Comelit’s IP (ViP) video door entry and access control solution has been used to secure apartments and townhouses at an exclusive gated mews development in Twickenham, built by nationwide property developer, St James. Brewery Wharf, situated on a tributary of the Thames in south-west London, features 82 warehouse-style flats spread across three blocks and 28 gated houses built in a Georgian style.
St James, a member of The Berkeley Group, opted to secure the upmarket riverside development using Comelit’s award-winning 3one6 Sense digital entrance panels, which feature a built-in colour camera. The panels have been installed at all the entrances around the complex and are connected over a dedicated Cat6 network.
The 3one6 Sense combines cutting-edge technology and design in a single product and was a “Red Dot Design Winner” when it was launched. Calls are made using buttons that are integrated into the panel. What makes the Sense unusual is that it has no mechanical keys, but uses capacitive technology instead. This external panel, which has an IK08 rating, offers protection against vandalism while maintaining a prestigious, high-quality appearance.
Sound quality is optimised with echo-cancelling and the panel display, visual indications (pictograms) and keys with Braille characters all comply with the Equality Act.
Wide-ranging multi-channel solution from a unified platform
The Brewery Wharf project uses a broad range of products from Comelit’s IP (ViP) door entry range. The security installation company, Editquest, has integrated the SimpleKey access control solution into the entrance panels to give residents easy access and reduce the need for additional control equipment mounted on the wall.
The panels are fitted with13.56MHz proximity readers, which are activated by residents or approved third parties, using MIFARE key fobs. The Brewery Wharf complex includes several vehicle barriers and car owners are issued with additional fobs that allow longer-range communication to activate 868MHz radio transmitters for opening the security gates. All this has been achieved within the ViP system, demonstrating Comelit’s ability to supply a wide-ranging and advanced integrated access control solution on a single unified platform.
Residents in the apartments at Brewery Wharf can speak with visitors at ground level using Comelit’s Smart monitors, which feature a full duplex hands-free loudspeaker and a 3.5-inch LCD display. The units can be flush, surface or desk-mounted and the sleek design and white finish contribute to the overall minimalist interior architectural scheme.
Communication is further optimised with residents and building managers benefiting from a desktop audio-video porter switchboard within the ViP suite. The switchboard allows the concierge to send messages to the monitors in all apartments or just to specific groups of residents. A good example of how the system can be used is notifying residents that the lift serving their part of the development is out of order. Group notifications and messaging of this kind help residents and appeal to developers.
Centralised switchgear
Editquest used Comelit’s six-port PoE switches on a Cat6 cabling structure. The switches achieve exceptional transmission distances of up to 250 metres between connection points. This saves costs for the developer and – just as crucially on a project of this kind – makes efficient use of space since the switchgear for multiple apartments is centralised.
Chris Carroll, Business Development Manager at Comelit Group UK, said: “The installer was able to programme all the Smart monitors from its own workshop in Bedfordshire, using a barcode scanner. This and a great deal of pre-assembly of our equipment before visits to site meant a smooth, quick install and minimal disruption to contractors from other trades - something that is particularly valued by property developers.”
