Protecting remote and temporary sites cost-effectively can be a concern, says Mike Fleck of OnGarde, but by following a review process you can put the right system in place to protect your site and all its assets.
Theft, vandalism or fire can delay projects and result in penalties, adverse publicity or even loss of customer confidence. With the Home Office estimating construction site thefts to be costing the industry £400m a year, getting the right security system in place should be the first priority for any site.
Fortunately, by following the simple 1-2-3 rule of deter-monitor-intervene, you can optimise protection of your assets, reduce risks, and limit your insurance premiums.
1.Deterrence
Deterrence has long been known to be the first form of defence, and is a lot more cost-effective than dealing with the impacts of trespass. There are a number of approaches to deterrence, all of which can help in protecting a site from intrusion.
Before deciding on the right approaches for your site, it is important to undertake a thorough site survey to identify where an intruder might be able to gain access. Take a walk around the site with a professional and look for possible entry points – for example a low wall or a tree overhanging a fence.
Signs warning potential trespassers can be invaluable – so make sure they are highly visible, particularly near possible entry points and close by valuable assets, including the site office.
Bright lights and a highly visible CCTV system are proven to be amongst the most effective deterrents, so make sure your site is well-illuminated, and draw attention to your CCTV set-up. If a potential intruder can see a system in place they are more likely to go elsewhere than risk being caught.
2.Monitoring
A lack of forward planning can really limit the value of a CCTV system. The size of your site and the number of boundaries will determine the number of cameras required to ensure that the entire property is covered.
Check for any blind spots, for example at the rear of buildings, behind large machinery, trees or shrubs, or even signs, that can’t be seen in the main camera view.
Consider the power supply options you have available: if the site benefits from mains power then floodlights can serve both as a deterrent and to illuminate an intruder for the sake of a CCTV recording. However, if mains power isn’t available then it is worth considering a hybrid power station or independent wireless security system.
Another alternative to bright floodlights is the more subtle infrared LEDs, which are proving popular on temporary building sites or in built-up areas. Since they use less electricity they can be run on battery power for up to three days without the need for a mains connection.
3.Intervention
The third and final part of an effective security approach is intervention. In the event of an incident, will you require a rapid response? Should the site manager be notified immediately of a security breach?
Do you want intruders to know they are being watched? If so, an audible warning device should be a consideration. After all, it is much cheaper to warn someone off than pay for the damage or theft, with increased insurance premiums adding insult to injury.
If you are using cameras to monitor and record intruders, remember that by law you must have signs to that effect.
About the firm
For more about OnGarde’s CCTV tower and its rental partner ESS Safeforce visit: www.ongardecctv.com.
