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Blavatnik School of Government
Designing and installing a non-invasive security system for a world-class public building.
Industry
Education
Services
Fire & Security Systems
Location
Oxford
A Centre for Better Government
The new Blavatnik School of Government’s mission is to inspire and promote better government across the world. Estimated to cost £55 million, it is located right in the heart of Oxford. With high-profile dignitaries and leading academics visiting from all over the world, plus a growing staff and student cohort of over 200 people, its security has to be outstanding.
The design of this stunning building employs glass interior walls, courtyards and skylights to flood the space with natural light to promote discussion and interaction. The building boasts many flexible teaching spaces, two horseshoe-shaped lecture theatres and a forum for exhibitions and debate.
The Challenge
With access to both the public and high-profile visitors, security was a paramount concern. The building has ten ‘zones’ spread over various levels. The University needed a multi-layered system that would allow secure entry, intruder detection and a closed-circuit television monitoring network for each zone. For maximum future-proofing of the system, it needed to be built on an open protocol and have an integrated building management system.
The University had a list of stipulations for their security apparatus: easy visitor flow without loss of security, multi-layered security appropriate to each zone, a tamper-proof system with on- and off-site monitoring, systems that would merge aesthetically with the building, future-proofing with a lifespan of at least 20 years, adherence to stringent University standards, and compliance with building regulations, the Data Protection Act and the Private Securities Industry Act.
The Solution
As with all public buildings, installing the right fire and security system is paramount. Chris Lewis Fire & Security designed and installed an easy-to-use, non-invasive system that guarantees the safety of its occupants and allows for the comings and goings of permitted visitors, staff and students. Moreover, with world-famous visitors frequenting the building, it was designed with high levels of security in mind, including safe routes, security landscaping and anti-terrorism measures.
Salto Access Control
The biggest challenge we overcame was to produce a system that would both allow freedom of movement for visitors and provide the necessary segregation in high-security areas. This was achieved through the use of Salto access products to create a complex multi-layered access control system, where building entry is controlled by fully networked perimeter doors and turnstiles. Access to office and teaching areas is controlled on an individual basis and through swipe cards on staircases and lift shafts.
Intruder Alarms
Our design consultants developed an intruder alarm system that interlinks devices throughout the building, comprising door monitoring contacts and presence detection units. It is divided into ten individually programmable zones, each controlled by authorised individuals.
Tamper-proof CCTV System
The tamper-proof CCTV system incorporates both on- and off-site monitoring. HD internal fixed IP colour dome cameras and HD vandal-resistant external fixed IP day/night dome cameras ensure all areas of the building are protected.
The Tech Stack
The system incorporated a Salto access control system, an interlinked intruder alarm system divided into ten individually programmable zones, internal HD IP dome cameras, and external vandal-resistant IP day/night dome cameras.
The Result? A very happy client.
“CLFS were a real asset to the Blavatnik project. They worked hard as part of a large construction team that delivered a fantastic project for the University of Oxford. We are already working with them again and look forward to another success.”
Mike Morris, Laing O’Rourke, Project Director
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Case Studies
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