Integration of Video Surveillance, Public Address and Fire and Intrusion Systems

INTRODUCTION
Although oil and gas facilities are subject to the same threats to safety and security as any other industry, they present specific criteria that are more complex and therefore require special considerations. The oil and gas supply chain encompasses mobile and fixed drilling and production platforms, pumping stations, pipelines, storage facilities, road, rail and seagoing tankers, loading and unloading terminals, as well as refineries and processing plants. The more that safety and security systems can be integrated, the more efficient will be the overall precautions, especially in the light of increased threat of terrorism. This article gives an overview of Bosch Security Systems and its product portfolio from which efficient and effective solutions can be built that ideally suit safety and security requirements of the oil and gas industry.

THE MARKET, ACQUISITIONS & THE COMPANY
The global sound and security market in 2005 was valued at EUR 16.8 billion, growing at an annual rate of around five percent. This is the main reason why numerous major mergers and acquisitions have occurred in recent years amongst safety and security solution vendors. By closing gaps in the product portfolio and quickly building up market access through specialized sales forces in regional markets, acquisitions support the acceleration of a strong market position.

Bosch Security Systems, established in 1921, is active worldwide in intrusion alarm, access control, CCTV surveillance including state of the art IP-solutions, fire alarm and evacuation systems, EVAC-compatible public address, as well as video management, building integration and congress systems. Bosch is one of the major players that has benefited from a number of strategic acquisitions in the last five years.

WHY INTEGRATION
An important reason behind these transactions is that customers are increasingly requesting integrated security solutions. They wish to obtain everything they need regarding security from a single vendor – the ‘one-stop-shop’ approach – a concept that applies to both products and services and one which Bosch fully practices.

Integration is especially relevant in the oil and gas industry due to the complexity and diversification of facilities. For example, a number of floating and fixed drilling and production platforms may need to be interconnected, while surveillance of overland pipelines – sometimes over thousands of kilometres – is an essential requirement. In fact, many countries have specific, stringent regulations regarding pipeline security in the interests of public safety, which may also apply to terminals, refineries and storage facilities.

Addressing total integration requirements, Bosch offers its Building Integration System (BIS) that provides one of the most powerful and comprehensive planning, installation and enterprise management software solutions available today. BIS is designed to totally integrate building and facility management services by connecting all operational systems and their information and control data into a unified, centralized solution that can monitor, manage and maintain a single facility, a group of facilities or an entire enterprise. The solution takes into account the complexity of modern building and construction technology and the many different facility requirements.

In short, the oil and gas supply chain requires a total, integrated safety and security solution that would include third party process control systems such as emergency shutdown in the event of fire detection. And most relevant for offshore platforms is the use of marine radar, in combination with CCTV, to detect and identify approaching vessels.

IP – THE WAY FORWARD
Offering major advantages in scalability, flexibility, accessibility, cost-effectiveness and virtually unlimited reach, Internet Protocol (IP) is the new future for CCTV surveillance. This is especially relevant for the oil and gas industry where surveillance of large areas and over long distances may be required. Bosch is a pioneer in the development of IP-based products and systems, including a wide range of cameras, encoders, decoders and other networking devices. IP is also applicable in other security areas than CCTV, mainly for communications.

Another key advantage of using IP is that the cabling often already exists. If not, installing Ethernet cabling is generally less expensive than coax analogue cabling. Furthermore, using computer networks allows users to employ standard PC servers for video management and storage. IP-based systems are easy to power thanks to the IT standard Power-over-Ethernet (PoE). The key advantage is that power outlets do not need to be installed at each camera location. This not only reduces installation costs, but also allows the cameras to be easily repositioned or configured.

PUBLIC ADDRESS & EMERGENCY SOUND SYSTEMS
Bosch is a leading supplier of fully integrated EVAC-compatible public address and emergency sound systems for both digital and analogue installations. The company’s Praesideo and Plena solutions comprise a wide choice of network controllers, power amplifiers, fireman’s panels, call stations and loudspeakers, as well as provision for ambient music.

FIRE AND INTRUSION ALARM SYSTEMS
Also a world leader in fire and intrusion systems, Bosch offers its Local Security Network (LSN) bus system that provides maximum flexibility and reliability. LSN includes a choice of more than 70 fire, intrusion and malfunction detectors, operator units and arming and access devices from different manufacturers. A recent addition to the portfolio is the Wireless Local Security Network (wLSN), a revolutionary two-way wireless communications technology that gives greater security, reliability and convenience than other wireless technologies.

These systems, when controlled through Bosch’s Building and Integration System (BIS), can provide vital automatic fire detection and evacuation in an oil or gas production facility, with initiation through evacuation announcement. In parallel, BIS automatically sends a diagram of the facility to fire fighting services, while security staff is alerted to allow the fire fighters to enter, and emergency doors are automatically opened or closed as required.

SUMMARY
Having said that the global sound and security market is growing at an annual rate of around five percent, it is important to note that growth in Russia is faster, with about 9 percent predicted for the next few years. Bosch is a major player in Russia in many application areas with world-class products, systems and services. Along with partner suppliers and highly qualified and experienced installers, the company is in a strong position to build and maintain significant business in Russia in integrated safety and security solutions for the oil and gas and other industries.