Evolution Fire & Safety Ltd. - Experts & Thought Leaders

A Chartered Security Professional (CsyP) is warning that security has an image problem, and it is only when something goes wrong, a break-in occurs, or a perimeter is compromised that businesses begin to appreciate its true worth.  It’s also often when organisations find out whether the security, they have installed was actually up to the job for which it was intended, and the moment when buying cheap may look like an un-informed purchase.  Buying cheap security The warning comes from Brendan McGarrity, Director of Evolution Risk & Design, and a Fellow of The Security Institute (FSyl) who says that for too long, security has been sold as a commodity item. “Like insurance, we know we have to have it, but we’re determined to buy it as cheaply as we can, and even then our money will be grudgingly spent,” he explains.  He says that when an incident occurs, the security team is often blamed for failings elsewhere, “An intruder breaches a perimeter and it’s the security team that is accountable." Security evaluation Assets are stolen or damaged, and huge sums are spent on their replacement before a thorough evaluation "Assets are stolen or damaged, and huge sums are spent on their replacement or clean up before a more thorough evaluation of the actual security need is then undertaken." “This is often a frustrating time for the security team, who recognise that if their voice had been heard from the start, they might have saved their organisation the inevitable disruption, cost, and impact on the corporate reputation that inevitably follows. It is even more frustrating for them to see their organisations spending more money after the event than they would have had to spend if they had listened to the experts at the beginning.”  Security management Brendan senses, however, that the balance of power may be changing, and that conversations are becoming increasingly positive, at all levels and across multiple disciplines, “Security, far from being a grudge purchase, is being seen as a potential business enabler if appropriately specified and managed." "It is going beyond the basic principles of keeping buildings, people, and assets safe, and taking on additional meaning,” he continues. “This more positive mindset is having a direct impact on the solutions now being proposed." Impact of over-specifying equipment "Our industry has been guilty in the past of over-designing and specifying systems and equipment that the customer doesn’t utilise the full potential of. Just because a new piece of technology is on the market, does not make it immediately necessary for every security system owner." "Indeed, over-specifying equipment can be as big a problem as under-specifying and can directly impact a buyer’s perception of value for money when the features of the technology are under-used.”  Addressing operational needs Brendan believes it is important to elevate the conversation beyond  individual product and cost While innovation is a good thing, Brendan believes it is important to elevate the conversation beyond a narrow focus on an individual product, and its associated cost: “We must look instead at the value that the entire system delivers over time." "The alignment of the client operational needs through the completion of Security Operational Requirements (SyOR), support the relevant, proportionate, and necessary security systems to be procured.”  Service and maintenance Buying an unproven, unreliable camera, for example, even though it is the latest ‘thing’, may seem like a smart decision, especially when looking at the initial capital cost. But if that camera should fail at the critical moment, or require disproportionate service and maintenance, then that smart decision may not prove so smart after all. “It is much better if the value of the security is seen in the context of its lifetime cost, rather than as a snapshot of time. And it is much better than the security team is listened to from the outset, rather than finger point and picking up the pieces afterward,” Brendan concludes. 

A bespoke fire and security solution specified and installed by Evolution, the pioneering integrated fire and security systems business, is helping to protect visitors and staff at Johnnie Walker Princes Street (JWPS) in the heart of Edinburgh. Situated on Princes Street, JWPS takes visitors on an immersive journey through the 200-year history behind the world’s best-selling whisky, as well as food and drink experiences, hosted across eight floors of the transformed landmark building in the Scottish capital. It features the 1820 rooftop bar, with stunning views across the city, and The Label Studio, which hosts several live events and performances throughout the year. Need for fire and security system JWPS, which has quickly become one of Edinburgh’s top attractions, is owned by Diageo, a global pioneer in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of over 200 brands across beer and spirits. Diageo appointed FES Group, one of the UK’s technical and building services companies, to tender for the fire and security system, and FES in turn recommended and appointed Evolution to manage the bespoke system’s design and installation. Fire detection and alarm system This solution has archiving and failover technologies that provide business continuity across a variety of outages Evolution’s solution comprises a complete fire detection and alarm system, including disabled refuge systems for emergency evacuation. The security system includes access control, CCTV, intrusion detection, and an intelligent International Communications (InterComms) system which enables live communications with an infinite number of doors/master stations with no distance limitations, and can be fully integrated with other IP-based systems. The fire and security systems are fully networked and integrated into an innovative front-end graphics system that enables Diageo’s on-site security staff to monitor and manage all system components in a single platform. The platform has been specifically designed to protect against cyber threats. This resilient solution has archiving and failover technologies that provide business continuity across a variety of outages. Customised and integrated solution John Baillie, Head of UK Sales at Evolution, says JWPS is a prime example of Evolution’s capabilities to deliver integrated systems, no matter the size or complexities involved, “JWPS is one of Edinburgh’s most popular attractions, located in a prestigious location and its status as a listed building meant we had to be mindful of several potential risks and structural restrictions." “From the initial drawings and design phase, through to the commissioning of the new systems, we are proud to have been involved in this project, delivering a complete fire and security system tailored to meet the specific needs of the client.”

Evolution, the integrated fire and security systems business, has bolstered its design capabilities within its Risk & Design team with the appointment of two new CAD Technicians. Alexandra Craciunas, joins the team with more than six years of experience working on various projects across all stages of the design process within the MEP sector. Alexandra’s immediate focus will be on developing her skills and capabilities within the High Security sector, producing detailed architectural drawings and designs across various clients and projects. Security infrastructure projects Both Alexandra and Henry bring great talent and experience to our team" In addition, Henry Spencer, who has worked across both product design and building services engineering and design, has also been appointed as a CAD Technician. Henry will immediately be working on a number of large security infrastructure projects across the UK and EMEA. Brendan McGarrity, Director of Evolution Risk & Design, says the business will continue to invest in enhancing its skills and expertise: “Both Alexandra and Henry bring great talent and experience to our team, having worked across various high-level sectors and projects, further enhancing our design capabilities,” Brendan says. “It’s exciting times for the business. We will continue to invest in our people, enhancing our areas and expertise so that we can continue to deliver bespoke systems, solutions and consultancy that meets the specific needs of our clients.”