Investing in Security: How Ajax Protects Schools and Kindergartens in Mariupol

Now, in the educational institutions of Mariupol, 167 Ajax security systems have been installed, and the employees can control them via smartphones. 114 schools and kindergartens are protected from intrusion and flooding. And an armed police patrol arrives on the scene in case of an alarm.

The purchase of the systems has become a profitable investment for the city. Learn how to implement such a project and recoup the costs in six months.

Why schools and kindergartens need smart security systems

These are municipal institutions, and their protection costs the city UAH 38 million annually (US $1,4M). Guards could scare off an accidental bully, but to deal with a planned theft would have been a problem. What was needed was a professional system that meets precise security requirements.

What was considered when choosing a system

Solving the problem has been a challenge for the city administration for five years. Professional security systems looked like a solution. However, a security system back then was seen as a complicated system of wiring difficult and expensive to implement. Price was an important issue: the new system cannot cost more than hiring the security. The system should not require construction work during installation (repairs would affect the project’s cost). Investing in uncertified technology would also be unwise. Finally, the system will be used by the staff of schools and kindergartens, so it should be straightforward in everyday life. For the tender, a clear request has been formulated.

Security system should:

• protect from intrusion, notify about flooding;
• have a mobile app, so the employees can manage the system and receive notifications if something happens;
• connect to the police monitoring station, so that an armed patrol arrives on the scene in case of an alarm;
• be low maintenance, running on batteries for years.

How the installation was done

9,714 detectors and devices were installed in two months. It took a professional installer 2–3 hours to install about 100 devices at one establishment. Headmasters note that the process wasn’t even noticeable. For example, a school built in 1900 was equipped with the system with all possible caution measures. There was no need to destroy walls for wiring because the system uses radio connection. The work schedule of schools and kindergartens was not disrupted.

How the system works

Each facility received a Hub 2 Plus central unit. Motion and opening detectors control all doors and windows, protecting against intrusion and burglary. Motion detector with a photo camera sends a series of images to help the user and the monitoring station operator assess the situation: it becomes apparent whether it is a burglary or just an employee forgot to disarm the system. A loud outdoor siren activates an alarm that can be heard throughout the neighborhood.

In addition to the intrusion protection, the rooms and basements have flood protection. Flood detectors instantly notify users of a leakage. This helps avoid serious consequences for the premises and unnecessary costs for the city budget.

Some schools have thick walls and several floors. The system protects even remote rooms and premises due to the radio signal range extenders that boost the range of all Ajax security system devices.