Karin Skovgaard, Marketing Manager at Zenitel Safety and Security, sat down with Hanne Eriksen, SVP of Zenitel Transportation Solutions, to dive into the key customer needs and technology trends of the transportation sector, and how Zenitel’s Unified critical communication solutions are set to transform safety and communications for public transportation operators and passengers.
School and College Campus Security with Clear Communications
Campus safety and security refers to the measures taken by a school, college or university to ensure the safety of students, staff, and visitors.
In March of this year, a student and adult were taken into custody after a “physical altercation” led to a nearby high school being placed on campus security lockdown in Cincinnati.
The Woodward Career Technical High School was placed on a temporary lockdown as a precaution after several people got into a fight across the street and attempted to get into the school. The district said its security team followed safety protocols and worked closely with the Cincinnati Police Department during the incident, a news article said.
There was no immediate threat to the campus, and students were soon allowed to resume normal activities. But the incident is illustrative of what could have happened. Most campus environments are not closed or walled fortresses, so incidents like that force security teams to mitigate risks that are in the larger community environment.
When it comes to perimeters, campus security professionals are in an especially complicated position. K12 and college campuses seek to foster a sense of openness while still finding, defending, and managing the perimeter.
Even more, defining a college perimeter can be confusing and challenging, as the college or university expands.
Yet, perimeter security, when done well, can stop or deter crime or malicious activity before it enters onto a premises. It is a solid first line of defense in keeping a K12 or college campus secure.
The Importance of Audio
The security industry is increasingly using clear communications to secure K12 and college campuses. It’s not a surprise, as hearing is key to everything we do as human beings, and sound drives our initial response to every situation, including safety and security.
Clear communications via audio solutions such as IP intercoms and IP speakers can mitigate security risks inside a K12 school and on a college campus. They can also help to secure the perimeter.
For instance, at a K12 school entrance, IP video intercom solutions can identify parents and visitors and help school staff and security teams quickly determine if the individual should enter the school, or not.
At the school’s outer areas, IP public address speakers are easy to install and offer excellent two-way communications, in all conditions. School security teams, using video surveillance, can see an individual trying to enter the school perimeter, and determine, through audio, why they are there or direct them to leave.
Emergency stanchions can provide a visual and audio indicator, to help security teams to identify visitors and vendors outside of a school’s entrances and exit points. They can also be used within school parking lots, far from entrance and exit areas. Once activated by the user, campus security can see and hear who wants access to the school.
At exterior fences and gates, which may still be on school property but a distance away from a school’s entrances, intercom solutions with HD audio can be mounted on the fence to help school security teams to identify individuals, from a distance.
Benefits of Clear Communications
The benefits of audio and clear communications at the perimeter of K12 school or college campus are numerous.
First, it means that a security solution is interactive. Security teams speak to and listen to the person that’s seen on a video surveillance system, via the intercom. A clear voice and sound clarify the intent behind the images that are captured on a camera and increases situational awareness.
Audio can detect voices, noises, or other sounds that are not within direct view of a video camera. Those sounds can be analyzed by a security team and action can be taken before the individual gets to the school doors.
Adding audio also means that a security officer and the person in front of the camera at the intercom, can interact, even when that individual is at outer perimeters, which, if they have ill intent, is where you want them to stay until your security team can arrive on scene. That data, which goes beyond video surveillance images, can be shared between security, police, emergency services, and more. A security team is now providing first responders with actionable data for a more effective response and a strategy to mitigate future incidents.
Yet, it needs to be asked: are all those devices delivering crystal-clear audio? Is the need for users to be clearly heard and understood being met, every time?
Strong, crystal-clear voice communications are possible in any environment, but it requires the right combination of hardware, software, and mechanics.
The Right Hardware
An intercom’s hardware combination of amplifier, speaker and microphone must be robust enough to withstand extreme environments and deliver audio loud enough to overcome all background noise. Any outdoor communication device should incorporate a digital MEMS microphone, allowing audio to be consistently translated into 1’s and 0’s, regardless of extreme temperatures or moisture. A Class-D, 10W amplifier delivers more than 95dB, louder than a semitruck or subway train. And with an amplifier that powerful, a matching 10W speaker is crucial to avoid distortion at high volumes.
The Right Software
With IP technology, audio processing software can be deployed directly in the edge device to create the best intelligibility. Noise Reduction technology removes background noise so that the operator can clearly hear the caller. Native, Onboard Acoustic Echo Cancellation prevents feedback and enables full Open Duplex communication, where both people can talk at the same time, and be understood. Devices should also intelligently adjust to the environment – Automatic Gain Control will take a voice that is too loud or too weak and level it out to an undistorted and clear signal. Automatic Volume Control will raise the speaker volume, so it is always loud enough to be heard.
The Right Mechanics
The mechanics of an intercom are important, as well. A traditional, vandal-resistant intercom speaker design uses two overlapping stainless-steel plates, which trap the sound waves between them and create distortion, especially at higher volumes. Instead, the speaker grill should incorporate an anechoic, circular design where there’s no reflection of sound waves as they pass through the station’s faceplate. The result is crystal-clear audio, even at the loudest volume. Unfortunately, loud volume creates significant vibration, so the speaker grill should be die-cast into a rigid aluminum frame and the microphone surrounded by a dampening material, to protect against the transfer of any sound vibrations. All these mechanical elements work together to produce strong, distortion-free, intelligible voice audio.
Only this combination of hardware, software, and mechanics will ensure clear audio and clear communications. When you understand how intelligible audio is achieved, then you can find the communications solution that will reliably allow you to hear, be heard, and be understood, every time.
Every K-12 school and college school security team faces increasingly complex threat environments, especially at their perimeters. Audio solutions via intercoms and IP speakers are the solution to providing intelligence and communications and to securing those perimeters.
