Links Integrated Systems working with TRIBE, Quinn Ross, Aitch, London MEP, SALTO and Hikvision to turn the security concept into a coordinated, construction-ready solution
Links Integrated Systems Ltd is pleased to be progressing the integrated security systems for the St James Street student accommodation development, following our involvement from the early concept and design stages through to detailed design and construction-ready systems.
The project is ultimately being delivered for TRIBE Student Accommodation, with the security technology and equipment platforms specified by TRIBE to meet their operational requirements across the development.
The specified technologies include:
- SALTO access control
- Hikvision video surveillance and associated security equipment
Links Integrated Systems’ role has been to take those specified systems and work collaboratively with the project team to develop them into a practical, compliant and fully coordinated solution that can be installed, commissioned and ultimately operated as intended.
Throughout the process we have worked closely with:
- TRIBE Student Accommodation – End User
- Quinn Ross – Building Services Consultants
- Aitch – Main Contractor
- London MEP – M&E Contractor
- SALTO – Access Control Manufacturer
- Hikvision – Video Security Manufacturer
It has been a genuinely collaborative design process, with each organisation bringing its own specialist knowledge to the project.
351 Access-Controlled Doors
One of the most significant elements of the development is the scale of the access control system.
The project incorporates 351 access-controlled doors, comprising:
- 117 online/hardwired access-controlled doors
- 234 offline/battery-operated access-controlled doors
This hybrid solution uses SALTO technology specified by TRIBE, allowing the access control architecture to be adapted according to the operational requirements of different areas within the building.
On a project containing 351 controlled doors, however, specifying the access control manufacturer is only the starting point.
The real design work comes from determining exactly how each individual door needs to operate.
It Isn’t Simply About Putting a Reader on a Door
One of the most detailed areas of our involvement has been the door-by-door coordination of the access control and locking arrangements.
Every controlled door has different considerations.
For each relevant opening, the project team has needed to consider:
- Who needs access through the door?
- From which direction is access controlled?
- What type of electronic locking is required?
- How should users exit?
- What happens during a fire alarm condition?
- Is door-status monitoring required?
- How does the access control interact with the architectural ironmongery?
- What are the means-of-escape requirements?
- What level of physical security is required?
- How does the complete door arrangement meet the requirements of the project specification?
- Are there specific Secured by Design requirements affecting the opening?
These are not decisions that can be made by considering the access control system in isolation.
The door, frame, lock, ironmongery, reader, controller, power supply, fire alarm interface and means-of-escape strategy all have to work together.
Working with Aitch on the Door and Locking Strategy
A particularly important part of the design development has been working closely with Aitch as Main Contractor and the wider project team to review the proposed locking and operation of individual doors.
This has included coordinating the electronic security requirements against the architectural door schedules and addressing the requirements of Secured by Design (SBD), Building Control, means of escape and the wider project design.
This level of coordination becomes increasingly important as a project moves from the consultant’s original concept into construction.
What may initially appear as a simple access-controlled door can involve several different disciplines.
A locking change can affect:
- Architectural ironmongery
- Electrical requirements
- Access control
- Fire alarm interfaces
- Door monitoring
- Means of escape
- Cabling
- Power supplies
- Builders’ work
- System programming
Identifying these issues during the design process is considerably more effective than discovering them once the doors have been manufactured or installed.
Working from the End User’s Specification
An important aspect of this project is that TRIBE has had a clear requirement for the technology that will ultimately operate within its building.
TRIBE specified the use of SALTO and Hikvision equipment, providing consistency with the end user’s operational requirements and preferred technology platforms.
Links Integrated Systems has then been able to concentrate on what a specialist systems integrator should do:
take the specified technology and engineer it into a complete working system.
That involves considerably more than producing an equipment list.
It requires understanding how the technology will be deployed, how it interfaces with the building, what infrastructure it requires and how the completed systems will actually operate once residents and the TRIBE management team take possession of the building.
A Hybrid SALTO Access Control Solution
The access control system uses a combination of online/hardwired and offline electronic access control.
117 Online/Hardwired Doors
The project incorporates 117 online/hardwired controlled doors.
