Retitrement Communities – Intercom and Access Control
The Project
The developer engaged Active Online to assist with moving corporate IT systems to the cloud. During the consultation process the developer sought advice on options for a Private Communications Network for access control, and CCTV planned estates on the Gold Coast and Caboolture.
Solutions evaluated included NBN, third party owned and managed network, private optical fibre, and a private wireless network based on Wireless ISP (WISP) equipment. Based on costs to deploy, total cost of ownership, and estate topology, a Wireless solution was subsequently recommended and adopted.
The developer sought advice on in-home intercom access control equipment suitable for installation in high-end homes. Active Online assessed options from Australia and overseas with particular emphasis on quality, future expansion, IP based, and capability. Active Online have since agreed to import, certify, and supply IP Video VoIP Intercom equipment for the developer and others including providing Warranty and technical support in Australia.
Active Online were engaged to produce a specification for installation of a wireless network and installation documentation for CCTV, home installation including radio, and intercom systems, communications room and main centralised radio pole. A full suite of design and implementation documents were produced for the developer for each estate.
Specification
- Encrypted private wireless IP Network
- Live stream up to 30 camera poles with each having up to 3 HD Video cameras
- Expandable capacity
- Low profile radio installation on homes
- WiFi router in homes for “other device” connection
- Hard wired connection in homes for multiple video intercom panels
- SIP protocol to enable connection by other VoIP client software or hardware. SIP Server required.
- Video calls between homes and access points
- Remote gate open command from homes
- Multi-key gate intercom panel (video) to call homes
- SMS messages to home intercoms from centralised management
- Advertising feature from centralised management
Implementation
The wireless network was designed using professional wireless ISP equipment in a point to multipoint (PMP) topology. The installation and management were contracted to Cloudfire Hosting (Connect Networks Pty Ltd).
The radios were Ubiquiti Rocket Titanium devices using an adjustable beamwidth sector antenna on a 6 gang pole mount installed on a 12m hinged swing pole for easy access for maintenance. Transtector lightning protection was used at the head and comms room entry point and RF Armor was used on all radios to lower the noise in the system and improve throughput. The main pole and comms room were connected to a communications grade earthing grid for protection and improved noise immunity. All radio and network equipment was preconfigured, labelled, tested and documented by Active Online to be installed by Cloudfire.
Cameras were mounted on 6m lighting poles and streamed using Ubiquiti Nanostation radios. Cameras used are from the HIK Vision Darkfighter range with lenses chosen for each camera purpose. CCTV vision is recorded on a high capacity NVR for historical reference.
The front gate was directly connected through conduit to the adjacent comms room. The intercom panel was an A3K IP SIP video multikey panel as shown below.
The communications room was specified to be secure, clean, and environmentally controlled in line with best practice. Equipment was installed in a monitored, properly earthed 600mm rack with UPS. Servers are a mix of standalone and VM depending on the purpose and include – NVR, SIP Server, Radio Management Server, Intercom System Management Server, and various monitoring and provisioning systems as required. The system is designed to be flexible and resilient with redundant systems implemented where cost effective.
Home equipment was preconfigured, labelled and tested by ActiveOnline before supplying to the Electrical Contractor for installation. Each home package was issued with full documentation and QA check sheet for acceptance testing and as-built documentation.
The POE injector for the radio, WiFi Gateway, and Power Supply for the Communications Panel were installed inside an equipment box modified to allow the WiFi antenna to be unobstructed. The equipment box was then installed inside a utility cupboard in the laundry. The utility box provides protection to the components allowing the home owner to use the storage space while also presenting a tidy installation.
Equipment Enclosure inside utility cupboard.
The radio equipment was mounted on to the tv antenna mast and oriented towards the main pole. RF Armor was used to reduce the noise floor and improve the system performance.
Performance
The network has performed very well under significant load with the CCTV cameras. Systems have been running in excess of 12 months with no VoIP intercom failures. CCTV pictures are of a very high quality during the day and night and residents have appreciated the security and quality of the access control, communication, and CCTV systems.
Enquiries
Please contact us if you would like to discuss a similar project. We understand the industry and have valuable experience to pass on to developers.