations were commenced and an office was established at Fishwyck in the ACT.
Today, ECS International provides efficient and professional services in all aspects of Security and Investigations. It offers a comprehensive range of services including; occupational first aid, traffic control and concierge personnel, dog handlers, armoured and armed cash-in-transit, CCTV, access control, building automation, 24-hour monitoring, site telephone and nurse call systems, risk management and consulting; and drugs and explosives screening at the workplace. ECS is the only TECOM and Concept accredited installer in the Fiji Islands.
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