2004 Commercial Installation of the Year:
The COMM Group Unleashes Its Uncommon Skill
The COMM Group (TCG) is a designer and integrator of building systems and facilities networks that was formed in Pittsburgh in 1997 through the consolidation of three businesses: Pittsburgh Communications Corp., Netcomm Technologies Inc. and Wes Comm Inc. In 2002, BPS Systems Inc. became part of TCG, which opened another office in Akron, Ohio, in 2003. In March 2004, TCG was acquired by Chantilly, Va.-based ISR Solutions, a privately held electronic systems integrator.
TCG specializes in turnkey design, engineering, installation, documentation, maintenance and support services in the areas of CCTV, access control, fire alarm, theatrical sound, telecommunications and data network systems. The company’s major clients include the U.S. Postal Service, Pittsburgh Int’l Airport and Penn State University.
The Pittsburgh Public School District (PPS) can now also be included on that list thanks to the super job TCG did in meeting the needs of its Creative and Performing Arts School (CAPA).
Operational, Ambient Features Help Integrator Land Job
Located in the heart of the Cultural District in Downtown Pittsburgh, CAPA is the PPS’s newest “gem.” The $38 million, seven-story facility houses hundreds of students, staff and visitors entering its doors daily.
“This was a new school that was built in downtown Pittsburgh,” explains Sales Engineer Mike Farrell. “The school itself is unusual for several reasons. First, it was made possible by donations by certain philanthropic sources. Second, the school is unique because it focuses on creative and performing arts. Third, it is located in a traditionally commercial high-rise building environment.”
The challenge presented to TCG was to create an overall scheme incorporating design, installation and operations in accordance with PPS’s comprehensive security plan, and be able to blend it all with the ambiance of the building.
“The most valuable of all the assets that needed to be protected by this project were the school kids,” adds Farrell. “In addition, the teachers, staff, and the building and its contents also had to be safeguarded.”
Charles Urso, an electrical engineer with LLI Technologies and the end user’s design representative, says, “The goal was simply to create a safer environment for the children of Pittsburgh. Protection of city property was a secondary goal.”
With the intent of giving the job to the lowest bidder, CAPA awarded the project to TCG in January 2003. It didn’t hurt that TCG had worked with Pittsburgh’s public schools for a number of years.
“This was a bid job in which The COMM Group, which already had an existing business relationship with LLI and the customer, was contracted immediately,” continues Urso. “This installer was very helpful in delivering the technical side of this complex project.” A completion date was set for August 2003, before the start of school. TCG’s portion of the project would wind up consuming more than 400 man-hours. The entire job totaled about $1 million.
TCG’s Pat Rorke, Michael Havey and Nick Simcic took on the installation and programming of the CCTV and access control systems. The fire alarm system was assigned to Michael Bieda for the design and engineering portion, while Doug Whitacre assumed responsibility for the installation and programming.
School Project Incorporates a Multitude of Systems, Capabilities
Along with controlling access into the school through specified portals, the plan involved monitoring exits through a number of other doors within the building, integration with a CCTV system, digital video recording, fire alarm peer-to-peer interfacing, cigarette deterrent interfacing and the use of a mobile wireless solution.
“Integration of the system was extremely important to the customer and made sense on a project of this size,” contends Urso. “In particular, the camera and intrusion systems are useful in helping the city provide a safer environment for the children of Pittsburgh, as well as protect city property.”
TCG worked with electrical and design engineers to develop specific plans and drawings based on Lenel’s access system. The integrator incorporated ID credentialing, badge designing, alarm monitoring, alarm maps, fire alarm, paging and video recording with PELCO’s cameras and matrix switcher.
The system includes several PELCO LCD monitors and a keyboard located in the security command center room. This allows just two security guards to confidently monitor and control 15 HID proximity readers, 60 Sentrol door alarms, 50 Detection Systems motion detectors and 242 cameras located both in and outside of the facility. See page 44 of the July issue of SSI for a complete list of this installation’s equipment.
