David Hutler, Sales Director for Securitas Security Services, spoke to Roy Cooper after a recent high-rise evacuation seminar hosted by JP Morgan.
David said: High-rise buildings pose unique problems for our security, building managers and safety professionals, who have the responsibility of protecting both life and property. Just as the US was affected by the World Trade Center terrorist attack, we too have now been affected by a new wave of terrorist activity, never seen before. Far too often we hear and read about the terrible tragedies caused by fires, bombings and terrorist attacks. Its fair to say a large percentage of UK employees now go to work in fear of becoming a victim of such attacks. Achieving the proper level of protection is not possible with just one system or one procedure. It is the synergistic effect of all building systems and features working together that keep facilities safe. There is no substitute for an effective security and fire training programme. Awareness and training are essential; security officers must be trained for any and all eventualities.
How does your building rate?
Assessing your security preparedness
Guest speaker was Geoff Craighead CPP Vice President, High Rise & Real Estate Security Services – Securitas USA
In the world of high-rise building design and construction, a variety of security and life safety questions are posed to the engineers and architects who must provide a functional building-regardless of size and occupancy. These were among some of the issues discussed throughout the presentation given by Geoff Graighead.
Post 9/11, security issues have become a major concern for commercial high-rise building owners and managers, and existing and potential tenants. An important tool for assessing the security status of a building is a physical security survey. Before starting, its scope needs to be clearly defined. What exactly is to be achieved by surveying the building, and what are the underlying reasons for it? Is it to assess the potential for a specific terrorist incident, such as those that have occurred in London, New York, Madrid and Bali? If so, part of the process should be to evaluate the building and its tenants to determine if either may draw attention from extremist groups. Is it the tallest building in the city? Is it of historical significance? Is it a major financial center? Does it house a foreign embassy or some other likely target? Only after the real motivating factor has been identified can a focused survey be conducted, reviewed and final recommendations implemented.
Determining a building’s preparedness requires asking probing questions about potential threats to the building and its occupants, examining vulnerabilities that may exist at the property, and identifying security measures that can reduce or eliminate the potential for identified threats to become reality.
Generally, ten areas to consider are in the following Checklist for Security and Life Safety.
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Checklist for Security and Life Safety
To assess potential vulnerabilities of a building, examine the effectiveness of current security measures in areas that include the following:
1. Building and perimeter controls, including entry of vehicles to under-building parking garages
2. Access control of tenants and visitors, including entry to loading docks by delivery persons, contractors and vendors
3. Package acceptance, mail delivery and property removal control measures.
4. State of existing systems and equipment:
a. Lighting
b. Locks and key control
c. Intrusion detection/alarm systems
d. Video surveillance systems
e. Electronic access control systems
f. Fire detection and suppression systems
g. Heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems
5. Security staffing and training
6. Building policies and procedures
7. State of post orders/standard operating procedures and security instructions
8. Building emergency plan:
a. Building Emergency Procedures Manual
b. Building emergency staff preparedness
c. Occupant training
d. Floor warden/fire warden program
e. Table top exercises and evacuation drills, including total building evacuation
9. Communication of the security and life safety program to tenants
10. Background checks of building staff, including security, engineering, janitorial, maintenance, and elevator technicians
A building’s preparedness is also potentially impacted by neighboring properties, and is crucially dependent upon the planned response from local law enforcement, emergency services and fire authorities. Building owners and managers can dramatically increase their preparedness by actively communicating and coordinating plans with such neighbors and agencies. By doing so, one can be assured that reasonable measures have been taken to provide for the security and life safety of all building users.
Geoff Craighead, CPP, VP, High-Rise and Real Estate Services, Securitas Security Services USA, Inc., recently gave a presentation on the state of US high-rise building security and Securitas’ specialized commercial building training programmes to The Sister Banks, in London. He chairs the ASIS International Commercial Real Estate Council, and is author of the book, High-Rise Security and Fire Life Safety, published by Butterworth-Heinemann.