Yet, the importance of high-quality, clear audio cannot be understated. It is useless to purchase a communications system if the audible announcements and messages can’t be heard or understood, every time and everywhere. Take the time to find communication solutions that enable everyone to hear, be heard and be understood, every time and everywhere.
Learn more about Zenitel's solutions for education here: https://www.zenitel.com/education-communication-solutions
This article originally appeared in the April 2024 issue of Security Journal Americas:
https://securityjournalamericas.com/
Other Blog Posts...
The Benefits of a Unified Critical Communication platform
In today’s risk environment, a robust security and communication system is critical for any business to operate. Security technology is needed, due to the number of sophisticated risks that security teams face each day. Every area of a facility, inside and out, including doors, rooms and open spaces, and the fence-line at a perimeter, is necessary to successfully operate a business and keep employees, visitors, and vendors safe and secure.
Why you should upgrade your PAVA system with Zenitel
Upgrade your PAVA system with Zenitel to enhance performance, reliability, and compliance while future-proofing your investment. Zenitel’s phased upgrade approach ensures minimal downtime and cost efficiency, offering scalable solutions tailored to your facility's needs.
Lifecycle cost of a public address and voice alarm (PAVA) system
For the cost of a Public Address and Voice Alarm (PAVA) system, understanding whole life costs is critical to making informed decisions at the time of selecting the solution. Especially as PAVA systems needs to be in operation 24/7 and are typically required to last 10-15 years.
A Sustainable Public Address and Voice Alarm Solution
Zenitel is committed to environmental impact and supporting customers' sustainability goals. In 2024, the company received the Ecovadis Silver Sustainability Rating, ranking in the top 15% of companies. This article highlights the durability and effectiveness of Zenitel's PAVA solutions.
Importance of Public Address and Voice Alarm solutions
Research has shown that verbal messages elicit responses more than five times faster than traditional bells and sounds. By combining Fire Detection and Voice Alarm systems, emergency responses can be seamlessly automated. This shows the importance of Public Address and Voice Alarm solutions.
10 Reasons to consider Video Intercoms
Communication involves the connected relationship of several of our senses: the sense of hearing, the sense of sight and seeing, the sense of smell, the sense of taste, and the sense of touch. Our video intercoms elevate this interaction with exceptional video, voice, and powerful audio amplification for clear announcements.
School and College Campus Security with Clear Communications
Campus safety and security refers to the measures taken by a school, college or university to ensure the safety of students, staff, and visitors.
Importance of Open Standards in the Security Industry
In today's rapidly evolving security landscape, the demand for robust, interoperable, and future-ready solutions has never been higher. As organizations strive to protect their assets, information, and people, the adoption of open standards has emerged as a critical factor in achieving these goals. But what exactly are open standards, and why are they so important for the security industry? In this blogpost, we delve into the some of the what, why, and the how of open standards.
Healthcare facilities need proactive security to improve patient care, protect people and assets, and streamline operations
Hospitals and healthcare facilities have the tall order to manage stressful situations from a high number of emergency services, staff, patients, and visitors.
Hospital Security System: Solving Key Security Challenges
How can hospital security system such as an interactive access control solution help you deter security breaches within a hospital?
Exploring security and communication technologies to streamline healthcare operations
Healthcare facilities must manage complex logistics involving multiple departments across buildings, sometimes in different city areas, to streamline healthcare operations. The challenge is ensuring seamless coordination across these departments to provide the best possible patient care while managing costs effectively.
How audio technologies improve patient care in healthcare facilities
Hospitals leverage audio technologies to improve patient care, ensuring that patients receive the utmost care, comfort, and safety.
4 Ways hospital intercoms can enhance security in healthcare facilities
Hospitals have the tall order to manage stressful situations from a high number of emergency services, staff, patients, and visitors. Ensuring a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors is a key priority for every healthcare facility. Security teams must remain informed to stay ahead of disruptions to ensure all essential operations remain functional. Medical staff require the right tools, such as hospital intercoms, to effectively deliver patient care while ensuring a safe and secure environment.
Hospital Communication Solutions made center stage in International Security Journal
Zenitel's insights into Hospital Communication Solutions have taken center stage in the latest edition of the International Security Journal (ISJ).
ELCA ACS Srl: Experience and Expertise for Meeting Complex Communication Needs
Safety and security of naval, civil vessels, and offshore installations depend on the reliability of critical communication solutions. ELCA ACS Srl has gained extensive experience in delivering cutting-edge products tailored to the specific customer requirements in the maritime sector.
REDCAI upholds the highest standards in maritime navigation and communications
In harsh ocean environments, the safety and security of crew, passengers, and vessels are of paramount importance. REDCAI is committed to its customers in the maritime segment, offering them top-notch products at the best prices, along with synchronized installation.
3D MARINTEC Leading System Integrator in China
Reliable communications and uninterrupted operations of navigation and security systems are crucial for marine vessels, offshore and energy installations. This is where 3D MARINTEC comes in with great experience and expertise. The company is a well-known expert in the engineering, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of maritime and offshore electrical equipment solutions.
Videlio-FUNA reinforces communication systems for the cruise and luxury segment
The cruise industry is developing. Innovative technologies and new approaches are constantly being implemented. Providing passengers with increasingly entertaining and comfort features onboard, as well as to ensure safety and sustainability. And when it comes to creating cutting-edge systems for entertainment, communication, and lighting solutions, Videlio-FUNA is the best choice.
Beier Integrated Systems – together we deliver highest quality solutions for our customers
Beier Integrated Systems is a 77-year-old engineering and manufacturing company that provides integrated solutions to the marine industry. They are the oldest marine electronics company in the US and are up there among the companies with the largest footprint in the global marine industry.