The 1. FC Union Berlin soccer club isn’t just strong in sports: The second division team also sets high standards for technical equipment.
The 1. FC Union Berlin soccer club isn’t just strong in sports: The second division team also sets high standards for technical equipment. To offer players, fans and club members the most fun and the greatest safety, the stadium in Köpenick has installed an ultra-modern safety system with IP video cameras. This was to watch the stadium and club premises day and night.
The goal is to be better prepared for disruptions, admissions problems, mass panics or evacuations. The club decided on an ultra-modern security system after modernizing their stadium. 1. FC Union Berlin’s soccer stadium holds almost 22,000 spectators, the largest soccer stadium in Berlin. For several years, it has increasingly been used for large cultural events, as well.
Such clear, precise monitoring is currently the exception in German soccer stadiums. In the future, however, they could become standard due to the German soccer association’s security restrictions and a lack of police personnel.
A clear view for everyone
Berlin solutions integrator globits designed and installed a video surveillance system with cameras by the marketleading IP video manufacturer
Axis Communications. For practical questions during installation, the Berlin police were consulted, as was the Securitas security firm, which acted as the contracting authority.
Globits installed 19 modern PTZ dome network cameras and two thermal cameras that scan the stadium and the club’s premises day and night. They offer especially excellent protection during games and as fans enter and exit.
The
Axis PTZ dome network cameras allow a 360° view, covering a range of more than 950 m² — an area larger than three tennis courts. The extremely weather- resistant IP cameras deliver video images at full frame rate in HDTV resolutions up to 720 p with up to 29 times optical zoom.
With their pan/tilt/zoom functions, they are ideal for monitoring crowds and waiting lines. The camera housing’s inconspicuous dome shape not only offers effective protection from distortion or loss of focus, but it also makes it hard for burglars and other perpetrators to recognize the recording equipment.
Police and security guards benefit too
The stadium An der Alten Försterei in Berlin’s Köpenick municipal district is now one of the best-protected soccer stadiums in Germany. The number of thefts and unauthorized entries to the premises has significantly decreased. A few years ago 1. FC Union Berlin was still fighting to get money for the stadium’s rebuilding and renovation, but thanks to the extraordinary involvement of some fans, it is now completely redone and ready for the national leagues.
While the game is going on, the Berlin police use their own room on the third floor of the grandstand for a view of the stadium. It is equipped with large monitoring screens and separate network access for video recording. Right next to them, the company Securitas — 1. FC Union Berlin’s long-time security provider — uses the security system to get their own view of the safety situation during games and other events.
For this, they use
Symphony video management software from
Aimetis. The premium software is the core of the system and not only manages video, but also analyzes image data. The software manages the entire video system and is also used for visualization and operation by police and end users. It also helps monitor the exterior premises. The new video surveillance system is designed so that police and security guards can see the 19 camera recordings on their monitors at the same time.
This gives them an outstanding view of the stadium and the club’s premises. When necessary, a joystick allows the cameras to pan, tilt or zoom to bring conspicuous people or events into the frame.
“Such clear, precise monitoring is currently the exception in German soccer stadiums. In the future, however, they could become standard due to the German soccer association’s security restrictions and a lack of police personnel,” says Matthias Herrschuh, CEO of globits.
“As a leading security provider, with this sophisticated technology, our experienced employees and partners have created an outstanding security solution for the stadium.” Says Stephan Wolf, Bereichsleiter with Securitas Berlin.