Working in close partnership to deliver an integrated access control system for Southmead Hospital in Bristol, TDSi and Sovereign Fire and Security are implementing a modern, robust and future-proof solution.
In 2008, North Bristol NHS Trust identified the need for a new access control system to replace life-expired equipment at Southmead, with a view not only to replacing current equipment but also to developing a solution that would be suitable for the city's new £430 million ‘super hospital', scheduled to open in 2014. Following a rigorous selection process, the Trust elected to work with the teams from TDSi and Sovereign, with the proposed system specification incorporating the company's MICROgarde controllers, MIFARE card readers and EXgarde management software.
Before rolling out to the whole site, specific areas were nominated for a long-term trial, with the Academic and Pathology units the first to have the new access control system installed. On successful completion of the trial in 2009, this configuration became the template for the remainder of the site and subsequent new buildings, with the hospital's new Data Centre, Maternity Ward and other temporary buildings, the next to be added to the network. The system specification met a number of key criteria laid down by the Trust - principally meeting their requirements for a flexible, future-proof solution that would provide the capability for integration with a range of other site systems.
Proven in applications throughout the UK, MICROgarde is a fully-featured, networkable controller which delivers exceptional performance, with full read-in/ read-out capability on doors and a capacity of up to 5,000 users. The MICROgarde controllers are programmed and managed via TDSi's EXgarde access management software - this being one of the first applications in the UK to take advantage of EXgarde Version 3, the latest release of the software.
| The access control solution from TDSi and Sovereign provide the capability for integration with other site systems |
EXgarde has been used in a wide range of projects, delivering outstanding access and integrated security systems management. EXgarde V3 delivers unrivalled integration capabilities, and provides Southmead managers with a flexible and dynamic platform capable of delivering seamless integration with a wide range of building systems - including intruder and fire detection - giving the capability for complete building and security management and so the potential for considerable resource savings, in terms of both time and cost.
The system is completed by MIFARE® readers and cards, giving the site true contactless, smart card technology. Serving a current population in the region of 4,000 card holders, the readers provide an extremely cost effective, highly reliable solution that also allows for straightforward expansion in the future. The same MIFARE® card can be used not only for access control, but also for other site services - for example cashless vending, in the future if required.
With the new ‘super hospital' due to open in 2014, the remainder of the existing Southmead site is being progressively updated with the TDSi access control system.
Visit www.sovereignfireandsecurity.co.uk for more information.