MRFS Group have been trading since 1983 providing electronic Fire, Security and Audio/Visual & Automation solutions to Homes and Business throughout the UK.
Our range of products are all supplied by leading manufacturers such as Honeywell, Avigilon HD-CCTV, Samsung, bpt, Gent and Crestron to name just a few, and our range of products suit all home or business requirements.
We comply with the Highest Industry Standards; National Security Inspectorate GOLD installers, members of The Security Institute, Worshipful Company of Security Professionals, British Security Industry Association and the Fire & Security Association.
We provide a complete range of services including design, supply, installation, service and maintenance of integrated systems and state-of-the-art technology including:
Burglar Alarms Automated Gates
Automatic Barriers Rising Bollards
Fire Alarms Security Lighting
CCTV Systems Physical Security
Access Control Perimeter Security
Door Entry Systems Audio/Visual & Automation
2. 2 theintegrator | Launch Edition
Commercial
A Mint Hotel Job O pened in December 2010,
the Tower of London hotel
is the seventh UK property
for the Mint Hotel Group.
The 583-rooms makes it the
largest hotel to open in the City of
London, occupying a prime location
on Pepys Street, positioned amongst
ancient and modern icons of the
City, with breathtaking views of the
Tower of London.
Largest hotel to open in
the City of London
The high-tech hotel features a
multi-media iMac entertainment
system in each guest room and
meeting room so guests can easily
keep in touch with business and
Corinthia
home, additionally using Skype to
make a video call.
Residences
MRFS fitted over 100 high Living the
definition surveillance cameras
throughout the hotel as a means of high life
A
ensuring the safety of the hotel’s
guests and staff. longside the development
of its flagship London
Hotel & Spa
hotel, Corinthia Hotels is
developing 12 luxury residences at
10 Whitehall Place.
Featuring the first serviced
operators relax
Presidential apartment in London,
the properties are expected to go
on the market for tens of millions
in peace of mind
of pounds.
As would be expected in such high
quality lavish apartments, they will
feature the latest in technological
trends with full audio visual
One of London’s provide technological expertise, installing
access control, intruder alarms, fire
automation systems controlling
everything from the air conditioning,
largest spas alarms, CCTV cameras, iLight lighting,
Bose Music & Sound, disability access
lighting, music and sound systems
to the televisions. Alongside the
uses integrated facilities and High Definition motion
projector screens in the gym area.
entertainment systems, the touch
panels being installed by AVA, will
technology Paula Perkins, ESPA, says: “ESPALife
at Corinthia is our global flagship spa and
also manage a high quality video entry
system and top of the range intruder
to enhance we needed to ensure a high specification alarm systems.
Customer on all the products and services we
provide for our members and guests.
experience It was essential to get the right balance All the
latest AVA
between creating a relaxing, peaceful
A
environment and a safe and secure venue
ward-winning international spa
company, ESPA, has launched
that has a high daily footfall.”
The use of iLight lighting control technology
its flagship London venue at the
five-star Corinthia Hotel in Whitehall.
products enables an atmosphere to
be created and controlled with pre-
news...
Spread across four floors, and programmed or timed controls to
occupying a massive 33,000 square produce ambient lighting in different
metres, the spa features 17 treatment zones. It is also highly energy efficient.
rooms, a private spa suite, nail studio, The Corinthia Hotel opened in May
indoor pool, vitality pool, amphitheatre 2011 and features 294 guest rooms,
sauna, ice fountain, marble heated including 43 suites. The sumptuously
lounges, private sleep pods and a state-of- appointed rooms, averaging 45m²,
the-art gym. are among the largest in their category
As would be expected from a state-of- in London’s luxury hotel market.
the-art spa facility, the level of technology With no restrictions on check-in
involved in the facilities is vast, both in and check-out times, the hotel has
terms of delivering user interfaces and in dedicated itself to providing guests
providing security.
