Industrial sites are constantly facing a multitude of risks, the causes of which are multifactorial and vary according to the nature of their activity (chemical, energy, nuclear, research etc.).
Therefore, ensuring the protection and safety of personnel, equipment, production facilities and stored goods at all times requires an efficient security system with increasingly advanced surveillance means.
How to guarantee the safety and security of an industrial site?
Often characterised by complex architectural and geographical configurations over vast areas, or even very restrictive environments (Seveso classification, ATEX explosion risk zones, storage of hazardous materials), industrial sites require very specific safety and security systems.
The implementation of a comprehensive monitoring system, capable of offering global coverage and rapidly accessible from a single supervision centre, is therefore essential to:
- Detect malicious acts: intrusion, damage to property or production facilities, theft of raw materials or goods
- Prevent and anticipate possible incidents
- Control the flow of people and vehicles: managing entries and exits, reading number plates, respecting parking areas or restricting access to certain areas
- Ensure fire protection by means of thermal imaging cameras, in addition to conventional detectors
- In general, control the risks surrounding the site’s activity, whether it is industrial or sensitive.
If left unchecked, these industrial safety and security requirements can be a source of incidents compromising the safety of personnel, but also jeopardising the very activity of the site and its long-term survival.
What techniques exist to ensure monitoring in industry?
Considering the spatial constraints and its specific vulnerabilities, securing an industrial site is part of a global and multidimensional approach; it is a matter of being able to dissuade, anticipate, delay and intervene whatever the situation.
Security is then generally ensured by a combination of different means, human and technological, among the most commonly associated:
- A physical security device with a perimeter fence, illuminated or not
- An alarm system depending on the nature of the premises to be protected, outside and inside buildings, sometimes reinforced by dissuasive measures such as sirens or flashing lights
- Video surveillance equipment, linked to the intruder alarm system and equipped with fixed or mobile cameras
- Fire detection and protection measures, including the presence of fire safety officers posted on site
- Vehicle flow control and access filtering systems, especially for high-risk areas, to prevent unauthorised access
- 24/7 remote surveillance by a control centre, allowing risk assessment by video
- The presence of security officers, including sometimes dog handlers, to provide guarding and random rounds on site.
The central place of video surveillance in the security system
Fixed video surveillance plays a decisive role through its ability to detect and immediately transmit any anomaly to the operational teams, by video feedback to the security headquarters or remotely to the surveillance centre; these are then able to assess the situation and take the necessary measures, for example a verification with the intervention of a patrol.
The performance of the sensors used, high definition cameras and thermal imaging cameras, significantly increases the accuracy and reliability of the information collected. Especially as they allow filming in all conditions (day and night, fog, etc.).
The high-resolution images and infrared detection features ensure early detection of incidents – such as a fire or suspicious night-time intrusion – and therefore greater reactivity in dealing with a suspicious event.
Centralising and integrating systems for increased performance
Finally, the use of video surveillance equipment on an industrial site supposes a video supervision software solution, or even the integration of all the security applications. This is the condition for optimised operation, with the possibility of centralising all the information needed by the security guard. The functionalities of a VMS (video management system) can be more or less numerous and technologically advanced: from standard image recording, modularity of displays and management interfaces, to the possible automation of certain security tasks or even multi-site supervision.
How can the surveillance drone ensure exemplary monitoring?
Although it is the cornerstone of a security system, fixed camera surveillance can be incomplete in some complex and extensive configurations.
The drone-in-a-box surveillance drone, like the ISS SPOTTER® solution, is an ideal complement to the security system thanks to its increased vision capacity at 360° day and night. Flying at a height of several dozen metres, it offers an unparalleled aerial view (height and depth of field) and acts like a “deported eye” at the service of the security agents.
Mobile, agile, and equipped with high performance cameras, it provides a precise observation point at the exact location where the operator wishes to look. This greatly improves the detection of unwanted presence or damage, the crossing of unauthorised areas or the recognition of vehicles. The surveillance drone’s ability to act discreetly and out of human reach is also likely to dissuade any attempt at malicious acts.
Automatedly operated, the surveillance drone can be permanently installed on the premises and integrated into the global security system (VMS or hypervisor) with which it cooperates. From then on, the retransmission of video images in real time to the security centre facilitates the assesment from a distance, while preserving the safety of the security agents.
The use of automatic drones is not intended to replace security officers, but to assist them with a great operational efficiency:
- The ability to perform pre-programmed autonomous rounds according to the vulnerabilities of the site
- The triggering of immediate risk assessment, on alarm or on demand, thanks to its speed of intervention
- The acquisition of precise information through a wide and deep field of observation.
Better appreciation of the risks, greater speed of action and increased control of incidents or threats are the main benefits of a drone surveillance solution deployed on industrial sites.
What solutions does Tonner Drones offer for surveillance of an industrial site?
The ISS SPOTTER® automatic drone system developed by Tonner Drone is a pefect response to the surveillance requirements of industrial sites.
This is particularly true for large sites with complex architectural designs, storage areas of hazardous materials or high-value goods, and extensive logistics flows (personnel, goods receipt and dispatch, vehicles).
The ISS SPOTTER® drone-in-a-box solution is an automated 24/7 system that integrates with the existing monitoring system and interfaces with the main VMS on the market.
By simplifying and improving prevention, control, surveillance, and intervention, it effectively complements the work of security teams.
The operation of the drone is based on 3 operating modes, specifically designed for the main surveillance needs of an industrial site:
Scheduled rounds
Scheduled rounds, accessible with a single click from the software interface.
The setting considers not only the spatial configuration of the site (height of buildings, prohibited overflight zones) but also the rhythm of logistics or production activities during the day, with unlimited number of flight plans.
From the security control centre, the officer can trigger an automatic round at periods of high traffic and concentrated flows (staff access, HGV traffic, transit of goods), when increased security management is required. Conversely, during periods of inactivity, when the risks of intrusion or theft are highest, the operator can trigger surveillance missions specific to outdoor storage areas or warehouses, in order to benefit from a mobile vision without blind spots.
Automatic risk assessments on alarm
Automatic risk assessments on alarm allow the drone to be sent directly to a specific point when an anomaly is detected by the supervision system; for example in the event of a suspicious presence on the outskirts of a prohibited area. The camera, already oriented towards the scene of the incident, can then be operated by the agent using a joystick to better assess the situation and react accordingly: whether for an intervention by a patrol or theclosure of the incident in the event of a false alarm.
Risk assessments "click and go"
As for the “click and go” mode, it allows the drone to be directed to a point designated by the security officer from the interactive map, according to an automatically calculated trajectory. Once the mission has been completed, the operator orders the return to the docking station for recharging by a simple click.
Charging in its docking station, which concentrates all the intelligence of the ISS SPOTTER® solution, the drone is thus operational and ready to take off for its next surveillance mission.
Autonomous for take-off, landing and flight phases, it always remains under the control of the security officer; the latter validates all missions and supervises automatic take-offs in case of alarm from the software interface.
Ergonomic and easy to handle, the ISS SPOTTER® drone-in-a-box system can be operated after a specific training, without the need for a drone pilot certification.
Installation of the ISS SPOTTER® solution is carried out by Tonner Drones’ technicians according to the site survey carried out beforehand and complies with various regulatory requirements: risk analysis in accordance with SORA standards (Specific Operation Risk Assessment) and declarations to the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) or any other competent national authority.
Tonner Drones’ specialists in French and European regulations will assist you in all these steps, to ensure full compliance and complete safety of your operations.
