Optic Security Group completes advanced Wireless Duress installation
Healthcare workers are at high risk of assault by patients suffering from mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse. A system that provides Life-saving alarms to alert security and site personnel quickly, safely and efficiently of threats or potential violence are critical to protecting personnel in high-risk environments.
In April 2017 Optic Security Group (OSG), was awarded a contract by the Northern Territory Government to provide an advanced wireless duress and tracking system for the safety of health workers and staff at a health complex in Darwin. The existing wireless duress system at the centre was replaced with a solution by Protrac iD, which included Protrac iD and AssetTrac software and networked RFID readers to monitor 3-in-1 Duress/Id cards carried by staff.
The solution provides Real Time Locating System (RTLS) that keeps track of the current location of Protrac iD tags carried by and associated with individual personnel, provides duress alert functionality through an integrated duress button within the tag and can also be used as the primary ID card for security access control systems.
The system assists in protect personnel by providing them with the ability to alert others that they’re in trouble and need assistance. The system will initiate audible and visual alarms and provides a Real-Time location of the person in trouble on a display monitored site map of the building as well as having the capability to send emails or SMS messages with the location details. The real time tracking of functionality also provides valuable information as the location of personnel during an evacuation or site-wide threat. The system can be configured to provide voice alarm systems including the location of personnel in trouble.
With the support of Protrac iD, OSG has received great feedback from management onsite in regard to OSG’s personnel and the performance of the solution.
Optic Security Group is an approved Protrac iD partner.
About Protrac iD
Protrac iD RFID tags are low-cost limited range “passive” tags or Long range “active” tags. Each RFID tag is associated with an asset or person. Tags attached to assets are selected depending on the type of asset, its material and size, its environment, tracking (reading) distance required, and quantity. They can be either active or passive type. Tags worn by people are generally of the active type.
Protrac iD Passive tags are affixed as labels to containers and assets and are read using handheld scanners or automatically by “portal” reader systems. Passive tags are only detected when near a reader and must also be orientated correctly to the reader. For these reasons, they have limited application for automatic tracking.
In contrast, Protrac iD Active tags are ideal for automatic tracking. Active tags also have additional facilities for security and environmental monitoring.
AssetTrac reader network
Reader and antenna placement are arranged to detect movement of tags from zone to zone and provide input for RTLS, environmental or security monitoring as required.
Readers are selected for required network connectivity. Common networks are TCP/IP, RS422 LAN and combinations of RS422 LAN and TCP/IP gateways.
Readers for active and passive tag types are interconnected on the same network.
Hand held portable readers are also employed for passive tags. These generally communicate by Wi-Fi, Blue Tooth or GPRS.
Data collection
AssetTrac software is used as middleware (an interface to third party software) or as the customer interface.
AssetTrac utilises the Microsoft SQL data platform and is ideal for seamless integration into third party systems with Web Server software or serial or TAP interface.
When AssetTrac is directly used as the customer interface a Graphical screen provides a real-time display of all tags in each zone.
A Database is maintained for all tags and associated assets or people.
Reports for asset/people movement history with selectable requirements are generated on demand.
