Electro Automation Group

OverviewThe project involved the expansion of the National Forensic Mental Health Hospital at St. Ita’s Campus, Portrane. As part of this expansion, a new 130-bed adult forensic hospital was built, consisting of 10 buildings. Electro Automation was contracted to supply and commission a fully integrated security system across the campus. ClientNational Forensic Mental Health Hospital, St. Ita’s Campus, Portrane.Key Components / DeliverablesAccess Control: over 240 access card readers installed to control entry/exit points. Intruder Alarm System: more than 850 door contacts and sensors for detecting unauthorised access. CCTV Surveillance: over 700 cameras strategically placed for 24/7 monitoring. Intercom Systems: 150+ intercoms for communication between staff/visitors. Automatic Gates: 12 sets of automatic gates to control vehicle access. Fire Integration System: fire detection and alarms integrated with the overall security infrastructure. Network Infrastructure: robust network cabling for connectivity of all security devices. Key & Asset Management System: management of over 600 keys and 450 assets. Staff Alarm System Integration: linking staff alarms into the broader security system.ChallengesThe complexity of integrating multiple security systems across numerous buildings. The scale: large number of devices and systems to be installed and coordinated. Regulatory compliance: meeting strict standards for health care / forensic mental health security settings.Solution & ImplementationElectro Automation designed a custom, scalable, integrated security infrastructure tailored for the hospital’s requirements. Installation carried out by skilled technicians. Rigorous testing & quality assurance to ensure performance and reliability. Client/stakeholder collaboration throughout to maintain timelines & ensure smooth delivery.Outcomes / BenefitsEnhanced Security: comprehensive coverage, real-time monitoring, improved perimeter & internal security.Operational Efficiency: better control over access and incidents; faster response times.Regulatory Compliance: system meets relevant standards, giving assurance to management and stakeholders.

The Client & Their ChallengeSSE Arena is Northern Ireland’s leading entertainment venue. It is an indoor multipurpose complex with a capacity of up to 10,800 people, hosting concerts, family shows, theatre, sports (including ice hockey via the Belfast Giants), comedy, exhibitions, and more. hubparking.comBecause of the sheer volume of attendees (over 215,000 fans per season for just the ice hockey alone) and the variety of events, parking is a major operational challenge: traffic congestion, delays at entry/exit points, confusing validation methods, and user dissatisfaction are real risks. The venue owner, Odyssey Trust Company, wanted a solution that would:Optimise flow of vehicles entering and leaving the parking areasIntegrate parking services into their Arena appSimplify booking/validation so visitors don't have to juggle multiple systems or face delaysImprove overall visitor experience by reducing stress linked to parking and payment/validation processesWorking with HUB Parking, we implemented a connected parking technology solution that consists of the following components:The Jupiter modular hardware system: robust, reliable gateway/entry-exit infrastructure. The JMS (overarching software system) to orchestrate operations, manage transactions, and integrate different functions (entry/exit, validation, app‐based bookings) in one unified platform. Mobile/app-based booking and payment integration so that users can pre‐book parking or validate parking directly through the SSE Arena app. This reduces friction, speeds up the process, and avoids confusion.The ImpactBy using our combined electro-automation & HUB smart parking solution, SSE Arena now benefits from:Faster vehicle flow — smoother entry and exit, reducing congestion and queueing.Optimised capacity usage — better use of the parking areas due to more efficient access control and booking.Improved visitor experience — less stress for attendees because booking, validation, and payment are streamlined via the app.Consistent validation processes — including simplification of validation across all retail locations within the arena.Looking ForwardHaving delivered this solution, our view is that SSE Arena is now well positioned to handle its growing event schedule without parking becoming a bottleneck. There’s scope to further enhance the system (e.g. predictive analytics for parking demand, dynamic pricing or more automated validation), and we’re excited to support those future steps.

The Client & Their ChallengeOur client is a prestigious estate that had specific and demanding expectations for their main entrance gate. They came to us with several key requirements:The gate must be 14-meters wide, and double sliding, to allow smooth passage and proportionate scale.It must be curved, to match the lines and architectural character of the estate entrance.Although it’s an elegant gate, security standards must remain high: robust structure, reliable locking/sliding mechanisms.The gate must look like it belongs — in other words, the design should not feel like a bolt-on security solution, but an integrated architectural feature.From our side, that meant balancing engineering, materials, automation and appearance in ways that do not compromise any one factor.Our SolutionTo meet these challenges, here is what we did:Architectural Design & IntegrationWe carefully studied the estate’s existing architecture and landscape, then designed the gate’s curve and styling to harmonise with those elements. The curves, proportions and details all had to relate to what was already there.Materials SelectionWe chose durable steel as the core structural element — strong enough to give security and longevity — and paired this with ornamental details to preserve elegance. The steel gave the gate both strength and the capacity to be formed into the desired curved shape.Automation & MechanicsImplementing the double sliding panels meant designing tracks, guiding systems, motors, and locking/closing mechanisms that worked reliably even at that width, without jolts or misalignment. We calibrated everything to ensure smooth motion, minimal maintenance, and long-term durability.Security ElementsThough the gate is aesthetically prominent, we ensured that locking mechanisms, frame strength, control systems etc., meet strict security requirements. Even large, decorative entrances need to keep out unauthorised access while being durable against wear and environmental stresses.Looking AheadWe see the WuXi gate project as a demonstration of what’s possible when architecture, automation, and access control come together. For future projects of similar scale, we would build on this experience: better predictive maintenance, even more refined motion control, perhaps enhanced remote or integrated control (smart access), and more bespoke ornamental finishes as desired.