ESPA brought in AVA and MRFS to
ultimate flexibility, convenience and
comfort during their stay.
p4-5
3. theintegrator | Launch Edition 3
Latest News
High Definition CCTV
cameras set new standards p4
Making security a safe bet
Bookmaker
shows that
security must
not be taken
lightly
W illiam Hill, one of the
largest bookmakers in
the UK, with over two
thousand betting shops, handles more
than £16bn in stakes each year. It is
no surprise then that security for its
betting offices ranks high on its list of
priorities.
Founded in 1934, the Company
now operates worldwide, employing
approximately 16,600 people with
main offices in the UK, Republic of
Ireland and Gibraltar. They are the
largest UK operator, representing
around 25 per cent of the market
throughout the UK and Ireland.
MRFS has been working closely
with William Hill for over 20 years, 75% of the Company’s gross annual Customer that we have worked with
handling the design, installation and income. With most shops now open across our divisions for over two decades.
maintenance of the fire and security for twelve hours per day and footfall Our designers and installation teams
systems of over a thousand shops fairly constant, there are a number of come up with practical and innovative
in England. security measures that have been taken, solution to all their security needs, which
William Hill is synonymous with including burglar alarms and CCTV. are essential to protect their staff and
delivering a high-quality gaming and income of the Company. The ongoing
betting experience and their shops MRFS has been working maintenance for the shops we look after
process over 1 million betting slips closely with William Hill is a responsibility we take very seriously
a day, with further cash changing for over 20 years and by taking a consistent approach, we
hands in their 8,000 in-shop machines ensure the security and fire systems are
offering casino-style games, all of Tony Bygraves, MRFS Group Chief in full working order and being used to
which accounts for approximately Executive, says: “William Hill is a their full potential.”
Jewellers step
up security
Technology boosts
T he British Jewellers
Association (BJA) and
National Association
of Goldsmiths (NAG) have
green credentials
W
consulted with MRFS to assist
their members by partnering ith business and home sure power is only being used when it is
with MRFS to offer a service owners needing to stream really needed.
of reviewing the provision of line their carbon footprint, The utilisation of touch-panel
security measures for gold and the installation of audio visual automation technology also provides the ability
jewellery workshops, retail units be on demonstrating the benefits many recent burglaries in leading systems makes controlling and monitoring to manage all systems and devices
and storage warehouses. of keeping security systems up to stores throughout the country energy usage simple. from a centralised control centre or
With over 2,500 members date and utilising new technology have been so poor that achieving Green Light™ technology, for example, in each room for local control. This
between them, the two such as high definition megapixel convictions has been extremely provides complete environmental enables users to easily control heating
associations represent the CCTV systems. difficult. Good quality CCTV control to save energy and lower costs ventilation, air-conditioning, lighting
majority of jewellery makers and A High Court judge recently footage can be the evidence that by combining automated dimming and window blinds to allow natural
sellers in the UK. The focus will advised that the images recorded in makes or breaks a case. and daylight harvesting with power light in meaning that vacant rooms are
switching and load shedding to make not consuming energy unnecessarily.
4. 4 theintegrator | Launch Edition
Technology
High Definition There’s an app for that!
brings dated Tech News
iPad control
CCTV to task puts your house
in your hands
T he integration of security
and entertainment systems
with Apple products has
created the ultimate convenience
for those looking to stay in control
of their property.
The systems provides
even greater power and
flexibility to control a
whole house
Specially designed programmes
allow seamless integration with Apple
products to create the perfect home
entertainment system, allowing users
to control audio, video, lights, shades
and thermostats directly from an iPad
T
or iPhone. connections to allow it to control a alarm status or adjust lights and
he latest in High Definition The newest HD CCTV cameras home’s climate and security from room temperature while lying on
CCTV security cameras remove the risk of poor picture Apps for iPad anywhere in the world. the beach or sitting in traffic.
can address the significant quality by providing highly detailed Mobile technology transforms The systems provides even
problems caused by poor quality CCTV images for easy facial, number plate the iPad into a virtual touch panel, Apps for iPhone greater power and flexibility to
recordings allowing criminals to avoid and object recognition, and even giving users the freedom to turn & iPod touch control a whole house, including
identification or successful prosecution. allowing operators to zoom in on on their favourite songs or set the Harnessing the power of 3G and pre-set audio and lighting scenes,
Currently around 90 per cent of certain objects whilst still recording perfect mood lighting from the Edge networks, mobile technology home entertainment and more.
cameras in use deliver grainy, out of the wider scene. screen of their iPad. It also has allows users to stay connected to Both apps are compatible with
focus imagery, rendering the system the added benefit of working on the home or office when out and the iPhone 4, iPhone 3G, iPhone,
almost completely pointless. the move, utilising 3G and WiFi about. Users can view the intruder and iPod touch.
