Swiss National Museum Zurich

Securiton intrusion alarm systems have been keeping the valuable exhibits safe for a number of years now. The first of these systems was the original EMZ, later followed by the SecuriPro. The new building now features the company’s latest intrusion alarm system: the SecuriSafe. This will gradually replace the SecuriPro system in the old building as the refurbishment work progresses.
The various rooms and artefacts are monitored in a number of different ways. A range of detectors provides the all-important monitoring, including lasers in the inner and outer areas. Freestanding display cabinets such as those used in temporary exhibitions are linked to the alarm system by means of wireless technology for maximum flexibility when it comes to layout. Picture sensors, light barriers and magnet and bolt contacts are other devices linked to the SecuriSafe system. The system currently incorporates some 1200 contacts, a figure set to rise to 1600 once the refurbishment work has been completed.

The universal management system (UMS), also a Securiton product, provides a simplified way of visualising and operating systems. The museum’s in-house security staff operate the UMS from their security console. It allows them to activate video cameras remotely and respond to the SecuriSafe alarm signals. The access and fire alarm systems provided by other suppliers have also been incorporated within the UMS.
Securiton’s IPS VideoManager delivers images from various makes of camera (currently numbering 175 and located in the inner and outer areas of the museum) directly to the security console. In the exhibition area, some cameras can, in an emergency, be viewed directly on the iPads carried by the security staff. A company that, like Securiton, belongs to the Securitas Group is g+m elektronik AG: its acoustic evacuation system facilitates the orderly evacuation of visitors and staff in an emergency. To this end, loudspeakers are to be found throughout the museum; they can also be used for routine announcements.

The museum has remained up and running during the construction work. One of the challenges has been to ensure that the work does not inconvenience visitors and that the exhibits remain secure at all times. Moreover, the museum’s temporary exhibitions change every three months or so, which means that modifications regularly have to be made to the monitoring system. However, thanks to the participation of a general project manager from Securiton, those involved have always only had to deal with one contact person, which has proved very helpful.