Winsted, has supplied a bespoke control room console as part of a security upgrade, at the Napier University of Edinburgh.
Based around four main campuses of, Merchiston, Craighouse, Craiglockhart and Sighthill, the university also has five smaller sites spread around Edinburgh.
Initiated in 2007, an electronic security upgrade was planned to integrate each campus access control and CCTV into one place, within a new control room based at the historic Craighouse campus. The universityโs collection of Grade A-listed buildings in the district of Morningside, presented a unique challenge to installers FMS Fire and Security. Andrew Smith of FMS says: "Because of the historical nature and unique layout of the buildings, installation at the facility was a challenge, especially within the control room, housed in the Craighouse campus building." The buildingโs partly circular room layout provided a blank canvas and a unique challenge, one that the Winsted designed and manufactured systems control console tackled with innovative and intuitive design. Housing multiple control points, eight display screens, and a data archive area; the bespoke manufactured console is seamlessly integrated into the building and provides the operational nerve-centre to the site-wide security network.
Andy Colbeck, Associated Director at project specifiers Faber Maunsell says why Winsted were chosen to supply the technical control room furniture. "We have used Winsted for multiple projects in the past, and have always been impressed with their level of technical ability and support. Due to the unique technical challenges of this installation, we required a supplier that could meet both the design specification and completion to deadline we required. Winsted delivered a comprehensive solution, reinforcing their status as one of our key, preferred suppliers."
Before manufacturing, Winstedโs design team provided Andrew Smith and the team with a visualisation of the planned finished console, as he says: "Winsted provided us with highly detailed renderings and animated โfly-throughsโ of the proposed control console, shown in position in the control room. This gave our team and university management the ability to โfine tuneโ the consoleโs design a number of times – until we were completely satisfied with its functionality and design ergonomics. This in-depth support afforded us with complete control in the design process and ultimately, total satisfaction in the finished product."
The universityโs security operators can now control access to, and view camera images from the universityโs four main car parks, in addition to camera locations from its other campuses, ensuring students and staff a safe and secure working and learning environment for years to come, as Andrew says: "The newly equipped control room now forms the key to a planned programme of system expansion that will see over 30 new camera positions added to the system, which can be easily integrated into the Winsted supplied control console furniture."
Harry Whale, General Manager at Winsted adds: "We are pleased to have assisted Napier University with this technically challenging installation, and proud to supply a bespoke technical furniture solution, that not only meets the immediate demands of the control room, but provides a flexible base for their plans for future expansion."