HD CCTV
delivers the Installing and
following maintaining
benefits... CCTV as
• The potential to reduce total
number of cameras needed a Security
• Increased live and playback zoom
and panning usability
• Easy installation
• Highest possible quality recording
measure is a
• Real-time HD viewing of live
and playback footage without
with no loss of image quality
• Low file sizes to enable more
positive action
in today’s
loss of quality efficient streaming to external
• Cameras that automatically devices and sources
climate...
adjusts exposure levels to capture • Ability to synchronise the
highest quality images for varying recording with external alarms
lighting levels and integrate camera motion
• Superior performance in low light detection into the alarm system
levels and sensitivity to infrared
illuminators
• No external power required City of London Police
5. theintegrator | Launch Edition 5
Latest News
Most expensive village in UK
steps up security p6
AVA by MRFS brings
technology to life
A VA provides the latest
in high-tech home and
property solutions and
the must have technology for
anyone looking to make life more
Today, more and more individuals
and organisations are recognising that
this type of leading edge technology
adds quality to their lives, value
to their businesses and can be
controlled on command from anywhere
at any time, be it in the home, from the
office or whilst overseas.
Extraordinary advances in
digital and microchip technology
convenient and that little bit significantly environmentally friendly mean we can now make life
special. Whether at home or work when combined with home and more convenient, comfortable,
AVA can bring you the kind of property management systems. productive, entertaining, secure,
control over your surroundings that enjoyable, better informed and more
will change your lifestyle forever. Extraordinary advances ecologically sound than ever before.
AVA works with the world’s most in digital and microchip AVA shapes and enhances the
globally respected and trusted users environment, putting them in
names in high end audio visual and
technology mean we complete charge, by way of remote
automation systems which are installed can now make life more touch pad, touch screen, iPad or
in homes and businesses worldwide. convenient iPhone. It’s total control, made
Our systems offer dependable, totally simple.
convenient, affordable control without AVA technology is entirely scalable, Design and installation teams
compromising quality. and can grow in line with your needs will ensure that systems fit in
AVA has been at the forefront and budget. Many start with a system seamlessly and discreetly into the
of this automation revolution that controls their entertainment surroundings and can install future-
for over 25 years, designing and system and then move on to adding proof cable infrastructure into every
installing systems for all sorts of more products that control lighting, property, wherever possible, to
environments – from hotels and security, adjusts heating and air take into account the ever changing
restaurants to commercial offices, conditioning systems, plays their face of technological advances.
and from luxury apartments and favourite movies, selects and records This means systems can grow
developments to individual their favourite HD TV programmes, incrementally to take advantage
private homes. streams their IT, chooses their music, of more sophisticated products
and much more. All of which can be as they come on stream.
AUDIO VISUAL AUTOMATION
HARMONISED • AUDIO / HD VIDEO
• DIGITAL MEDIA
INTEGRATION OF: • HOME THEATRE
• LIGHTING
• CLIMATE CONTROL
• WHOLE HOUSE SECURITY
• CCTV
• INTERCOM
…AND MORE
THE OPTIONS ARE ENDLESS.
CALL US
0845 521 8998 WWW.AVAEXPERTS.COM
6. 6 theintegrator | Launch Edition
Residential
Homes fit for Royalty Most expensive
village in UK ups
security
O xshott is reputed to be the
most expensive village in
England and the Crown
Estate is one of the most exclusive
estates in the village, with residents
systems to the separate entrances to
this very private estate.
