Manufacture and storage of explosives and similar materials, requires a large site containing many small discrete buildings. The nature of the materials stored and the sizes of the sites create special problems for security and fire management, especially if the site is evacuated in an emergency.
One such site in the UK, used Hexatec software to create a Site Security Information System (SSIS).
The system presents security staff with a dynamic map of the site showing the location and status of each monitoring point. Status information from the various dedicated fire and intruder systems fitted throughout the site, are linked back to computers in each Security Control Room via site-wide network outstations.
If an alarm occurs anywhere on the site, security staff are able to use the system to immediately confirm the physical location of any alarm and access additional information, such as procedure instructions, at the click of a button. These instructions tell the watchman what he needs to do to respond to each alert; who to contact, areas to evacuate, and risks involved. These procedures are stored on a central secure web-site, so they are easy to maintain and update. This ensures that the correct information is always available in an emergency.
If it is necessary to evacuate the site the same information system is also available at the off-site emergency control centre. This enables staff and emergency service officers to monitor and manage the incident from a secure location, with an easy to understand real-time view of site status, together with access to the latest information about the materials and risks in each area of the site.
The system is does not replace any of the dedicated security and fire systems but it provides an invaluable resource to ensure the correct, safe and rapid response to any incident on site.
Whilst this system has been developed for high risk sites storing explosives, similar emergency response information systems would be suitable for any installation requiring 24 hour security where there is risk to non-special staff and specialist services responding to an emergency. (Power Stations, Fuel Storage Depots, Chemical works, etc.)