Case Studies - Transportation

Secure Vision's Merry Christmas at Brixton

Brixton Station is the terminus for trains on the Victoria line and is located in South London. The station is supervised by Metronet BCV (MRBCV) on behalf of London Underground (LUL).

Secure Vision is the main contractor responsible for communications on the station and during the two year refurbishment program will integrate CCTV, PA and Passenger Help Points for the duration of the works.

The station itself is undergoing a major refurbishment. The offices above the station have been totally demolished and rebuilt. The station is also to be fitted with new lifts to enable disabled access to the platforms.

To achieve this two shafts have been sunk through the station down to platform level. Architecturally the façade of Brixton has changed to receive a cleaner glass and steel look.

During the works within the ticket hall the main contractor discovered Asbestos cladding on the main roof beams.

A complete ban was enforced for all works above ceiling height until further surveys could be carried out.

During mid November Secure Vision was invited to an emergency meeting with regard to the impact upon communications for the asbestos removal works.

It was requested that the works were to be completed throughout the Christmas, New Year period to cause as little disruption to the public as possible.

Secure Vision's Role

Secure Vision's tasks were basically broken down into four major headings;

• Planning
• Removal Works
• Support
• Reinstatement

Planning

The projects team within Secure Vision firstly had to ascertain the level of equipment which needed to be removed prior to Asbestos works beginning.

Following in-depth surveys and liaison with MRBCV it was observed that as the station Supervisor would be required to carry on his duties throughout the works, provision would have to be made to move him and his equipment to an alternative office situated at platform level.

He would still need to be able to operate cameras, help points and public address as well as change the tapes in the videos.

New Home for the VCR's

Moving the VCR's was the first task that Secure Vision undertook. This required engineers to manhandle a new rack down into the Machine Room, where the escalator equipment is located.

The rack was located adjacent to the CCTV Equipment Room. After the rack was powered up a further shift enabled all VCR's to be relocated in the new rack.

This enabled the station supervisor to enter the lower machine room, walk up the escalator incline and then change the tapes without having to enter the ticket hall.

Station Supervisor 'ups sticks'

Although the Supervisor was not required to vacate the control room until the last minute before the works were undertaken.

Secure Vision had to meticulously plan this move.

It was decided to set up a second station control point working in tandem with the existing working control room.

This would enable the Supervisor's move to be carried out with the least possible risk and disruption. The PA was extended from the 'Millbank' equipment through new cabling routed under the escalators down to the new offices.

A new Microphone 'All Call' unit was installed and interfaced with the Millbank PA rack. Four monitor outputs from the matrix were connected through a Quad unit to a 21" Monitor.

This also had to be cabled down the escalator incline. The Supervisor was now able to view four CCTV images simultaneously. The Passenger Help Points are operated through a touch screen Man Made Interface (MMI).

Secure Vision liaised with the supplier of this equipment to enable a satellite point to be installed at the new location. Again Secure Vision installed the cabling through the voids under the escalator.

This installation was thoroughly tested to ensure the system wouldn't fail during the change over. All was ready for the works to begin.

Ticket Hall Equipment Removal

So as to keep the equipment costs down all communications equipment within the Ticket Hall was to be reused.

Secure Vision were allocated eight hours to remove this equipment before the asbestos contractors began their part of the works.

Due to the restrictions in force, engineers were not allowed above ceiling level. This meant that although the cameras could be salvaged the housings could not.

Four large 'Passenger Awareness Monitors' along including housings were removed from the ceilingmounted brackets as well as the station clocks.

As the speakers were mounted within the ceiling these would be removed and 'bagged' by the Asbestos Removal Contractor.

Secure Vision completed these works three hours ahead of schedule.

The Station supervisor was relocated to his temporary office and the asbestos removal teams allowed on site to begin their works.

An emergency tunnel was constructed through the ticket hall to enable passengers in the event of an emergency to be de-trained and exited through the station.

Asbestos has left the Building

The removal works firstly required a large polythene tent to be set up around the work area to contain the affected area and air monitoring equipment positioned to ensure site safety.

The structural ceiling beams were encased in asbestos which was to be removed and replaced with a non-hazardous fire retardant material.

The works proceeded for four days during which time Secure Vision were in attendance to supply technical support should there be problems with the communication equipment.

Unfortunately, during the works the Asbestos Removal Contractor severed all communication & power cabling in the process of their works.

This left Secure Vision with a new problem. Secure Vision were unable to access the ticket hall area due to the presence of asbestos.

Time was limited, as high importance was placed on the station opening on time to the public.

Happy New Year Secure Vision

Access was granted to Secure Vision at 4pm on New Years Day.

Working twelve hour shifts in teams of four, Secure Vision engineers reinstated the cameras in new housings on custom-built poles directly to the concrete ceiling.

Where the cables had been cut, new lengths were jointed to give service to the affected equipment. Where the PA speakers had been discarded and the cables cut, temporary cabling and speakers were installed.

Secure Vision Engineers consistently applied themselves to complete the job required of them on time. When the scope of works changed due to the severed cabling, the engineers showed that through their initiative, drive and determination and in spite of the tight time constraints imposed by LUL, they gave up their New Year's Celebrations and their efforts were rewarded by the station opening on time.

Metronet's in-house magazine 'Metronet Matters' praises the whole team effort of MRBCV and contracting staff to complete the Project.

Secure Vision received a personal letter of commendation from Metronet's Communications Engineering Manager thanking the Secure Vision team for their role as part of this project.

"Metronet did a great job working around the clock to complete the works ahead of schedule and we were able to open the station prior to most commuters returning to work in early 2004"

John Doyle, LUL Victoria Line General Manager