MRFS security specialists were
tasked with designing, manufacturing
and installing the automated gates.
including the likes of Andy Murray, In order to maintain security and
Didier Drogba and a handful of other exclusivity, each individual home
multi-millionaire Premiership players. received unique coded transmitters
A leafy suburb, it is a maze of so that residents only are allowed into
private roads sandwiched between the their respective access roads.
A3 and M25, giving residents a fast The purpose of this system, as
and direct route to central London. requested by the residents committee,
MRFS has worked closely with the was to avoid the Estate being used by non
residents committee and won the authorised vehicles. The project involved
contract to supply, install and maintain liaison with the local electricity supplier, an
3 sets of automatically operated gate electrical contractor and ground worker.
R oyalton has recently
completed the construction
of the stylish and exclusive
new Princess Square gated
development in Esher, Surrey.
The residences blend
the finest architectural
elements with the very
best of luxurious living
The residences blend the finest
architectural elements of the past
with the very best of contemporary
luxurious living and residents
will enjoy the benefit of exclusive
The development designed to recreate facilities befitting their lifestyle
an 18th Century London square, sits on The driving force of the project was including concierge, gym and
the land of a former Royal house and to provide a high quality prestigious leisure room, 24hr security and
consists of 27 luxurious new properties, and secure environment within the underground parking.
comprising six townhouses and two development, with a fully compliant Princess Square has been designed
blocks of 21 apartments.
MRFS installed intruder alarms to
all of the townhouses and apartments,
fire detection system, controlled
access for the residents, monitoring
of the grounds and key areas for the
by the world acclaimed period architect
Julian Bicknell and incorporates
architectural features such as flat-cut
Home Break-ins
along with fire alarms, door entry
with access control, plus CCTV to the
communal areas and gate automation to
Concierge and a secure mechanism
for authorised visitors to gain access
to the development.
brick arches, continuous cornices and
stone copings.
www.princesssquare.com
up 14%
T
the main entrance.
he number of burglaries in the The British Crime Survey (BCS) is
UK rose 14 per cent in 2010, commissioned annually by the Home
Comment with a total of 734,000 Office and its findings are based on
interviews carried out on a cross section
Switch on
but if the systems aren’t armed you the advantage of the highest tech break-ins, according to the results of
will not be protected. solutions, many systems can now be the British Crime Survey. of 50,000 people throughout the UK,
or be sorry The recently released burglary rates
from the British Crime Survey make
activated with just the swipe of
a key fob.
The figure, up from 644,000 the
previous year, represents around one per
asking them about their experience of
crime over the last year.
it clear in no uncertain terms that The security and technology minute, and highlights the importance The results are contradictory to the
by Tony Bygraves, break-ins are increasing. With industries are doing their utmost to for home owners to ensure their Police’s own figures which show a
Chief Executive, MRFS Group technology making it easier to manage improve systems and convenience properties are adequately protected. drop in burglaries. According to victim
O
a home security system, there should for property owners, but when it Tony Bygraves, Chief Executive, support services, this is most probably
ne thing that never fails to be no excuse. comes down to it, the whole thing MRFS Group, says: “These figures because less people are reporting
amaze me is people’s blasé Automated control systems and iPod relies on the user not getting lazy. make scary reading for home owners. incidences. This is an opinion supported
approach to switching on technology means that controlling Don’t be one of the sorry ones who Most burglaries are opportunistic, so by the Home Office, which itself asserts
their security systems. We can install and monitoring a system really is a learns the lesson once it is too late. taking care to have even basic security that the BCS can provide a better
the best possible systems to ensure simple as pressing a button and can Switch on to the security risks and measures in place can be one of the reflection of the true level of crime
that our Customers are protected, be done from anywhere. Even without switch on your systems. best deterrents.” because people refer to crimes that they
have not bothered to report to the Police.
7. theintegrator | Launch Edition 7
Customer Care Feature
Home Security for
sports stars p8
Smart Routes
MRFS
smartens up WIN A ROUND
for Customers OF GOLF WITH
Is your CCTV MRFS Group has launched a
Smart Routes system to make sure
RAY WILKINS
system fit for they are able to deliver preventative
maintenance visits with greater
flexibility for Customers, and
purpose?
significantly reduce the company’s
carbon footprint. The process is
enabled through the mapping of
MRFS’ Customers’ post codes using
a bespoke algorithm.
