Critical Infrastructure
Critical infrastructure sites, such as power plants, water facilities, and transportation hubs, are prime targets for criminal and terrorist activities due to their essential role in maintaining societal functions. Securing these sites requires rapid detection and response to potential threats, as even the smallest breach can lead to significant disruptions. OPTEX provides a comprehensive suite of advanced security solutions designed to safeguard critical infrastructure, ensuring continuous protection against unauthorised access and external threats.
Fibre optic technology
Fibre optic perimeter solutions use vibration-sensitive optical fibres that are integrated into physical barriers, such as fences or walls, or even buried underground. The fibres detect changes in pressure, vibrations, or movement caused by an intruder attempting to climb, cut, or otherwise breach the perimeter. By sensing vibrations or movements at the moment an intruder attempts to breach the perimeter, these systems provide early warnings that allow security teams to respond quickly before the breach is complete.
OPTEX fibre optic solutions are particularly useful for fence line protection and are commonly deployed in high-security environments like power stations, prisons, military bases, and airports. The EchoPoint DAS series utilises the most advanced fibre optic technology to offer a solution that can be buried, fence-mounted or implemented in a hybrid mode providing a discreet and tamper-proof detection method for securing sensitive sites without the need for visible equipment. The sensors feature an intelligent detection algorithm that means they can provide point detection of +/- 6m in a range of up to 100km, as well as the ability to classify different intrusion attempts.
Fibre optic systems are extremely resilient to environmental damage and electrical interference, making them highly reliable in harsh environments and adverse conditions.
LiDAR virtual perimeter security
OPTEX LiDAR technology can create invisible, virtual detection walls along the perimeter of a site detecting movement and triggering an alert when someone crosses the boundary.
LiDAR sensors offer high precision and reliable detection, making them ideal for areas requiring strict security and accuracy, such as entrances, gatehouses, or high-risk zones within a facility.
Intruders are unaware of the existence of the LiDAR reducing the likelihood of tampering or evasion attempts. LiDAR sensors can be configured to detect objects or people at specific distances and of a determined size, making them suitable for a variety of site layouts. By incorporating technology to ignore small animals, weather effects (like fog, rain, or wind), and other environmental factors, these systems minimise false alarms while maintaining high sensitivity to human presence.
Point-to-point intrusion detection with infrared beams
Infrared (IR) beam sensors are a key component of perimeter security, creating invisible barriers that detect unauthorised movement. These sensors work by transmitting infrared beams between two points, such as along a fence line or between buildings. When an object or person crosses the beam, the signal is interrupted, triggering an alert.
IR beam sensors can be installed over large distances up to 200m, making them suitable for both small and extensive perimeters. The beams are invisible to the naked eye, making it difficult for intruders to detect or avoid. With advanced filtering, they are designed to ignore environmental factors such as small animals or weather conditions, ensuring reliable detection. IR beam sensors are ideal for use in facilities requiring discreet yet highly effective perimeter security, such as airports, data centres, and industrial plants.
REDWALL sensors are specifically engineered to perform well in outdoor and harsh environments, where other sensors may struggle. They are resistant to environmental factors like rain, fog, wind, and temperature changes, ensuring stable operation in all weather conditions.
The sensors are built with robust casings, making them weatherproof and able to withstand dust, extreme temperatures, and other environmental challenges, ensuring they work reliably in critical infrastructure facilities located in deserts, coastal areas, or high-altitude locations.
Detection of drilling through walls
Intruders are becoming increasingly bold and resourceful, often bypassing traditional entry points like doors and windows in favour of more unconventional methods. Drilling or even kicking through walls has become a common tactic for those looking to break into secured areas, as it can be quieter and quicker than forcing open a well-protected door. To counter this evolving threat, advanced security solutions like OPTEX's fibre optic systems provide a sophisticated and reliable means of detecting intrusion attempts, focusing on early detection of tampering activities such as drilling through walls. By harnessing the sensitivity of fibre optics, these systems can identify potential threats in real-time, offering an effective defence against determined intruders who seek to breach walls instead of doors.
Boundary intrusion detection
OPTEX Curtain PIR (Passive Infrared) sensors are specialized motion detection devices designed to enhance the security of buildings. Sensors such as the BXS and FTN create a narrow, ‘curtain-like’ detection area, typically along windows, doors, or walls. Unlike traditional wide-angle PIRs, curtain PIRs focus on specific zones, allowing them to detect movement with precision and minimize false alarms caused by environmental factors like pets or blowing leaves.
By deploying OPTEX curtain PIRs, building perimeters are effectively monitored, triggering alarms when unauthorised movement is detected near entry points. This makes them an excellent choice for early intrusion detection, protecting both the interior and exterior of properties. Additionally, their discreet design allows them to blend seamlessly into any architecture, providing security without compromising aesthetics.
For office areas and corridors, the FlipX Advanced EN Grade-3 solution offers a versatile solution. With a lens that can be rotated the FlipX Advanced can be installed as a wide angle sensor to protect open areas or as a narrow PIR to protect aisles in server rooms and hallways. Equipped with a new bespoke pyro, the FlipX has been specifically designed to create human-size detection areas and optimise detection sensitivity.
REDSCAN Pro Grade-3 long-range indoor LiDAR
OPTEX REDSCAN Series has two Grade 3 solutions, the REDSCAN Pro and the REDSCAN mini. These graded LiDAR solutions can be effectively used indoors to secure critical infrastructure facilities, offering precision and versatility for a range of internal security needs. Used in areas that require high security protection, that may house high worth assets, that may contain sensitive information, equipment, or critical assets. REDSCAN can create virtual walls or invisible laser zones to ensure that only authorised personnel access these areas, triggering alerts if someone crosses the boundary.
