After suspected arson attacks in Plymouth a city-based security contractor has urged property owners to consider a 24/7 monitored wireless alarm system with visual verification.
Securi-Guard says its iwitness enhanced detection system is particularly for vacant, void and isolated properties. The authorities are investigating a huge fire being treated as arson at the empty former Quality Hotel on Plymouth Hoe. There was also a further attack at a builder’s yard in Wingfield Road in the Stoke area of the city and the former Mannamead Centre was severely damaged in a fire thought to have been started deliberately.
A number of high profile organisations including Devon County Council and Wolf Minerals Ltd are already using ‘iwitness’ that uses mobile phone technology to transmit intruder detected video images.
Mark Tapper, Business Development Manager – Security Services at Securi-Guard – said he expected renewed interest in the battery operated systems in the wake of the fire attacks in Plymouth. Tapper, pictured, said: “The iwitness system is aimed at businesses and organisations looking for the perfect way to quickly and easily protect against fire and intruders, which is also cost effective.
“With no wires or mains power required, the advantage of this system is that it can be installed very quickly and without any fuss and is a highly useful deterrent for protecting exactly the kind of buildings that were targeted in these recent fire incidents.”
Video images the equipment captures are monitored by staff at Securi-Guard’s Gold Award standard Alarm Receiving Centre at its Estover HQ and the detectors can be fitted and up and running in minutes, the firm says.
The images picked up by the motion sensor are transmitted to a computer screen at the ARC monitoring centre at Securi-Guard’s HQ. As the systems are operated by a battery that has up to a three year life span they are suitable the firm says for premises where the electricity may have been shut down and will stand vacant.
The detectors combine a passive infrared motion sensor, a digital video camera and infrared illuminators into a single wireless battery powered security device. Products are also available for both indoor and outdoor use and Securi-Guard can also fit the system with a smoke detector to provide fire alert.
Property management companies, estate agents, construction companies, scaffolding providers and owners of vulnerable remote locations are among the users of iwitness. Securi-Guard has a separate website detailing specification on the new iwitness system at www.securi-guard-iwitness.co.uk.
