3 September 2021 - Security Buyer Magazine

One of UK’s biggest offshore wind farms kept safe by Hochiki life safety products

One of the facilities helping to achieve this greener goal is the Margate offshore Wind Farm, operated by London Array. Generating about £1million worth of electricity a day when all 175 turbines are in operation, this wind farm produces enough electricity to power half a million UK homes a year and reduces harmful CO2 emissions by around 925,000 tons per year. But with this incredible achievement, comes the awesome responsibility of keeping the people who are helping to make this green energy production a reality, safe. KM Security Solutions are the contractors responsible for the security, fire safety and evacuation systems on board the offshore and onshore substations, and for them life safety is the number one priority. Therefore, they say Hochiki are their ‘go to’ manufacturer when it comes to the installation of fire detection products at the sites they operate. Dan Smith, Technical Services Manager for KM Security Solutions explains: “The constant change in weather combined with sea-salt spray makes offshore wind farms an incredibly hostile environment to work in, not only for people but also for the systems, cabling and devices that help to run it and keep it safe. Anyone who steps foot on one of the wind farm rigs must be highly skilled and trained. All my teams undergo intensive, and ongoing, training to ensure they keep themselves and those around them safe. Therefore, it’s imperative we install life safety devices that won’t let the teams and premises down in an emergency.” Having worked with Hochiki for well over a decade, Smith described this latest project at the wind farm which paved the way for the current generation of even larger wind farms being built around Britain’s coastline, as a refresh of the existing Hochiki technology and systems. “We have been using Hochiki products for well over a decade now. Not only do we trust them to work, but we also trust the devices to last. When you are out at sea, even a few miles off the coast, the weather can change in an instant, and decay is a big problem to tackle. You need to ensure that the life safety products you install are fit for purpose and more importantly weatherproof. The Hochiki products specified are designed to be waterproof and have lasted extremely well. Which is incredible considering the environment they are operating in. Flexibility is key For this unique and vital project Visual Alarm Devices (VADs) combined with the CHQ-WPK Weatherproofing Kit, IP-rated manual call points and the Hochiki FIREvac Voice Alarm system was installed across the windfarm’s sub-stations. As well as being simple to install, one of the USPs of Hochiki Life Safety devices is the flexibility to be able to operate alongside other brand products via Hochiki’s open protocol, ESP. Although Hochiki do manufacture their own fire control panels, such as the L@titude platform, in the case of the Margate Wind Farm project, a control system was already in place, and it was the devices which needed the upgrade. “We do look at other companies, to ensure we are using the best in class, however every time we come back to Hochiki products for several reasons – the main one being the innovation in technology and flexibility the Hochiki range offers us.” The other benefit is the fact that Hochiki provide isolating devices. When you consider the scale of a life safety system on board a Wind Farm Rig, you can imagine the chaos that would ensue should part of the system fail. “Failures can arise from parts of the system experiencing erosion from the weather, where plastic parts can break down, allowing water ingress, causing short-circuits which could impact the entire life safety system onboard. Using the isolating devices from Hochiki prevents an entire system from going down, isolating only the part that has failed, saving time, money, and materials. It allows us to go in as part of our ongoing maintenance project and upgrade parts as and when needed without the need for huge overhauls.” The other added benefit of Hochiki isolating devices is, and particularly prudent in a facility which is helping protect the environment, is the reduction in waste, as only the part that no longer works is replaced, not an entire system. When asked if Smith would recommend Hochiki “absolutely, 10 out 10. We are about to start new projects on several other offshore wind farms around the UK and Hochiki will once again be our go to brand for life safety systems.” To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global security market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitynewsdesk.com

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Irisity AB acquires Agent Vi

