Sovereign Fire and Security has released a room observation system (ROS). The product is to look at vulnerable people in secure hospitals, mental health units, immigration centres and any kind of detention facility.
The product will oversee duty of care but at the same time protect staff from spurious claims of mistreating or neglecting inmates. The ROS consists of a security camera mounted inside the secure room paired with an Audio Visual Unit (AVU) installed outside the monitored area. Viewing and operation of the AVU is only possible for authorised users with valid electronic access control (EACS) credentials.
The system allows contact with the occupant under controlled conditions and removes the need for manual record-keeping since all actions at the AVU are logged automatically as an audit trail. This not only saves hours during a night shift when occupants can be observed without risk by a single member of staff but also frees their time to focus on other duties.
Users in secure hospitals and custodial units can observe people without disturbing their sleep. Nurses and warders are also protected should the behaviour of their charges become volatile.
The unit is designed as an observation package for any site with similar demands and constraints to those found within custody estates. The vandal-resistant camera and frame fit flush into the corner of the room so factoring out potential ligature points.
The ROS was originally designed in response to cases in police custody where incomplete or even falsified observation records have come to light in death-in-custody tragedies. It soon became apparent that a system that can minimise the opportunity for human error in the protection of vulnerable people was equally appropriate in other facilities.
The access control log in the AVU unit automatically creates an audit trail of when a room occupant is checked on, for how long and by whom. It also allows restriction of who can observe the room. These digital log records cannot be compromised and helps protect the room occupant as well the personnel and institution.
Consultants and installers should note that SFS is able to integrate the observation system with major brands of access control equipment. There are many options such as connection to nurse call systems and connection to local recording elsewhere at the premises or even to centralised recording. Visit www.sovereignfireandsecurity.co.uk.
