Football stadion "Stade de Suisse" Berne

Security in the new Wankdorf

In the summer of 2001 the era of the old Wankdorf Stadium came to an end. Its successor, the Stade de Suisse, was built in the four years that followed. The new complex is a modern sport stadium designed to host more than just football matches. The security design, too, is modern, thanks to the many ways in which the Securitas Group made its substantial contribution to the project. The historical Wankdorf Stadium disappeared loudly in a cloud of dust in 2001. Dynamite levelled the sport facility to make way for a new, ultra-modern stadium with all the extras. The new Stade de Suisse is intended not only for football matches but is also designed to host congresses and public events as well as to function as a meeting place and shopping centre. After four years of construction, the complex was completed and dedicated during a big ceremony. The Securitas Group was particularly delighted by the dedication ceremony, since it had been responsible for security during construction and continues to do so after the opening.

Surveillance and traffic service

Securitas guarded the construction site while it was being built and also made sure that traffic flowed smoothly. Since the facility’s opening, Securitas has been active in a variety of areas. Surveillance continues, of course, to ensure that there are no unwanted visitors in the stadium when it is not in use. And when an event is scheduled, the number of Securitas personnel in and around the stadium increases. Twenty-five Securitas traffic service staff carry out their duties in the car parks while another eight are in the neighbouring area to set up traffic barriers. And in the stadium itself, thirty-five Securitas staff provide guests in the VIP area with pleasant and welcome security conditions.

Monitoring with technology

Securiton implemented a comprehensive fire detection system and a state-of-the-art video system in the Stade de Suisse. Four systems with twenty-four SecuriPro control units are installed for fire detection. In the sport stadium, Wankdorf shopping centre and the adjoining buildings there are 3,000 fire detectors and 200 pushbuttons. There are 350 control units (actuators) that in the event of fire are responsible for triggering the evacuation system in accordance with the security concept. Managing the complex smoke displacement and smoke-heat exhaust system is done using another SecuriPro control unit. The twenty-two moveable Speed Dome cameras installed in the stadium area have a 23x zoom. This makes it possible to recognize and document conflicts and to get them under control quickly with the help of security personnel. The same applies to fixed-position cameras in the entrance and exit areas, in the shopping centre, and in the underground car park. The large-scale construction stages were so late in completion that there was very little time left for installing the security technology. However, thanks to the great efforts of the personnel involved, Securiton was able to meet the required deadlines.

Water from above

Contrafeu’s contribution to the Stade de Suisse project was, among other things, installing 7,500 sprinkler nozzles. These are divided into nine alarm valve stations that are operated as wet systems. In the supply network of the areas subject to freezing, an anti-freeze mixture is used. To be able to supply all of the sprinklers with water for fire-fighting, two pumps were installed in tandem to increase the water pressure. Also, a supply network about 30 kilometers long was required. Evidence of Securitas, Securiton and Contrafeu is everywhere to be found in the new Stade de Suisse, demonstrating once again that the Securitas Group is a dependable and versatile partner when it comes to security.

To top