FAQ Categories
The system can be placed in private homes, businesses, workplaces, public spaces, government buildings, schools, universities, and any location where a building owner desires a safer environment.
The tanks are filled using a transfer pump which pumps in the REPULS solution.
The system is controlled by a control panel located in the identified headroom or other location as determined by the building owner. The touchscreen control is installed in the location or locations determined by the building owner. Zone panic buttons or other closed contact switches are located in each zone, as determined by the building owner. Gunshot detection devices are located in each room or hallway as determined by the engineering of the system and building owner. The system is deployed upon a threat alert via the panic button or a gunshot. The system is deployed at the touchscreen upon visual recognition of the threat by trained building occupants.
SentriZone system is deployed by authorized personnel in separate zones that are set up at various locations in a building. The zones can be deployed singly or in multiples, depending on the situation.
SentriZone is separate from fire sprinkler systems.
No, the system is set to deploy by zones which are engineered before installation. Multiple zones can be deployed concurrently. Rapid deployment is possible when multiple threats are active.
Crotega is not responsible for the use of SentriZone. It is the responsibility of the building management to train and authorize users for integration into the current emergency management plans.
The deployment is engineered prior to installation and pre-set by the programming of the installer to deliver five, ten, or fifteen-second bursts of solution, considering the zone size and location.
Only users with the system touchscreen will be sent the Alert. SentriZone is not designed to send signals to mobile electronic devices, police departments, or to central offices in order to maintain cyber security.
No, SentriZone relies upon visual recognition of the threat for deployment.
No, SentriZone is an independent technology developed to be an Active Assailant Suppression System. It does not block egress or forceful entry but rather it is a tool to be used to suppress the assailant when the assailant is entering or inside the facility.
REPULS does not cause mold or mildew.
It is safe to enter the zone immediately after deployment. Some irritation may be endured. Surfaces may become slippery when wet so enter with stable footing.
No, REPULS was designed to irritate any affected individual and be easily mitigated/treated with water.
The REPULS solution is nonflammable and noncombustible.
REPULS is safe for disposal in existing sewer lines by diluting with water.
REPULS solution is distributed in liquid form similarly to fire sprinklers. The handheld canisters are distributed in a solid stream of liquid.
Effects will vary by person and by deployment accuracy but generally an individual will be incapacitated within 10 to 25 seconds when exposed by the overhead SentriZone deployment. Involuntary eye closure occurs as soon as REPULS enters the eyes.
Testing and field exposure have not raised any concerns for someone with contacts. Those with contacts subjected to an exposure are recommended to remove and rinse contacts.
The REPULS solution cleans up easily from floors and walls by dilution with water and mild soap.
The REPULS solution is a non-poisonous, non-hazardous, water-based mixture and is only slightly acidic with a pH of 5.6-5.8, less than Coke or Pepsi. Care should be taken to ensure that a large amount of REPULS is not ingested.
Effects will vary by person. REPULS will continue to affect the eyes and skin until rinsed with water.
The REPULS solution will cause significant discomfort for any age person. Testing by a nationally recognized laboratory has shown the solution will not cause long lasting irritation when used in the manner designed and mitigated by the in-house responders with water.
There are no long-term effects from exposure to REPULS when used as directed and mitigated by flushing face with water. Force flushing of the eyes is not recommended.
The effects of the solution will last as long as the material is in contact with the skin, nose, throat, and eyes, or until the solution evaporates or dries.
The REPULS solution causes significant irritation to the eyes, and can irritate the nose, throat, lungs, and skin. Exposure results in involuntary eye closure.. REPULS has a pungent odor and stings the skin.
The SentriZone can be installed outdoors in mild climates.
SentriZone can be installed in a variety of ways to accommodate unique ceiling types using recessed mounting, below ceiling mounts, exposed mechanical ceiling mounts and pendant style mounts. Unique ceiling placement may require custom engineering.
Each building owner determines who will be authorized to deploy the system upon recognition of a threat in the building.
SentriZone deployment inthe zone of threat will impact all people in the zone, but will not impede the ability of anyone outside of the spray to either run, hide, or fight (as the Federal Emergency Management recommends). In-House Responders can move through the exposed area as soon as the spray stops, and intercede in the event the perpetrator is not able to focus on continuing with violent activity.
Yes, There are no International Building Codes or International Fire Codes that preclude installation of the SentriZone, as per determination by the International Code Council Evaluation Services and the Minnesota State Fire Marshals.
Contact Crotega to find a rep in your area.
The cost of the system is determined by local dealers that install the system. The cost provided by the integrator will include the SentriZone and all installation costs. Variables that affect the cost include ceiling heights, mechanical space availability, wall and ceiling construction, etc. Options are available as well, including gunshot detection.
Interior threat suppression is a change of paradigm in the security industry. The focus is and has been on keeping the threat out. People who work in schools know the school environment is not served well with increasing access controls and roving armed guards in schools, but there is a deep concern to find a solution for schools and, for that matter, any facility. Our challenge is to shift thinking away from relying on current approaches that have consistently failed to recognize that an armed threat must immediately be confronted with minimal risk to all.
We believe our solution does just that. There is a deadly gap in the minutes between when the shooting starts and when the police arrive and ultimately take control of the situation. Our goal is to fill that gap with an effective, low-risk solution. Far too often, an active shooter plan relies on solid principles but too much on hope and luck. This has resulted in numerous lives lost. Awaiting the police, running, hiding and fighting all mean critical minutes where control of the building is lost to the shooter. History has shown clearly that there is a need to confront and suppress the shooter immediately, while still regarding the risk to all.
Because of Fire Code, deployment of the system needs visual recognition of the threat. Crotega Touchscreens are placed in one or more strategic locations as determined by the building owner. The touchscreen remains unresponsive until alerted by the Threat Alarm buttons or gunshot detectors. The Crotega Threat Suppression utilizes Threat Alarm buttons and gunshot detection technology to alert the system. When a threat is seen, occupants of the building can hit a strategically located Threat Alert button that then brings the camera feed from the zone of threat to the Crotega Touchscreen. If the first indication of a threat is a gunshot, that zone of threat is alerted by the gunshot. The Crotega Touchscreen draws attention to the screen with flashing borders and sound alerts showing the camera feed from the zone of threat, as well as adjacent zones. The trained individual can then deploy upon visual recognition of the threat in that zone and continue the deployment in adjacent zones as needed.
Crotega’s chemist and team of engineers have developed a smart threat suppression system that can be installed in zones in the mechanical spaces of ceilings. These zones can act like a “SWAT team in the ceiling” when a threat is detected in that zone. The Crotega Touch software provides remote deployment of the zones upon visual recognition of the threat. This patented, code-compliant system can be retrofitted in existing buildings and installed in new construction.
