Background
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) was established in 1971 as Northern Ireland’s strategic housing authority. The NIHE offer a range of services to people living in socially rented, privately rented and owner occupied accommodation as well as supporting and working with a number of other public bodies to offer home improvement grants to homeowners and private tenants. They also provide support to help improve the energy efficiency of private dwellings. The NIHE are landlords to approximately 89,000 dwellings, administer a budget of £750m per annum and currently employ over 3,000 staff.
Challenge
The NIHE required new Door Entry and CCTV Security systems to be fitted in Housing Executive properties at Carlisle Flats in the New Lodge area to increase security for their tenants.
Mercury’s Solution
Mercury Security and Facilities Management designed and installed a new fit for purpose CCTV and intercom system, upgrading existing systems for more than 400 homes in seven tower blocks and one set of maisonettes.
Managed daily by Housing Executive Concierge Staff, the new security systems link the various tower blocks, giving visibility to staff in different locations for the first time. The Intercom systems now allow staff to make contact with residents on each floor of the tower blocks, with accompanying upgraded CCTV giving heightened visual contact, particularly useful in the case of emergencies.
A fob based door entry system is also now in place, allowing greater flexibility and security for residents leaving and arriving at their homes.