Helder Miguel, Operations Director
To comply with the regulations, property at MRFS, comments:
owners and managers should.... “We’ve created groups of post
codes that are close to each other, and
allocated our Customers specific groups
• Check if the Information • Store images captured from according to their circumstances.
Commissioners Office needs your system in a secure manner This allows us to coordinate our
to notified that CCTV is being where only authorised staff and maintenance schedules effectively -
operated on the premises by law enforcement agencies can concentrating our resources in specific
carrying out an online self have access to them, with any
areas each day.
assessment at www.ico.gov.uk images download to disc done
so in a controlled manner with a
• Establish a clear method of documented audit trail MRFS has put the
handling and controlling recorded intelligence behind the
images with an allocated contact • Only supply recorded images to
name who will be responsible for law enforcement agencies; no mapping and created
controlling them. The organisation images should be provided to other their own internal system
that makes decisions as to how a third parties unless an individual
system is managed is called the requests copies of their own “This has tremendous environmental
Data Controller images, in which case all other This once in a life-time prize will see two lucky winners spend
benefits as it reduces fuel consumption the morning or afternoon teeing off with former England,
people in the same recordings
• Ensure CCTV signage clearly states must be masked or concealed and travelling time thus minimizing Chelsea and Manchester United star Ray Wilkins MBE
the purpose for which it is intended, delays. It also gives engineers greater at the exclusive Wisley Golf Club, Surrey, accompanied
that it is clearly visible to those • Carry out regular system checks flexibility and more time with each by MRFS Group Chairman, Brian Berry.
whose image may be captured to ensure that it is in full working Customer. If our engineer has turned
and that it includes contact details order and that cameras are up to a Customer’s premises and the To enter, simply visit www.mrfsgroup.com/wilkins
for the person responsible for correctly positioned and producing Customer has had to go out, he can go and request a brochure.
managing the system or the good quality images with accurate to the next call, which might just be
Data Controller time and date recording.
two roads down, and then come back. Winner will be selected at random from all entries by
• Avoid positioning cameras in a way Overall, the Customer gets a better Ray Wilkins himself. Entry closes on 31 July 2011.
that could capture recognisable service because we are in the area.”
or identifiable images of people MRFS has put the intelligence
outside of the intended and, behind the mapping and created their
more importantly, justifiable own internal system to group calls by
surveillance area post codes.
Helder adds: “We created our own
internal system, because the off the shelf
Gate Safety in
T
packages don’t usually recognize that the
the UK market
en years after the usually vital to the security of a N1 post code area is not next to N2.”
introduction of laws property or land. It is advisable to
restricting the recording use a professionally compiled CCTV
of human images were added to
the Data Protection Act, statistics
Compliance Pack which will detail
everything that is needed for the
La Rasante
show that over 90 per cent of
CCTV systems in the UK still do not
day to day management of a system
in order to comply with the Data
Sports Club Child deaths All automatic gate systems,
by law, must be installed in
comply with the regulations.
Most of the failures are put down
Protection Act. As a starting point it
is also advisable to get your system
highlight gate compliance with the Machinery
Directive MD2006/42/EC and
to minor infringements, such as
inadequate signage acknowledging
up to the required standards by
having it independently audited.
safety concerns supporting standards as highlighted
by recent safety advisories from
I
the presence of cameras. Police CCTV systems can be extremely the Health & Safety Executive.
reports also show that almost 80 effective in securing property and n June 2010 the tragic All manufacturers and installers
per cent of recorded footage is not also delivering results in securing deaths of two young children of automatic gate systems should
fit for purpose in use as evidence to convictions following break-ins, it in separate incidents less take all necessary steps to meet
secure a conviction. is vital though that the percentage than one week apart served to compliance with the Machinery
The management of a CCTV of noncompliant systems is p8 highlight the safety issues facing Directive to ensure their completed
system can be complex, but is dramatically reduced. the UK gate automation industry. products are safe.