The Rudolf Weber-Arena in Oberhausen, Germany, hosts sporting events and shows to parties and concerts with capacity of up to 12,700 spectators. The arena’s technology was recently updated using, in part, a team of experts from Bosch Building Technologies for enhanced safety of event attendees. The project involved upgrading the fire alarm, intrusion detection, public address, and voice alarm solution that Bosch originally installed when the arena was built in 1996, along with a networked video security and access control solution.
The new video solution is designed to monitor all areas of the multi-purpose arena, both inside and outside. These areas are said to be monitored by over 30 IP cameras, including HD dome cameras that can be remotely controlled. There are 4K cameras pointing at the entrances to certain areas, and public circulation areas are also monitored.
Several cameras are said to be equipped with intelligent video analysis technology, that makes it easier to spot unusual details, such as an unattended rucksack. A forensic search function can also be used to analyse the video data retrospectively, designed so that video evidence can be found more quickly for the police, for example.
“The introduction of this video security system was really important to us. Before we had this technology to provide us with a complete and dependable overview, we had to rely solely on feedback from our security staff in and around the arena. Now, we can work directly from the control center,” said Mirco Markfort, General Manager of the Rudolf Weber-Arena. A floor plan of the building, showing all levels, is displayed on the screen in the control center, and by clicking on individual cameras on the plan, staff can call up the relevant video feed.
To control the access of suppliers and day visitors through the backstage entrance, Bosch implemented a visitor management system. Visitors are then said to be registered using a tablet, after which staff automatically issue access badges. This solution, says Bosch, makes it possible to keep track of who is on the premises at any given time. If the building needs to be evacuated, it can also be used to verify that everyone has left the arena.
Those responsible for the arena in Oberhausen also use Bosch for servicing and maintenance. As an event venue, which is at its busiest in the evenings and at weekends, the arena uses the 24/7 availability of the service team, which aims to be on site quickly if required or access the systems remotely without delay.