Alarms Displayed Via Graphic Map, Call Up Cameras CAPA’s top-of-the-line system is one not normally found within a public school. The Lenel system is a common platform with a standard Ethernet network configuration. This allows for the implementation of several enhanced features in a modular format, such as a wide-area network (WAN) for remote monitoring of buildings throughout the school district and the ability to interface with a student attendance package using open database connectivity.
“The district standardized on the Lenel/Pelco equipment for ease of operator interface, the ability for future expansion and upgrades, and the integration of multiple systems,” says Farrell.
In a typical access control system, entry access to a facility is limited. The CAPA project called for a more unique solution in which exit activity needed to be controlled as well. Thus, the building is secured after-hours by way of arming/disarming the system with the HID proximity/keypad reader. The Lenel system is set up to also monitor cigarette detectors located in all restrooms.
When any of the systems’ alarms are activated, it is displayed on a graphic map along with a camera call-up viewing the area. A page signal is immediately sent to the roaming security staff to identify the location of the alarm. The staff is also equipped with a mobile enterprise solution that allows wireless operation of the system, from a laptop or PDA, as if being in the command center.
Time, Environment Are Among the Job’s Main Obstacles
The CAPA system was installed to run seamlessly. All digital video recorders, cameras, intercoms, fire alarms and doors can be monitored at any given computer or work-station equipped with Lenel software. Video records of the previous school week can also be accessed at these stations.
Other unique aspects of the project include: only two guards are needed to monitor all activity on both the interior and exterior of the building; Voice Products’ Cigarette Buster system pages guards upon activation; when a person leaves the facility, the school’s pan/tilt/zoom cameras zero-in and record images; and when a motion sensor alarm is activated, all lights in the school are instantly turned on to enable clear video photography.
The most challenging elements of the project were dealing with the strict timetable, customer’s specific requirements, myriad of other people involved in building the new facility and the uniqueness of the structure itself.
“It was difficult to coordinate and work with all the different trades to complete the project by the start of the school year,” affirms Farrell. “In addition, because it was a brand-new facility, we did not have school personnel who are familiar with the facility to assist us in programming all of the hot/trouble spots the security staff would need to see.” Urso adds, “This building has very limited real estate for installing systems. The owner’s requirement to place all installation cabling inside conduit made for a more secure system but increased the pressure of dealing with the scant real estate.”
Happy Customer Enlists TCG for Entire School District
PPS was so pleased with the installation and operations of the CAPA systems that it contracted TCG to install the same security measures throughout some 90 other schools and sites within the district.
“The relationship in a project of this magnitude requires a strong communication line between the client, engineer, electrical contractor and ourselves,” states Farrell. “With our industry technology advancing every day, the schools will also be implementing an IP camera solution and wireless remote access to the district’s police cruisers.”
At press time, 10 high schools had been completed and the remaining buildings were currently in the design process or undergoing installation. Winning an award for the CAPA installation was the icing on a very sweet cake.
“We were ecstatic to make the three finalists, let alone being singled out for the top honor,” gushes Farrell. “We are hopeful that we can leverage the credibility a SAMMY Award brings when discussing our company’s capabilities and system solutions. Undoubtedly, we would enter again!”
2004 Residential Installation of the Year:
Greater Alarm Lives Up to Its Name
Greater Alarm, which was founded in 1981 by brothers Jim and George De Marco, is one of California’s largest and most respected providers of electronic security, fire and integrated systems. The company is adept and experienced in designing cutting-edge home systems — so much so that it has won two of the three SSI Best Integrated Residential Installation of the Year Awards.
That’s why the homeowner contracted with Greater Alarm for a six-figure audio/video/security system to be installed in his upscale residence in Southern California’s Coto De Caza gated community. The nearly 6,000-square-foot home turned out to be the largest contract ever realized by the company.
When it was all said and done, Greater Alarm had integrated the six-bedroom, seven-bath abode with home theater, audio, intrusion, home network, landscaping audio and camera surveillance systems tied together with an Elan VIA home controller.
Customer Jumps at Additional Offerings Besides Security
When the homewoner originally met with Greater Alarm System Consultant Filomena Fagundes, he had his mind set on a basic security system. However, once he discovered the integrator also installed high-end home theater and audio systems, he began requesting capabilities and features that led to the project’s scope growing far beyond security.
