Our Case Studies
Monitoring one of India's largest Crude Oil processing terminals
Overview
Along the shores of the western coast of India, lies one of the nation's largest Crude Oil processing plants; a hazardous environment with a variety of physical challenges to overcome.
We successfully installed an integrated CCTV network so as to monitor operations in and around the plant, thereby allowing our customer to successfully run operations and prepare for critical emergencies.
The Task
We had been entrusted to set up an integrated Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) network at one of our customer’s most sensitive installations in western India. This particular site is also one of India’s largest Crude Oil processing terminals covering the entire scope of processing on the western shore.
The Challenge
The topography of the site was unmatched and unprecedented. There was the sea on one side and densely forested hills on the other, leaving the site vulnerable to nature’s fury. There was also a potential risk of terrorist threats as well, owing to the geopolitical tensions with neighbouring countries.
Furthermore, conventional equipment or methods could not be used as the environment was hazardous. Thus, effectively covering the expanse of 15 sq km of the terminal area became a formidable task for our design engineers.
The Solution
The plan envisaged the setting up of CCTV’s at 64 locations and 16 monitoring stations. One of the major tasks that we accomplished was powering all the switches, servers, and remote cameras through a central UPS, which included massive cable sizing calculations.
We installed different types of CCTV cameras at critical locations, an endeavour that required meticulous planning and foresight. Among the different types of cameras, the Explosion-proof cameras were the ones that needed special care as they were heavy (35 kg each) and needed to be installed several meters above the ground, in high-risk zones called ‘red zones’.
Red zones are extremely hazardous zones where the use of any kind of welding or cutting tool was a big risk. Our engineers figured that the best way to erect pillars and mount cameras on top of them, using special fixtures.
The Highlights
- We installed and commissioned a Dedicated Gigabit Ethernet optical fiber-based telecommunication system along with CCTV cameras.
- For centralised monitoring of CCTV cameras, Video Management System (Directory) and Network Video Recording System (Archiver) was provided. This enabled remote monitoring, control, and recording of CCTV camera equipment.
- The unique network topology consisted of five remote locations and one main central station, connected together in a point-to-multipoint configuration.
- The surveillance system based on Gigabit Ethernet Optical Switches acted as a transport backbone.
- CCTV cameras were connected to the switches via fibre optic cable or copper cable, depending upon the distance between the camera and switch location.
- A hybrid CCTV system was provided as a facility for monitoring of designated areas of all the remote locations using Explosion Proof PTZ cameras, Weatherproof PTZ cameras, and Dome type PTZ cameras. Encoders and Network Video Management System (NVMS) were used as well.
The Benefits
The entire CCTV network is managed by the use of a Network Video Management System, providing configuration management, performance management, advanced analytics, and security management functions.
A centralised UPS system provides 30 minutes of backup time to all remote elements like switches, servers, Industrial grade power
supplies, and different types of cameras. Usage of Pelco Weatherproof and Explosion-proof PTZ cameras provided durability and safety in all weather conditions, whereas the NVMS of DVTEL Inc. ensured real-time surveillance monitoring of the plant.
In the entire run of the project and at all points of time, we ensured that proper Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) measures were strictly enforced. There was a competent authority deputed to monitor each and every process continuously, leading up to the final completion of the project.
This one-of-its-kind CCTV implementation project showcases a well-planned undertaking by us, which reaffirms our ability to render competent communications solutions in any situation.