UK News Desk / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

Irisity AB (publ) has entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Agent Vi, provider of AI-powered video analytics. The consideration of USD 67,5M will be paid partly in cash USD 8M and partly in Irisity shares USD 59,5M. Agent Video Intelligence (Agent Vi), headquartered in Israel with offices in the United States and Singapore, is a provider of AI-powered video analytics solutions operating worldwide through a network of resellers and global partnerships, and with a world-class development team. The merger creates one of the largest and most significant global providers of advanced AI-based video analytics solutions for improved security and safety. With strong partnerships including G4S and Securitas, and employees in Sweden, Israel, the United States and Singapore, together with an unmatched product portfolio, the combined entity is at the vanguard of advanced video analytics. “We are very happy in welcoming this successful team to Irisity. Agent Vi has built a truly market-leading brand and global presence. We are impressed by both the team and the technology”, says Marcus Bäcklund, Irisity CEO. Agent Vi has a large number of resellers and thousands of deployments in more than 90 countries, as well as partnership deals with security giants including Securitas. The total revenue 2020 was USD 6,1M, with EBITDA USD -0,4M and net profit USD 0,3M. The acquisition is expected to contribute with revenue exceeding USD 12M for the coming twelve months and is expected to contribute to positive cash flow on an annual basis in 2021. “We are extremely proud of and excited about the prospects of the combined Irisity-Agent Vi future, and we look forward to our joint journey with expanded geographical coverage and stronger power of execution”, says Itsik Kattan, Agent Vi CEO. Being of equal size, with complementary customer sets and geographical coverage, and both companies having an ambitious growth agenda, the merger is expected to unleash synergy effects within product development, technology, marketing, and sales. “This acquisition is in line with our strategy and ambition building a market leader. We believe both companies complement each other in all important dimensions, management, product, and market as well as technology. Together we have an even stronger position serving an accelerating international demand for high precision analytics, continuously building shareholder value.”, says Lennart Svantesson, Irisity Chairman. “The combination of Irisity and AgentVi will create an AI-enabled video analytics powerhouse, with unmatched capabilities and reach. I’m proud to be joining forces with such an accomplished and experienced team led by Irisity’s CEO, Marcus Backlund, and its Chairman, Lennart Svantesson. I expect that our customers and shareholders will benefit greatly from this acquisition.”, says Dorian Barak, Agent Vi Chairman. The security industry is undergoing a significant technology-based transformation providing opportunities to reach new levels of efficiency and customer value. Irisity takes the lead in this digitalization by developing the best and most advanced video security solutions with agile algorithms for customers worldwide. To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global security market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitynewsdesk.com

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A new chapter opens for centuries old cathedral with IDIS video

News Desk, Project News / Ghyslaine Cordrey

IDIS end-to-end video is protecting a new, purpose-built visitor centre at Canterbury Cathedral, part of a $34 million renovation project transforming one of the UK’s most important UNESCO Heritage sites. The seven-year program, preserving and safeguarding the fifteen-centuries-old masterpiece of English Gothic architecture – and mother church of the worldwide Anglican communion – includes the addition of a new, purpose-built welcome centre for visitors. The centre, housing retail facilities, a viewing gallery, and community studio exhibition space, is protected with a best-in-class video solution which combines discrete monitoring with high-performance image capture. Specialist systems integrator Hall & Kay Security Engineering was tasked with delivering a solution that would be affordable, easy-to-use, and allow for comprehensive real time monitoring, while ensuring reliable recording without data loss. And because this was part of a much wider project, the video technology also had to be fast and easy to install – essential for avoiding project overruns in this complex, multidisciplinary construction environment, and preventing any delays to the new Welcome Center’s opening. Based on previous experience, Hall & Kay had no hesitation recommending IDIS end-to-end tech, incorporating cameras, recorders VMS, and essential peripherals. This IDIS Korean-made tech also gives Canterbury assurance of trusted manufacturing origin and high-level cybersecurity protection, with its inherent, multi-layered encryptions and proprietary protocols to safeguard sensitive video data. To give high-definition video coverage of the Welcome Center’s entrances, retail area and exhibition spaces, Hall & Kay installed IDIS Full HD DC-4223WRX IR dome cameras. These vandal-resistant models come equipped with varifocal lenses, true WDR and IR LED to deliver crisp, clear images even in challenging and variable lighting conditions. They connect to three 16-channel DD-1216 NVRs to handle recording and deliver 480ips live view with no visible latency. Easy plug-and-play allowed for seamless and rapid connectivity and mutual two-factor authentication of devices streamlined cybersecurity measures, the cornerstone of IDIS DirectIP solutions. The license-free IDIS Center VMS gives the cathedral Constable and his security team complete visual awareness and easy control tools for efficient management, plus the ability to configure specific user permissions to give senior staff and system administrators timely access to video footage. The IDIS cameras, NVRs and VMS discretely blend with the centre’s architecture without detracting from the visitor experience, while providing effective real-time monitoring. “The solution is now protecting property, enhancing safety for visitors and staff, and providing a complete record of events at one of the UK’s busiest and most important heritage sites,” says David Stokes, Divisional Director, Hall & Kay Security Engineering. “The IDIS end-to-end solution allowed us to present this important customer with a compelling business case, with no up-front or ongoing licensing fees, extended warranties and a low total cost of ownership. The solution is also highly flexible and scalable, thanks to long-term hardware support and forward- and backward-compatibility, which future-proofs the cathedral’s investment.” “The choice of IDIS video for this most sensitive of sites is testament to the reliability, quality and cybersecurity of our Korean-made tech,” adds Jamie Barnfield, Senior Sales Director, IDIS Europe. “This is just one of many projects we are working on with Hall & Kay in-line with the IDIS philosophy of building sustainable strategic partnerships with integrators and end user customers.” To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global security market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitybuyer.com

