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2006 Stainless Steel Awards Alcatraz
Alcatraz Integrated Intelligent Systems won a Merit Award in the Product category at the 2006 Stainless Steel Awards, hosted by the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda), for its ‘smart’ 3CR12 perimeter fence. 3CR12 is the world’s most-specified 12% chromium utility stainless steel. “It will last 12 times longer than galvanised mild steel. Once painted or powder coated, a coastal lifespan of 30 years can be expected. Our stainless steel products are also 30% stronger than mild steel, and retain their sharp points,” says Glen Graham of Alcatraz. “Taking lifecycle costing into account, the fence also offers considerable cost benefits due to the significant savings in maintenance.” The perimeter fence, which has a patent pending, takes the form of a special palisade design. A support structure is mounted to a number of pales and then typically to a 3 m palisade section. The pales fit onto the cross-bearers via V-shaped holes punched in at equal distances. The ends of each cross-bearer are joined to the following corresponding cross-bearer of the next section or panel using 3CR12 nuts and bolts, which eliminates the need for any welding. Electrical class-one, fire-retardant isolators capable of withstanding 1 000 degrees Centigrade prevent damage from veld fires. The configuration of this ‘smart’ perimeter fence provides continuous current in the top section (600 mm high), while monitoring the passive condition of the bottom section (1 800 mm high). Any attempted breach triggers an alarm and strobe. If this situation persists, the fence is electrified for 60 seconds or until no movement is detected, whereafter it returns to normal passive status. Underground motion sensors detect all movement below the fence. Available in dual, free-standing or wall-top versions, the perimeter fence runs on software that supports the most basic installation right up to the most demanding applications. “This was previously only available as customised application software,” says Graham. The Fence Manager controls all defined rules such as polling and sensor configuration, initiating the master controller, and providing GSM, a radio link and a keypad relaying information to the mimic panel, as well as automatically separating the section of fence when sliding gates open and close, thereby eliminating the possibility of false signals. “The mimic panel, configured specially for each client, is placed in the control room or guard house, and provides information via a LED display indicating the exact perimeter zone and the current alarm status. The GSM will provide additional proof of an event, alerting armed-response and security guards on duty. This event-driven reporting system will most certainly eliminate the need for additional security guards where large perimeters need to be patrolled,” says Graham. Alcatraz |
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