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I n remote or large-scale outdoor environments wherecopper theft and other criminal activities pose aschallenging problems, video surveillance is key to

managing assets and providing companies a means ofrecovery following a disaster.

To outsmart criminals who go to great lengths to dis-guise their appearance, video security, with integratedcameras and sensors, aims to apprehend thieves during acrime. Specifically, night-vision cameras, integratedwith PIR motion sensors, linked to a 24/7 monitoringstation can instantly deliver an e-mail containing a 10-second video clip to a site manager and law enforce-

ment. Verified crime-in-progress calls receive a higherpriority response.

The idea is to catch criminals red-handed, makinghoods, hats and masks irrelevant. These types of systemshave helped address outdoor security needs in communi-cations, utilities and transportation industries.

THE COMMUNICATION INDUSTRYProtecting tower infrastructure is important, as cell net-works and broadcasting are key components in disasterrecovery and business continuity in the event of a natu-ral or manmade disaster. Recently, cell, radio and televi-

sion towers have been targeted by copper thieves, and themajor carriers have been seeking an affordable solutionthat is cost effective and easy to deploy. AT&T recentlyfinished a 12-month pilot program in Texas to combat agrowing copper theft problem that was costing the com-pany thousands of dollars. Thieves have been targetingthe copper grounding bars and air conditioners on theoutside of shelters, at the base of towers and on theinside of grounding halos.

While the copper stolen may total only a few hun-dred dollars, the cost to repair the infrastructure rangesin the thousands. Working with SNC of Hutchinson,

BUSINESS CONTINUITY DISASTER RECOVERY

Video secures outdoor assets in a variety of ways

By Keith Jentoft

SECURITYUNPLUGGED

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Kan., AT&T installed Videofied securi-ty systems at 25 cell towers to securethe towers and shelters housing thecommunications equipment. The solu-tion was entirely wireless and requiredno AC power. Transmission of thealarms and video footage was sent overthe cell network.

Before the systems were installed, celltower sites reported losses of more than$100,000 for 2006-2007. Twelve months

after installation, there were no reportedthefts or criminal activities at 18 of the 25locations. Five sites reported criminalactivity, but five arrests were made infour of the incidents.

It was clear the Videofied systemsdeterred thefts, since other tenants at thecell tower sites shared by AT&T contin-ued to be plagued by copper thefts.

“We are now deploying Videofied toproblem sites across the entire AT&T

network,” said Mike Korbuly, vice pres-ident at SNC. “Other carriers and towerowners are approaching us now to helpsolve their copper theft problems.”

PROTECTING UTILITIESCopper theft also has been a major issuefor public utilities, where electrical sub-stations use thousands of dollars of cop-per. In many cases, a fence and a lockinggate were the only security provided.

As copper prices have risen, substa-tions have suffered losses of everythingfrom copper grounds on perimeter fencepoles to transformer windings to thelarge copper grounding grid installedunder the gravel pad. While some ofsites are equipped with CCTV, PTZcameras are not cost effective for broaddeployment and have not been effectivein providing solid identifications. Majorutilities, including Progress Energy,

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Entergy, Edison, Northeastern Utilities and NSTAR,have installed and tested the new outdoor Videofiedsecurity system.

“Our return on investment on the first installationby Intelligent Access Systems was achieved in threedays,” said Brian Smith, lead security specialist atProgress Energy. “We installed our first system and, onthe third day of operation, the system was activated byan intruder who, in turn, was apprehended onsite bylocal law enforcement. Due to the great success of thepilot system, Progress Energy will be deploying moreVideofied units throughout our tri-state enterprise dur-ing the next year.”

Ron Oetjen, president of Intelligent Access Systemsof North Carolina, a regional security integrator based inRaleigh, N.C., said they have installed five similar secu-rity systems at major electrical utility companies.

“It is an effective solution for our customers at anattractive price,” Oetjen said. “Our customers are happy,and we intend to be a leader in this market.”

The typical substation installation uses 10cameras/sensors mounted to the substation infrastruc-ture. There are no wires, power or communications, socameras and communicators can be mounted anywherefor optimal effectiveness. Even with the noisy RF envi-ronment of a substation, the wireless system has a rangeof hundreds of feet between the cameras and the cell

communicator panel.

TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMSThe Metro Transit System in Washington, D.C., is agood example of why public transportation needs copper theft protection. The Metro trains are poweredby electricity that is delivered over copper wire.Securing this copper from theft is critical to keepingthe system running efficiently. Metro Transit Policehad installed hundreds of traditional wired CCTVcameras, which provided surveillance in many areas ofthe transit system.

What they needed, however, was video security thatcould be installed immediately to respond to specificthreats in real time. Videofied was deployed and is deliv-ering immediate security in the nation’s capital.

“The Videofied system is ideal. We can set it up in less than five minutes with no site preparation, pre-wiring or AC power,” said Kenneth Honick, a detec-tive with the Metro Transit Police. “The integrated night vision is important as many areas of concern haveno lighting.”

Another area of transportation affected by coppertheft is the air traffic control system. The system useshundreds of radar towers distributed across the country.FAA remote radar towers have been plagued by coppertheft, subsequently impairing system performance.

Some towers have been hit as many as a dozen times,and an affordable solution was necessary.

Avoiding false alarms was a key issue because thesites were remote and fines are expensive. They neededa solution that could provide video alerts to verify anactual intrusion with enough time to send law enforce-ment. And, with no easy power or network access, theremoteness of these sites were difficult for traditionalCCTVs. Battery-powered systems using the cell networkwas a solution.

“In addition to being simple, people need to under-stand that this solution sends the video of the intruderimmediately to the monitoring station for dispatchover the cell network,” said Don Green of ContactSecurity. “Police are responding faster to an actualcrime in progress.”

New autonomous video security has been successfulat securing outdoor assets and infrastructure and pre-venting disruptions in services caused by copper theft.While CCTV and surveillance play an important role,simple wireless video security canenhance these systems and deliverresults with cost-effective equipmentand immediate installations.

Keith Jentoft is the CEO ofVideofied.

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The ability to operate and maintain a suf-ficient level of service and security duringa utility power outage is an important ele-ment of business protection. With proper

planning, affordable generator-basedbackup systems can be tailored to busi-nesses or institutions of all sizes and types.

When selecting a backup system, the

generator’s output needs to meet the facili-ty’s voltage, phase and kilowatt require-ments. Analyzing the load is necessary toselect a system with sufficient kilowatt out-

put to handle peak demand and provideadditional capacity to accommodate futuregrowth. There are several ways to computea facility’s electrical load, so estimates mayvary slightly. Air conditioning systems typ-ically use the greatest amount of electricity,and electric motors require the most powerwhen starting. Therefore, those loadsrequire primary consideration.

Site considerations. Before selectinga site, check all applicable codes andordinances for your state and municipali-ty. Be sure that adequate space exists, tak-ing into account setback requirementsfrom buildings and lot lines. If noise is aconcern, select a sound-attenuated enclo-sure for the generator and use landscapefeatures to further absorb sound outputs.

Choice of fuel. Diesel generatorshave been widely used for decades.Although strides have been made inreducing emissions through cleaner fueland more efficient engines, environmen-tal concerns persist over the need tostore and replenish the fuel. Special per-mits may be needed, and spill contain-ment is required. Recent developmentshave made gaseous-fueled systems a pre-ferred alternative for many kinds ofapplications. Bi-fuel generators that runon a combination of diesel and natural gasare another option for applications whereextended operation is desired.

Equipment options. An automatictransfer switch system transfers the elec-trical load between the utility and thegenerator. The number, type and capacityof these switches will depend upon theconfiguration of the system, the facilityrequirements and the incoming serviceamperage.

Multi-generator systems with onboardparalleling capabilities also are an option.These modular systems, available ingaseous and diesel models, combine theoutput of two or more generators and offermany advantages, including built-inredundancy and greater reliability, sincethe units back up each other. The facility’smost critical circuits are given priority,giving them the high-est level of coverage.

Michael Kirchner isthe industrial trainingmanager at GeneracPower Systems.

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Power: Standing BySUSTAINED BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES COULD RELY ON GENERATOR POWER AFTER THE STORM