“Once I mentioned to him we also did high-end audio systems, he was open to the various suggestions,” details Fagundes. “He was very interested in cutting-edge technology, but also wanted it to be friendly to use.”
In addition to Fagundes, other key Greater Alarm personnel involved in the project included Purchasing Manager Karen Noehren, Project Manager Tim Bryant and Installers Tom Wood, Chris Allan and Hans Van Der Veer.
The team began work on the installation on May 27, 2003 and wrapped the project up in time for the holidays by Dec. 12.
Video System Includes 20 Plasma, LCD TVs
The bulk of the project centered around the home theater/audio system. The homeowner certainly did not scrimp as it includes more than 20 plasma or LCD televisions — mostly Panasonic or Sharp — located throughout the house.
These TVs are located in the family room, game room and game room retreat, teen room, master bedroom and master bedroom retreat, kitchen, office, four upstairs bedrooms, downstairs guest bedroom, exercise room, and two more as part of the outdoor audio system.
In the game room and its retreat, Greater Alarm installed two high definition televisions (HDTVs), each with the ability to view different programming at the same time. One remote control manages these TVs with one touch to activate each audio component. High-end Yamaha receivers were used throughout the residence, with Klipsch audio speakers and subwoofers. Sonance in-wall subwoofers were used in the master bedroom and game room retreat area. For more on this equipment, see the complete list on pages 50 and 52 of the July issue of SSI.
Security Side Includes 40 Contacts, Camera
The home is fitted with extensive security devices from Bosch Security Systems, including three alphanumeric display keypads, three motion detectors and 40 perimeter door and window contacts.
“The entire project began with security, then progressed to an Elan system, which opened the door to home theater systems in every bedroom and then an outdoor audio system that interfaces with Elan VIA touch panels throughout the home and backyard,” elaborates Fagundes.
The fully monitored fire alarm system, which allows Greater Alarm to dispatch the fire department whether the customer is home or away, includes three smoke detectors and a water-flow switch for sprinklers.
To view visitors as they arrive, an in-wall Channel Vision camera surveillance system was placed discreetly in the front door area. It features an auto-iris 2mm lens.
Automation Controls Audio, Lighting and Pool
The Elan home control system allows the family to communicate throughout the house with any standard phone by using its paging and intercom features. High fidelity music speakers are installed throughout the house.
Whenever the paging feature is activated — via doorbell or phone ringing — any music that is playing is automatically muted.
Fagundes adds, “Elan was selected for its ability to integrate with a whole-house system, while Sharp LCD TVs were chosen for their quality. Pioneer plasma TVs were used due to their superior appearance and picture.”
Two Elan touch screens are located outside: one in the kitchen/barbecue area and the other in a bar/patio area. Two more are located inside: one in the kitchen and the other upstairs in the master bedroom. These touch-screen panels control the lighting, Jacuzzi and pool temperature. Similar panels are also found upstairs in all the bedrooms. Elan’s VIAdj! digital music server, which is installed in the family room home theater niche, allows family members in each area of the house to listen to different music from the same source. The VIAdj! is a digital recorder that can provide thousands of hours of recording.
The outdoor audio system consists of Elan amplifiers with stereo speakers and two LCD HDTVs. Simulated rock speakers are located throughout the courtyard and can be controlled separately.
Ecstatic Client Eyes 2 Other Home Projects
Greater Alarm also set up a computer network throughout the house. This helps the children with their homework by being able to get online from almost any room. It also allows the parents to get online without having to fight for computer time.
The homeowner is extremely pleased with his integrators’ work, so much so that, according to Fagundes, he intends to hire the company for additional work. He’s planning to build two similar homes in the near future and expects to have Greater Alarm perform at the same level of excellence down the road.
Meanwhile, Greater Alarm is tickled pink about adding another installation award to its trophy case.
“It’s a wonderful experience to be part of the SAMMYs program and to be recognized among our peers in the industry,” Fagundes says. “The SAMMY Awards are a great testimonial to our company’s accomplishments and teamwork. Showing off the trophy and copies of the article to visitors in the office is a big bonus, too!”