One of the greatest representatives of Danish design and functional art - Georg Jensen has chosen to install a smoke security system in its Copenhagen City Center main store.
Located in one of the most attractive shopping areas - Strøget in Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark, Georg Jensen attracts many tourists and other customers. Unfortunately, however, they also attract burglars who are targeting the elegant and valuable silver products.
Advised by their insurance company Georg Jensen decided to expand their existing security measures with a smoke canon which in mere seconds fill the rooms with a dense fog, making it impossible for the burglars to find their way round the rooms.
- It is a large area, a basement and two further levels with many smaller rooms, that we have to make secure. And this in a very short time. Therefore, upon advice from our supplier, we have installed many individual smoke canons, says Mr Jakob Sinding of Georg Jensen.
So far fortunately we have had no break-ins, but Jakob Sinding has seen the effect of these smoke canons during a demonstration.
- It is incredibly efficient. It is almost scary when the fog starts appearing and you are right in the middle of it, he explains.
However, although the fog covers everything within the store, it is quite harmless to both people and products.
- After the demonstration we just had to ensure that proper ventilation was carried out. And then the store stood exactly the way it was before it had been smoked out, Jakob Sinding of Georg Jensen ends his explanation.
Danish and international insurance companies agree that fog adds that extra dimension to security measures.
- We would recommend using fog in the case of shops with impressive shop windows where shutters would look out of place. And we would also recommend it to customers who would otherwise be in a higher insurance bracket, explains Anita Jacobsen, Regional Manager for the insurance company Tryg.
- The fog gives the customer that extra bit of security. And it is a very popular and discrete security measure, she concludes.
- In stores carrying very sought after products we often demand smoke security systems in addition to the normal store security measures. Smoke security systems are supplementary to the existing security, according to Mr Jørgen Antoni, insurance consultant, for the insurance company Codan.
He explains that in the case of ramming raids they have had good results using smoke security systems, because the burglars couldn't find the sought after goods with the fog filling the room.
- I quite simply believe that the burglars give up when they see the signs for the smoke security system. I can't recall one single occasion where there has been a burglary after installation of a smoke security system.
Insurance companies across the globe are very interested in the smoke security system. In New Zealand, Protect Security Systems Pty Ltd are now, for example, working closely with the companies IAG Group, Vero Insurance Group and CGU Insurance Group (IAG), all are now recommending smoke security, plus they are also approved by the security industry and the insurance company (IAG).
In Germany also the insurance companies Zürich, Provinzial, Mannheimer and AXA recommends smoke security.

Fog is a relatively new security measure. The sole Danish and Nordic manufacturer is Protect A/S, Hasselager, near Århus, Denmark.
Since starting in 2001, Protect has now installed more than 5000 smoke security systems with clients ranging from educational institutions, opticians, jewelry stores, radio/TV and IT retailers to service stations and in summerhouses. Jyske Bank has for example secured all its 120 branches with smoke cannons so their expensive furniture, AV- and IT-equipment does not disappear.
Locally the work is carried out by a country wide network of installers and retailers of alarm equipment. The Georg Jensen security measures were measured up and installed by City Låse & Sikringsservice (www.citylaase.dk).
Smoke cannons are always installed as an addition to other security measures. As the alarm is activated, the room or rooms are filled with a dense fog. This will stop the burglar from entering the room or if he is inside it to quickly leave the room. The fog is harmless to people, animals and products, but so dense that it is impossible to find any objects in the room.
Protect has since its inception been expanding both nationally and internationally. Today they export to over 30 countries. Recently with great success they have established themselves as sole distributors in the US, Australia and New Zealand.
- We are very proud that last year we reached the finals in the government's competition for entrepreneurs 2004 in front of approx. 450 other enterprises, concludes Managing Director Poul Dalsgaard of Protect.