Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1255991
36 I ICT TODAY system, and it ultimately saved time during installation as well. However, this solution introduced a new problem; integrated locksets can be installed only on a single door. Therefore, in instances involving a double door installa- tion, the second leaf needed to be locked or a removable mullion specified. Of course, an integrated lockset was not a feasible solution when both leaves needed to be used because the unsecured second leaf would trigger false alarms. Video Surveillance When designing a video surveillance system for a new construction, perhaps the best approach is to work directly with a building's users. For ANSYS Hall, this collaboration proved incredibly useful as users helped to determine the best locations for cameras and storing network video recorders (NVRs). In some cases, users indicated that multiple NVRs were the best fit for a pro- gram. It was determined that one NVR sufficed for ANSYS Hall as long as the campus police department had access to it. Of course, it took strategic planning to arrange a sys- tem of enough cameras to cover as much area as possible without an overwhelming installation or outrageous price tag. As such, cameras with panoramic views were an ideal option to cover diverse and extensive areas, such as stair- well doors and elevators that were adjacent to each other throughout ANSYS Hall. Meanwhile, other areas were assigned cameras with a wide-angle lens to cover groups of doors that users wanted to monitor. During the final phases of design, a new security stan- dard was being implemented. The old standard main- tained that each building required its own NVR and that campus security had to monitor it. The new standard granted campus security full control over security sys- tems, which resulted in the installation of cameras that were tied to a centralized NVR. ANSYS Hall became one of the first new constructions at CMU to follow this new standard; the campus police department was granted final approval of what types of cameras to use and where they needed to be distributed. Upon careful review of the proposed design, campus police suggested additional cameras in areas overlooking bike racks and parking lots. Once the necessary cameras were added, the NVR was removed, and the cameras' data was set to be segregated by VLANs through the network switches, thereby providing ANSYS Hall with a complete, efficient, and comprehensive security system design. CONCLUSION It is worth noting that CMU administrators communi- cated no interest in incorporating any AV showpieces into the design of the campus hub for its College of Engineer- ing. Even with space and budget limitations, ANSYS Hall assembled everything necessary for a world-class engineer- ing facility by prioritizing users and university classwork. By avoiding excesses and committing to its academic function, ANSYS Hall enhances CMU's engineering pro- gram in a way no dazzling video wall or showy interac- tive kiosk can. The building works because it is simple and has a robust, intuitive, powerful system deliberately conceived by knowledgeable and capable ITC, AV, IT, and security designers. And its users cannot get enough of it! AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY: Joshua Casey, RCDD, is a thought leader and telecommunications discipline leader at BrightTree Studios. Josh joined the firm in 2014 and has over 15 years of experience in the ICT design industry. Since then, he has earned his RCDD and joined BICSI as a senior member. Josh has been honored on Commercial Integrator's "40 Influencers Under 40" list, earned several industry certifications, and designed numer- ous award-winning projects with the firm. He can be reached at jcasey@brighttreestudios.com. Another design solution for ANSYS Hall was the implementation of a composite access control cable that encompassed the four primary elements needed to secure a door into one overall jacket: a card reader, door contact, an electronic strike, and request-to-exit.