Sarco Ltd’s alarm systems for civil defence in a nutshell Civil defence is one of Sarco Ltd’s crucial areas of operation. With the help of high-capacity alarm devices even the most difficult and versatile situations are under control.
The Sarco Ltd alarm system consists of a main control system, fixed outdoor alarm devices and mobile alarm devices. The high-capacity alarm devices are the fastest, most efficient and most reliable way of communicating imminent threats. Alarm system loudspeakers can be used to issue instructions to the population in case of an accident or an imminent threat. Our alarm devices can be used to control many different types of areas by directing the sound towards the desired regions. The sound capacity can also be directed towards the area which is in need of protection from a more distant location, e.g. from the marginal areas.
Sarco Ltd delivers systems on a”ready-to-go” basis, taking regional population growth into consideration. The capacity and size of the system is identified by measuring the terrain, the infrastructure and its estimated development. Sarco also manufactures mobile high-capacity alarm devices to replace missing fixed units, e.g. in rapidly growing urban areas. The mobile alarm units can also be transferred quickly to any given location.
Our research and development plan as well as our efficient engineering guarantees complete and functional solutions for our customers. The seamlessness of our delivery is ensured by professional installation services. When needed, we arrange for use and maintenance training and we also take care of the annual inspections and follow-up.
The customers of Sarco Ltd include civil and urban rescue departments, the Finnish Defence Forces, the chemical industry and other industries that require secure protection.
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| | Alarm centre protected against vandalism Sarco’s high-capacity alarm unit is available either as integrated in a buildning or as a mobile, independent unit. The central processing unit of the high-capacity alarm includes a lockable steel casing which is protected against vandalism and in which high-capacity amplifiers are arranged by module. The system also includes all the necessary remote and local control electronics, charger, gas-proof and maintenancefree batteries. Both fixed and
mobile units can be connected to the control system via radio.Both fixed and mobile units can be connected to the control system via radio utilizing standard protocols like Tetra, GSM, GPRS, 3G and by using analogy radio CCIR codes.
With a single electronic high-capacity alarm device you are not only able to sound an alarm signal, but also to issue clear precautionary directions to the population. |
| High-capacity speakers The speakers are high-capacity, exponential horn loudspeakers. Their performance is unique in comparison with other speaker designs. The outer
horn is made of unbending and strong fi breglass and the inner horns are anti-corrosive metal. Due to its sturdy design, the speakers also convey spoken information very strongly and clearly, emphasizing the high performance. Thanks to high-quality materials the speakers can handle difficult environmental conditions, such as sulphurous air. The materials are also protected against ultra-violet light, which otherwise weakens plastics. |
Mast design and audibility The speaker’s masts are constructed to be weather resistant. Special attention has been paid to demands such as wind load and suspension.
Sarco uses fi breglass in the speakers, which ensures improved audibility. The alarm signal can also be directed to predefi ned areas, for example from a distant industrial facility towards a densely populated area. Apart from sounding the alarm signal the unit can also be used to communicate speech. The mast structures of the speaker battery are made of hot-galvanized steel. The structures have been designed to manage even the strong winds blowing along the coast. The strength calculations for the mast are based on norms used in Finland. |
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Sarco manufactures and designs four different solutions according to the customers’ needs. Alarm device models and omnidirectional audibility 68 dB (A):
| | audibility radius | urban conditions average
| free terrain average
| | VSS-2400 | 1500 m | 2100 m | | VSS-1200 | 1000 m | 1500 m | | VSS-600+ | 800 m | 1100 m | | VSS-600 | 700 m | 950 m | | |
The audibility has been measured in actual urban conditions and is the average value of several remote measuring points. The free-field audibility radiuses are more than double of those achieved during optimal conditions. During special conditions even more remarkable audibility radius values can be achieved.
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Regional Planning Predictive planning guarantees a reliable, highquality civil defence. Using modern software, Sarco Ltd plans specific solutions for every region on a “ready-to-go” basis in association with the local civil defence authorities.
By means of careful predictive planning the project schedule and required resources for both supplier and customer are guaranteed. |
Controlling the devices |
Local Use
The device can be controlled manually, regardless of whether it is connected to the complete system or not. The alarm signal and speech can be connected locally directly from the device. The alarm signal is activated locally by pressing the LC-4 key on the timer. The alarm is activated
on a two-switch basis, thus preventing accidental false alarms.
A noise-proof command microphone is attached to the timer unit for the purpose of making local announcements and giving instructions. The noise-proofing effectively prevents the microphone from howling and makes the announcement clearer.
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In accordance with current requirements, the control functions of the unit are activated remotely. System includes telephone line and radio adapter as standard features. The codes and spoken information can optionally be forwarded to other alarm devices or to a central emergency centre.
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Remote Use Sarco Ltd’s high-capacity alarm devices can be controlled and used via radio. The system supports analogy (UHF, VHF) and digital (TETRA) connections. The common telephone network or a separate fixed wire connection can be used as secondary connection. |
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Peripheral Devices The systems central processing unit can be connected to various external measurement units for gas, smoke, radiation etc. | Control via Internet
Sarco Ltd’s high-capacity alarm devices can also be controlled and used via a common Internet connection by using protected VPN connections.
System Operation and Devices
The system can be controlled from one or several locations. These locations can be specified flexibly according to the customer’s needs. Audio reports can be transmitted from emergency centres, regional control centres or, if necessary, from different mobile units. Regional emergency centres activate the alarm devices and monitor their operational status. |
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Complete Solutions for Emergency CentresThe control software for the VSS alarm devices developed by Sarco and its partners has been designed for the WinXP operating system. The user-friendly software designed for the needs of the emergency centres is available in several languages.
The software visually displays the status of the regional alarm devices on a single view. The status of the devices is indicated by colour codes. The alarms can easily be passed on to a maintenance person e.g. via TETRA SMS text messages.
MCT (Multi Control Touch Panel) is a versatile control unit, which is adaptable for controlling different systems over the TETRA and CCIR VHF/UHF networks as well as via any Internet connection. By means of a VSS-PIC interface card it is also possible to use analogy networks. |
MCT (Multi Control Touch) Panel
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| MCT Panel functions:
- Status transmission
- Sending text messages
- PTT control
- VHF/UHF and Line control
- IP network control
- Log information
- Recording and repeating audio files
- The commands can be strung together
- Other functions: optional transmission: status reports (20 most recent events), automatic transmissions, e.g. an hourly status request
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Map-based control:
The control software for the VSS alarm devices developed by Sarco and its partners also includes the possibility of map-based control. In the map-based control mode the customer sees all the targets in the entire area directly on the screen. The targets can be selected either by clicking the mouse or directly from the touch panel.
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All log information is recorded in the system and can easily be retrieved later from the database by the personnel. New communication interfaces can be added later on if the customer wishes. Currently available are TETRA (status/text message) , VHF/UHF (ccir), IP, I/O.
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Device Control and System Operation AssuranceControl
The system is able to control many different functions simultaneously. Examples of such applications are e.g. analogy and digital alarm devices, fire station alarms and announcements, different public and industrial facility alarms and announcements and, if necessary, remote control of regional gates or emergency lights. |
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