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Amber Solutions secures new patents

News Desk / Ghyslaine Cordrey

Adding to its arsenal of proprietary intellectual property announced it secured four new patents for core technology applications that deliver digitally powered and enhanced GFCI, AFCI and overcurrent inrush current protection in solid-state circuit breakers and other electrical products. Of Amber’s portfolio of 10 secured patents, the four new patents, plus two prior patents, support the company’s breakthrough architecture in solid-state circuit breakers and therefore by default in less complex, downstream electrical product applications like outlets, standalone GFCI outlets and other receptible based products in building electrical grids. Amber is releasing a video demonstration of some of its patented technologies, in which a circuit breaker built with its groundbreaking IP effectively handles and survives 460 separate inductive surges, over a 15-minute period, at 260 volts each. The announcement of new patents comes on the heels of the company’s strategic alliance with Infineon to collaborate on next generation silicon solutions that provide digital control of electricity with embedded intelligence across a range of product applications. Amber CEO Thar Casey views the consistent growth of the company’s patented IP and its recent alliance with Infineon as compelling milestones in the transformation of our building electrical landscape from today’s standard, 1950’s era, electro-mechanical architectures to modern solid-state electrification with embedded intelligence powered by Amber. “The world needs safer, smarter and more reliable technologies to manage and deliver power in increasingly complex building implementations and energy requirements, and Amber’s newly secured solid-state patents are the strongest statement yet that the time has come to retire the mechanical control of electricity,” he said today. “Through intelligent digital detection and more rapid interruption of electrical faults and overcurrent/inrush current issues, we are enabling the creation of unique electrical products that are safer, faster, and provide far more capabilities than any existing solutions. Using silicon chip architecture and Amber’s intelligent digital technologies, these specific life and fire safety enhancements make possible simpler, more reliable, more robust implementations in circuit breakers, outlets, switches and other electrical endpoints, providing the potential for multiple layers of protection within the building electrical grid beyond the circuit breaker.” The new patents extend coverage of Amber’s IP more deeply over its core technologies for digital control of electricity in silicon architecture – specifically for DC extraction directly from AC mains, and indestructible AC switching. They also expand new IP coverage to the company’s digitally intelligent electrical fault detection and interruption, along with intelligent overcurrent/inrush current protections. Amber’s patented technologies are aligned with the UL 489i solid-state circuit breaker standard and will align with IEC specifications for circuit breakers slated to be published in 2025. Infineon is collaborating with Amber to commercialize these innovative technologies. The latest patent grants punctate the technology’s disruptive and expansive market potential in fire and life safety areas specifically, but also in the broader connected intelligence and control infrastructure for buildings in general. “Circuit breakers, specifically, are an enormous and important part of global building electrical infrastructure, and Amber’s solid-state innovations enable development of true 21st century solutions that deliver safer, faster and more intelligent control of electricity,” said Steve Bakos, Senior Director, Switching Power at Infineon Technologies. “More broadly, the downstream implementations of these technologies into outlets and switches will be transformative based on the value that can be added to these applications and have implications across the full building electrical grid.” Combined with Amber’s existing and forthcoming patented technologies, the company’s innovations enable major reduction of false AFCI and GFCI circuit breaker trips, power interruption 3,000 times faster compared to traditional circuit breakers, truly arc-free switching, and dramatically reduced size of power management technologies for inclusion in circuit breaker and other electrical endpoint solutions. Casey concluded, “The implications of Amber’s technology portfolio goes beyond the siliconization of power management in electrical products. Our innovations enable the integration of advanced digital intelligence and more robust feature sets in electrical products that today are not built nor installed — or not even possible in many cases. Amber essentially opens the opportunity to put robust computing power directly into electrical endpoints throughout the building electrical grid, enabling the transformation of building electrical to modern solid-state architecture, which in turns transforms true whole building intelligence, awareness and control. It’s a true second electrical revolution.” To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global security market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitybuyer.com

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