28 Nov 2007

Problem

Expansys are Europe's largest online retailer of PDAs and accessories.  One of their warehouse became a target for persistent through the wall break-ins.  Each break-in resulted in an approximate loss of stock in excess of £80,000.00.  The ‘risk' area is absolutely enormous and measures some 100m x 100m x 15m.

Options

The site had tried upgrading to monitored CCTV with audio challenge, manned guarding and concrete barriers at likely points of entry.  Things did not improve.

Solution

A point protection Smoke Screen system by Concept Smoke Screen was offered where the highest risk stock would be covered as a cost-effective measure.  This was declined and instructions were issued to "fill the entire warehouse within 1 minute".

23 x E+ 900 Concept Smoke Screen generators complemented with 10 x S3B Sounders and 4 x 15kW XFP strobes were installed.  The Smoke Screen generators were modified to provide the capacity to continue producing smoke for 30 minutes.  This meant 6 hours of zero visibility in real terms.

There has never been another break-in, attempted or otherwise.