The Site
A 24/7 student block, due an upgrade.
Taking Over Maintenance
Issues fixed in weeks, not years.
Photuris took over the maintenance contract at Brunswick House in February 2023 through our long-standing relationship with Derwent FM — a national facilities-management partner active across the student accommodation sector. Staff and management were immediately impressed with the level of service. Issues that had been ongoing for years were rectified within weeks of us taking over. A documented service log replaced what had previously been an ad-hoc arrangement, and Brunswick House came to us directly when the time came to commission a full upgrade rather than going to tender.Multiple cameras went offline frequently and image quality was very poor — Photuris rectified issues that had been ongoing for years within weeks.
Old vs New
The image-quality uplift, side by side.
The Upgrade
21 IP cameras, designed against DORI.
Every camera position was reviewed against DORI image-quality targets. The resulting schedule mixes resolutions to put the right pixel density in front of the right scene — 4 MP Hikvision domes in the common-area internals, 6 MP Hikvision 360s for wide-area internal coverage, and 8 MP vandal-proof Hikvision domes on every external position.- 21-camera IP site, fully addressable
- Milestone XProtect Express+ VMS on dedicated server hardware
- 43-inch 4K reception monitor replacing the original CCTV display
- Two new external positions covering previously uncovered blind spots
- Designed to BS EN 62676 with documented commissioning records
Milestone XProtect Express+
21 cameras, one operator-friendly view.
Milestone XProtect Express+ was selected for the VMS platform because it allows easy viewing and playback of all 21 cameras simultaneously on the new 43-inch 4K reception monitor. Staff can search recordings using Milestone's built-in motion analytics to locate key events quickly when incidents need investigating — critical for a 24/7 residential environment where reception turnover is frequent and new operators need to get up to speed fast. The open-platform approach future-proofs the site too: additional cameras, intercoms or access-control integrations don't require a platform change, and Milestone's multi-vendor support means the operator isn't locked into any one camera manufacturer for the life of the asset.
Reusing Existing Infrastructure
A full-quality uplift without a full re-wire.
The original system was wired with video baluns, which allowed us to reuse the majority of the original cabling for the new IP cameras — a substantial quality uplift without the disruption or cost of a full re-wire through occupied corridors and risers. Every reused cable was tested and certified end-to-end with our Fluke Networks DSX CableAnalyzer, giving Brunswick House a full report identifying any cables that had failed and may need replacement in the future. Those certificates sit alongside the system as part of the documented handover.
Access Control Extension
Paxton Net2 — extended, not replaced.
While on site, Photuris also extended the existing Paxton Net2 system to two new control points — an internal door previously left on a mechanical lock, and an external gate fitted with a weatherproof magnetic lock and dedicated reader. The site's access control was extended to the points it had been missing without introducing a second platform for staff to manage, and without any change to resident credentials. All work delivered to BS EN 60839-11 by SSAIB-certified engineers.The Kit
The right tool for each position.
Internal Domes
Hikvision 4 MP IP Domes
Common-area and corridor coverage internally — the right pixel density for wide-angle indoor scenes.Internal 360°
Hikvision 6 MP 360 Cameras
Wide-area situational awareness in lobbies and atriums — one mount, full coverage of the space below.External Vandal-Proof
Hikvision 8 MP Vandal-Proof Domes
Every external position — perimeter, car park, gates and approaches. IK10 vandal-resistant with full-DORI identification at distance.Recording & Playback
Milestone XProtect Express+
Open-platform VMS — 21-camera live grid, smart-search incident review, evidential export.Operator Display
43-inch 4K Reception Monitor
Replaces the original CCTV display — every camera at full pixel-density on a single glance.Access Control
Paxton Net2 Extension
Weatherproof external reader and magnetic lock on the rear gate, plus an internal door upgrade — same platform, same credentials.By the numbers
21
IP cameras across the site
2
External blind spots closed
43 in
4K reception monitor
100%
Cabling Fluke-certified
The outcome
- Dramatically improved image quality at every camera position — usable, evidential footage
- Analytics-driven playback, easier for new reception staff to pick up
- Two previously uncovered external blind spots now fully monitored
- Access control extended to the missing internal door and external gate, on the existing Paxton platform
- Existing cable infrastructure reused where viable — keeping cost and disruption to residents down
- A documented commissioning pack delivered to Derwent FM and Brunswick House