Home: April - May 2011 › Securely on the right track

Securely on the right track

Securely on the right track

02/05/2011 | Channel: Security, New Products & Services

As a member of the Railway Industry Association and the Rail Alliance, Kaba’s name has become synonymous in the rail industry as a provider of robust patentprotected high security keying systems, designed to operate with absolute reliability in some of the toughest environments found in industry

The Kaba Group is a globally active security company that was first established in Zurich, Switzerland in 1862 by Franz Bauer, making safes with a staff of just three; today the group has around 9000 staff in more than 60 countries.

Kaba can for that reason look back over 147 years of history in lock and cylinder production, during which time it has become the world’s number-one producer of key blanks, key-cutting machines, transponder keys and high-security locks.

Creating customised locking solutions for end users within the rail industry has been a significant part of Kaba’s business in the UK for over 30 years. With a product design, development and manufacturing facility still located in the UK, Kaba is able to work with its clients to create tailor-made products based upon their specific needs, and considering the particular environment that the product is to be used within.

With the ability to take conceptual ideas from a client and produce working samples in a matter of days, Kaba prides itself in its ability to work with its clients as a design partner, offering CAD design and development facilities for new and existing locking applications.

As part of Kaba’s service, key system planning will play a simple but vital part in the organisation, safety and security of your business, people, visitors and property.

The planning process for a locking system and the associated key plan developed by Kaba’s permutations department depends to a great extent on the intended complexity and capacity of your key requirements. A need to know and understand the proposed long term size of the locking system together with a user ‘hierarchy’ will be required.

The solution to an effective and long-lasting system is often simplicity. New master plan systems are individually designed from the start to suit the customer’s requirements.

Working around the world, Kaba has integrated these products to create a complete security solution for numerous clients that include Network Rail, Bombardier Transportation, Hitachi Rail, Alstom Transportation, Nexus, NET, Metrolink, DLR, Eurostar, Virgin and First Great Western.

Kaba was invited to propose a selective opening device for First Great Western’s high-speed trains that would help ensure the passengers’ safety when alighting the train at shorter platforms.

Kaba was able to provide the solution with a patented Kaba 20 key system which allows the Train Manager to control the automatic locking and unlocking device for the train doors. The Train Manager can stand at the last car level with the end of the platform and by simply inserting their Kaba key into the Kaba key switch they can prevent the carriage doors beyond the platform unlocking automatically with the rest of the train.

The system is a success due to its efficiency and simplicity. The keys are strictly controlled at Kaba Ltd Head Office in Tiverton, Devon, ensuring that they are managed by First Great Western personnel and are issued only to authorised First Great Western staff. This programme will also help First Great Western to run longer trains on alternate service routes.

Nexus has been successfully planning, promoting and providing public transport to the people of Tyne and Wear for several decades. Covering 60km and providing over forty million passenger journeys per year, the Nexus-owned Tyne and Wear Metro is one of only two underground metro-type systems in the UK outside London.

The Metro, which has stations located at the heart of both Newcastle and Sunderland city centres and the airport, opened in 1980 and opted for a Kaba 20 mechanical master key system for its security needs.

The bespoke Kaba 20 master key system installed is still very much in use, proving for almost three decades to be a reliable and effective security solution. The Metro incorporates a varied range of Kaba 20 locking solutions including entrance and exit doors, signal points, office and high voltage access, and train controls on the metro cars.

Rob Helm of Nexus commented, “We have been a user of Kaba systems for nearly thirty years and our infrastructure needs are very much dependent upon a reliable and adaptable system. We are pleased to say that Kaba has been the backbone of our network and has proved over the years to be very secure and reliable and is a system we would like to take with us over the next thirty years.”

Kaba 20 for the Tyne and Wear Metro is a classic example of how a bespoke locking solution, which combines the Kaba high security cylinder, with the strength of the Kaba key can withstand the test of time. Kaba is proud of its longstanding relationship with Tyne and Wear Metro, assisting them in providing safe access to the region for local and visiting public.

Baldwin Boxall Communications Ltd has been established in the UK for over twenty-five years and is recognised as being Europe’s leading independent manufacturer of voice alarm systems, emergency voice communication and public address equipment. Baldwin Boxall provides emergency communication systems to railway stations and the London Underground.

Kaba became associated with Baldwin Boxall twelve years ago when chosen to supply a key system for their voice communication systems on the London Underground. Subsequently, the Kaba 20 master key system was selected due to its flexibility, reliability and high security features.

Available in 22mm profile, four-pin tumbler rows make this patented key system highly secure. Tested to EN1303 standard, Kaba 20 has the capacity for over 100 million key codes allowing for extensive master key capabilities. The strong, reversible milled nickel silver Kaba 20 keys are registered with duplicate keys available only from the Kaba factory against authorised signature.

Baldwin Boxall Communications Ltd retrofits its voice communication boxes with the Kaba 20 cylinder in the Camlock profile. However Kaba 20 can form part of an extensive master key system made up of several Kaba profiles such as cylinders, key switches and padlocks.

Steve Reed, design director at Baldwin Boxall said “I have no hesitation in recommending Kaba to anyone who requires locking systems. Their high quality and reliability of products led to Kaba being a registered and approved supplier to Baldwin Boxall Communications Ltd.”

Access is essential in every aspect of the rail industry and Kaba’s vast product portfolio includes high-security locking systems, camlocks, padlocks and keyswitches to secure:

Station buildings
Most rail stations are open environments where members of the public are able to move around unrestricted. However, there are areas that must have restricted access to protect any unauthorised persons from danger and protect station equipment from sabotage and vandalism. Kaba elolegic products are stand alone, provide an audit trail and allow personnel to have access granted or removed easily and quickly.

Trackside & signalling equipment
Communication and power are essential to any railway and they often are protected by trackside cabinets. These cabinets can often be the target of vandalism as they are remote and difficult to provide adequate protection.

The Kaba Gateshield can withstand sustained attack from powered hand tools
and replace any padlock. Simple to fit and adopted for similar situations within the utilities and telecommunications industries, Gateshield provides an increased level of protection that can be integrated into a master key suite.  factory

Locomotives & rolling stock
In addition to protecting building and other fixed assets, Kaba has a long history of working with train operators to protect their rolling stock. Most units need to have door locks, low voltage keyswitches, emergency push buttons, cupboard/panel locks, key exchange systems and safety interlocks. Kaba’s range of products and experience will create a solution designed for you.

Perimeter protection
Kaba high security padlocks play an important role in any total access control system by securing exposed areas such as perimeter gates, external installations, warehouse doors and internal doors. Kaba also offers a selection of dust covers and weather flaps suitable for use in particularly harsh conditions. The covers are designed for use with all Kaba camlock and keyswitch products.

Platform protection
Increasingly modern stations are implementing platform screen doors to prevent unauthorised access to the tracks. They operate seamlessly with the doors of the rolling stock, opening at the same time and closing when required. Kaba has substantial experience in the design, manufacture and installation of platform screen doors.

A key part of any economy is its transport links and with the threats posed today from individuals or organisations, combined with the attention on safety for passengers and employees, there has never been more attention on security than now.

See Kaba at Railtex on Stand F77

For further details on Kaba’s full product range, please visit the company’s
website or contact Adrian McGowan at:
Kaba Ltd Tel: 0870 000 5625
Email: info@kaba.co.uk
Web: www.kaba.co.uk