The National Archives of the United Arab Emirates is a collection of historical material, housed in a purpose-built site in Abu Dhabi. Many of the items stored are irreplaceable, including maps, photographs, documents and books.
Telectron, a security integrator, with offices in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, was chosen to design and install a new, networked security and CCTV system to protect the building, contents and staff. Telectron, established in 1974, just three years after the UAE itself was formed, has a long-standing reputation in UAE security.
The brief was to install an intelligent CCTV security system that provided alarm notifications of significant events, from a change in scene to active intrusion; provided 24-7 visual surveillance; and recorded and stored all video data. The system also had to be viewed from a number of remote locations, as well as be monitored centrally from a dedicated facility.
Telectron installed 140 Grundig IP cameras; 95x GCI-K1523D, 2 megapixel (2MP) indoor domes positioned within the building; 20x GCI-K1585V, 2MP, vandal-resistant, external dome cameras around the building exterior and site perimeter; a 5x GCI-K1812W cameras in the elevator and an additional 20x 3MP, GCI-F0505B box cameras for high resolution images and recording. The cameras were positioned around the entire site, including the museum areas, entrances, public areas and server room. All the cameras offer exceptional image quality and reliability. A Milestone Corporate Level VMS system, using CISCO network switches, managed and controlled the system.
Mazen Minawi of Telectron said: “We have used Grundig cameras in a number of applications and have always been impressed by their exceptional image quality and reliability. In a high–end application like this one, it is essential that no cameras fail, compromising site security and putting priceless, irreplaceable artefacts at risk.”
Grundig adds that it offers a full support service to customers in the Middle East region, headed by Yalcin Demirak. Services include project and sales support, technical certification for Grundig Security installers and post-sales support.
The National Archives building includes a museum-style exhibition that can be viewed by the public; a 600 seat auditorium for lectures and educational purposes; a 3-D Reality Hall; and archive storage. Many of the items in the collections are rescued, then restored and preserved in highly controlled environments and atmospheres to ensure they remain intact.
Fadi El Khoury, Head of Technical Support at the National Archives said: ”We monitor all key areas of the site from our central control room. The facility has eight work stations with dual monitors for tracking anything of concern in real time. The VMS is installed onto three management servers, plus a fail-over server for additional backup. We also have a remote viewing facility for the Vice President and General Manager, if required. The National Archive is exceptionally well-protected and any incident or potential risk can be addressed appropriately and immediately.”
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