Commend: Towards Total Operational Security for Parking Facilities
Commend: Towards Total Operational Security for Parking Facilities
Amidst increasing safety concerns, security and emergency critical communication is gaining in importance in parking operations. The emerging paradigm shift in the parking business has prompted new communication solutions like Commend’s Total Operational Security solution that covers a wide spectrum of security-relevant scenarios, as showcased at this year’s Intertraffic.
With the troubling staccato of tragic events on the news these days, the resulting insecurity has also reached the parking business and spurred a veritable paradigm shift of sorts. Traditionally, the focus has been on cost-efficiency (access and revenue control) and customer convenience. Now, heightened concerns about the safety of patrons and assets are raising the stakes, prompting a growing number of managers and security officers in parking operations to take action.
The benefits of foresight
Preparedness is crucial, as is the ability to respond properly in any security relevant situation. This is where Incident Reaction Management (IRM) comes in, a concept for successfully de-escalating critical situations at a car park that was showcased by security communication specialist Commend at this year’s Intertraffic. The principle behind it is not new and has been used routinely, for example, in providing remote assistance to patrons over intercom connections. However, as Wolfgang Pekárek, Parking Segment Manager at Commend, explains, “With the raised level of security requirements, the focus is clearly shifting.”
In dealing with incidents, staff are required to run the gamut of possible security-relevant situations, including, in rising order of severity,
- Exceptions:these include typical everyday hiccups that have a minor business impact, such as patrons needing assistance at the gate; these situations are resolved routinely over an intercom connection between a customer call point and support desk.
- Events:these constitute a sizeable impairment of business operations and entail a certain risk of personal injury, such as acts of vandalism; measures to protect individuals and assets include automated alerts based on audio or motion sensors, pre-recorded or live public address announcements, etc.
- Emergencies:these are incidents on the highest severity level, such as medical situations, bomb threats or active shooters; they require instant, coordinated de-escalation: communication takes on a central role and must follow a strict workflow pattern to protect lives and assets; as car park operators are liable for the ensuing events, up to and including proper documentation of every step being taken.
Total Operational Security: Communication is Key
When it comes to maintaining command, response and recovery, a secure, unified means of communication is crucial. Commend has addressed this need with a “Total Operational Security” solution, which turned more than a few heads at this year’s Intertraffic. In case of an emergency, it provides the vital communication backbone for coordinating rescue activities based on the IRM model.
One key requirement is absolute fail-safety, which is achieved by mechanisms such as self-monitoring of all components. Everything is built on modular components, so parking operators can build on and expand their existing communication system and expand it in stages to cover their required situational spectrum. Existing technologies such as intercom lines, public address systems or alarms provide the basis. These can then be combined with latest sensor and detection methods, such as CO detectors or “Audio Monitoring”, which listens for acoustic distress patterns and can trigger automatic alerts. All communication devices, detectors, building controls and other third-party security systems can be centralised and operated from a single point in the control room. The response at this year’s Intertraffic has been highly favourable, says Pekárek, adding that “It was fascinating to see visitors at Intertraffic confirm that the concept ticked all the right boxes. We had parking professionals spontaneously coming up with all sorts of use cases where they see a real benefit for their business.” What makes the concept attractive is that it is maintenance-free and reuses existing wiring so previous investments are not lost. And in multi-facility operations, the control rooms of local facilities can be cost-efficiently networked to an overarching control centre.
There you have it: affordable operational car park security all the way.
For more details see the Commend web site at www.commend.comor contact Joerg Weisser, j.weisser@commend.com.