These require coordination of the SALTO controllers and associated infrastructure together with:
- Electronic locking
- Door monitoring
- Readers
- Power supplies
- Network infrastructure
- Cabling
- Fire alarm interfaces
- Associated door hardware
234 Offline/Battery-Operated Doors
A further 234 doors use offline/battery-operated SALTO access control.
This provides an effective way of extending electronic access management across a large number of doors without requiring conventional hardwired access control infrastructure at every opening.
The combination gives TRIBE a single access control strategy while allowing different technologies to be deployed according to the operational requirements of individual areas.
Hikvision Video Security
Alongside the SALTO access control solution, the project incorporates Hikvision video security technology specified by TRIBE.
As with access control, successful CCTV design is not simply about positioning cameras on a drawing.
Each camera needs to have a defined operational purpose.
Depending on location, this may include:
- Monitoring entrances and exits
- Identifying persons entering the building
- Observing circulation areas
- Monitoring external approaches
- Supporting the wider security strategy
- Providing recorded evidence following an incident
Camera positions also need to be coordinated with the architecture, lighting, containment, data infrastructure and other building services.
The objective is a video surveillance system that provides useful operational coverage rather than simply achieving a particular camera quantity.
Collaboration Between Consultant, Contractor, M&E Specialist and Security Integrator
A project of this scale cannot successfully be designed by one organisation working independently.
Quinn Ross, as Building Services Consultants, have provided the wider consulting and design framework. https://www.quinnross.com/
Aitch, as Main Contractor, coordinate the overall construction process and the numerous specialist packages required to deliver the development. https://www.aitchgroup.com/
London MEP, as M&E Contractor, provide the electrical and mechanical infrastructure upon which many of the security systems depend. https://www.londonmep.co.uk/
SALTO https://saltosystems.com/ks/ and Hikvision https://www.hikvision.com/uk/ provide the technology platforms specified by TRIBE.
And Links Integrated Systems, as the specialist security systems integrator, is responsible for developing the detailed security solution and ensuring that the individual components can ultimately operate together as a complete system.
That collaboration is critical.
Security Systems Have to Be Designed as Part of the Building
Modern electronic security systems touch numerous other construction packages.
Access control and video surveillance can interact with:
- Architectural doors
- Ironmongery
- Electrical services
- Structured data networks
- Fire detection systems
- Lifts
- Automatic doors
- Building management systems
- Reception areas
- Emergency escape arrangements
- Power supplies
- Containment and cabling
This is why early involvement from the specialist security contractor can add significant value.
The earlier these interfaces are identified, the greater the opportunity to resolve them through coordinated design rather than site variations and remedial work.
From Concept to Construction-Ready Security Systems
One of the aspects of St James Street that we are particularly pleased with is the opportunity Links Integrated Systems has had to remain involved as the project has moved through the design process.
Major construction projects evolve continuously.
Architectural drawings change.
Door schedules are developed.
Specifications are refined.
Interfaces become clearer.
End-user requirements are developed.
Compliance requirements need to be incorporated.
The security design has to evolve alongside all of those changes.
Working closely with TRIBE, Quinn Ross, Aitch, London MEP, SALTO and Hikvision, we have helped turn the original security concept and end-user specification into a detailed, coordinated solution ready for construction.
For Links Integrated Systems, this is what security integration is really about.
It isn’t simply installing cameras, readers and locks.
It is understanding how the security systems, doors, locking, electrical infrastructure, fire strategy, networks and operational requirements all fit together — and making sure that what is designed can actually be built and work correctly.
We are proud to be part of the team delivering St James Street and look forward to seeing the systems move from coordinated design into installation, commissioning and ultimately operation for TRIBE and its residents.
Links Integrated Systems Ltd
Links Integrated Systems Ltd designs, installs, commissions and supports integrated electronic security systems throughout the UK.
Our services include:
Access Control | CCTV | Video Intercom | Intruder Detection | Automatic Doors | Gates & Barriers | Integrated Security
We work alongside end users, developers, consultants, main contractors and M&E contractors, providing specialist security input from early concept and tender design through detailed design, installation, commissioning and handover.
Links Integrated Systems Ltd
Integrated security, designed as part of the building.