When the House of Representatives' Security Team decided that the CCTV system needed a complete overhaul, it was not only concerned with rapidly installing a system that would protect and secure the building and all its people within a well-defined budget but also with allowing the business of government to continue as normal. As a result, access for the design and installation team was severely restricted.

"The house was functional throughout the period during which we had to complete the CCTV installation," says Ammar Awamleh, IT Manager at the House of Representatives. "Therefore, we were limited to a mere 3-hour window on each day for the installation and the implementation team was under pressure to plan and execute accordingly.."

Hikvision was chosen to design and implement the CCTV surveillance system and used nine different types of IP network cameras from the Hikvision Easy IP and Smart IP series. Each camera connects to one of four 64-channel DVRs in the main control room. 

According to Ammar Awamleh, "Despite budget constraints, a high level of coverage of the main building and all its grounds and entrances was an absolutely key requirement of the new system and we made extensive use of Hikvision's 1.3MP and 3MP 2-series IP cameras in order to achieve this. Around 100 2-series cameras were deployed, mostly DS-2CD2312-I and DS-2CD2332-I outdoor network mini dome cameras but supplemented with 9 DS-2CD2212-I5 and DS-2CD2232-I5 Exir bullet cameras."

"The mini dome cameras were a perfect choice: the low profile fitting in discretely while offering true day/night functionality with 30m IR range, IP66 environmental protection and 3D DNR, DWDR and programmable backlight compensation for excellent video quality. In particular low-light situations we chose to deploy the Exir bullet cameras, their extended 50m IT range proving a real asset."

A variety of Hikvision's Smart IP 4-series cameras were installed to survey individually selected key infrastructure points. "We recognised that the Smart features, such as Smart face, audio and intrusion detection, would greatly assist our control room personnel in recognizing potential threats," says Ammar Awamleh. "What's more, the Smart codec, Smart IR and Smart VQD (video quality detection) is invaluable in areas where video quality is vital."

Five DS-2CD4065F 6MP Smart IP box cameras were also deployed to provide coverage on the main wall and each is capable of providing three independent video streams.

Inside the manned control room, which operates 24/7, the powerful i7-powered PCs access the four DS-9664NI-XT 64-channel NVRs using Hivision's iVMS-4200 video management suite.

"Although the process of installing the new system within the stringent time-constraints was very challenging, the new solution has proved to be a resounding success, with previously vulnerable key areas of the building now under full, round-the-clock coverage from the Hikvision equipment," concludes Ammar Awamleh. "A small expansion is already planned and we have also recommended Hikvision to other projects holders."