Facilities

Just Plane Secure
by Robert Champion, Suno-Tech Inc., info.services@sunotech.com

In response to the increasing demand for its 70 and 90 seat private jets, Bombardier Inc., a world leader in the manufacture of business jets and the largest airplane manufacturer after Boeing and Airbus, built a 480,000 square-foot plant located at the Mirabel International Airport, just north of Montréal and a few miles east of its already established military division. This vast complex, completed in early 2001, includes office space, production areas, and a 250,000 square-foot hangar equipped with 18 airplane-size roll-up doors.

State-of-the-Art System a Must

Due to Bombardier’s concern for the safety and security of its approximately 1,800 employees as well as for the integrity of its premises and its on-site multi-billion dollar inventory, a state-of-the-art security system was its only option.

Early in the planning process, Michel Ouellette, Bombardier’s Manager of Security, contacted Suno-Tech Inc., a leader in the video and access control industry, with offices in Montréal and Ottawa. "The bidding process initially included three contractors," said Ginette Despatie, Suno-Tech Inc. president. "But ultimately the project was awarded to Suno-Tech."

Despatie said that excellent service and a 12-year business relationship between Bombardier and Suno-Tech, together with Pelco’s product and competitive pricing,made Bombardier’s choice obvious. "Having the privilege to deal with Mr. Ouellete and Bombardier for all these years implies great responsibility in the choice of the equipment manufacturer to always offer the best. And Pelco fits the picture perfectly," said Despatie. She said that Suno-Tech also teamed-up with one of its video security sub-contractors, Systemes de Sécurité Champion Inc. of Deux-Montagues, to provide the technical side of Ouellette’s security layout.

Quality and Reliability Key

"With Bombardier already having five facilities in the Montréal region with Pelco video security systems, the reliability of Pelco equipment was a natural choice for Bombardier’s Mirabel plant," said Robert Champion, a 15 year veteran in the video security industry.

Together, Mr. Ouellette and Mr. Champion relied on Pelco’s extensive product line to build the Tender Specifications based on the Pelco CM9740 Matrix Switching System. In all, the design called for 12 VCRs, monitors, and Genex Video Multiplexers, which tie together some 135 Camclosure cameras throughout the facility as well as several Spectra domes on both its exterior and interior.

"Over the years we have relied on almost every generation of Pelco exterior camera system–from the PT-570 family to the Legacy, and now from the Spectra II to the Spectra III. And the reliability is increasing along with the amount of added features. This is giving us many good reasons to continue investing in Pelco equipment in the years to come," said Ouellette.

"The long-range capability and sensitivity of the Spectra dome is especially useful in spotting night time intruders over a 1,000-square foot parking area–including the occasional deer and fawn coming out of the surrounding wooded areas," said Champion. The Pelco video security system is used to monitor all of the building’s entry/exit points as well as traffic both around the plant and inside the vast hangar. Access control rounds out the security system, he said, which monitors passage inside the plant and at the numerous exterior gates.

System Completed In Phases

The project started in early August 2001, and the circumstances called for a sector-by-sector implementation. "The system’s core consists of the matrix switch, multiplexers, and the control room, which had to be operational first," said Champion.

Shortly thereafter, the outdoor Spectra camera domes were put to the task of monitoring the site’s perimeter while construction continued. "Located strategically on the roof, the Spectra domes provide 100-percent ground coverage in the seasonally harsh environment of the area. Also, the flexibility of the Camclosures allowed us to install them in a variety of environments, including suspended ceilings and electrical junction boxes," said Champion. "Out of the more than 160 units in this installation, we only had a minor problem with one."

Champion also noted that the user-friendly software of the System 9740 matrix allowed them to easily configure their set ups. "Once the system was set we never had a flaw, and the unit runs rock solid!" Pelco's quality equipment enabled the installer to concentrate on the challenges of the installation itself and not on solving equipment-related technical problems. And since the security personnel were already familiar with Pelco equipment, it made things easier for all concerned.

"The project was almost too easy to do because everyone involved was extremely competent: Michel Ouellette from Bombardier for his expertise in planning the security of such a vast building; Ginette Despatie for her talent in dealing with the distributors and purchase departments; and finally Pelco for providing an easy-to-install and reliable line of products," said Champion.

Business Success Built On Key Relationships

"Suno-Tech has had an excellent working relationship for almost 15 years with Pelco and Pelco Manufacturer Representative, Access Direct, and we appreciate the competitively priced Pelco product, its ready availability, and your exceptional technical support," said Despatie. "We extend much gratitude to Marc Cup of Access Direct, who arranged a last-minute booking for the System 9740 Seminar at Pelco’s Orangeburg facility in April 2001– extensive enough to cover all aspects of implementing such a system–and also many thanks to Mr. Yoland Dion of ADI Montréal, for his patience on exchanging Camclosures because of our changes in lens selection."

One of the biggest challenges Champion said they encountered was the timing and approvals required to use a sixty-foot skyjack to install the Spectra domes in a hangar loaded with airplanes. "Out-of-the-box reliability is a big concern for us because you don’t want to go back up there twice!" Three months and 400 man-hours later, the system was completed around November of 2001. "It has been operating flawlessly ever since. The system works like a charm."

About Bombardier

Bombardier Aerospace, a unit of Bombardier Inc., is a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative aviation products and provides services for the regional, business, and amphibious aircraft markets. It also offers Bombardier Flexjet fractional ownership, aircraft charter and management, technical services, aircraft maintenance and pilot training for business, regional, and military customers.

Bombardier Inc., a diversified manufacturing and services company, is a world-leading manufacturer of business jets, regional aircraft, rail transportation equipment, and motorized recreational products. It also provides financial services and asset management in business areas aligned with its core expertise. Headquartered in Montréal, Canada, the corporation has a workforce of some 80,000 people in 24 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.