29 September 2022 - Elitsa Dobreva

Featured in: Market Insights, Intrusion detection

Schools and universities face a number of threats to their students, buildings and assets. Security systems comprising CCTV and access control are common. However, an increasing number of universities and schools are finding out the benefits of implementing intrusion detection technologies which can help to detect early intruders and avoid thefts, vandalism and damage to property.

Campuses can often be tricky areas to secure, with a variety of facilities such as open spaces, laboratories, libraries, student accommodation, historical buildings and more. For such diverse spaces different intrusion detection solutions are available to meet the needs of each space and it is common that sensors for each area are grouped together and linked to an access control system.

Optex university protection 1800px

Detecting the approach to university buildings

Many areas on a campus will be closed during certain times and is important to detect anyone approaching the building out of hours. Short-range PIR sensors such as the WX series (180-degree, 12m detection) and VX series (90-degree, 12m) can be configured to operate during required times of the day to protect the surroundings of a building and be connected to the CCTV system, enabling surveillance cameras to focus on the area of detection for a quick verification of the events by the security team.

Admin buildings and offices can also be protected at the boundary level to detect anyone peeking through a window or trying to access through a back door or fire exit. Outdoor curtain detectors such as the BX Shield series can create a narrow layer of detection close to the façade and protect up to 24m with just one sensor.

The façade, as well as balconies, can also be protected with Infrared beams such as AX series (up to 70m) and SL series (up to 200m). IR beams can be deployed on poles directly on the façade or on the top of handrails on balconies to detect people climbing over it.

Optex university protection indoor 1800px

Indoor security and protecting valuable equipment and data

Facilities such as science labs, computer suites and data servers contain valuable assets and confidential personal data that can be a target for intruders. Indoor PIR sensors are an effective security solution for protecting such facilities and can be linked to cameras and PSIM software to empower personnel to identify and proactively resolve situations. Our new FlipX range of indoor PIRs can be set up to detect wide or narrow spaces making them very versatile and practical for many applications, for example they can be placed in a corridor connecting offices or science labs to protect the entry ways or for wide detection to protect an entire lobby across 12m.

Where a higher level of security is required, 2D LiDAR sensors can be a great option, allowing the ability to create a virtual wall or plane to protect assets, for example paintings, data servers or valuable books. REDSCAN sensors can fit discretely on a wall or ceiling, can create different detection areas and provide accurate detection feeding the security system the exact location of the intrusion. Mounted on the building facade REDSCAN sensors can also protect vulnerable points like fire exits, staff entrances or flat roofs with skylights where people may try to sneak in through.

Sport areas

Outdoor spaces such as fields or sports areas can be prone to vandalism or unauthorized encampments so it is important that they are kept safe and monitored. Outdoor short- and long-range volumetric sensors can be employed in open spaces and can activate LED lights and/or audio warnings which generally are an effective deterrent. Intrusion detection systems can be armed for certain times or certain areas as required, for instance to allow the daily use of the sport areas during opening hours and activating automatically at night time.

Optex university protection sport areas 1800px

Protecting the perimeter

Intrusion detection technologies can add a level of security to physical walls and fences by detecting a person climbing over or cutting through it. Sensors are at the cornerstone of a wider security system and can accurately detect any time of the day and night enhancing the surveillance at the perimeter boundary. Sensors can trigger an alarm, lighting, CCTV, a voice warning and alert on-site or remote security staff as to a possible incident.

Infrared beams can be mounted on top of a fence or wall to detect anyone climbing over it. The versatile REDSCAN LiDAR sensors can protect gated areas and create a virtual fence or plane to detect anyone trying to trespass into the campus. In the outer perimeter of a building it can also be used to detect one or several subjects moving to the wrong direction such as people trying to enter through an exit only space or vice versa.

Fence-mounted fibre optic sensors are another option to detect any attempt to get past the fence. The sensors are designed for harsh weather conditions and will detect climbing, cutting, drilling or digging under a fence. They can be a great option for large areas as they have multiple zones and can narrow down the location of the intrusion and guide cameras to focus on the target.