Command Center Planning, Design & Implementation

ASRA operates a Security Operations Centres Design Center of Excellence that includes performance and task analysis, human machine interface design, human factors esngineering and ergonomics, architectural, electrical, mechanical and HVAC design including the application of International Standards (ISO, ANSI, EIA) for secure operations centers.

A critical aspect of almost all the large projects we have been involved with has been the Command, Control and Communications Centre. If the heart of any security management system or network is not designed to operate at maximum efficiency then all the implementation expense can be wasted. Optimization of the design for human operations includes assessment for tasks, responses, equipment, infrastructure and environment.

	Command, Control and Communication are the essential factors in harvesting order out of chaos.   The operations disciplines and information systems that support the core functions of a modern Command Center have grown more complex.

The quantity of information available is multiplying with the introduction of new technologies and the required decision making processes that are introduced with the technology. Control Room Operators are being asked to undertake a mix of tasks, some electronic, some manual and others that are still paper based, and all of these responsibilities are sometimes conducted under great pressure. Workstation tasks and operator responsibilities need to be reconciled with an efficient and comfortable working environment.

Further, workstation design, environmental and monitoring equipment selection must conform to architectural requirements. Archiving and quality control monitoring systems need to be incorporated to provide adequate and essential management control functions.

A Standards based approach to control room planning, design and implementation can help to ensure that the best solution possible is achieved in a cost effective way.

The following list of primary tasks has been compiled from Applied Security Research's extensive experience in control room design. We have designed over thirty operations centers for Government, Institutional, Correctional and Military clients. The precise amount of effort required for any particular task will depend on how much has already been accomplished, and past project experience indicates that attention must be given to all these requirements for the smooth and successful implementation of a new Command Center.

• Feasibility studies with cost estimates
• Development of job descriptions/ operational specifications
• Operations Policy documentation including Post Orders and user manuals
• Functional Programming
• Determination of space requirements
• Applicable Standards including HFS-HMI, ANSI, EIA and ISO
• Interior design advice including lighting and environmental control
• Equipment Selection-Workstations, Environmental, Illumination and Control hardware
• Identification of Command functions and their interrelationships
• Man-machine interface including task analysis, ergonomics and human factors
• Design for the integration of control room systems
• Workstation, furniture and room layouts
• Graphical User Interface design and other job aids
• Simulation trials
• Physical and electronic security measures
• Electrical design & specification
• Standby power; Generator and UPS specifications
• Planning changeover to a new or refurbished control room
• Tender documentation and design specifications
• Project Management tasks including schedule management and acceptance testing
• Staff training

CASE STUDY #1

RCMP: The RCMP OCC is located at the Alta Vista Headquarters and required expansion. ASRA conducted the HMI (Human-Machine-Interface) design reviews for the control room operations. Learn more about our Command Center Planning, Design & Implementation.

Are your security measures adequate?

Contact ASRA via email; info@asrasecurity.com, or phone; 416-548-4193 to discuss your security requirements.