Background
SGN Gas manages gas infrastructure across the south of England and Scotland, delivering energy services to 5.9 million homes and businesses. With its existing disaster recovery control room in need of updating, SGN embarked on a project to create a new, purpose-built facility. To support this initiative, SGN engaged Cinos to design and deliver the video distribution technology that would maintain continuity, drive innovation, and lay the foundation for operational excellence.
The Requirement
At the heart of SGN’s requirement was the need for a modern control room capable of supporting 24/7 operations across multiple regions. The organisation needed an environment that would effectively oversee its gas operations, while matching the resilience and operational efficiency of SGN’s main control site.
The new suite would be comprised of two physical spaces:
Crucially, the facility had to meet the needs of control room operators. SGN was keen to invest in the wellbeing of its staff; creating a space that felt modern, welcoming and promoted long-term focus and resilience.
The Solution
Cinos delivered a future-ready facility designed around three integrated operational zones: the Control Room, the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC), and a dedicated Incident Management Room. Each space was tailored to support 24/7 operations, combining intuitive system control, ergonomic design, and secure infrastructure to manage gas control, security monitoring, and incident response effectively.
VuWall TRx and Q-SYS Control
At the core of the facility’s technical architecture are VuWall’s TRx platform integrated with Q-SYS control systems, deployed across all three spaces to ensure flexible distribution and control of content sources.
VuWall’s TRx platform enables operators to dynamically manage video feeds from multiple sources and direct them to any screen within the facility, supporting real-time situational awareness.
All PC hardware is centralised in a secure comms room, accessible only by authorised personnel. Using VuWall’s IP KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) matrix, operators can seamlessly switch between multiple SCADA systems and data sources at their desks, improving flexibility while maintaining strong security protocols and clear desk policies.
The Q-SYS Core Nano processor manages audio volume and switching across the facility and integrates with the VuWall platform for seamless system-wide coordination. From the Q-SYS Touch Screen Controller, fully integrated into the setup, the Network Manager has complete control over all communications and visual outputs.
The Control Room
The layout of the new Control Room was carefully configured to reflect SGN’s regional structure, with three dedicated operator positions each overseeing a key geographical region within SGN’s network.
To support effective decision-making, a seven-screen Samsung video wall spans the front of the room, delivering a continuous live feed of network status, SCADA data, dynamic weather maps, integrated FreeSat TV, and other operationally critical information. These visuals play a vital role in anticipating demand and enabling timely responses to emerging challenges across the network.
Each operator station is equipped with five desk monitors from Phillips which can be mirrored onto the video wall in any configuration. Audio from SCADA systems is also routed to each desk, ensuring operators receive critical alerts without delay. In addition, two fully equipped business support positions offer flexibility during high-demand scenarios or serve as fallback stations should an operator’s primary position become unavailable.
Overseeing the operation is the Network Manager, strategically positioned to maintain full visibility across the room. With direct access to the Q-SYS Touch Screen Controller, the manager can take control of visual and audio outputs across the space whenever required.
JBL Control 24CT MICRO-PLUS speakers and an integrated sound system ensure crystal clear communication across the space, while individual zones retain limited local control to manage their own settings when required.
Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC)
Security operations are handled by a fully equipped ARC, responsible for monitoring access points and hazardous deliveries across SGN sites. Dual wall-mounted 55” Samsung displays serve as dedicated endpoints which typically display CCTV feeds from the CCTV Video Management System (VMS) but can also route video from any control desk via the Q-SYS Touch Screen, a capability made possible through the integrated VuWall system.
Incident Management Room
A key addition to the facility is a dedicated Incident Management Room, designed to support fast, coordinated responses to operational challenges. Dual wall-mounted 55” displays, fully integrated with the wider system, allow the space to receive live video feeds from across the control suite. Using the Q-SYS Touch Screen Controller, the Network Manager can route specific content into the room and quickly initiate video conferencing calls with key stakeholders — enabling informed, real-time decision-making during critical incidents.
Supporting Operator Wellbeing
Reflecting SGN’s commitment to staff wellbeing, each operator station is equipped with electronically operated, height-adjustable screen mounts and desktops from Mayteck, allowing individuals to alternate between sitting and standing throughout their shifts. To further enhance comfort and focus in a 24/7 environment, Cinos also introduced natural LED skylights from Aspire, featuring intelligent lighting systems that adjust colour temperature throughout the day from cooler tones in the morning, to warmer hues in the evening. By mimicking the natural progression of sunlight, these subtle but effective changes help reduce fatigue and support circadian rhythms.
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This project was about designing a robust, human-centric environment for 24/7 operations. As a mission-critical environment at the heart of SGN’s operations, it’s essential that everything in the control room, from the people to the technology, works at an optimal level. From secure infrastructure to intuitive control and a wellbeing-focused design, we worked closely with SGN to deliver a future proof control suite that empowers operators to perform at their best every day. |
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Steve Franklin
Executive Director, Cinos. |
The Benefits
Enhanced Security and Efficiency
– Centralising all PC hardware in a restricted-access comms room strengthens both physical and cybersecurity, while also simplifying IT maintenance and reducing heat and noise within the control environment.
Flexibility and Resilience
– The VuWall KVM matrix enables any PC to be mapped to any operator desk. In the event of a workstation becoming unavailable, operators can quickly relocate and resume work without disruption, maintaining operational continuity.
Operational Agility
– Operators can switch between systems and SCADA machines from their own desks using VuWall’s KVM matrix, allowing for fast, flexible responses across regional networks.
Real-time Situational Awareness
– The seven-screen video wall provides continuous visibility of network status, weather conditions, and other critical data, helping teams anticipate issues and maintain service continuity. Powered by the VuWall TRx system, any video source can be mapped to any screen, whether on the video wall or individual operator desks, making key insights immediately accessible to those who need them.
Streamlined experience
– Skylights with adjustable colour temperature mimic natural daylight cycles, while height-adjustable desks and screen mounts support operator wellbeing during long or overnight shifts.
Centralised control and visibility
– The Q-SYS controller enables the network manager to oversee and manage audio-visual functions across the suite, with the ability to override or adjust as required.
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The upgraded disaster recovery control room provides a truly resilient facility, one that’s modern, thoughtfully designed, and places the wellbeing of our team at its centre. From design to installation, our work with Cinos went very smoothly. They understood our vision and brought it to life and our team of operators is really enjoying the new space. |
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TBC
Project Manager, SGN Gas. |
VuWall TRx Platform
The VuWall TRx system sits at the heart of the control room system, enabling operators to dynamically manage video feeds from multiple sources and direct them to any screen within the facility. It combines AV-over-IP distribution, advanced multi-video wall and KVM management to deliver a future-proof solution for mission critical control rooms.
Q-SYS Control
The Q-SYS TSC-70-G3 Touch Screen Controller provides full control of communications and visual outputs through a fully customisable user interface. Leveraging Q-SYS’s drag-and-drop integration, it delivers intuitive AV control with enhanced resolution, smoother screen transitions, and a modern, high-performance design—ideal for managing complex environments with ease.
